Are the Crusaders actually holding each other back?

[Wind Chaser 4,768]

So, another Crusaders topic...

 

Like anyone else, I was trying to come up with an in-universe reason as to why the Crusaders haven't gotten their cutie marks yet. Beyond their obvious character flaws, one idea came to me: the methods they use as a group are actually detrimental to their goal rather than helpful.

 

If you look at reasons why fans have felt that the Crusaders have stagnated for so long, one needs really to look at what they did in "The Show Stoppers" and "Twilight Time", and compare it with what they did in every other episode that depicts an attempt by them to gain their cutie marks. In those other instances, all three are attempting and failing to do the same thing at the same time and hoping they will all get their cutie marks in that one thing, which is fundamentally against what a cutie mark stands for (special, individual talents, meaning they're not all expected to do the same thing). However, in "The Show Stoppers" and "Twilight Time", they work together to their benefit by working on the same project in different capacities, which gives them all hints that they have diverse talents. Interestingly enough, they are under adult supervision in both episodes.
 

This suggests that, when left to their own devices, the Crusaders are subject to each other's more negative influences, specifically Apple Bloom's impatience and Sweetie Belle's craving for attention (the latter of which came up more in "Twilight Time" and "For Whom the Sweetie Belle Toils"). I'm not saying that they are bad friends to each other, but it seems that their group is misguided in achieving its goal, and the Crusaders would actually be closer to it if they associated more with other ponies outside of their group.

 

The Crusaders are kid characters, so this is something that's to be expected of them, but there is plenty of story potential for them outside of just quests to gain their cutie marks. What I'm saying is that more interaction outside of their peer group would be to their benefit in future episodes, and it looks as if they may get it in Season 5.

 

I'd like to know what your findings are on this.

Edited March 14, 2015 by Wind Chaser

[Pastel 7,630]

I think it has its pros and cons.

 

The fact they're together motivates them to find their special talent. If they're together, they can share their ideas (so there are more), and maybe one of these ideas will work for one of them (not sure that's what's going to happen in the show though). Maybe if each of them were on their own, they wouldn't care about finding their cutie mark, which would delay them.

 

But on the other hand, a cutie mark is something individual indeed, and it makes sense they should try to find it alone...

 

Overall, I don't know. :/

Edited March 14, 2015 by Blobulle

[Meanlucario 131]

Personally, I think that they know what their talent is, but if they get them, they would no longer be the CMC.

[Vinyl Scratch (Filly)™ 936]

I don't really think so. I mean, they're kids and having their fun. I am doubtful that they are the first, and/or last ponies to be like them, with a blind ambition to find their mark.

 

All ponies get their mark eventually, I'm sure. So taking that into consideration, as long as they continue doing what they love; then one day they'll get their mark. They are thinking it's a race against time, but surely it isn't, therefore they can just continue the silly adventures they get themselves into.

 

To say they are holding each other back is like saying there is a set guideline for the ponies to get their cutie marks and they are stepping outside the norm, but that couldn't be the case. Everyone may have an innate talent, but I reckon a lot of the ponies get their marks later, because maybe they have to develop their own talent/skill.

 

I have no idea if I am making any sense right now, I'm literally just writing down whatever my rambling mind comes up with

[Dulset Tarn 441]

I don't think it's about them being together, it's about them trying so hard to get their cutie marks. Like you said, their methods go against what actually gets ponies their cutie mark. It wouldn't matter if they were together or alone (Call of the Cutie).

 

Even still though, I've always found that it's a lot more about the journey than the destination, and spending time together trying all sorts of things, is its own reward even if it would never get them their marks.

[baltosaa 86]

I think it has its pros and cons.

 

The fact they're together motivates them to find their special talent. If they're together, they can share their ideas (so there are more), and maybe one of these ideas will work for one of them (not sure that's what's going to happen in the show though). Maybe if each of them were on their own, they wouldn't care about finding their cutie mark, which would delay them.

 

But on the other hand, a cutie mark is something individual indeed, and it makes sense they should try to find it alone...

 

Overall, I don't know. :/

 

 

 

^Pretty much this....^

 

I don't think it matters how many things they try doing as a group, as long as it eventually works for one of them, they can move on and continue trying for the other two's Marks.