Genepool

- I disliked the season opening episodes of S4, feeling they were far worse than anything out there including the S3 opener of Crystal Kingdom. It made no sense, imho, for ponies to run up to Twilight and start saying she'll know what to do. Though she has saved the world -- alongside her friends -- there is a huge difference between leading 5 other ponies and an entire nation. The title felt like a slap in the face with all the whimsical titles that I've read in the past. Even Twilight Time had a sliver more originality than Princess Twilight Sparkle, as well as Twlight's Kingdom. For me, I wanted to see those ponies distrusting Twilight to show that even though she is a princess it doesn't automatically make her a ruler/royal figure others will respect. - I think that Hasbro needs to stop interfering or whoever has a fascination with the crystal kingdom needs to stop it. That crystal tree thing that's Twilight's castle is atrocious. At least try to make the dang blasted thing the color of a tree, instead of that light blue crystal color. Perhaps they could have used the box to resurrect the library into some grand treehouse castle or something. Please, please stop with the obsession over the dang crystal stuff! please! - With S4 over, I want the obsession over "Princess Twilight Sparkle" to be dead, done, buried and forgotten. Have the S5 opener be about the others of the group, like S2 opener with Discord where each pony played her part. S4 just felt like one gigantic stick beating an equally larger dead horse to drive home the fact Twilight is now a princess... whoopie.... - Show me an original villain like Discord or Chrysalis. Tirek was an ok villain, but I was drawn into the show in regards to the originality of unique character designs. I don't want to see rehashing. There are TONS of mythos out there to draw from. Go to Saddle Arrabia maybe? Or, perhpas they could go to the Zebra territory/homeland, and show some unique villains from that area where Twilight can't defeat them because they are immune to alicorn magic. - I'm annoyed with the lack of Celestia as of late where she's pushed further back into the background characters. I mean holy bucking sake here, Derpy had more camera time than Celestia did. (No offense against Derpy since I love the googly eyed mail mare) Feels like after S1, Celestia's importance was deminished as each season came about. With Twilight now turned alicorn/ms. supreme pony, Celestia, Luna, and Cadence aren't as important. I'm also displeased with how Zecora was treated. She was in the S4 opener then poof, nothing. Zecora is a special character that served as mentor to Twilight when Celestia couldn't. Of course, I guess she gets the same treatment where the character who helped the pony is no longer useful. The only time she's considered is for some minor exposition type role before being thrown back into the closet. Anyways, just a few of my gripes with the show as of this point. Testing, Testing 1, 2, 3, is the only episode out of S4 that I actually liked Twilight because she acted like the Twilight I came to care about, wings or not.

Here's one question I thought about for a little bit. I remember in Twilight's flashback during A Canterlot Wedding that Princess Cadence was similar to Twilight's form. Will Twilight change forms into something that is similar to Princess Cadence, completing her regal look? She's already gained a good height advantage on them, with Rainbow Dash even poking fun at it during Testing Test 1 2 3.

I've always imagined, before Twilight turning Alicorn, that AJ was the tallest around 4' 5". Twilight's the tallest now at around 4' 10" I believe. Unless she assumes a "regal form" like Cadence, may or may not happen since Cadence was like Twilight during the A Canterlot Wedding Flash Back, then I'll say a typical pony will be 4' 5" with an alicorn like Twilight around 4' 10". Shining Armor, Big Macintosh, Fleur De Lis (sp?), and Cadence are closer to 5' 4" I believe. Celestia, without her horn, would be around 6' 5" imho. With her horn, she's probably around 6' 10" tall. That's dealing with Ponies.

That's your typical "Can of Worms" scenario right there. How bad would it be for Applejack to outlive Apple Bloom and Big Macintosh? The same for Rarity and Sweetie Belle or Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo? In essense, I foresee 1 scenario. Avoid all discussions mentions about it and the show ends without it being discussed. I don't trust McCarthy pure and simple. Nor do I trust stuff from The HUB twitter feed. I remember during S3 when Tara Strong did the feed and multiple people asked if Twilight would become a Princess/Alicorn. The response was "No" at the time. In the end, it turned out to be false and Twilight did become a Princess/alicorn. The statement about "Twilight won't outlive her friends" has people at odds. Some say it needs to be taken at face value. Others aren't so trusting of that. In my honest opinion, as said above, I don't trust McCarthy or her words. She makes jovial statements and yet what seems to be a farce becomes true. Example was Discord being an alicorn in S4, mentioning it on April Fools day. While he didn't "become" one permanently, he did transform into a Draconequus (sp?)/Alicorn hybrid thing to joke at the situation. To be honest, I'm taking McCarthy's statement as "Twilight won't outlive her friends 'because' she will always remember them. With the words of her friends the Journal of Friendship and their memories in her heart, they will never be forgotten no matter how long she lives." Another thing that has me wondering, since Twilight is now the poster pony of MLPFIM, concerns the fact that each Transformer series has an Optimus Prime. I'm quite curious if they'll keep Twilight around to serve as a linked connection for the FIM series ends, and they - Hasbro - make another series within the same universe that Faust has established. The last thing I will add is one notion. It's not every day that a pony comes around who's destiny is to raise and lower the sun or moon. The same can be said of one who's affinity is magic and friendship, with another same being said for a pony that represents love and compassion. To let Twilight and Cadence pass on may not be to Celestia's liking. I'm very curious if our lovable giantess equine is a mastermind that's pulling some serious strings to send both Cadence and Twilight into trials by fire of sorts to see how they fair. If they prove worthy, she'll impart a "gift" onto them of immortality so they can stay in Equestria to preserve and protect it from outside forces. I don't think we're concerned with the age of ponies, but the age of alicorns themselves. We've had Celestia and Luna, so it's unknown the age span of Cadence and Twilight. If all alicorns become immortal, then that's that. If Celestia and Luna are different breeds compared to Cadence and Twilight (Both who have ascended from regular ponies not knowing about Sunbutt and Moonbutt), we have a conundrum on our hands. Anyways, those are my two bits/cents on the whole matter.

Part of me is still eyeing Twilight's little friendship journal, along with the fact Twilight's mane + tail went all wavy/sparkly. I'm quite curious if in S5 Twilight will "assume her true destiny" where she becomes Celestia's successor by growing into a true alicorn. The writers missed their big chance to knock off Celestia, Luna, and Cadence by saying the power transfer was irreversible and have Twilight become the sole alicorn of Equestria and its ruler. With that said however, the three combined powers of the other alicorns could act as a catalyst to accelerate Twilight's growth. She's already taller than the other mane6, Rainbow Dash making fun of it in Testing Testing 1 2 3, and her horn appears to be growing into something similar to Cadence's horn. The only thing I'm perplexed about is the flashback in A Canterlot Wedding with Cadence. She looked the same as Twilight, and I don't know if she grew into a "regal" form, if she was destined to look like that (alicorn or not), or how long ago that took place. As for the topic of the thread, it's hard to say how long Tirek had been roaming around. He could have heard about the royal wedding between Princess Cadence and Shining Armor, or heard a rumor about her taking over the crystal empire. Cerberus escaped from Tartarus during It's About Time, so who knows how long he had been free. I'm curious if Cerberus escaped by himself or a plan was hatched between Tirek and some other denziens of the underworld.

To be honest, I don't believe that is the case. The Rainbow Designs were attrocious and reminded me of nothing but girly toys from the 80's and up. The one thing I will say is that Hasbro understands the brony fanbase, while not the intended audience + we are still small compared to the target audience, contributes money to their pockets. As a result, they aren't going to do anything too drastic. What probably happened was Hasbro said, "Include the rainbow designs and Twilight's new Crystal Tree Castle in the show. Beyond that, go nuts and we'll sign off on it." I just hope we don't get any more alicorns, if they turn the mane6 into alicorn I may relent on that one but I know it won't happen, nor do we get anything super messed up like sparkles added to the rainbow power. Nor do I want to see that Princess Skyla introduced into the show, Flash Sentry becoming Twilight's love interest, another wedding with Twilight as the bride, etc....

I don't not like it.... I'm sorry but I have got to be blunt and honest. Hasbro needs to step down/back off and let DHX design some of the stuff here. That tree is just Crystal Castle version 2.0 imho. Let the "artists" of the show design the stuff and let the toy people figure out how to make that stuff real vs the other way around. If it is the other way around, then whoever made that crystal tree house needs to stop their fascination with the crystal empire. Give us something unique, not rehashing. The same goes for Tirek. He was a good villain, don't get me wrong, but what I prided the show on was originality. Discord = Awesome, unusual, unique, etc... Chrysalis = Disturbing and alluring at the same time. I just hope we get some original villain in S5.

I can't say anything one way or another since I am male, number 1, and, number 2, I don't go to social gatherings of bronies to confirm these things. My stance on things is like what you like. Don't let anyone tell you anything differently. With that said, don't go on a crusade to expouse your ideas, beliefs, and opinions, so basically just be reasonable about it. In regards to the whole Pegasister/Brony thing, it doesn't irritate me. I find myself curious more so than perterbed by it. My usual phrase is "sup guys" when I enter into a chat room. I try to use the term as inclusively as possible, but it's evolved to say "sup all." Whatever the case may be, we like a show about candy colored equines. Despite our differences that draw us to it, character preferences, or what we call ourselves, I just remember that we share a devotion to something.

It's probably wrong to laugh, but I can't help it after I saw the fact there's a petition with 500 signature, 0 supporters, to bring the library back. I hope these people are being sarcastic. Please tell me they are being sarcastic, please....

I liked it. Though I had my doubts, the episode brought a good amount of surprises to keep me entertained. The one thing I will say is that the writers have missed their opportunity to remove Celestia from the show, and I do worry that she'll be pushed further into the background in S5, her role being reduced to the point that Twilight just receives letters from her. Overall, this season was far, far better than S3 but didn't top S2 for me. S2's finale just felt so godlike for me. While S4 can't top it, the finale does has its charms and action to keep it from the condemnation I give for the finale of S3. Also, to be rather blunt, I think S4 should have been what S3 was in terms of Twilight's ascension.

I'm not burned out, but my enjoyment has sorta diminished because of MMC and Twilight's stance as the reigning princess. I really miss Celestia from the S1 standpoint and S2. S4 is WAY better than S3, but I do worry about the fate of things as sunbutt seems to be pushed away in favor of Twilight. Hopefully S5 will bring something better. I just hope it's 26 episodes vs 13 episodes and not some half-baked series finale.

I find myself very displeased as of late with Celestia being pushed further and further away, Twilight moving towards the spotlight as the reigning princess. S1 had the most showcases of Celestia. S4 has concerned me where she's had 1 speaking role in the premier (I believe) and 2 appearances. Some will attribute this to Celestia being in a mentoring role with Twilight needing her less. I still don't approve of the idea where she comes in for like 1 or 2 episodes before she splits for the season. Zecora seems to have taken a permanent backseat where she had 1 brief showing in the premier. After that, she was gone for the entire season. One thing I will say about all of this, the writers will have no better opportunity to write Celestia, Luna, and Cadence out of the show. A person on the EQD comments brought up a good point where Celestia represents the old guard while Luna and Cadence are the younger generation. In the end, until I see otherwise, I believe Celestia is grooming Twilight to take over Equestria itself. Twilight's little friendship journal caught my eye. In my blunt and honest opinion, I think Twilight is heading for immortality by the final season of MLPFIM. McCarthy's plain statement of "Twilight won't outlive her friends" can be easily twisted with that journal in Twilight's library. Her friends can live on because she has their memories in her journal, thus they never passed away.

With the whole Princess Twilight stuff, I find myself a bit distanced from the show. What I enjoy most of all right now are the episodes where her Princessness is downplayed, like Testing Testing 1 2 3, fan artworks, fan livestreams, and the like. I still feel a bit saddened that JJ has backed WAY down on his Livestreams and pony works. He was a fav artist of mine, and I always enjoyed watching his streams with Jen popping in.

I wouldn't go over the top and say she is my favorite pony, that being reserved for Fluttershy/Unicorn Twilight. With that said however, I have a definite affinity for the wall-eyed mail mare. It's just sad she got so much hate during the derpgate thing.

Meh, I wouldn't mind if Spike and Rarity developed into a couple. The writers could certainly make it work as Spike becomes/ages into an adult, referencing the growth spirt from Spike's episode. In the end though, Spike may stay the same age he is right now. He'll develope a crush on Sweetie Belle, and then move on to other ponies as ages alongside Twilight with Twilight becoming the immortal she's destined to be.

I would do all I can to assist Fluttershy/Unicorn Twilight.

To be honest, I hope she doesn't get married. It would disgust me. This Twilicorn thing disgusted me already, and S4 hasn't shown me one shred of evidence as to how this assists her character. Instead, I find Twilight's little ascension to be counter-productive to her character, losing traits which drew me to like her in the first place. I've only seen her "adorkable" side shine through in the episode Amy Keating Rogers wrote, Testing Testing 1, 2, 3. If she does get married at the end of S4, that's when the show, imho, will turn into what Spongebob has become as it cranks out episodes just to entertain the kiddies. The episodes would have little to no value. Their main focus of effective story telling would be replaced by the necessity to halk wares on the little screaming kiddies. I'm getting rather irritated by these shows I come to love/accept, and then see them turned into trash for the sake of profit. O well, MLPFIM is a made to order sandwich for Hasbro with DHX acting like Subway. They'll customize it to their liking.