Controversy

[Kay Dreamer 884]

I'm hoping the episode doesn't create too much controversy. I loved it. It was probably one of the darkest, spookiest and certainly deepest episodes we've had so far.

 

I like the post by @@Antidaeophobia. I don't think the episode was outright attacking communism as a political ideology, but was illustrating the horrors of fascism as a whole. (Though I disagree that Equestria is communist, as we still see a wealthy elite in Canterlot. Socialist is more likely.) Any regime where freedom is curtailed, where citizens are brainwashed and where fear is the order of the day is terrible. The whole setup of the town was deliciously Orwellian.

 

But despite the degree of thought and care placed into the setting, it was really just window dressing. The core of the story was again about friendship, and how you don't all need to be exactly the same in order to be equal. True friendship, (just like true social equality), is about embracing your differences and using them to help each other.

 

"From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs." That's as Marxist as it gets, but you need special talents in order to make that work. Starlight Glimmer's town was pure fascism under a front of false equality, simple as that.

 

Thing is, I really don't think most people, upon a surface viewing, are going to get that. At all. As since the town was painted as horrible and wrong right from the outset, I highly doubt many parents are going to kick up a storm because "MLP supports communism, OMG". The whole point of the episode was illustrating why forcing everypony to be 'equal' was a bad thing.

[Banul 3,831]

I think we're in the clear. 

 

If anything, your average American parent is going to agree with the overall message of the show. Additionally, as stated above me, Starlight's communist/fascist type ideology is painted as bad pretty much from the beginning, moving on to downright evil as the episode goes on.

 

In my opinion, if a controversy happens at all, it won't be with parents. It will be with people mistakenly believing that the episode was about the evils of equality. 

[Abia 258]

In my opinion, if a controversy happens at all, it won't be with parents. It will be with people mistakenly believing that the episode was about the evils of equality.

That brings up an interesting question.

 

Did the episode misuse the word equality? It seemed to preach that equality = sameness, which in turn equals weakness. This implication could have been purposely incorrect, but it appeared in the episode that they used the word "equality" as a synonym to "sameness". They're not the same, really: Inequality is the sameness of rights, not in ability. I think the episode's use of equality as both a concept and a word was interesting.

 

That's an odd thought, though. I wonder if "the evils of inequality" will actually become a problem for this episode.

[Justin_Case001 4,858]

The re-education center with the propaganda made me think of communism/fascism, but the rest of the episode felt more like a conformity vs. be yourself theme, which is different.  Actually, the creepiness of the village made me think of The Stepford Ponies, or The Wicker Mare.  But, anyway, the way I see it, if entertainment is never controversial, than the writers aren't doing their jobs right.  That's what makes it interesting.  This show isn't G3.  It explores some darker or more controversial things.  That's part of what makes it awesome.

[Scootadress 360]

I don't think it had much to do with communism itself; it was more about manipulation and how equality can be both a good and bad thing depending on the person espousing the philosophy.

 

Starlight isn't a communist; she is a charismatic pony with a penchant for manipulating ponies to her will, and he is VERY good at it. Considering she is merely a unicorn, likely not Sombra's level, that can make her especially dangerous.

 

As for the topic itself I don't see why it would cause controversy in most nations. It could possible has issues in some other places, but it wasn't like it was outright attacking governmental systems.

The same reason tiny details pissed off American parents. (Derpy) ^^;

[Ashen Pathfinder 16,153]

The same reason tiny details pissed off American parents. (Derpy) ^^;

 

To be fair it was mentioned by ones of the comic writers that it wasn't parents who were pissed off about that; that was all Apple and iTunes.

[LZRD WZRD 1,929]

I have no idea why this is controversial. There's literally nothing offensive about it. Please, stop saying that it is cuz then some people might actually believe it and get it banned!

That brings up an interesting question.

Did the episode misuse the word equality? It seemed to preach that equality = sameness, which in turn equals weakness. This implication could have been purposely incorrect, but it appeared in the episode that they used the word "equality" as a synonym to "sameness". They're not the same, really: Inequality is the sameness of rights, not in ability. I think the episode's use of equality as both a concept and a word was interesting.

 

That's an odd thought, though. I wonder if "the evils of inequality" will actually become a problem for this episode.

You can use equality in a lot of different ways. Equality of opportunity and rights is how most western people see it. But equality of outcome is a very real concept in the world and the equality as in sameness is a common trope in science fiction novels.

Edited April 5, 2015 by LZRD WZRD

[MAIKUN 262]

Between you and me, this reminds me of Animal Farm, but with ponies instead.

[Marimo 555]

Eh, didn't think America was still massively into hating communism, so I'm going to be optimistic and say you're overreacting.

But then again , the powerpuff girls episode is from like, 2004. 

So I haven't got a clue >.< 

 

 

[Thankfully whatever happens it'll stay on air outside the US xD]

The reason that PPG episode was banned was due to the strobe effects used in the episode that made US networks cautious against airing it, wanting to avoid the same thing that happened with that Porygon episode of Pokemon and cause children to have epilepsys.

[Denim&Venöm 16,629]

Doubt it. if the DBZ-esq violence in Twi's Kingdom can make it through without complaint, then a philosophical/ socio-political episode, where the morality and the issues are going to go over the heads of most kids (and some adults), probably won't be an issue. 

 

However, one thing I did notice about the episode as I was watching was how Starlight's message already applied to a specific american institution: School. Alot of what she preached to an extent, as well as the overall goals of peace though conformity and cohesion through sameness among students, are things schools try to enforce on kids, especially in private, gender segregated and religious schools.

 

That to me is the real controversy, that the thing the show declared was wrong, is occurring to an extent in an everyday american institution, and that the very message kids were taught in this episode, about accepting and embracing differences and being proud of individuality, will be at odds with school attitudes of conformity and treating everyone the same, regardless of needs, talents and interests. 

[Shanks 10,811]

However, one thing I did notice about the episode as I was watching was how Starlight's message already applied to a specific american institution: School. Alot of what she preached to an extent, as well as the overall goals of peace though conformity and cohesion through sameness among students, are things schools try to enforce on kids, especially in private, gender segregated and religious schools.

It is indeed true that schools can be a source of conformity it is far from unique to schools. Churches, workplaces, politics, the mainstream media along with various social rules and norms and other sources can also give intense pressures to conform. There are plenty of examples both overt and much more subtle of how society pressures people to conform and thanks to the screw you this episode gave to conformity it is my favorite seasons premier aside from the Return of Harmony two parter.

[Cirrus. 1,088]

I really don't think it's going to be banned or anything. Hasbro seems to be more on board with the fandom and It seems they are giving the creative team more leeway.

 

I thought it was hilarious that the show even went into the topic of cults/communism/socialism while still being stuck in it's little "Y" box.

 

The episode did surprise me though. From the previews I didn't think there would be as much going on. I thought they were just going to convince them that life is better when everyone is unique and TA-DA! everything is happy and NORMAL again and that's it. I didn't expect Starlight to be AS messed up as she is.

 

The WWII inspired propaganda song (as said by Daniel Ingram) and the brainwashing room made me like . "This is REALLY going on is this show!?!?!?!"

[simba86 1,541]

well it has been several days since it aired and the only people I see that are worried about that episode are the bronies LOL

[baltosaa 86]

I saw it more as individuality vs. conformity.

 

^Pretty much this.

 

 

 

I really don't think anything is going to happen.

 

Sure there is always that chance that some moron may come along and go "OMG I AM OFFENSE!?!1 " and have a problem with it, but I honestly can't see that happening right now...XD

 

If anyone finds that episode offensive in the slightest, they have some severe problems that need to be checked. XD

[Mand'alor Dash 2,224]

 

 

and the reason for controversy is..well..communism .

 

The episode was anti-communist. Even during the height of the Red Scare, there wouldn't have been any outrage.

 

Calm down. 

[Steve Piranha 28,909]

I'm surprised this episode it's getting more controversial attention instead of the Applebloomers April Fool's joke 

[Zoraxe 546]

As far as I know, there isn't much of a controversy actually going on. From what i have seen this "controversy" is almost entierly some people on the internet going 'lol communism' and other people being all like 'its not communism, you know that right?'

 

And for the record, yes, Starlight glimmer is not a communist, and the episode is not anti-communist.