One big pet peeve I have from many corners of this fandom is the STUPID "you're afraid of change" strawman. Instead of creating a debate about why the change is good or bad, too many destruct the argument to "You don't like it? You hate change!" or "You're afraid of change!"

This is like "It's for kids/little girls" as an excuse for FIM's too many shortcomings or "older male bronies stole FIM from little girls" to discredit the impact of the brony community (both of which I'm seeing way too often here).

So why is this excuse so stupid?

Well, think of strawmen. They're massive exaggerations, misinterpretations, or fabrications of another person's argument simply to make him or herself look better. The second you use the strawman, you're not creating a point. You're devaluing your whole opinion by being dishonest. The more you parrot it, the more I wonder if the those who embrace this strawman actually care about FIM's quality. You claim you want to see it improve, but your actions contradict what you claim.

It's not about the change itself that's the flaw or strength, but the quality of the change thereof. How the change was executed. If the change is a good change, then it's fine. If it's a bad change, then people have every reason to complain or criticize.

People complained of the Twilicorn because it was a poorly executed change. Executed far too quickly, retconned the cutie mark as predestination and being fixated on it instead of something innate and grown into embracing, and the unfortunate implications. Five minutes is more than enough time to deliver a solid first impression of the Twilicorn, and DHX failed. If Magical Mystery Cure was objectively good, then there wouldn't have been complaints even to this day. And if Twilicorn was actually treated with respect in season four (as in they wrote her as if they knew how to deal with her current status as royalty), then there still wouldn't be much criticism over it.

People complained about Equestria Girls because the concept was DOA. A world of stereotypes and clichés that do nothing to help expand what made the show spectacular. Sunset Shimmer was a stereotypical villain. Flash was a stereotypical good guy with Twilight only getting a crush on him 'cause he looked hot. The HuMane Five are shallow caricatures of their pony counterparts. Rainbow Rocks does nothing to deconstruct this sterile world. Flash is still a walking stereotype. The HeMane Five regress. By having her whole character reset and the HuMane Five acting like idiots just to make her look better, Sunset's character development/redemption subplot is discredited…and it's unfortunate 'cause she had a decent arc with a LOT of potential. The villains are flat. Even though some of the charm exists in RR, part of what makes FIM a lovable world (a fantasy world designed to subvert antifeminist stereotypes) is still absent.

People praised the ending of Lesson Zero because it was a well-executed change. One of the bigger problems of season one was how Twilight was often shoehorned just so she could narrate the lesson. Having the other characters write the friendship report fixed the problem. And it helped when Lesson Zero and Sisterhooves Social are so well-done and easily two of the ten best in the show, Sisterhooves the best season two episode, too.

People praised Luna Eclipsed because it was an improvement. Luna had a fuller character dynamic and became even more relatable than during season one. If Luna Eclipsed wasn't well-executed, then she wouldn't still have such a big fanbase, would she?

People complained about Twilight's new castle because it's not that aesthetically pleasing. Visually, the Library is Twilight in essence. How? It's quirky, homey, and organic, yet very balanced. In character of Twilight, iconic, yet not sticking out. Tirek blowing it up is bold and really pushed forward the fantastic — if not bombastic — battle scene. The castle, however, is really jagged on the outside (sticking out aplenty in the organically shaped buildings of Ponyville) and looks really dark on the inside. Outside, it's very unbalanced by having most of the structure lean on one side. Inside, the dark colors, jagged edges, and cool colors make it gloomy, sterile, and cold; the hard-seated thrones only accentuate the unfriendly connotations. There's a really great song from Promises, Promises called A House Is Not a Home. The new castle may be Twilight's house, but it's not a cozy home for the reasons already explained. Twilight's castle replacing the Library is like idea of a cookie-cutter stadium (Riverfront Stadium, Three Rivers Stadium, RFK Stadium) replacing Camden Yards.

People complained about Discord turning good in Keep Calm and Flutter On for nearly the same reasons as MMC: a contrivedly fast pace, but with Fluttershy's evil implications when delivering the moral. Many speculated a return to the dark side for Discord in season four for a reason. Conversely, many praised Discord's true change in Twilight's Kingdom because the narrative took its time. When Discord became evil, he was given the freedom. But he made a huge mistake and paid an even huger price, thus having to learn the lesson of friendship the hard way. Given the context, it makes more sense and remedies Keep Calm's flaws.

Many people accepted Maud because it was done well for the most part. Maud's a pretty memorable character and a great candidate for so much analysis. (Her matter-of-fact approach to everything, including her love for rocks, while maintaining her dry focus invites plenty of speculation and headcanon.) She and Pinkie definitely have a great relationship, and they care for each other. Not to mention, Maud was foreshadowed early in Pinkie Pride through the photo hanging on the wall (and PiP is a fantastic episode, too).

People praised the evolution of both Dash and Scootaloo in Sleepless in Ponyville because it was something that was a long time coming, and done really well. Scootaloo idolized Dash and really emulated her despite being herself. She grew, and Dash was really well written up to this point. Confident, a great storyteller, yet very oblivious to Scootaloo's nightmares. The moment between them is extremely sweet and relatable.

And speaking of Scootaloo, people praised the evolution of her possibly being disabled in Flight to the Finish because it was really well-done. It was an idea Faust thought of when she was in control only to not be used. Valentine et al. used that long-time idea and went with it. The moral itself is amazing, and the episode itself is really well-done. They addressed her possibility of not being able to fly tactfully.

The CMCs' characterization in Twilight Time is a change embraced. Because Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo look up to Applejack, Rarity, and Dash respectively, someday they were going to emulate them someway. Polsky merged them very subtly, thus keeping their personalities intact and not making it contrived. The same goes with Twilight eating sloppily in the fast food joint: praised for developing into being more relaxed yet remaining adorkable.

The evolution of Fluttershy's shyness is also an embraced change. Previously, when Fluttershy was shy, it was because it was part of her name. She was born shy. HF shattered that conception by giving it so much backstory. Because of her past history with bullies, Fluttershy obtained a crippling version of stage fright. This stage fright wasn't just shyness anymore. It was a crippling phobia. Then she worked hard to try to do better, only to believe she can't do her job. The climax made her confront her fears and become the reason why Cloudesdale got that water.

Conversely, Fluttershy's approach to being assertive isn't a welcomed change. You could argue that Fluttershy had that pent-up anger and couldn't take it anymore. But all that excuse does is handwave the blatant contrivances that created this circumstance. In addition, the narrative downplays Fluttershy's cruelty and then completely scapegoats Iron Will for the whole thing. There's a reason why so many hate Putting Your Hoof Down and why it's a terrible episode.

Although Maud Pie was welcomed, the breezies weren't welcomed for good reason. The exposition clashed with each other, making the narrative very confusing. Then you had the breezies other than Seabreeze being completely unlikeable, willing to sacrifice their home and families just to be with Fluttershy. Unfortunately, the narrative semi-treated Seabreeze as the breezy in the wrong, and Fluttershy's moment was robbed when Twilight barged in with the DEM.

Lastly, Derpy's censorship is one of the most unwelcomed and offensive changes in cartoon history. What was a hilarious, aloof character with a carefree and childlike personality while Dash treated her as any other commonpony was suddenly out of character, her voice altered into a nasal, sarcastic stereotype. Dash treated her like she was stupid. Derpy's eyes were more straightened, and her name was retconned. By trying to fix a "problem," Hasbro's "solution" made things worse.

To get more people to accept the changes, DHX and Hasbro need to execute the changes well. They've done it, but they have a spotty record. They need to do better. The criticisms of specific changes aren't there without merit, so it's time for that strawman to be like The Undertaker's Streak:

Rest. In. Peace.