Hostile Townsponies?

[ideaguy1998 15]

There has been one thing bugging me in MLP:FIM.  The background ponies act unlikable.  We see this in some episodes like Magic Duel, Bridle Gossip, Putting Your Hoof Down, and For Whom the Sweetie Belle Toil.  Not only that, but they scrap logic.  For example in Magic Duel, they kept harassing Trixie, but didn't consider any motivations Trixie had.  Like mabye oh say, Trixie could have been a show pony who simply moved from the stage to the streets, but didn't exactly know what to do.  Gee, reminds me of a certain writer who wrote a certain episode that got all of the Bronies riled up.  I've seen the residents of Gravity Falls apply better common sense!

[Pastel 7,630]

It's your opinion.

I for one think they acted decently in the episodes you mentioned.

[ghostfacekiller39 23,860]

They're background ponies. All they're supposed to do in the show itself is help set the mood and tale up space so it's an actual community Like voices, they're personalities aren't set in canon.

 

If you want them to a purpose past the way they're used in the show, check out the fanon There's extensive fanon for nearly every background ponies

[Jeric 46,871]

Means the world ain't all rainbows and smiles.

 

And you should imagine Ponies complexly! You don't know them ... it could just be a bad day.

 

[ideaguy1998 15]

Means the world ain't all rainbows and smiles.

 

And you should imagine Ponies complexly! You don't know them ... it could just be a bad day.

 

My best guess is that sometimes, nopony is able to be a third-party observer and tell everypony else what's wrong.

[ideaguy1998 15]

It's your opinion.

I for one think they acted decently in the episodes you mentioned.

Don't believe you, really.

[Anneal 2,197]

They're background ponies. All they're supposed to do in the show itself is help set the mood and tale up space so it's an actual community Like voices, they're personalities aren't set in canon.

 

If you want them to a purpose past the way they're used in the show, check out the fanon There's extensive fanon for nearly every background ponies

 

Actually, Lyra is an interesting background pony, and she actually does a LOT in the background.

 

Anyone still remember this?

 

Or this?

 

 

And this?

 

 

Some interesting stuff can go off in the background, and it's not just Lyra.

[Ziggy + Angel + Rain 11,303]

In large enough numbers, background ponies can be an angry mob, cheering crowd, or participants in impromptu songs as needed lol.  For the most part, I think of them as an asset.  They are Legion!  I don't judge them too too harshly, since it's likely that most of them won't see significant character development or be relied upon to directly confront and solve any issues with which the Mane 6 routinely deal.

[ideaguy1998 15]

If Gilda comes back and everypony's not taking kindly to her, then they're going to be hypocrites.

[Princess Periwinkle 3,775]

Because they're there - literally - for the plot.

 

The story writers gotta use them for certain purposes like that... Don't be too hard on them.

[ideaguy1998 15]

Because they're there - literally - for the plot.

 

The story writers gotta use them for certain purposes like that... Don't be too hard on them.

But inconsistencies in behavior can lead to a notable moment in hypocrisy.

[pony.colin 156]

There has been one thing bugging me in MLP:FIM.  The background ponies act unlikable.  We see this in some episodes like Magic Duel, Bridle Gossip, Putting Your Hoof Down, and For Whom the Sweetie Belle Toil.  Not only that, but they scrap logic.  For example in Magic Duel, they kept harassing Trixie, but didn't consider any motivations Trixie had.  Like mabye oh say, Trixie could have been a show pony who simply moved from the stage to the streets, but didn't exactly know what to do.  Gee, reminds me of a certain writer who wrote a certain episode that got all of the Bronies riled up.  I've seen the residents of Gravity Falls apply better common sense!

 

 

- Where in Magic Duel do the background ponies harass Trixie? I just quickly skimmed through that episode and I don't recall seeing the background ponies doing that, they really just stand in the background and look pretty and hide easter eggs

[ideaguy1998 15]

- Where in Magic Duel do the background ponies harass Trixie? I just quickly skimmed through that episode and I don't recall seeing the background ponies doing that, they really just stand in the background and look pretty and hide easter eggs

I saw it in Trixie's flashbacks.

[pony.colin 156]

I saw it in Trixie's flashbacks.

 

Oh that part (was skimming and missed it).  Yeah that's required for townsponies to act like that because of plot.  The townsponies call out Trixie for being a phony and lying about vanquishing an Ursa Major, but they excessively ridicule her which was a bit much.  The original context of boast busters was that they were trying to teach humility in that episode.  However, treatment towards Trixie was excessive in the aftermath that hurt her reputation and business (which happens when you tie lies into your reputation); yes they were mocking her because she was an arrogant, narcissist who got called out. But by having the townsponies mock her, gives her a partial reason to come back in magic duel for revenge/vengeance.  Townsponies gotta act mean to justify the returning villain's motivation and move the plot.

[ideaguy1998 15]

Oh that part (was skimming and missed it).  Yeah that's required for townsponies to act like that because of plot.  The townsponies call out Trixie for being a phony and lying about vanquishing an Ursa Major, but they excessively ridicule her which was a bit much.  The original context of boast busters was that they were trying to teach humility in that episode.  However, treatment towards Trixie was excessive in the aftermath that hurt her reputation and business (which happens when you tie lies into your reputation); yes they were mocking her because she was an arrogant, narcissist who got called out. But by having the townsponies mock her, gives her a partial reason to come back in magic duel for revenge/vengeance.  Townsponies gotta act mean to justify the returning villain's motivation and move the plot.

I also hated their behavior in "Putting Your Hoof Down".  My next fanfiction is going to be a deconstruction fic in the townsponies are being hostile to suite the plot, like usual.  But then Gilda comes into town and is being a rude jerk.  Then everypony tell Gilda to stop, but she's all "What?  You're doing something you don't want me doing."

[Bella_Faus 35]

I guess they're all idiots. 

[Malinter 3,064]

Not every pony is graced with being destinied to befriend a princess or be a chosen guardian of the kingdom. For the average joe pony is wake up, work and sleep and not get your hooves steeped on.

 

They have every right to be grumpy/jelly of the mane6

[ideaguy1998 15]

It's your opinion.

I for one think they acted decently in the episodes you mentioned.

Oh, so you'd think they'd behave decently even if Trixe thought for a moment about what she and done and decided to seek therapy to solve out any personal issues that made her bitter, only for everypony to label her a bigger loser, denying her any chance at becoming a better pony?  Seems legit.

[I used to be a stranger 7,994]

"The Townsfolk" is a common and very old narrative trope, treating a large group of persons in a show or play as a single collective character. They are usually extremely fickle about qualities, easy to convince, and are always able to drop what they're doing to join a song and dance routine. They frame the general opinion of the public in events within the context of the show, and can easily be shown to do whatever the author wants them to. It's a lot easier and can be more entertaining than individually characterizing every single member of town.

Edited November 2, 2014 by Blue

[Nature's Spell 526]

@Blue said it best above. Although we'd like to believe otherwise, the writers use tropes and writing conventions frequently; perhaps it's lazy writing, but it's what we have and even so, the plot can rise above the writers excess.

[sweetolebob18 728]

I grew up in a REALLY small town.  A small town is one where, if, on your way home from school, you get stopped for a speeding ticket, then by the time you GET home from school, your parents know all about it.  This is because everyone who passes by

1)Sees who you are

2)Knows who your parents are &

3)Considers it to be their duty to call your parents & gloat "Your child is running wild!  Why are you raising a wild child?"

 

You think that is a joke, you have never lived in a small town.  My hometown had a high school auditorium with 750 seats.  It could seat everyone from grades 7-12.  I don't know what the max # players is for a HS football team.  I do know that if you wanted to be on the team, all you had to do was show up for every practice & all the games.  They never cut anybody, they had trouble meeting the minimum #.

 

The point is, I know small towns (well, back in the 50s & 60s) & they are EXACTLY like these ponies.  Bridle Gossip is EXACTLY the way they behave.  This is the reason I got the Hell out of there & moved to Phoenix

[ideaguy1998 15]

I grew up in a REALLY small town.  A small town is one where, if, on your way home from school, you get stopped for a speeding ticket, then by the time you GET home from school, your parents know all about it.  This is because everyone who passes by

1)Sees who you are

2)Knows who your parents are &

3)Considers it to be their duty to call your parents & gloat "Your child is running wild!  Why are you raising a wild child?"

 

You think that is a joke, you have never lived in a small town.  My hometown had a high school auditorium with 750 seats.  It could seat everyone from grades 7-12.  I don't know what the max # players is for a HS football team.  I do know that if you wanted to be on the team, all you had to do was show up for every practice & all the games.  They never cut anybody, they had trouble meeting the minimum #.

 

The point is, I know small towns (well, back in the 50s & 60s) & they are EXACTLY like these ponies.  Bridle Gossip is EXACTLY the way they behave.  This is the reason I got the Hell out of there & moved to Phoenix

Honestly, I wish small towns could see how they act.  They're the real losers.

Edited November 6, 2014 by ideaguy1998

[Adorkable 2,737]

For example in Magic Duel, they kept harassing Trixie, but didn't consider any motivations Trixie had. 

 

That's because Trixie was being a showoff, and no one likes a showoff.

[veryoriginalponyname 121]

Well Bon Bon certainly seems pretty high-strung sometimes.