How would you feel about episodes WITHOUT the mane 6 or Ponyville?

[VitalSpark 1,830]

There have of course been episodes which focussed on non-mane-6 characters before, such as Just for Sidekicks, Dragon Quest, and almost all the CMC episodes. They mostly had the mane 6 in them, but not in key roles.

 

It would be interesting to see an episode which didn't involve any of the Ponyville residents, perhaps taking part in another part of Equestria, but that still ended up being significant to the show's overall story. Perhaps something that focussed on the growth of power of a particular villain who turns up in Ponyville a few episodes later, or a slice of life episode for a new character who turned out to have a key role defeating the finale baddie.

 

Some backstory for Zecora perhaps?

 

Or maybe it's time for a Trixie-centric episode that portrays her character a little more sympathetically and allows us to understand why she seems to have such a need to be the centre of attention? That would be a nice prelude to another episode when she could come to Ponyville and redeem herself somehow. (Maybe by putting her greatness and power to a good use in the finale?)

Edited November 27, 2014 by Vital Spark

[Odyssey 5,719]

I like it. It would be refreshing to not see Ponyville and the Mane 6 for one episode, as it could give plenty of opportunities for a side character to develop more, as well as see what they're really like when alone. Perhaps a Princess Celestia and Princess Luna episode would be nice.

 

We obviously also got the 100th episode on the horizon, but I'm sure that the writers know what they're doing. After all, these are professionals we're talking about, not amateur fanfiction writers. To say that they're writing only to pander the fandom is kind of silly, as not everything they create is going to be instantly approved.

[Justin_Case001 4,934]

Sure, we could do a show without the mane six, but we'd be losing a part of ourselves!

 

*Cue musical interlude*

 

You could kill off Trixie, or Cheerilee, and nopony would caaaaare!

But the heart and soul,

of Ponyville's in,

those six sexy maaaares!

 

They're the sauce on your steak,

they're the cheese in your cake.

They put the pony in Ponyville!

They're the lace on the nightgown,

the point after touchdown.

Yes, they put the pony in Ponyville!

 

They're that little extra spice that makes existence extra nice.

A giddy little thrill at a reasonable price!

Anti-Bronies: "Our only major quarrel's with your total lack of morals!"

The pastel ponies answer back, "We seem to entertain your dad!"

 

The gin in your martini, the clams on your linguini,

Yes, they keep the pony in Ponyville!

 

We remember our first episode,

Our minds instantly went to brony mode.

Without the mane six we'd have had no fun,

since March of 1961!

To do an episode without them would be twisted!

Random little girls: "We just heard that bronies existeeeeeeeeed."

 

They're the highlights in your hairdo!

The extra arms on Vishnu!

So don't take the,

We won't take the,

Yes, let's keep the,

Pony in Ponyville!

 

 

...

 

Oh, lord, I'm a nut.  In all seriousness, I wouldn't necessarily mind an episode(s) focusing on other characters or locales. 

 

I want to see an episode taking place in The Echo or Eden:

 

 

 

But what I really want is just the friggin Zecora spotlight already.  I think it would be great to have a sort of prequel episode that takes place in her homeland, before she ever came to Equestria.  They could tell her story and how she ended up in Everfree.  Here's an idea: they could begin it as story that she's telling to the CMC, and then they flashback and do the episode about her.  Wouldn't that be great?

[Pinkamena-Pills 6,840]

I'd be ok with it, if it was a episode focused on Surprise. 

 

No Pinkie or Surprise(for atleast a few seconds), no deal. 

 

I doubt i will get what i desire tho, as it will most likely be a Derpy episode instead. 

[Tao 8,948]

I'd love some background ponies in mini stories if

anything!  A bit of our fav ponies who maybe not

in the main six and all!  We get em in our fandom made

stuff but to have some eps just about them would really

be a good shout out to the fandam!

[sweetolebob18 728]

Yeah, some back story on some of the other characters would be OK.  Zecora obviously has a whole alien culture going.  How & why she ended in the Everfree Forest could be interesting (I've said elsewhere that IMO, Z has a sinister past)

 

Or Trixie.  Did she really reform, or was she just sorry she got caught? 

 

Or Gilda.  Gryffons are predators.  Is she just a jerk, or are all gryffs like that? (I mean, I can see how it would be hard to respect somebody when you are sizing them up for dinner)  & How do they get on with Zecora's folks?

 

Or even Cadence & the Crystal Empire.  She definitely comes off as the wimpy alicorn, an episode showing that even a wimpy alicorn is not to be taken lightly.  Fluttershy & Rarity have both shown there is a difference between "tough" & "mean".  You can be 1 without being the other.  For Gilda to dis Cadence & learn the error of her ways...? (maybe a fanfic)

[ShadowPirateX 600]

Episodes without Ponyville is nothing new. An episode without any of the Mane 6? Holy crap, would that be weird! But if the episode was good and had interesting characters, I wouldn't mind it.

But holy crap would it be weird!

Edited November 28, 2014 by ShadowPirateX

[Tao 8,948]

 

 

But holy crap would it be weird!

 

Perhaps but it would be interesting to see even more say on  Cakes family or Luna or Tia

in their everyday lives,  or other ponies! 

[AlbaTross 1,586]

I don't think we should have episodes starring background and remote side characters as I think they truly shine as characters who pop up once in a while, don't usually have any lines, and have just enough personality to give them some character while leaving plenty of room for fan interpretations which could be used in fan works. Characters such as the princesses may be worth exploring in an episode as they don't require any set up, and they could potentially work for a decent episode. The comics provide a reasonable enough avenue for that sort of thing though, and I think extended universe stuff works best in the comics. The show works as it is with most episodes focused on the Mane Six. Having guest characters and/or the occasional semi-regular like Discord and now possibly Maud works just fine as they interact with the Mane Six and help them grow as characters in addition to having their own story arcs.

[Rainboom Dash 1,056]

I wouldn't mind episodes away from the mane 6. Be great to give side characters time to shine.

[Lord Bradley 1,319]

You know what? I would love that completely. An episode outside of Ponyville and the life of the elements will spice things up a bit. But there are three things I REALLY want to see...

 

 

- One centered around Trixie

- One centered about the Royal Sisters

- And finally, the one I love the most, one completely Discord-Centered episode.

 

[Osiria 142]

I'd love to see a spin-off that every episode focuses on a background pony or two, and watch mane six become background pony for a change

 

First 12 episodes

 

1.Vinyl

2.BonBon & Lyra

3.Twinkleshine

4.Fleur dis lee

5.Nurse Redheart

6.Cloudchaser & Flitter

7.Gold harvest

8.Sea Swirl

9.Apple pie & Apple Fritter

10.Derpy

11.Marble Pie & Limestone Pie

12.Fleetfoot

Edited November 29, 2014 by Osiria

[Pastel 7,630]

I would love to see that, I've always wanted to see the mane 6 a bit less in the show...

No no. You're thinking too small. She should have a major part in that episode and even get lines, but in her edited voice.

I'd prefer she wouldn't appear at all then.

[Zekromic 1,054]

That would be weird, since no episode had other characters apart of Spike, the mane6, nor the CMC as the main focus. I would like it though, a Cadance and Shinning Armor episode would be cool  . I think well see one someday, since as the series progresses, secondary character has been given more screentime, and Sunny being promoted as a main character in Rainbow Rocks

Edited November 30, 2014 by Zekromic

[VitalSpark 1,830]

Another idea: some online-only 5 minute episodes focussing on background ponies, and other stuff that would normally fall outside the scope for the series.

 

Similar to the Rainbow Rocks shorts.

[They call me Loyalty 1,954]

Given I don't have much contact with the creative side of the fandom, there wouldn't be much reaction on my part, towards such episodes.
Probably just a little curiosity, since I haven't grown attachment into background ponies, as with some secondary characters. I barely know anything about them.

It might be a good experience, though.

[Empty Room 512]

That would be pretty interesting actually; I'd like to see how that would turn out.

 

Off-topic: Post 200. 

[Windseeker 546]

How would you feel about episodes that focus away from ANY of the mane 6 and puts ponyville on the back-burnner for other characters and parts of Equestria. I always thought the show could do better at fleshing out its side characters and world, So I'd be all for it. Plus, it could allow for slightly darker, more complex stories.

Who knows, maybe when the current series runs its course, someone else will make something just like it with your desired concepts. It'd be nice to see such.

[RainbowTashie 379]

How would you feel about episodes that focus away from ANY of the mane 6 and puts ponyville on the back-burnner for other characters and parts of Equestria. I always thought the show could do better at fleshing out its side characters and world, So I'd be all for it. Plus, it could allow for slightly darker, more complex stories.

I think it would be nice to have a little breather from them but i'm sure i'd miss them after a couple of episodes

[Dulset Tarn 441]

Hearth's Warming Eve was only marginally not this anyway and it was awesome.

[Mesme Rize 15,692]

You mean like Background ponies?

 

I don't really know, but i know that alot of headcanons will be broken and alot of bronies will quit the fandom.....again.

[Thunderlane 550]

Episode 100

Hype.

Yes.

Characters. 

Darnit.

[Silver Letter 1,832]

I think it's a bit late to focus on other characters although I would not protest. Perhaps better late than never. But to have truly focused on a larger number of characters, maybe the show should have not centered around those six mares at all.