colt_following

The first two seasons had unpredictable moments. Season 3 and above they seem to become more predictable to me.

I might agree with that- I feel like during those seasons, everyone was still 'settling in' and trying to find the right direction to take the show. I think it's cool to watch straight down from season 1 to now and notice the subtle progression. But it's jarring to see how differently they handled things years ago, before they *got it*.

Although I do feel like there is a lot less focus on the individual personalities of characters now, particularly Twilight and Rainbow.

Hey, guys! Today I decided I'd go back and watch some older episodes, since I now have much more insight on how to view characters and show components particularly episode one.

The first thing I noticed is that the music was ALL different- felt a lot more Johnny Test, both in how it sounds and where it's placed. Man, I hate Johnny Test.

Another is that overall I feel like the show treated itself a lot more like a kids show than it's willing to do now- like the show has matured with this fandom, and it's come to encompass deeper, more relevant issues and take off the sort of 'glitz & glamor' that lots of kids shows seem to have these days and actually dig into something more tangible and relatable.

In the first episode, Twilight was a JERK! I know that's used to show how much she changed, but WOW! Also, Spike's voice felt a bit higher and more childlike, I want to say Fluttershy had a sliiiightly different design (like her eyes were further apart and had thicker lashes) and AJ's voice is just a little different.

But this is just a general thread to discuss then versus now... If you guys catch anything, I'd LOVE to hear it because this showed has transformed since season one.

I used to UTTERLY DESPISE that five-note jingle they've had for years.

I really didn't know about the show or about bronies until my brother (a sort of anti-brony) told me about it maybe two years ago. I thought I was just sort of a weird fandom, and went on, business as usual.

I spent a LONG time *seeing* the characters after that but I think at some point I wanted to see why there was such a hype about this show. I started watching from the beginning and then successfully fed my addiction for the following 4 weeks. I LOVE MLP

I think I'd actually like that, Even with how WAY overblown FNAF has become, I haven't seen/heard ENOUGH references in MLP thus far... The ONLY other one I can call for sure is Chocolate Rain, and THAT was first season.

Many characters are arguably stereotypes... Rarity is a fashionista, Twilight is (or WAS) a bookworm/nerdy type... I'm sure they'd expand her beyond her stereotypical tendencies if she were given time to expand. Which I hope she's NOT because I don't really care much for her

Hm. I mean I guess he DOES have a special talent (photography, right?) but I suppose she was sort of judging him based on his appearance and popularity. I never really though much about it.

His name is Parcel Post. We saw him in "The last Roundup"

 

I hope that monster led him to the exit, and he didn't get eaten by it. I think Parcel is adorable and would certainly like to see him again, actually.

I was surprised to see him again. I like him, for some reason!

I honestly (pun intended) argue for Applejack only because she doesn't really get to display her element much; HOW OFTEN is she shown in a situation where she needs to be honest to save a life or improve someone's life? Not enough, really.

I know she plays the 'straight mare' role, but her expertise really seems to float more around "courage", because I feel like it's not often we see her struggle with honestly (as ALL of the others have had a fair amount of direct opposition to their element)

I think I just liked it better when she was TRULY the main character, and everyone else was her support.

(Important updates to original post)

I think I feel as if she doesn't HAVE to work as much now. I feel like the moment she 'graduated' to a higher state of being, the focus turned to making other characters get to that level of understanding the 'magic of friendship'.

Season 4 showed a few of her personal struggles and I feel like they overall became more dynamic- less about being a good student to a pony she looks up to, and more about making an impact on those who look up to HER.

^^ HOWEVER I do feel as if lately she's shown having no flaws whatsoever. Basically a carbon-copy of Celestia. A change I DON'T like.

I also don't love Pinkie Pride. As much as I love both Weird Al and Pinkie Pie, I just can't bring myself to go back and watch it again.

I actually hated the Breezy episode but I went and watched it last night again and I gained a new appreciation there.

Shoot.

Celestia is the only one who ACTUALLY is good enough, I think. She's been doing a fine job for this long. Why fix something that ain't broke?

Twilight seems to still be a bit in her 'student' mindset (plus she's not huge like Celestia, Cadence and Luna XD)

Luna is a bit unpredictable, I would say.

Cadence is just useless. Not a ruler at all, to me (at least the show version. The comics give we a different spin)

THANK GOD that gives us at least anther year of FiM after this season. I'm guessing the movie would be the finale and I'm sure they've got season 6 ready for 2016

Yeah, I think we've reached a point where the lessons are just displayed in a different way. They're more "in the moment" than "after the fact". It's in line with Twilight no longer being Celestia's student now, but is it more to appeal to the older audience now or something? I wonder...

Discord's just gotta learn the Magic of Friendship ^^

Nah, but for real, he does. We never got to see how the Discord/Fluttershy friendship REALLY plays out and this episode gave us a chance to. We get to see just how much Discord still needs to learn. His  selfishness in this case reminds me of Rainbow Dash... he just happens to be ultra-powerful.

I'm certain he wasn't going to truly go villain! Notice that his aim the WHOLE time was to get Fluttershy's attention because of his jealousy. I don't think that's evil, but I do think he went *way* far with the transdimensional portal. Again, just his jealousy.

I don't think he should be banished/turned to stone or anything; he's just not ready to take off the social training wheels.

Whoa. I'm really beginning to think it's just me... 

Mind you- I was watching that low(ish)-quality streamed recording. I'll probably watch it again in HD tomorrow and then this thread will be completely negated.

- Sombra is meaningless to me

- My favorite song is Discord's "Glass of Water"

- Cadence is worthless and I don't LOVE Luna at all

- Apple Bloom is Best Filly

- I REALLY like "Games Ponies Play" (accidentally skipped it the first time over)

Well hey- definitely discuss her mane style. Actually, I liked all of the mane 6's except Pinkie's... It sort of felt a bit too frizzy/Afro-like for what I imagine for her

The Boondocks is a pretty great show, and even better for us black folk. I find myself watching The Cleveland Show quite a bit lately.

MAN, he's got some animation chops. Wish I could join but I've got too much of my own stuff to do. I hope this really goes far!

Hm... maybe it was just me. Or it could be that she WAS beneath a shadow/in a dark room whenever she was shown. This could then turn into the black/blue vs white/gold debate again...

I know that, but it doesn't seem to be the motive behind this. It's not like there will be Appleblooms with all the different cutie marks we have seen from the episode. I'm also fairly certain that big pony with the bad luck will never make an apperance in the toy line. Maybe Starlight Glimmer will, but that's also not very lickely, as no other villain except Discord and Nightmare moon as been made into toys by Hasbro

actually, that's a sweet idea- a holographic Apple Bloom figure where her cutie mark changes depending on what like you look at it in!

I kid, of course. I'm hoping it's because they plan to delve a bit deeper into cutie marks. I have loads of questions about them and they clearly are important in many ways, beyond merchandising... they're ACTUALLY almost Equestria's equivalent to reaching puberty or having a birthmark.

it's weird that I NO long feel weird saying 'cutie mark'.

no doubt, no doubt

I don't like her so much actually

I'm changing the topic!

What do you guys think of Rainbow's (and the other Mane 6's) mane styles in S5E7?

I LOVED Twilight's and Rainbow's, but Pinkie's was a bit different than I'd expect it to be.

I'm sure everyone noticed the different blue of Rainbow's hair at the Gala. What do you think of that? It was a shock to me! Actually I think her overall color scheme was perhaps different, like she was darker or under shadow the whole time we saw her?

How would you feel if they suddenly made that the default color scheme for RD?