Jeric

@@Sir Wulfington,

True, some modern shows avoid over saturation by sticking to a low episode count, but MLP kinda already did that and I don't think it was very popular. I'm sure not going to advocate for that lest I be tarred and feathered.

Either way, you make valid points, but I am not sure I agree that the quality of the writing on the whole is taken that big of a nose dive. Maybe it's just my perspective since I basically binge watched the show without the luxury of discussing each one, and building expectations in the off season.

To your original point, the handicap/excuse, about the show quality getting a pass because it's a kids show would start to annoy me. Especially when you see how the better episodes touch on deeper themes and lessons.

Baby don't hurt me, don't hurt me no more.

If I could double brohoof that I would.

Danka

I don't know if judge is the right word, but I just show an avatar of a pony wearing a burrito eating a burrito. I judge that to be freaking hilarious.

It's hard to form an opinion based on avatars, except that I get some of the users with Rarity avatars confused.  

I don't think it's indifference. I will admit that after watching a few panels online, I noticed that some of the writers don't tend to come access as passionate as most of the VA's, but I believe that reserved distance in writers is common ... unless you happen to be an Indie. I also recall that a few core writers specifically address that they have characters that they struggle to write for when they have an assignment.

 I can't think of one show I loved that didn't have a few bad episodes. By bad, I mean the ones that make you want to reach over and embrace the amnesiac qualities of tequila. Star Trek, BSG, The Office, South Park, Sic Feet Under, All in the Family, Waltons, Sopranos, West Wing, M*A*S*H, I could go on. They all are well written shows. They all produced retched garbage at some point. Even my favorite, Breaking Bad, has an episode with a housefly that some fans can't stand.

MLP (using a marketing statement here) is the best of it's class. I know some would say Adventure Time, or Regular Show ... but that is both debatable and unfair.

Watch Dogs, Order 1866, Final Fantasy XV, and Kingdom Hearts 3.

1. Watches the show

2. Either creates fan content, or enjoys fan content

3. Has some interaction with the Brony community

@@Sir Wulfington,

I know, I was just being odd. I have a tendency to be self indulgent with my amusements.

In general I do defend OOC moments since characters should be portrayed with subtle complexity. BUT ...  In MLP each character is defined by specific characteristics and personalities. I've mentioned this in another topic, but I compare this to what A.A. Milne did in his stories. Owl, Pooh, Tigger, etc act within a specific defined personality and traits. MLP, like Pooh, bases most of it's character/plot development around the characters' values and flaws. OOC moments stand out more on a show like this. I completely get it.

The story issues you point out are likely due to the method that the team uses (common on most shows). Group writing when situation as a goal leads to inconsistency. It's one thing if you are a sole author and connect two unrelated situations together, but add multiple people ... and you can get a mess. I prefer when a writer starts with theme and character. When they do that on FIM ... they usually produce a solid episode. When they don't, you get Spike At Your Service.

Maybe it's like Darmok episode in Star Trek TNG where an entire species communicated in metaphors. Maybe the Zebras make communication in general an art, instead of specific forms of it.

If it helps, just think of it as a political stunt from Cadence. Giving the ponies a distraction in the form of a hero helps wag the dog while she embezzles, robbing the Crystal Empire of all of its wealth and natural resources

Can I start telling people IRL that they can't do things because it would be OOC for them?

I'd so buy that! Has anyone created fan based cards of FIM before?

[Nighmare Moon]: "You're kidding, right?"

Yep. I cost my parents a fortune back in the 80's. Hasbro was dominant in my bedroom.  I'm going to count my sister's stuff on this list too since we were close in age.

Transformers

GI JOE

M.A.S.K (anyone besides me old enough to remember this toy line)

Pound Puppies

My Little Pony

Inhumanoids

Jem

Lite Brite

Battle Beasts (serious Kudos if you remember these rock/paper/scissors style figures)

Those items were all over my house along with Kenner's Star Wars line ... and Mattel's Master of the Universe. I will say that I thought that Hasbro made Teddy Ruxpin, but I was wrong there.

in the comics, chyrisallis can steal magic, it just takes longer than it does with emotion.

Imagine Chrysalis figuring out a way to feed off of Discord. Shining Armor's Love overpowered her and even Celestia was defeated. Imagine Chrysalis with the power of a draconequus.

Considering Discord may fail at whatever he does to track/stop the villain in Part 1, it fits that part. Still looking for this Hasbro vampire pony tease thing. There are a lot of cool OC's referencing Tartarus and vampires, but nothing that looks official. Is it possible that they were teasing Flutterbat?

I saw something about Tartarus on Horse News. Looked like a slightly altered/expanded episode synopsis. I can't find a source for a vampire pony villain though.

I like the toilet, but I'm loving the randomness of this topic even more. I decided to google 'strange toilets'. Wow. Just wow.

I don't know what that says about us as a people that we have so many people dedicated to creative commodes.

Dash apparently

I would have thought Twilight/AJ

If you produce quality, are prolific in your medium of choice, have a personality, can market said personality, and engage with the fandom -- then you increase the chance of being recognized.

I've read a few really well composed stories on fim fiction, and found myself disheartened to realize that there were only a few short fiction pieces with a large gap in between. If that person gets lost in the crowd, that is why.

The animation and music are not my thing, and I assume that production time is much longer so meeting a fast production schedule would be harder.

MMC did drive me up the wall at first when Twilight just read that spell. A simple tweak to the story by having her first attempt to finish cause the same chaos would have been better.

However, I don't mind the slow learning curve some characters have. A.A. Milne didn't evolve his characters much, and it didn't diminish Pooh and company.

Simple stories are not an issue for me at all.

This is really the illusion of 'authorial intent' vs. the viewer taking ownership of what they don't see. You know how we all have our own head cannons that complete the motivations, backstories, personalities, etc of elements and ponies that are not shown? That is how great stories are made. The reader/viewer/player world builds as they experience.  If you have a fandom around the product, then you have the potential of individual experiences becoming part of a group tapestry. That tapestry is what makes being a Brony fun for me.

Another example would be the Star Wars Saga.  Star Wars IV-VI is a very simple tale with a lot of gaps. Fans created head cannons and group tapestries to explain things that were left ambiguous and not addressed. Star Wars I-III had more complex narrative and over developed world that tried to explain too much.

I have a problem with the stupid HUB logo all over the animation. That is what needs to change.

I could talk about this topic forever, but I have a brisket waiting for me.

1986 is the best example. Hasbro say sales for various character figures fall, so they had a movie and a series created where they would introduce a new line of TF characters. The movie killed dozens of the characters that has slow sales so they wouldn't be used in the future and the new episodes would feature characters currently on the shelves.

So, Optimus Prime/Ratchet/Prowl/Iron Hide/ etc dies so they could sell Rodimus Prime/Kup/Ultra Magnus.

Like MLP though, the studio made what is an a highly enjoyable film. It may have been commercially motivated ... but they made it work

Unfortunately, the first two episodes weren't enough and my attempt at getting him interested failed, but then, my dear ol' Dad is the sort of person who's interests range from sitcoms (ala Two and a Half Men and Modern Family), Crime shows (ala Heat of the Night and Law and Order), or certain movies (Scorpion King, Armageddon, Taken, and the Iron Man movies to name afew).

Don't feel bad, I tried to watch the 1st few episodes after 4chan macro images found their way to my facebook, press stories, etc. The 1st few episodes didn't hook me at all. They I actually credit my two kids for finally getting me to like the show finally but hand selecting a few specific episodes and fan content.

Until Square Enix remakes Final Fantasy VII ... they win the title of the worst company. They are allergic to money I guess.

I remember picking up my daughter's Cooking Mama on DS years ago and had a hard time walking away from it.

Now its Simpsons Tapped Out.

Agreed. This isn't the Star Wars prequels where most of the older fans could have vastly improved the source material. The show is in capable hands.

HOWEVER, if the fans had a greater say in the merchandise ... that would be perfect. I want an Elements of Harmony formation statue with the Mane Six defeating Discord. I seriously doubt anything like that will be put out by Hasbro.

STYROFOAM. I don't know why, but the sound of Styrofoam squeaking together has the same effect on me as nails on a chalkboard.