Cloud Strife

I personally believe that they're able to handle death as a subject, beyond simple references that it can happen. However, the way that they should tackle it is indeed very delicately. I've lost someone in my family before that I hardly knew, and yet when I attended the memorial service, the grief was palpable. I could feel it in everyone who attended, and I'm not the type of person all that sensitive to how other people feel. As of right now, the show has hinted at the loss of Applejack's parents. It's definitely a canon part of the show (it's been referenced even by the staff of the show), but I don't know how they would be able to depict it without making a rather depressing episode with nothing uplifting within it. This show is supposed to be optimistic and there's nothing optimistic that you can spin on death beyond the not-really-comforting "at least they're in a better place now". I'm sure they want to do it, they just don't know how yet.

Actually, funnily enough, it's canon that Rainbow Dash has a feminine side. She likes the dress that she's been given by Rarity, and she has, more than once, shown interest in typically feminine activities. It's sappiness (which, to be fair, is a feminine-associated trait) that she seems to shy away from, but even then that was more early seasons and back then, it'd more been along the lines of "THIS IS JUST LIQUID PRIDE. I JUST HAVE SOMETHING IN MY EYE." Lately, she's taken to being pretty openly affectionate.

I'd actually argue that that's something that's worth questioning. While it's a perfectly valid reason, why do people dislike people who take pride in their accomplishments and brag about it? Why are we so down on braggarts, logically? For some you could argue it's because they put others down in their bragging, but funnily enough, Rainbow Dash doesn't do that much at all (in fact, quite the opposite). People loving themselves is a good thing, and it's just as annoying, to me, when someone goes out of their way to put themselves down, whether they're doing it for sympathy or not. Feeling good about yourself is not a crime. I'd say it's something we should actually strive for.

I'd prefer it if she didn't fly. Ultimately, this is a show to appeal to children, and even though it would make her "happy" to have her fly, it would certainly send the wrong message to people who have disabilities watching the show. In fact, the one thing that I disliked from Flight to the Finish was the ambiguity of the condition of her wings. Scootaloo implies it's because her wings haven't grown in, but I would like more than just an implication. It really is whatever the execs decide, but I feel like it's a cop-out at this point to allow her that ability.

I understand it. Rainbow Dash is a character that would definitely be the most divisive of the Mane Six, with Applejack being the least. Applejack's character in comparison to Rainbow's is more subtle; and the more subtle a character is, the less likely people will feel extremely for that character either which way (hence the joke that Applejack is a "background pony"). Rainbow's character is much more in your face, so that either makes or breaks her for people. Unfortunately, fandoms also have a habit of reducing characters to one-dimensional archetypes - and while those characters do fit those archetypes, there's more to them than just the archetype. There are people who like her despite knowing that she has good traits, but there are also people who dislike a caricature of her that they believe to be her, rather than the character herself. I think it's a reflection of how we characterize people in real life. Some people will look at someone who comes off a bit brash and give them the benefit of the doubt, think they are just that way because they're into sports and they have a soft side to them; while others will look at them and instantly think "wow that person is a big jerk I don't ever want to get to know them". In reality, everyone (and therefore, if a writer is good, everypony) cannot be reduced to a single phrase. Heck, I can't tell you how many people who will assume that Rainbow just hates everything feminine and will write her like that despite evidence in canon to the contrary (the episode with the Parasprites not counting because c'mon, that hat really did look freaking ridiculous). That's because it's extremely rare for there to be a real person out there who rejects all aspects of masculinity, or all aspects of femininity, and having Rainbow like some but not others is how real people like her function. This fandom also tends to attract people who aren't the types to look beyond surface-level, too. That's not a bad thing, mind you. Trusting your gut and your first impression can come in handy in certain situations, because there are some people who are just as awful as you think they are. Being too trusting is just as much something that would put someone at a disadvantage as being distrustful of everyone. Many people in this fandom come here as a safe haven because out in the real world, they're being bullied by people who may come off similarly to Rainbow, and it makes it difficult for them to make that distinction. It's likely why another commenter in this thread said that Rainbow's only a "tweak" away from being like Diamond Tiara and Silverspoon, despite that being blatantly false; she does share a lot of characteristics with people like that, but the main difference being, funnily enough, her element. I'd go on about how people in this fandom also like to reduce characters to their elements instead of, y'know, being actual characters (thereby going into debates about whether or not Applejack/Rainbow should have their elements switched) but that's a tangent for another discussion. Regardless, it counts as an example of why there are so many misconceptions about characters like her: they're looked at a highly personal and incorrect angle, instead of as literary characters with depth that the writers (for the most part) know what they're doing with. That being said, as some other commenters have pointed out, some of them just can't stand her faults even despite acknowledging that she has genuinely good traits as well and that's fine. My intention is not to make people like Rainbow Dash who can't possibly do so, but rather to clear up any misconception about her based on personal experiences that actually don't apply to her.

I think Scootaloo having an actual sister would defeat the purpose of Rainbow Dash being a surrogate. The point in Rainbow Dash being a Cool Big Sis to Scootaloo is to express the idea that you don't have to be related by blood to be sisters. The two of them function well enough in a sibling relationship together, therefore they are siblings and no one would offer any sort of replacement for her.

I think how dark it is right now fits perfectly with the tone that it's supposed to be. After all, this is a show for kids - wouldn't want to make it too dark. I think that the more dark stuff that would appeal to an older audience should stay within fanworks.

I had a more thorough post in mind that involved personal experience, but my computer black screened on me, so I'll try to sum up my original point: Fluttershy is put on a pedestal because characters like her, more feminine and shy, are implied to be weaker and thus in more need of protection. Every person is equally capable of strength, but some are more easily able to tap into that strength than others; however, our society doesn't really teach that lesson. Despite the fact that the emotionally set back are just as capable of abusive, bully-like tendencies as any person who's outgoing and more boisterous (and in fact, more subtle tactics through passive aggressiveness and guilt tripping, which are far more effective in staying with you than a generally rude comment), we give them a free pass because they're shy, or they have enough they're going through as it is. This is the case with Fluttershy, whose actions were defended even by the narrative within Putting Your Hoof Down, despite the fact that with all of Rainbow's callous remarks, they didn't come even remotely close to how terrible Fluttershy was to Rarity and Pinkie Pie by insulting their reasons for living. It's very common for someone in a debate to take the side of the shy, weak, helpless person as opposed to the loud, brash, and outgoing person, regardless of whether or not the latter has a better point. Trust me, I would know - I'm the latter in that kind of situation. Note: This isn't meant to insult Fluttershy as a character. In fact, I like her, and I amount her insults in Putting Your Hoof Down to clumsy writing without thought to the implications. They tried to give a lesson on assertiveness without aggressiveness, but unfortunately implied that what Fluttershy said to her friends is either what she really thought of them, or something she lied about with the intention of hurting them.

I believe the reason for that is because everyone has problems, everyone needs attention, and everyone wants a good life - but some people are more outspoken about these needs than others, whether because of pride, because they've been told their situation is fine as it is, or because they feel they don't have it "as bad" as other people. It's not bad at all to want to deal with something yourself, but there will be situations in which you simply can't and it's best to confide in someone. Fandoms tend to unite people because, unfortunately, no matter what you like, no matter where you come from, and no matter who you are, there's always a naysayer walking around out there. Fandoms also can attract people who do terrible things, too; basically, what some outsiders think this fandom is comprised of. And of course, these people stand out because the pony fandom is so large by comparison of other fandoms that slip better underneath the radar. The main point of it is that there are many people under different walks of life who will watch, play, and just generally like the same thing, but a part of the human condition because of the world we live in results in us suffering from pain, and some are better at dealing with it than others. Perhaps people come across as more "broken" within a fandom because online, people see a safe space to share their thoughts and feelings that they might not see when they're face-to-face, but for all you know the people you're talking to on these forums are people you've passed by on the streets, in supermarkets, or even fellow students within your school.

This post absolutely reeks of "look at me, I'm superior because I don't quit something I like at a certain point". Dude, you're watching a show with pastel colored horses, calm down. People are allowed to have standards. If they don't want to watch a show, they don't want to watch a show and you are in no position to judge. As for me, I think the only thing that would really make me quit (that I could think of right now) is them going against the feminist angle that the show is supposed to take. They have had some pretty bad morals and episodes that have their morals muddied up, but they haven't done anything to imply that any girl is lesser than another yet. I have faith in them enough that the episodes with bad morals are simply duds.

You know, there are a lot of problems with EQG, but I can't for the life of me understand those complaining about Twilight being too "stupid" and about Spike being "smarter". Spike has always walked on two legs and used his hands to open doors; Twilight has never in her entire life done so. There are so many other problems with it (such as a Deus Ex Machina that doesn't make sense) that you really don't need to be nitpicking like that in order to get across that EQG is intrinsically flawed.

Why can't you? Do you have any logical reason why you can't get along with someone based on a mutual bond with someone else? That's how I met and got to know a lot of the friends that I have. Sure, eventually they'll have to branch out, but it's the one thing that they (currently) find that they have in common. They will find more, of course, as they get to know Maud as a character further, but it's a perfectly acceptable catalyst to a friendship. To say that you absolutely cannot start a friendship based on that premise is awfully bleak. Come on, this is a place based on friendship being magic. I'm sure you could come up with something.