Has MLP Gone Downhill

[Rainboom Dash 1,056]

No.

 

I'd say it's gotten better.

[Arctofire 227]

Guys, I think that you've misinterpreted what I've said, and what this thread is about.

 

I'm not saying: OMG THIS SHOWS RUINED BLAH BLAH BAH. I thought we could have an adult discussion about whether this is actually true or not. I gave a long post devoted to tackling to this debate, and in the end I said that I think it hasn't gone downhill, it's just changed a little bit. I think it's quality has mostly stayed the same.

 

I too am incredibly hyped for season 5, I truly am. I keep getting angry at more and more delays, and when I saw the trailer I was jumping up and down my bedroom with hype.

Edited March 1, 2015 by Arctofire

[MysticShine 529]

The episodes in Season 4 were good ideas, but weren't executed to the best of their ability IMO. With what it looks like they're doing with season 5 though, it looks like it will be much better.

[Winona the Dog 1,984]

I've seen some points on reviews on the overall detail of season 4 and it's usually on par with season 2 and 1 (meaning the ratio of good to bad episodes remain the same) so all in all mlp has just stayed the same. It's just the story element that keeps changing. And animation

Edited March 1, 2015 by Nessie

[Gearbox10mm 794]

All this negativity is harshing my buzz. 

 

The show has improved since season 1, if for no other reason, because Twilight is no longer shoehorned into every single episode.

[Jeric 46,854]

Even though the tone of Season 4 was different than the earlier seasons, I found the the later season highly enjoyable. I actually consider Season 4 to be subjectively superior to Season 1 and Season 3, but nicely tied with Season 2. The departure from a simpler approach does not hinder my enjoyment anymore than Game of Thrones hinders my enjoyment of Star Trek. I have this odd ability to compartmentalize elements of any media and long or short form narrative series. It also helps that nostalgia rarely becomes a major factor in my enjoyment of any IP. I often wonder if some people have an association with the earlier seasons and the beginnings of the fandom and are influenced by their perceived loss of a sense of discovery with one. 

 

Anyway, I vote for the better. I am also curious as to the direction of Season 5. With what we know so far, I am certain it will further alienate those fans who pine for simplicity of the Faust era. 

 

 

I would love some episodes without any member of the mane 6. I hate how they have to be in everything.

 

 

Season Five Spoiler

 

 

 

[souleaterfool 15]

In my opinion, its been pretty consistent (if not better). A lot of it has changed, but change is necessary to shows like MLP or else it would get boring.

[Dulset Tarn 441]

In my oppinion its been pretty concistent if not better a lot of it has changed but change is necessary to shows like mlp or else it would get boring

Personally I think everyone saying this doesn't have a clue what they're talking about.

[Jeric 46,854]

In my oppinion its been pretty concistent if not better a lot of it has changed but change is necessary to shows like mlp or else it would get boring

 

*Nods. 

 

Staving of stagnation by taking a new approach, or evolving an IP is a viable alternative. It can be a tricky balancing act at times though. Some properties mature gradually and it works (Harry Potter), while others go off the rails and are no longer identifiable and approachable from the viewpoint of their original fanbase (Roseanne). 

 

I think that FiM has taken the middle road here. 

[StormRider245 61]

Nah. I think MLP-FiM is still good nowdays.

[Elchar 51]

I personally think season 4 was the best season of them all. I mean, it has some bad episodes (Somepony to watch over me, Equestria games) and some meh episodes (It ain't easy being breezies, Rainbow falls, Twilight time, Trade ya!, Simple ways, Castle mania) but it has many good or even great episodes (Daring Don't, Flight to the finish, Power ponies, Rarity takes Manehattan, Filli Vanilli, Leap of faith, Testing testing 1 2 3, Pinkie Apple Pie, Three's a crowd, Bats!, Both two-parters, Maud Pie, For whom the Sweetie Belle toils, Inspiration manifestation) and also the best episode ever (Pinkie pride) so yeah, I think the show is getting better and better and I can't wait to see what we will see in Season 5.

[A goat 323]

No, not at all. MLP has vastly improved over season 1 in every way.

[Banul 3,831]

Personally I'm sick of everyone and their mothers spewing out "FLANDERIZATION!!!" "OOC!!!" "MARY SUE!!!" "JUMPING THE SHARK!!!" every goddamn second

 

So much this.

 

Sometimes I feel like people are searching for justifications to hate the show because its different now than it was in the first season.  Some people might not like where it is now, or where its going. That's fine, but I tire of people throwing around those terms when I don't feel like they're really warranted, nitpicking every little thing. 

 

If you don't like it, you don't like it. It need not be that the show has gotten objectively worse, but rather that its just not for you anymore.

[Moved to Elsewhere 11,331]

So much this.

 

Sometimes I feel like people are searching for justifications to hate the show because its different now than it was in the first season. Some people might not like where it is now, or where its going. That's fine, but I tire of people throwing around those terms when I don't feel like they're really warranted, nitpicking every little thing.

 

If you don't like it, you don't like it. It need not be that the show has gotten objectively worse, but rather that its just not for you anymore.

Like I said before, we live in a fandom of people who claim to hate the show now by writing long thesis on why the show sucks now yet never leave.

[ghostfacekiller39 23,860]

Season 4 is my personal favorite season for the entirely subjective matter of amazing performances by Rarity. Other than that, it really seems like it's beginning to take itself too seriously and the previews for S5 that we've seen are reinforcing that belief. Maybe I'll be proved wrong, who knows - but it's gone slightly downhill as it just isn't as fun and lighthearted as it used to be. Still a good show, but just not the same, and I can't say I'm thinking this is a change for the better.

[Mesme Rize 15,685]

Look at this. Everyone is having arguments about if the show is going downhill.

 

And i am just sitting here, waiting for Season 5 to start.

 

[Arctofire 227]

Season 4 is my personal favorite season for the entirely subjective matter of amazing performances by Rarity. Other than that, it really seems like it's beginning to take itself too seriously and the previews for S5 that we've seen are reinforcing that belief. Maybe I'll be proved wrong, who knows - but it's gone slightly downhill as it just isn't as fun and lighthearted as it used to be. Still a good show, but just not the same, and I can't say I'm thinking this is a change for the better.

 

I strongly disagree because I'm hyped for season 5 and this dark tone is really cool for us to see. For the two parters this is absolutely fine and cool, and your forgetting the extreme darkness Return of Harmony had in it back in season 2. As long as every episode doesn't become some super edgy adventure episode, and the normal episodes continue to be slice of life, then this is good.

Look at this. Everyone is having arguments about if the show is going downhill.

 

And i am just sitting here, waiting for Season 5 to start.

 

 

We all are mate. So why not have a nice discussion to eat the time.

Edited March 1, 2015 by Arctofire

[ghostfacekiller39 23,860]

I strongly disagree, because I'm hyped for season 5 and this dark tone is really cool for us to see. For the two parters this is absolutely fine and cool, and your forgetting the extreme darkness Return of Harmony had in it back in season 2. As long as every episode doesn't become some super edgy adventure episode, and the normal episodes continue to be slice of life.

What if I told you that I found Return of Harmony and pretty much all of the two parters to be "meh" for that very reason you just stated? I didn't forget that one bit

 

And I don't think it's cool, personally. Life is serious and stressful, and lord knows my mind processes things in a cynical and bleak way as is. I fell in love with MLP because it was fun, lighthearted, and a great change of pace from real life I'm not saying everyone should feel the same way because personal preference such as this is far too subjective for an impartial judgement, but I just don't like the dark tone the show is taking. Some people do, and, if this poll is anything to go by, the majority of people do. I just don't think it's cool and it certainly isn't what I personally want to see happen with the show

[Arctofire 227]

What if I told you that I found Return of Harmony and pretty much all of the two parters to be "meh" for that very reason you just stated? I didn't forget that one bit

 

And I don't think it's cool, personally. Life is serious and stressful, and lord knows my mind processes things in a cynical and bleak way as is. I fell in love with MLP because it was fun, lighthearted, and a great change of pace from real life I'm not saying everyone should feel the same way because personal preference such as this is far too subjective for an impartial judgement, but I just don't like the dark tone the show is taking. Some people do, and, if this poll is anything to go by, the majority of people do. I just don't think it's cool and it certainly isn't what I personally want to see happen with the show

 

Well I don't agree with you at all. But I suppose if you don't like the two parters then you don't have to watch them. The slice of life stories will ALWAYS be there, and you can probably just watch them without needing to know anything about the overflowing seasonal story.

 

If you don't want to see happen with this show is the two part episodes that have always been there, then don't watch the two parters. I made in my first post that the normal episodes have hardly changed, sure they've changed a little bit to be a little bit more proactive, but not by a huge amount. It's the two parters that have changed, and them being dark was not a reason why I think the're less good now.

 

With something like this, I can respect this opinion. It's not really a critical anything, just personal preference, but don't say it's getting darker now, because it's always been this way with the two parters.

Edited March 1, 2015 by Arctofire

[Banul 3,831]

Season 4 is my personal favorite season for the entirely subjective matter of amazing performances by Rarity. Other than that, it really seems like it's beginning to take itself too seriously and the previews for S5 that we've seen are reinforcing that belief. Maybe I'll be proved wrong, who knows - but it's gone slightly downhill as it just isn't as fun and lighthearted as it used to be. Still a good show, but just not the same, and I can't say I'm thinking this is a change for the better.

 

Is it really that much more serious, though? With the obvious exception of Twilight's Kingdom (and I guess Princess Twilight Sparkle), the only episode that I can think of that wasn't fun and lighthearted was For Whom the Sweetie Bell Tolls. It can probably be argued that the show has a more serious tone that before, but not by much. 

 

People say this a lot, and I just don't see it. 

Look at this. Everyone is having arguments about if the show is going downhill.

 

And i am just sitting here, waiting for Season 5 to start.

 

I've been waiting for season 5 since season 4

[ghostfacekiller39 23,860]

Is it really that much more serious, though? With the obvious exception of Twilight's Kingdom (and I guess Princess Twilight Sparkle), the only episode that I can think of that wasn't fun and lighthearted was For Whom the Sweetie Bell Tolls. It can probably be argued that the show has a more serious tone that before, but not by much. 

Inspiration Manifestation actually makes a case for the darkest episodes in the series. Then, of course, there's the 3 you mentioned. Flight to the Finish played DT and SS in a much darker light than the past. Bats! tossed in a bunch of elements that had been seen in previous seasons, such as a 5 against 1 story line and disturbing imagery (seen in "Mysterious Mare Do Well" and "Hurricane Fluttershy" respectively) and featured driving a character to the point of making a violent transformation due to carelessness by her friends. That was actually rather depressing in my eyes, and it didn't help that the episode in general wasn't very good. Those are just a few things that come to mind

[Arctofire 227]

Inspiration Manifestation actually makes a case for the darkest episodes in the series. Then, of course, there's the 3 you mentioned. Flight to the Finish played DT and SS in a much darker light than the past. Bats! tossed in a bunch of elements that had been seen in previous seasons, such as a 5 against 1 story line and disturbing imagery (seen in "Mysterious Mare Do Well" and "Hurricane Fluttershy" respectively) and featured driving a character to the point of making a violent transformation due to carelessness by her friends. That was actually rather depressing in my eyes, and it didn't help that the episode in general wasn't very good. Those are just a few things that come to mind

But, but, but.

 

Okay, I'm going to take a deep breath, and attempt to not get mad at you for having an opinion I strongly disagree with. I learnt that lesson a long time ago with my EQG hating.

 

Insperation Manifestation had great morals, conflicts, and portrayed everyone in character. Why would the fact that it's dark, take away from any of how that episode embodies what makes MLP special and what makes it good. Also, LESSON ZERO.

 

If you don't like darkness in any shape or form, then this is, and never was, the show for you. Lesson Zero, Party of One, The Best Night Ever (Fluttershy) are all examples of why this show was always dark. Why does it make it any less enjoyable for you if the stakes are higher and a more tension filled conflict is established.

 

Have your own opinion and what not, but I just think that your argument is very flawed and you don't like darkness for no apparent reason. Most kids shows do what you say, this show is the exception in the fact that it always had darkness in it's storylines.

 

SLIGHTLY Disturbing Imagery Pre Season 4:

 

Party of One

The Best Night Ever

Lesson Zero

Hurricane Fluttershy

Sleepless in Ponyville.

 

I have no choice but to respect you, but I don't understand you. I don't understand why one could not get excited over dark and epic storylines in this show, WHICH IT HAS ALWAYS HAD. Sure this show may have gotten a bit more VIOLENT, and that's a questionable change. But dark, it's had it in ever since it started.

 

I want to argue back and say that your just ignorant like Dark Quivet would say, but overall it's just a matter of personal choice that I really disagree with and think has many holes.

Edited March 1, 2015 by Arctofire

[Cleverclover 1,526]

I will admit that I'm not exactly looking forward to the season 5 premiere. The moment I once again see the mane five being reduced to utter helplessness so that Twilight can be glorified over them, I'll know the extent of the damage Twilight's Kingdom has done to the show. 

[EquestriaGuy 1,074]

So much this.

 

Sometimes I feel like people are searching for justifications to hate the show because its different now than it was in the first season. Some people might not like where it is now, or where its going. That's fine, but I tire of people throwing around those terms when I don't feel like they're really warranted, nitpicking every little thing.

 

If you don't like it, you don't like it. It need not be that the show has gotten objectively worse, but rather that its just not for you anymore.

You guys are referring to the armchair, faux intellectual, Roger Eberts of the fandom, with a degree from tv tropes.com. Ya that noise is long past old. It's like being on a Disney ride, and the guy next to you is standing up and shrieking about how fake and not frightening the animatronics are.

[The Coffee Pony 1,390]

I will admit that I'm not exactly looking forward to the season 5 premiere. The moment I once again see the mane five being reduced to utter helplessness so that Twilight can be glorified over them, I'll know the extent of the damage Twilight's Kingdom has done to the show. 

 

I don't know where some people keep getting this from as the episode quite clearly showed us that Twilight isn't capable of taking Tirek down on her own.

 

1. In that battle she needed the magic of three other princesses (who do count as her friends BTW) in order to even fight Tirek other-wise she would have been horribly curb stomped and in the end she STILL lost.

 

2. She didn't take down Tirek on her own. ALL of the mane 6 ended up taking down Tirek via Rainbow Power Magic.

 

The argument that the Mane 6 are useless or that Twilight can go solo is invalid.

Edited March 1, 2015 by The Coffee Pony