How about MLP tackling some kind of major issue?

[Singe 2,111]

Fluttershy dealing with poaching of some creature that's used as a material for a rare pony product. A potion that makes a pony's natural coat shine when taken and Rarity is in to it. She gets the other Mane 4 to try it out.

Edited September 18, 2014 by Singe

[Visual Spectrum 1,932]

They do tackle disabilities (Flight to the Finish) and drug addiction (Inspiration Manifestation)

[Wind Chaser 4,768]

Serious issues are tough for the show to handle, because of the reasons stated here by Dr Wolf and CloudCuckooCountry:

 

 

Besides, the issue of animal rights vs. the needs of society was already explored to an extent in "Bats!".

[M'aiq the Liar 5,804]

Well, they did deal with the issue of animal rights in the episode "Bats!". So that issue was already tackled. They also covered the issue of addiction in manifestation inspiration, and slightly in "to many pinkie pies" were pinkie became addicted to fun, and thus began creating more of her self in order to have the most possible fun.

 

 

 

And you have to remember, at the end of the day this is children's media. Death and mass harvesting of animals is a giant no go, so in order to tackle those issues they would have to put them in a scenario that children can understand better, and one that won't cause soccer moms to explode with rage after their 4th starbucks soy frapalattlechino. They can tackle adult issues, but they must be done in a soccer mom friendly manner.

[Haruhi-chan 487]

I think it's kind of hard to tackle more serious issues. You gotta remember that this show is supposed to be for kids. It's geared toward kids, so to include a more serious topic would not be a good thing. The only thing they can do is do it in a mild sense where it won't upset the actual kids that watch the show. Same with the parents that might also watch it with their kids as well.

 

...I just realized the poster above me pretty much made that same point. XD

Edited September 18, 2014 by AutisticAlice

[Orablanco Account 3,708]

I think we'd run the risk of becoming preachy if we try to get specific with it, and some things, like poaching and drug use and such, would wildly push the boundaries of good taste, but I don't see why they can't pull a Stan Lee and use allegory and allusions to talk about general issues, like how it's wrong to hate and judge others based on their background or race and such. The show is already about overcoming differences, so it wouldn't be weird for the show to cover that.

 

Though maybe they could be a little more subtle than Stan Lee was.

 

Edited September 19, 2014 by CITRUS KING46

[Savannah 39]

Luna Eclipsed

Life after prison. 

[BastementSparkle 20,335]

If the writers think they can do it justice, and make a good episode, with a good moral, then I'm all for it. That's only if the writers really think they can make it work though. I don't want some super serious subject shoehorned into the show for no reason. But, if they feel it's good, and they can make it work for the show, then by all means.

 

 People saying it's too dark for kids...I disagree. Courage the Cowardly Dog had an episode about prostitution, abusive relationships, and misandry. That episode is probably one of the best episodes in the whole series in my opinion. I watched it as a kid, and I understood most of what was going, and the things I didn't understand left me with a good sense of curiosity. Children aren't stupid, you don't need to shelter them from everything.

 

 Now, MLP isn't exactly Courage though. Neither show is worse or better, but they're really different shows. But both are still cartoons made to be appropriate for children. If MLP can respectfully tackle mature topics, without ruining the show's general atmosphere or being insulting, then I don't see the problem.

[Singe 2,111]

If the writers think they can do it justice, and make a good episode, with a good moral, then I'm all for it. That's only if the writers really think they can make it work though. I don't want some super serious subject shoehorned into the show for no reason. But, if they feel it's good, and they can make it work for the show, then by all means.

 

 People saying it's too dark for kids...I disagree. Courage the Cowardly Dog had an episode about prostitution, abusive relationships, and misandry. That episode is probably one of the best episodes in the whole series in my opinion. I watched it as a kid, and I understood most of what was going, and the things I didn't understand left me with a good sense of curiosity. Children aren't stupid, you don't need to shelter them from everything.

 

 Now, MLP isn't exactly Courage though. Neither show is worse or better, but they're really different shows. But both are still cartoons made to be appropriate for children. If MLP can respectfully tackle mature topics, without ruining the show's general atmosphere or being insulting, then I don't see the problem.

 

FIM does have dark elements. Dark humor like Spike's attempt to frame the owl for killing a mouse, Sweetie Belle singing in the middle of a funeral, and Celestia's phoenix pranking Fluttershy by actually dieing on screen. Some other serious elements like the teen dragons wanting to murder baby phoenixes.

 

Derpy Hooves before they had to change her and a paraplegic in Season 4.

Edited September 21, 2014 by Singe

[BastementSparkle 20,335]

FIM does have dark elements. Dark humor like Spike's attempt to frame the owl for killing a mouse, Sweetie Belle singing in the middle of a funeral, and Celestia's phoenix pranking Fluttershy by actually dieing on screen. Some other serious elements like the teen dragons wanting to murder baby phoenixes.

I know that. But I think they're referring to a story having to do with some really serious real life topics. Not just dark elements sprinkled through-out. 

 

 I'd actually say that a lot of the two-parters are actually pretty dark. Discord forcefully twisting the mane six's minds, Sombra enslaving a whole kingdom and then exploding at the end, Chrysalis intending to use all of the ponies as food. 

[TwilightDreamer 69]

Didn't they already do that with Scootaloo's episode, Flight to the Finish, with her flight disability and with Rarity on Infestation Manifestation?

 

But yeah, if they can find some way of tackling more of those major life issues, it could work but it wouldn't be for a while since it's a show meant for "kids".

[Sazama Ichida 2,367]

I think yes. Even though kids shows don't talk about mature subjects anymore like sexual harassment and whatever. Though I think it would be a good thing to start teachings kids again.

For example: