SaburoDaimando 1,196 April 10, 2015 Share April 10, 2015 It seems to be a running theme every time a villain is set against the Mane 6, where said villain is on the verge of winning, that the Mane 6 and/or everyone else around them is defeated, and that Equestria(Or in some cases just the Mane 6) is doomed to said villain before that villain's inevitable defeat. Nightmare Moon, Discord, Queen Chrysalis, King Sombra, Trixie, Sunset Shimmer, The Mane-Iac, Tirek, the Dazzlings and even Starlight Glimmer all follow this pattern. And it seems the only way the Mane 6 can win is that they have to lose big time and let the villain gloat in their victory all while they make a big mistake that costs them What do you all think? Do you enjoy the idea of a villain coming close to winning (ala the TV Trope "Near-villain victory") only for them to lose sight and lose to the Mane 6 in the end? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonasDarkmane 19,790 April 10, 2015 Share April 10, 2015 It seems to be a running theme every time a villain is set against the Mane 6, where said villain is on the verge of winning, that the Mane 6 and/or everyone else around them is defeated, and that Equestria(Or in some cases just the Mane 6) is doomed to said villain before that villain's inevitable defeat. Nightmare Moon, Discord, Queen Chrysalis, King Sombra, Trixie, Sunset Shimmer, The Mane-Iac, Tirek, the Dazzlings and even Starlight Glimmer all follow this pattern. And it seems the only way the Mane 6 can win is that they have to lose big time and let the villain gloat in their victory all while they make a big mistake that costs them What do you all think? Do you enjoy the idea of a villain coming close to winning (ala the TV Trope "Near-villain victory") only for them to lose sight and lose to the Mane 6 in the end? Nope, I don't enjoy seeing the villains coming close to victory only to lose. But I don't give a lot of thought about it :T. Signature by @Kyoshi Ask Me Matsunaga Hisahide's death https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKT5Khp3-0U Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PROJECT: Simon 3,955 April 10, 2015 Share April 10, 2015 I don't enjoy it... every time it happens my heartbeat increases.... and I get scared. I don't know why. 1 Equestria Girl Artist / Infernus's adorable brother / PROJECT: Echo, My Little Kohai Having a bad day? Come relax in my profile, I'll try my best to make you at least smile a bit.. http://project-simon.deviantart.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fallen Valkyrie 525 April 10, 2015 Share April 10, 2015 Well i would love to see villan win and do something to Equestria but they must lose this show is for kids 1 My oc: Awilix Blair Jacqueline Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashen Pathfinder 16,164 April 10, 2015 Share April 10, 2015 Well, it sort of it a running theme, but it's not so much with every villain. I really don't think Nightmare Moon was THAT close to winning; likewise for Sunset Shimmer to win she'd have to not only take out Twilight & the Mane 6; but also the Mane 6 and the royal sisters who would be none to pleased to learn that Twi was killed. Also, on a nother note, Sombra never gloated; he was close to winning, but he never bragged about it. 3 Pathfinder I Sojourner I Corsair | Zu'hra I Autumn | Scarlet Willow | Gypsy | Silverthorn | Crystal Whisper | Radiant Historia | And many other OCs~ Matching signatures with mah Bestie MOONLIGHT <3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shanks 10,817 April 10, 2015 Share April 10, 2015 If done right it can serve to raise the tension and drama making the story a bit more exciting. After all what is the point of having a major villain if they don't pose some kind of threat? It dosen't have to go so far as "Equestria is doomed if they win" every single time but still. Rarity Get's Cockroaches Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonasDarkmane 19,790 April 10, 2015 Share April 10, 2015 Also, on a nother note, Sombra never gloated; he was close to winning, but he never bragged about it. I actually thought about saying that, but decided not to 1 Signature by @Kyoshi Ask Me Matsunaga Hisahide's death https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKT5Khp3-0U Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmarston1 5,962 April 10, 2015 Share April 10, 2015 Because in the two part episodes if the villains didn't come anywhere close to achieving whatever goal they have in mind, then they are not a threat and there would be virtually no conflict in the episodes. And you can't have an interesting or compelling narrative without some form of conflict. You just can't. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dark Horse 12,970 April 10, 2015 Share April 10, 2015 Almost all villains have a moment where they come close to victory, or at least have the upper hand over the protagonists. I mean, lets be honest, it's difficult to assume any scenario where the hero doesn't win in the end. It's pretty much a given that they'll find some way out of their predicament and turn things around back in their favor with a rousing victory. But showing the villain have the capability to succeed at least increases their credibility, that they're not just some annoying obstacle that will swiftly be dealt with, they are a legitimate threat. I think audiences enjoy the shock value of seeing a villain get the sudden upper hand on the hero and having the situation look all gloom and doom. It usually goes with things looking good for the hero, a swift victory in sight, then the villain suddenly executes their "Secret Gambit Plan" that the hero didn't anticipate and things immediately go all downhill, the villain gloats and it looks like everything's coming up in their favor, that's usually as close as they get to victory. As I said, I think it all comes down to showing the villain as someone to be afraid of, that they deserve your attention, and can even make an interesting character who holds up the story as much as the heroes do. 4 "Always watching - Always lurking." Signature by @Kyoshi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evilshy 5,093 April 10, 2015 Share April 10, 2015 Because in the two part episodes if the villains didn't come anywhere close to achieving whatever goal they have in mind, then they are not a threat and there would be virtually no conflict in the episodes. And you can't have an interesting or compelling narrative without some form of conflict. You just can't. This. Conflict is what makes a story interesting. If the conflict is trivial, then it's not as interesting. The viewer doesn't care as much about what happens because it doesn't matter all that much. Season 3 spoiler: When Chrysalis magically bitch slapped Celestia like it was nothing, we knew shit just got real. Up until then, Celestia was arguably the most powerful single pony we had seen, and the villain put her down like it was nothing. That was a lot of tension, and that was a good finale. 4 Signature now 99% less edgy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Castle Bleck 19,440 April 10, 2015 Share April 10, 2015 Because we need to know they're a valid threat. 1 By @Emerald Heart.↑ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Banul 3,831 April 10, 2015 Share April 10, 2015 Because watching a villain get beaten with no effort is boring. A villain needs to appear to be a real threat, capable of achieving their goals if not for the heroes, in order to be thrilling to watch. Usually, that means they get pretty close to winning. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omar 692 April 10, 2015 Share April 10, 2015 Like everyone else in this thread said, It would be boring if the villains never were a big threat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Castle Bleck 19,440 April 10, 2015 Share April 10, 2015 (edited) Starlight technically came the closest to winning, what with getting away and all that. In other words, a mortal did something several demigods couldn't. And that's awesome. Edited April 10, 2015 by A.V. By @Emerald Heart.↑ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evilshy 5,093 April 10, 2015 Share April 10, 2015 Starlight technically came the closest to winning, what with getting away and all that. In other words, a mortal did something several demigods couldn't. And that's awesome. They kinda let her go, though. Twi easily could've use her magic offensively and stopper her, but she didn't. Contrast with the other villains, who posed a threat on a much grander scale, they couldn't just be allowed to walk away. Signature now 99% less edgy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adorkable 2,737 April 10, 2015 Share April 10, 2015 It could be due to the suspense, all the "what ifs" running through your head at the moment of their near-victory. It gets your heart pounding, I guess like the same feeling you get when watching a horror movie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commissar Alexer 763 April 10, 2015 Share April 10, 2015 Regardless how close they are to victory, we all know they will lose. "There is no such thing as innocence, only degrees of guilt." "Prayer cleanses the soul, Pain cleanses the body." "He who follows Chaos, shall suffer for eternity." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wind Chaser 4,768 April 10, 2015 Share April 10, 2015 (edited) It adds tension by showing how well the villain may (or may not) have things planned out, in some cases shows just what they would do to the world if it was theirs, and also adds suspense (i.e. "how are the heroes going to get out of this one?"). If the plot points that lead into and out of this situation are not contrived or forced enough to break the story, this may be one of its most important parts. Edited April 10, 2015 by Wind Chaser Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plonkett 345 April 10, 2015 Share April 10, 2015 (edited) I like it, as it builds tension and suspense to the story. If they weren't anywhere near victory it would be rather boring. Edited April 10, 2015 by vgmaster9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A Black Circle 1,586 April 10, 2015 Share April 10, 2015 Because it shows the villains have competence and are worth time. Biscuit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Awesome One 1,315 April 10, 2015 Share April 10, 2015 Well it happens in all shows and movies. Heroes set out to defeat villain, villain defeats/captures heroes only to not finish them off properly and then gets defeated by the heroes who make a grand comeback. I don't care how long villains hang on to victory though because we all know they're going to be losing anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Singe 2,111 April 11, 2015 Share April 11, 2015 (edited) Villians are just more interesting. They are taking the initiative. They have ambitions no matter how small or large or how dumb it sounds. They are motivated to complete their task/plans. They will do what ever it takes to complete their tasks/plans. They will not stand for anyone or anything to get in their way of completeling their tasks/plans. A number of villians can come off as hard workers compared to a number of heros who are easygoing getting handouts, bailouts, and way too much help. Basically, a villian hits close to a viewer who knows whats it like to work a job or towards a goal with little to no help. Some heros tend to get a lot of flak for Dues Ex Machinas rather than work to earn their victory. Edited April 11, 2015 by Singe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlutterDash4072 190 April 11, 2015 Share April 11, 2015 It's all about adding tension. Tension is what gets the audience invested in the conflict even though they know the outcome already. It's obvious that the mane six will win in the end, but the writers want us to wonder how they're going to pull it off. Signature made by Wheatley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steel Accord 6,660 April 11, 2015 Share April 11, 2015 Well tension and drama are what makes good stories. If the villains were clearly outmatched from the start and never improved, it would not be at all interesting to see the Six triumph, because it was clear they were going to win from the start. Why do you think the Diamond Dogs and the Dragon teens were more comedic than they were threatening? Their goals were not that big nor was it as much of a challenge for the Mane Six to beat them. Hell Rarity beat the former by herself and three of them (plus Spike) didn't even need to do anything to win against the ladder. My ponysona: http://mlpforums.com/page/roleplay-characters/_/steel-accord-r1970 My AMA thread: http://mlpforums.com/topic/76698-as-steel-me-andor-oc/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
[NULL] 907 April 11, 2015 Share April 11, 2015 (edited) Because that's how the hero's journey has been told since the beginning of time. And here I thought it would go without saying that a story would be boring if nothing went wrong for the main characters. You know you're doing something wrong when your story moves forward with "And then": - The protagonist wants to do something. - And then the protagonist does it. As opposed to "But" or "Therefore": - The protagonist wants to do something. - But something goes wrong. - Therefore the protagonist figures out how to deal with what went wrong. Edited April 11, 2015 by SpaceOnion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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