SCS

I agree. Life's too short to fight over a difference in opinion. There will almost always be a difference in opinion. I definitely don't mind having civil discussions with people about this, but it's sad to see that some people here have taken a step too far and decided to fight and insult one another over this. But, I am sure there is one thing we can all agree on. Though we all have different opinions about different aspects of MLP, I'm sure there is at least one thing we all love about some part of the show. Otherwise, we wouldn't be here. Some people seem like they want to quit the fandom. Instead of doing that, I recommend that they focus on whatever that part was, and remember how happy it made them feel. MLP is far from over, and surely there will be future episodes that will please them. I vote to remain calm, optimistic, and to see what will be seen when the time comes.

No, I respect your opinion. I was just addressing your concern about Twilight, and I was stating my reasons as to why I don't think this makes her better than anyone.

It is all about friendship. There is no racism in MLP, alicorns aren't better than anyone else. Shining Armor is a Prince, but he's not an alicorn, which further shows how there is no racism in MLP. Also, it has often seemed to me that Twilight Sparkle was on a path to something big. This was especially emphasized in the season 3 opening. It's very possible that the rest of the mane 6 are just happy as they are, doing what they do. Twilight Sparkle was happy as who she was, but being an alicorn will probably enable her to do much more powerful magic than she could have as a unicorn. This will allow her to continue her magical studies. Whereas, becoming an alicorn wouldn't greatly benefit the rest of the mane 6 with what they love to do. She was also only able to write the spell because she understood friendship. Starswirl the Bearded had just as much if not more magical prowess than Twilight, but he did not understand friendship as well as he did, thus we was not able to finish his spell. Twilight went from not caring about friendship at all to understanding its paramount importance. That is why she became an alicorn. To quote Princess Celestia: It was Twilight's destiny to become a princess. The rest of the mane 6 have their own destinies, and they are great at what they do. They all have their own individual and unique abilities and talents. Each of the mane 6 can do certain things better than Twilight can. Thus, Twilight's ascension to alicorn does not mean that she is better than any of her friends anymore than Fluttershy is better than them because of her skill with animals or Rarity is better than them because of her skill with making clothes. It just means that Twilight is fulfilling her destiny.

Personally, I think it would be incredible if, in the very last episode of the entire show, all of the mane 6 became alicorns, and Spike was enchanted with magic so that he would have as long a lifespan as they do. This way, the show would end with all of them ascended and with us comforted by the fact that Twilight Sparkle would not outlive her best friends. However, I wouldn't want this to happen in any episode other than the very last one. I love the fact that Twilight Sparkle became an alicorn, and the reasons Princess Celestia had for making her one make perfect sense to me. But, it wouldn't really make sense to make the rest of the mane 6 alicorns at this point in time.

I highly doubt that Twilight Sparkle wouldn't be allowed to live in Ponyville anymore. She's a new princess, so I doubt Celestia would let her rule anything yet. She would need to be trained properly first. That could be one of the themes in season 4. One possible solution would be that Twilight would just share in a general rule of Equestria with the other princesses. Cadence is specifically in charge of helping to protect the Crystal Empire. Perhaps Twilight's job would be to protect Ponyville. This way, Twilight could continue living in Ponyville. I agree. Magical Mystery Cure is both a culmination of the series thus far and an introduction to the new concept of Princess Twilight Sparkle that will be further developed in season 4. This gives the writers even more opportunities for episode ideas, which will hopefully promote the longevity of the show.

I noticed some things here and there that suggested Twilight's continual evolution. However, a lot of it is up to how you interpret the episodes, and everyone will interpret them differently. It is all subjective. I respect your opinion, but I stand by my original statement that Magical Mystery Cure was beyond excellent in every respect. I have noticed a lot of people didn't like how it wasn't a two-parter episode. Hopefully what Megan McCarthy said (spoilers) will satisfy those who are upset by that, but it will take some patience.

You aren't looking at the big picture. In the season one opening, Twilight learns about friendship. She continues learning about friendship throughout the rest of season 1. In season 2, Celestia tells Twilight and her friends that all of them can send her letters on the lessons they learned, and only when they learn them. Twilight also learns lessons such as friendship can be hard, but it's worth fighting for. In the season 3 opening, Twilight learned the importance of putting others before yourself, even if it means not getting something that was very important to you, which is one of the most important lessons there is to learn. That, combined with the many other lessons she learned throughout the series that I haven't mentioned, all culminate to her coronation as an alicorn in the season 3 finale. She became an alicorn because she had successfully learned all of the lessons she had a part in throughout the 64 preceding episodes. Therefore, they do culminate at the season 3 finale. Just because they were singing a lot doesn't mean there wasn't substance. The songs have great meaning. It was pretty much a musical, and musicals have just as much substance as other things: the characters just sing instead of talk. Twilight was the only one who was Celestia's student, and she was the one who actually wrote new magic, which no one else had ever done before. Therefore, it is logical that she is the one to become an alicorn.

I disagree. Everything in the show has lead up to this point. Also, when Twilight was curing her friends, it reminded me of the season 2 opening when she was restoring harmony among them. After awhile it was sped up, because you knew what was going on. The same thing applies here. The writers made an excellent decision by condensing it and turning it into a song to avoid it getting repetitive. So, yes, it did feel a little rushed. However, when you look at the big picture, it really isn't rushed at all, since it's a culmination point from everything else that has happened in the show. Also, here's Meghan McCarthy addressing the issue of the season 3 finale only being one part in relation to season 4 (spoilers): The season 3 finale, in my opinion, was beyond incredible in every respect. It had so many songs, I think it rained for the first time in the whole show (at least from what I remember), and that scene with Twilight Sparkle and Princess Celestia reviewing the past was very touching.

I don't know whether or not Discord and King Sombra would have communicated at all. Discord is just mean and mischievous, whereas King Sombra is actually evil.

Princess Luna was still her normal self when the Crystal Empire fell. In the beginning of The Crystal Empire Part 1, when Princess Celestia is explaining it to Twilight, there's a scene showing her and Princess Luna sealing King Sombra away in the ice. Your theory about Discord and Luna is interesting, but, judging by the season 1 opening, I think what happened was that Luna allowed bitterness and jealousy to creep into her heart. Taking Hearths Warming Eve into account, I think a possible timeline could be: Over 1000 years ago: Before Princess Celestia and Princess Luna: Ponies not living in harmony Vanquishing of the windigos, and the dawn of harmony: the founding of Equestria. Discord (I think he comes first, if I remember a phrase used in the season 2 opening correctly) enslaves Equestria Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, seeing how unhappy their fellow ponies were defeat Discord, and take their places as rulers of Equestria Princess Celestia and Princess Luna seal King Sombra in the ice, Crystal Empire vanishes About 1000 years ago: Princess Luna lets bitterness and jealousy creep into her heart, Princess Celestia has to seal her in the moon. About 70-100 years ago: Granny Smith and her family found Ponyville, being pointed in the right direction by Princess Celestia About 2 years ago: Princess Luna returns as Nightmare Moon Mane 6 use the elements of harmony to free her from her state of evil, but Princess Luna makes the final choice to return to good About 1 year ago: Discord returns, and is defeated by the mane 6 using the elements of harmony Princess Luna begins to adapt to life in the present, learning the ways of kindness Queen Chrysalis attempts to enslave Equestria, but is stopped by Princess Cadence and Shining Armor uniting in their love to drive her and her changeling army away Present: King Sombra returns. The Crystal Ponies with the help of the mane 6, Princess Cadence, and Prince Shining Armor use the light and love within them to destroy King Sombra for good. Princess Luna appears to have greatly matured since seasons 1 and 2. The emotional/spiritual maturation of Princess Luna is confirmed in Sleepless in Ponyville, when she enters into Scootaloo's dream to help her conquer her fears. Princess Celestia allows the mane 6 to use the elements of harmony to release Discord from his prison, and Fluttershy effectively reforms him, bringing him to the side of goodness and light.

In season 4 I hope to see: More songs Princess Luna appearing more regularly and playing larger parts in opening/finale episodes, including more episodes about Princess Luna entering into dreams At least two Princess Celestia episodes Some episodes focused on Princess Cadence, Prince Shining Armor, and the Crystal Empire that may or may not involve the mane 6 Further developments of Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo's sister relationship At least three CMC episodes Episodes that focus on one to three of the mane 6 specifically (as in season 2), as well as episodes that focus on all 6 of them together Zecora appearing more regularly The return/reformation of Gilda The return/reformation of Prince Blueblood The return/reformation of Queen Chrysalis and the changelings Trixie appearing more regularly Discord appearing more regularly Episodes focused on the Everfree Forest Another Holiday/Christmas/Winter episode Episodes taking place in all four seasons, spring, summer, autumn, and winter An episode about the Summer Sun Celebration An episode showing the Equestria Games (if that's not in the season 3 finale) A new villain that the mane 6, Spike, Zecora, Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, Princess Cadence, and Prince Shining Armor all have to team up to defeat An episode where the mane 6 have to go on a journey beyond Equestria It would be awesome of these things were incorporated into season 4, but I know I'll be happy with the season (just as long as they aren't changing it into a show for teens, with the new IP thing on EqD) regardless.

That's awesome. I'm in high school, and I pretty much never reveal the fact that I like MLP to anyone, aside from my friends. Even though what you did was anonymous, I really don't think I'd be brave enough to do anything like that. I guess I'm just too afraid of people ridiculing me for liking the show.

I know the show is very popular. I remember reading on Wikipedia that once the brony fandom started getting really big on the internet, it jumped from about one million to four million viewers per episode, and this was in season one. I also remember reading that the day A Canterlot Wedding aired for the first time on the Hub, was the second best day ever for the station in terms of how many people watched it. However, how many of those people who have watched it who like the show enough to consider themselves to be bronies (or just fans if they don't know what a brony is), I don't know.

I don't know much about where/how the phrase "love and tolerance" originated, other than that it came from 4chan. But, in my opinion, it doesn't matter where it came from. From watching the show, I know that it's about love and tolerance. I'm pretty sure someone else said in the replies about blind love and tolerance, and actually what they are referring to would undermine what love and tolerance truly is. Firstly, there is a difference between toleration and agreement. For example, I tolerate the practice of sadomasochism, because if responsible adults want to do it in a consensual, safe manner with each other, then it's not my place to judge them. However, I don't like or agree with the practice of sadomasochism. Also, "love" is a general term, and doesn't mean that loving others requires not standing up for yourself, or not telling people when they're doing something harmful, etc. It means that you accept people for who they are, that you try not to judge people. That you try to understand others and put yourself in their shoes instead of instantly judging them. That you give people the benefit of the doubt and that you put other's wants and needs (depending what they are) before your own. However, this doesn't mean don't stand up for yourself, this doesn't mean let people take advantage of you. Just as Fluttershy learned in Putting Your Hoof Down, all it takes to stand up for yourself in verbal situations is a simple "no." Or, even simply ignoring the person. A lot of conflict can be avoided by simply saying no or walking away instead of getting into an argument, which can lead to a physical fight. In a physical fight, we all have the right to defend ourselves from harm. Unity is also a very core aspect of love. All of this is a part of love. Love for others, love for the world, love for ourselves. In practically every episode there is a positive inspirational message about how to live in the world with love in your heart. If we all lived by the lessons in MLP, the world would be a much brighter, happier, more peaceful place. If people decided to accept other people for who they were, to put aside differences, to tolerate people you don't like or disagree with, giving people a second chance, to stand up for yourself by simply saying "no" or walking away instead of starting a fight, to put other people before yourself, the world would truly be a better place. All of these messages and more are found in MLP, some of them are more obvious than others. I will provide examples of things from the show representing what I wrote about in this paragraph. Accept other people for who they are, to put aside differences: The very fact of the mane 6's friendship. They all have different personalities, yet they all accept and like each other for who they are, as they are best friends. A specific example of this would be how Rarity and Applejack learned in Look Before You Sleep that they could be friends even though their personalities seemed to be polar opposites. To tolerate people you don't like or disagree with, giving people a second chance: Princess Celestia and Fluttershy wanting to reform Discord in the episode Keep Calm and Flutter On despite all the harm he had done to Equestria in the past is an example of toleration, and of giving people a second chance. There are some situations where certain behavior cannot be tolerated, such as crime, and sometimes you could give someone any number of chances and they wouldn't change. However, this rule doesn't apply to everyone. There have probably been at least one, if not more situations in all of our lives where we could have tolerated someone, or we could have given someone a second chance, but we chose not to. Intolerance can be one of the biggest fuels of hatred, and hatred can lead to war. To stand up for yourself by simply saying "no" or walking away instead of starting a fight: Fluttershy learned this lesson in the episode Putting Your Hoof Down. There are two extremes: one, letting other people take advantage of you, and two, bullying and harassing others to ensure your own security. Both of these things are bad. Fluttershy learned how to find the balance between those two extremes: stand up for yourself without being hateful. How exactly this is done depends on the situation. You could just say "no," or just walk away, or otherwise say something that would fit the situation, without being hateful. If someone takes advantage of you, being hateful in response only leads to more conflict and hurt feelings. Standing up for yourself without being hateful greatly increases the chances of a peaceful resolution being brought to the situation, including you being separated from the negative situation without bullying or violence ensuing. To defend yourself or others from physical harm: Though Equestria is a peaceful world with love and light (as depicted throughout the entire show, and referenced directly by Princess Celestia in The Crystal Empire, Part 1), that does not mean that they do not defend themselves from harm. When Princess Luna allowed her negative emotions to turn herself into Nightmare Moon and threaten Equestria with eternal night, the mane 6 united and used the elements of harmony to free her from the prison she had built for herself. When Discord attempted to turn Ponyville into the chaos capital of the world, the mane 6 united and used the elements of harmony to turn him back into stone, to prevent him from harming others. When Queen Chrysalis and her army of changelings attempted to enslave the inhabitants of Equestria and feed on their love, Princess Cadence and Shining Armor united and, with their love, repelled the forces of darkness. When King Sombra attempted to enslave all of Equestria and utterly destroy all light, love, peace, and happiness, the crystal ponies, with the help of Princess Cadence, Prince Shining Armor, and the mane 6, united and, with their love and light, destroyed King Sombra for good, extinguished his black magic, and reflected love and light throughout all of Equestria. The common theme here is that the inhabitants of Equestria choose to use their power to defend themselves from harm, instead of using their power to harm others. Princess Celestia knows black magic, as we learned in The Crystal Empire, Part 1. She could choose to use it to destroy everyone. But, she chose love and light, which lead to a prosperous, joyful, and peaceful Equestria. If, in our world, we learn to use violence for defense, and defense alone, we could put ourselves on the path to becoming a world of love, light, and peace. Unity: Unity is a very common theme in the show, and is a very core aspect of love. If we all learned how to unite with one another instead of argue and fight one another, the world would become a much better place. We are all in this together. Any strife, conflict, and violence is the result of free will used for evil instead of for good. Our world is not doomed to be engulfed in perpetual darkness. What the world is like is each and every one of our choices made by everyone. We must live the change we wish to see. Unity is seen throughout the entire series as a general concept of peace and goodwill, a spirit to overcome conflict and differences toward a common betterment of themselves and the world. More direct examples of unity are The Cutie Mark Chronicles episode where the mane 6 learned they were all connected before they even met each other, whenever the mane 6 unite to use the elements of harmony, Princess Cadence and Shining Armor uniting in their love to drive away evil, and the entire population of the Crystal Empire choosing to unite, to grow the light and love within themselves, and, as one, drive away the forces of evil that threatened their lives. This is not an all-inclusive list of spiritual, moral messages in My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. True love and toleration (not sarcastic internet memes) should be of paramount virtue in each and everyone's heart, whether or not they are bronies.

You shouldn't worry about what he thinks of you, and just be yourself. Personally, I'm a huge fan of symphonic metal, esp. Nightwish. I like some other stuff like power metal and melodic/folk death metal too. We all have our different tastes, whether or not we watch MLP. For me, MLP has drawn me away from the more negative/dark kinds of movies, music, etc I used to like, which has improved my life and happiness considerably. However, we're all different people, and if you like heavy metal there's nothing wrong with that, regardless of what your friend thinks of you.

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic is a lot more than just a show to me. It's a spiritual thing, because of all of its messages of love and harmony. It reminds me how to live with love in my heart when I start getting angry or stressed out. I can always go to the show if I'm feeling upset about something. If something bothers me, I'll talk to my parents about it, or my friends. But it's nice to have a method of comfort that I can go to alone. What if I don't feel like talking about it? What if it's too late at night to talk to my parents? I can always watch an episode of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, and watching episodes almost always helps me to feel considerably better. Before I started watching MLP, the weight of the negative things in the world that I was just starting to learn about at the age of 12, 13, 14 just started crushing me. The love and light in the show has lifted that off of my shoulders and has reminded me that, no matter what horrible thing I see on the news, or what disturbing thing I read about on the internet, there is still love in the world. The show has also helped me to appreciate the positive people and things around me everyday that I started to take for granted.

You definitely shouldn't feel ashamed or worry about what other people think of you. Personally, I don't like combining that kind of content with MLP, and I don't like disturbing or violent media in general. However, I'm not going to judge you or anyone else if they do like it. That's their own personal preference, and not my place to judge. So, don't worry. There's nothing wrong with you, and no reason why you should feel bad.