My Little Pony : Second Thread

[Ralin]

Not sure what to think about this week's episode. The premise was great. I don't think they managed to pull it off. Really, this should have been the first movie of this generation of the show.

I felt that way about a lot of episodes this season, actually. It's had a really different feel from the previous two. I suppose it's because the writers are trying new ideas and directions to take the show, which is a good thing

[LadyTevar]

It was too short.

[RogueIce]

So the Brony Documentary is officially here.

Don't be a douche, don't upload it to YouTube.

Trailer!

[madd0ct0r]

woah. youtube's broken it's embedding format badly.

[Zixinus]

So this happened.

The fandom has been shitting bricks since. I'm indifferent and telling anyone else to get over themselves when it comes to this.

[Crazedwraith]

That's news? I thought that was pretty much the obvious reading of the promo. So obvious I'd hoped it was not where they were going but whatever.

[Wild Zontargs]

Oh my. We're a real fandom now, with weekly drama storms and cries of "ruined forever!". Such a proud day!

Seriously, call me when there's humans in season 4. Then I'll panic.

[Mr Bean]

It's been a fandom towards the end of Season 2 when the fanworks hit critical mass and the first of two great freakouts happened with Derpy and then the Wedding.

As for this news, I'll wait and see, and color me confused about the slightly older leaked news from Hasbro.
So you have this thing called MLP, your Hasbro which means you want to sell toys, but you then tell your writers to cut down on side characters? I can understand cost saving measures to reduce voice actors costs but seriously Transformers knew you wanted the new toys so you introduce the new Toys... I mean characters into the series. But then you turn around and tell the writers for Season 4 you can only work with characters already introduced and voiced.
That's an odd business decision since your a Toy company and the more characters the more toys you sell, and for fuck sake this is the fandom that churn out over forty thousand fanfics about ponies with at most two lines.

Remember that old joke about the Star Wars EU about how every charater is important including Ice Cream man? (The guy on Bespin who in one scene is running by with what is obviously a home ice-cream maker). Thanks to the EU we know that guy was Mr important and that was not an ice cream maker but a vital database and.... whatever thing is random background character gets a story published about him and an entry on Wookipedia.

But meanwhile as I check now FIMfiction passed a million stories and a billion words almost a year ago. If it's one thing FIM produces it's fanwork, in fact I'm pretty sure had Guiness had a "most fan work in fiction" FIM despite being around for less than three full years would be racing towards the amounts ST and SW have put out in thirty plus years now.

[Irbis]

As for this news, I'll wait and see, and color me confused about the slightly older leaked news from Hasbro.
So you have this thing called MLP, your Hasbro which means you want to sell toys, but you then tell your writers to cut down on side characters? I can understand cost saving measures to reduce voice actors costs but seriously Transformers knew you wanted the new toys so you introduce the new Toys... I mean characters into the series. But then you turn around and tell the writers for Season 4 you can only work with characters already introduced and voiced.
That's an odd business decision since your a Toy company and the more characters the more toys you sell, and for fuck sake this is the fandom that churn out over forty thousand fanfics about ponies with at most two lines.

Wait, what? When? I never heard anything about it, link, please? Also, it doesn't make any sense seeing most of their VA plays multiple characters, and can do one more in a cinch.

AJ sends Spike off to clean a plate and he floods Rarity's kitchen with suds, asks for a broom, then comes back with a broken pipe. That's not being new at something, that's fucking Spongebob levels of stupid. Twilight shouldn't have a library left after two years of this kind of behavior.

And you're only noticing this now?

"Spongebob levels of stupid" is one of the things I hate about MLP, but it's also very common. Name one character that wasn't hit by it. I find it much easier to excuse in overeager child, than in characters that should DAMNED know better. Like, say, AJ in one episode earlier ("Apple Family Reunion") - isn't she supposed to be all common sense? Or TS in "Lesson Zero" - that episode was beyond idiotic. Pinkie in most of her episodes, Fluttershy in most of hers, etc. etc. Everyone got episode with idiot ball, and Spike's was very mild to most of these, IMHO.

Pictures here of where they didn't change everything and an example of the character re-recolored back to the original, and Sibsy talked a bit about it on her twitter.

Eh, the picture is ambiguous, IMHO (unless we claim Photo Finish is TS in disguise), but thanks. Though, still, I am personally glad they replaced the pony if they really did it, animators hijacking visual medium without asking to put something not consulted in is a big no-no, IMHO. Subtle cameos, like the other animator OC who get a toy? Sure. Self insert into major character? No. No no no. It just breaks a suspension of disbelief for me.

But I might just be biased as I don't really like the OC (seeing something human-coloured in this show is a bit uncanny valley for me) nor the artist drawing style. Other OC has also weird colours, but it's way better match for show tone, IMHO.

[Mr Bean]

Wait, what? When? I never heard anything about it, link, please? Also, it doesn't make any sense seeing most of their VA plays multiple characters, and can do one more in a cinch.

This was Reddit linked about a month back before Season 4 was confirmed as part of the Hasbro is insisting on X claims

[Irbis]

This was Reddit linked about a month back before Season 4 was confirmed as part of the Hasbro is insisting on X claims

Ah. So, not any confirmed source?

I don't know, Hasbro saying this after telling writers who asked "can we have cheap de Lancie voice-like" simply "why we don't pay real one?" is not very believable, unless that big voice change drama soured views of finance department.

But then again, I have been watching all the Twilight drama last week and I have seen about two dozen fake "hasbro said bad stuff" links in that period alone...

[Irbis]

A side note since edit window has passed, and I rewatched the episode - "Wild Fire" changes mane and tail shape a few times as seen here, which is weird if it was originally animator's OC, as I wouldn't expect her to make mistakes about something she cared. It looks more consistent with typical recolor, seeing "Wild Fire" shaped ponies appeared a few times already, even getting their own toys. But I can see how it can be seen both ways.

[Zixinus]

Like, say, AJ in one episode earlier ("Apple Family Reunion") - isn't she supposed to be all common sense? Or TS in "Lesson Zero" - that episode was beyond idiotic. Pinkie in most of her episodes, Fluttershy in most of hers, etc. etc. Everyone got episode with idiot ball, and Spike's was very mild to most of these, IMHO.

AJ isn't supposed to be "all common sense". I don't recall her being portrayed like that. In that, she was portrayed as someone given a new responsibility that she handled far too well. The idea that "you can't force people to have fun" is not an obvious wisdom and I don't think that this is the first case in fiction where an adult didn't get that.

As for Lesson Zero, it was carefully set up to show that Twilight is obsessive about order and especially obsessive about never disappointing Celestia. The episode is a result of the two mixing into a dangerous spiral. Nor is this the first case of her taking her assumptions too far (hell, in Boast Busters, she allowed Trixie to wipe her ego around the place because of her assumptions). It points out that this is Twilight's blind spot, something that she cannot view objectively, hence why it descended into chaos.

Contrast here, where Spike literately cannot go to a balloon's anchor post without ramming his head into it because.... why? I recall that Spike was shown to do something clumsily once or twice (the most prominent example that comes to mind is when he accidentally caused a ruckus in a kitchen during Bridgle Gossip), but in this episode it just goes too far. If the other cases were an idiot-ball, this 10-ton, nail-to-the-brain retard-ball.

[Wing Commander MAD]

Well after a bit of a delay due to some computer issues and more procrastination I'm back with a brand new OS to boot. Fortunately, my notes survived the transition. Anyway, here's my thought regarding a few of the recentish episodes this season.

Sleepless in Ponyville

• Granny Smith is apparently used to Scoots jumping her.
• Rarirty despising camping after Sweetie Belle saying she loves it.
• Sweetie Belle convincing Rarity was cute.
• Sweetie Belle pulling Rarity's cart... oh Rarity you don't know the meaning of packing light do you.
• Sweetie Belle singing, a nice bit of continuity. Also, I like that she literally passes out after finishing.
• The overall message of the episode is a good one.
• The dream at the end was cute.
• We know Scoots has no living siblings, or at least any that live nearby.

Wonderbolts Academy

• Why I don't know, but the first thing that comes to my mind as an episode title is Dash Academy, not the actual title.
• Pinkie's megaphone bit was amusing.
• Mailbox Pinkie, it looks like Twilight might not be the only one with OCD symptoms.
• Injured Dash flying with one wing was an interesting touch, though I'm not sure how that works.
• Did AJ break the fourth wall during Pinkie's care package scare when looking annoyed or was it my imagination?
• The body builder pegasus, or Meathead as I call him, returns.
• Cropped tails on all male staff is a nice touch and fits with the following.
• Wanderbolts are definitely military, I don't think there can be any question regarding that.
• Fluttershy being rescued, and her rescuer looking annoyed when she starts flying, along with her embarrassed look, was priceless.

Apple Family Reunion

• Possible portrait of the parents in the background, or the pony equivalent of this.
• Baby Applejack is adorable.
• Ponies may use a lunar calendar.
• Spike the Zippo was cute.
• Fruit bats, what more do I need to say.
• We now know how long it's been since the first episode, assuming that is gathering that Granny Smith is referring to.
• Granny's streched face looking liker her younger self, talk about a face lift.
• Babs is back!
• It would appear that not all of the Apple family are country bumpkins, though that was a given considering the Oranges in Manehattan.

Spike at Your Service

• "Little" Piggington...
• What were they thinking having Spike get eggs, and why were they on such a high shelf? Yes, let's keep the very icon of fragility on a shelf that none of us, save maybe Big Macintosh, can reach.
• Applejacks face when Granny Smith brought up Twlilight needing Spikes help was amusing.
• Twilight not paying attention to Spike... again.
• Applejack's and Granny Smith's reaction to Spike's news was good.
• Rarity and the pie.
• Rainbow Dash's novel and Rarity's reaction to it.
• Ponies have indoor plumbing it seems.
• Rarity's face when poking at the drain trap.
• RD bit off more than she could chew it seems.
• Spike counting the blades of grass... ALL OF THEM.
• Pinkie's plan and mustache, so Pinkie Pie.
• The Giant Timberwolf asking for a moment as it was hacking itself appart in a caughing fit, such a polite menacing beast.

I'll get to the last few soon and I suppose cover the season closer next week. Not that anyone cares.

[Zixinus]

We know Scoots has no living siblings, or at least any that live nearby.

How can you assume that?

Because one of the things that seem to be inherit in the show's writing is deliberately leaving holes and possibilities open. That way, if they have an idea for a future Scotaloo episode or just one where they would be featured, they can custom-fit them to the story.

Remember that the stories the fandom about how Sweetie Belle is somehow Rarity's secret, shame-child or something equally insane?

Yes, it is a bit stupid, but that's how cartoon-writing seems to work.

Injured Dash flying with one wing was an interesting touch, though I'm not sure how that works.

It was meant as an analogue for a sprain or other, usual athlete injury.

I mean, if you try to think about it, how is her wing-span supposed to even attempt to lift her? Why do pegasi have front legs and a four-leg configuration, when a more bird-like two-legged bipedal configuration for ground locomotion and repurpousing of front legs would be far more aerodynamically sound?

Wanderbolts are definitely military, I don't think there can be any question regarding that.

They have a military attitude, or at least, Spitfire thought that watching parodies of marine drill sergeants was enough.

However, I do not recall them ever being given weapons, which deeply undermines the "military" idea. I, for one, am only more deeply confused what the Wonderbolts are actually supposed to DO.

Possible portrait of the parents in the background, or the pony equivalent of this.

More likely just American Gothic ponified. I don't understand what's so big deal or why that is so funny.
Twitter messages have sort-of confirmed that the two shooting stars may be a reference to AJ's parents though.

What were they thinking having Spike get eggs, and why were they on such a high shelf? Yes, let's keep the very icon of fragility on a shelf that none of us, save maybe Big Macintosh, can reach.

I feel that this episode is born out of the "had some funny gag ideas, made a story around those" approach. Which is why these things happen: if Spike hasn't lost all sense of coordination, fine motor control and probably several other reasonable characteristics of brain function, all while without him noticing, or if things would have been sensibly placed, the show would have been less funny. Somehow.

I do believe that this is partly because I am attaching deeper ideas and characteristics to Spike, ones that are not in the creator's vision or even compatible with how the creators treat him. But mostly because all Spike-related jokes were just lame. The other stuff was good though!

[Zixinus]

I'm afraid I'm just building up far too high expectations for this show now. It was sort of meh, although I do like the fact that the mane6 are open up about their mistake and take responsibility for it. I was able to predict what will happen the minute I saw the luggage. The old "mistakenly pampared the wrong person while the intended one gets a terrible experince, only for the real person to be swayed by the misguided target's experiences in the end" story. I did not find it amusing.

[LadyTevar]

Yeah, it was all very 'scripted' to where I could see it coming. I walked away several times because of the sheer "meh".

However, Candance's 'do was GORGEOUS once they got it done.

[Wing Commander MAD]

If there were a time to introduce an older sibling for Scootaloo, "Sleepless in Ponyville" would be the time to do it either directly or indirectly. They can get away with the whole never mentioning Shining Armor since he lives in an entirely different city and the issue of family never really has come up in such a way with the mane 6 before. Mind you that could also be the case here, which is why I specified none that live nearby. Seeing as none are mentioned, and the whole basis of episode is her wanting Dash as a big sister... I suppose she could have an older sibling that she isn't close to, but that would seem to be uncharacteristic of the show. I highly doubt she has any same age or near same age siblings as that would also have likely made it's way into the show by now, if only through both being at the school. The odds of siblings interacting with each other tends to go up the closer in age they are. Now I suppose she could be the big sister, but at this time if I had to put my money on something, it's that she is an only child.

Don't even get me started on what the problems with pegasus flight are mechanically. I don't think about it for exactly that reason. The closest I ever thought about pegasus' flight and reality is musing that we may be able to figure out how "wing-power" from "Hurricane Fluttershy" relates to newtons, or more accurately joules since it's work that is involved.

I agree, the painting is most likely the pony version of American Gothic, but I figured throwing out the idea that it could be a portrait of the parents wouldn't cause any harm. It's not a big deal or funny in the slightest bit, merely idle speculation. I do recall the bit about the shooting stars representing the parents.

[Hawkwings]

Well, this is it folks.

http://www.equestriadaily.com/2013/02/m ... rumor.html
Oh god why. Spoiler

[Ralin]

Don't even get me started on what the problems with pegasus flight are mechanically. I don't think about it for exactly that reason. The closest I ever thought about pegasus' flight and reality is musing that we may be able to figure out how "wing-power" from "Hurricane Fluttershy" relates to newtons, or more accurately joules since it's work that is involved.

I always just assumed it was part of their magic, same as being able to walk on clouds.

[WesFox13]

Well, this is it folks.

http://www.equestriadaily.com/2013/02/m ... rumor.html
Oh god why.

Yeah that Image originated on an anti-MLP blog. And it's claimed to be a screen shot by someone who Claims to be working for Hasbro. It is very easy to fake something like this. So we have no idea what they are actually going to look like.

[Irbis]

Yeah that Image originated on an anti-MLP blog. And it's claimed to be a screen shot by someone who Claims to be working for Hasbro. It is very easy to fake something like this. So we have no idea what they are actually going to look like.

Yeah, I can find you literally hundreds of different, very good pictures of humanized MLP cast. The fact that (not exactly anti-MLP, more like anti-fandom) some random blog has picture before all major MLP news sites says it's 99.9% fake.

Although one thing I find amusing is this "leaked" picture looks way better than all attempts I am aware of by Lauren Faust to draw vector art humans. Seriously, both her Marvel art and GGirls look sort of amateurish next to this. Also, whoever did this get major props for avoiding most of clichés found in 'humanized MLP' art.

[Hawkwings]

It's not just that picture, it's the multitude of other things.

Trademark Filing
Magazine article
detail

I'd be far less worried if it was just that one picture (or the other picture with Trixie) but all this combined? Not good.

[WesFox13]

It's not just that picture, it's the multitude of other things.

Trademark Filing
Magazine article
detail

I'd be far less worried if it was just that one picture (or the other picture with Trixie) but all this combined? Not good.

Yes but so far those pictures haven't been confirmed by Hasbro or anyone. The only thing we do know is that the ponies become human, anything else is nothing but speculation so far.

[Xess]

I don't see the problem, I don't find keeping humanized ponies the same colour as the regular ponies good looking but I have no problem with a spin-off involving humanized ponies it itself. If the writing remains good quality it could be a good addition to the franchise.