spoiler What's up with season 5 and Cutie Marks?

[ponytheorist 181]

So I can’t be the only one who noticed the whole Cutie Mark thing in season 5. We got a season opener about a cult that doesn’t like cutie marks, an episode about Applebloom doubting having a cutie mark is good thing, and an episode about a pony that has a cutie mark that caused bad things. Of all the episodes we got so far, more then half of them are about cutie marks and what they mean or represent.

 

So… why are the writers doing this? It almost looks like some kind of buildup. I mean, the writers didn’t make a whole cutie mark related episode since the end of season three, and we get a season opener and two episodes dedicated to cutie marks in the first six episodes.

 

I don’t want to jump to conclusions, but I think that there will be a very good possibility that the CMC get their cutie marks, either this season or next. Also when looked that the whole CMC arc with Luna is now closed, I think it could be possible

 

So what do you think?

[Red Cedar 1,408]

It's a tie-in to the toy line, pure and simple. Every company that has ever made a cartoon based on a toy has done it. The only good thing is that MLP has done it more subtly than most.

[ponytheorist 181]

It's a tie-in to the toy line, pure and simple. Every company that has ever made a cartoon based on a toy has done it. The only good thing is that MLP has done it more subtly than most.

How would the toy line benefit from focussing on cutie marks?

[Ashen Pathfinder 16,164]

IIRC I think it has been hinted that this season's 'arc' will likely be focusing on cutie marks to some extent. What that means is hard to tell, but signs seem to be point to the CMC getting their marks and Starlight Glimmer returning, so take it for what you will.

[cider float 2,539]

Huh that does seem like it's happening. Especially when there was two CMC episodes right off the bat.

[ponytheorist 181]

IIRC I think it has been hinted that this season's 'arc' will likely be focusing on cutie marks to some extent. What that means is hard to tell, but signs seem to be point to the CMC getting their marks and Starlight Glimmer returning, so take it for what you will.

Oh, Starlight Glimmer really comes back this season. I can't imagine it not happening. It can also just be nothing, but then it would be weird that the writers put that much emphasis on the cutie marks

Edited May 15, 2015 by ponytheorist

[Red Cedar 1,408]

How would the toy line benefit from focussing on cutie marks?

Because now you can buy a fourteenth Fluttershy for your collection, one that is just slightly different from the others.

 

Hasbro's a toy company first, remember?

[ponytheorist 181]

Because now you can buy a fourteenth Fluttershy for your collection, one that is just slightly different from the others.

 

Hasbro's a toy company first, remember?

I know that, but it doesn't seem to be the motive behind this. It's not like there will be Appleblooms with all the different cutie marks we have seen from the episode. I'm also fairly certain that big pony with the bad luck will never make an apperance in the toy line. Maybe Starlight Glimmer will, but that's also not very lickely, as no other villain except Discord and Nightmare moon as been made into toys by Hasbro

[cider float 2,539]

I think you're onto something especially when the first episode was about the Cutie Map.

[chirox the pony 1,336]

Maybe their acknowledging their weird nature, I mean come on they like to stare at each others butts. Although I think the most likely theory (story wise) is that the CMC are probably gonna get their cutie marks. 

[cider float 2,539]

Maybe their acknowledging their weird nature, I mean come on they like to stare at each others butts. Although I think the most likely theory (story wise) is that the CMC are probably gonna get their cutie marks. 

Maybe a big showdown where the CMC must get their cutie marks to vanquish evil! Something like that.

[ponytheorist 181]

Maybe a big showdown where the CMC must get their cutie marks to vanquish evil! Something like that.

That could be very awesome! Maybe Starlight Glimmer takes away their cutie marks, and the CMC needs to get them back or something in an epic season finale!

 

But I bet THAT won't happen

[Red Cedar 1,408]

I know that, but it doesn't seem to be the motive behind this. It's not like there will be Appleblooms with all the different cutie marks we have seen from the episode. I'm also fairly certain that big pony with the bad luck will never make an apperance in the toy line. Maybe Starlight Glimmer will, but that's also not very lickely, as no other villain except Discord and Nightmare moon as been made into toys by Hasbro

There has also been a Chrysalis toy. They will make toys if they think there is demand for them. They just start with variations of the mane 6 because that is where the demand is always strongest. And, sales go up.

[MLG4Ever 876]

This season's theme is Cutiemark magic and "Buy Our Not so Show Actuate Toys" -Hasbro

So thats maybe why

[cider float 2,539]

There has also been a Chrysalis toy. They will make toys if they think there is demand for them. They just start with variations of the mane 6 because that is where the demand is always strongest. And, sales go up.

Chrysalis must make a comeback... maybe in a new outfit or something.... then they can sell toys.

 

::cidershield ulterior motives::

[Jeric 46,884]

Most of the episodes have focused on cutie marks. Only two out of the six aired have not. So far this is the theme of the season in the show as well as the current toy line. Also, Starlight Glimmer has a brushable.

[Sazama Ichida 2,367]

And based on what I saw it sounds like there's gonna be even more episodes about cutie marks this season.

[cider float 2,539]

Most of the episodes have focused on cutie marks. Only two out of the six aired have not. So far this is the theme of the season in the show as well as the current toy line. Also, Starlight Glimmer has a brushable.

Do they have plushies. Nothing beats plushies

[Jeric 46,884]

Do they have plushies. Nothing beats plushies

 

Yes, $250-$500 on Deviant Art ... because nothing beats home made artisan crafted plushies. 

[guest243535531ty43 219]

The major theme of this season is "cutie mark magic". They discussed a bit here:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lb5G6GdQe2M

 

Meghan McCarthy said in the video above, "I think one of the big themes for this season is using the talents you've been given to make the world a better place."

 

The reason? Well even though cutie marks are very integral to a pony's life, we only know the general basics of them and there are several questions that could be answered. The motive is likely that it is open-ended and malleable, allowing for a lot of good creative ideas to emerge from the general idea. And the show has shown that marketing ploys and good, creative entertainment don't necessarily have to be at odds with each other so yes, toys and plushies will come out of this and were definitely considered in the process behind the show. But that doesn't mean the theme itself won't or doesn't have any merit.

 

Yes, $250-$500 on Deviant Art ... because nothing beats home made artisan crafted plushies. 

Except 4DE plushies. 

[cider float 2,539]

 

Spike might know a better deal

[JonasDarkmane 19,790]

Perhaps Hasbro is going to market toys that focus more on cutie marks or maybe that they are trying to teach bout appreciating what you are good in 

[Ziggy + Angel + Rain 11,306]

There's an overemphasis on Cutie Marks this season.  Ever since "Magical Mystery Cure" I've been wary of Cutie Marks.  While the Mane Six have shown that they are not limited to solely what their Cutie Marks indicate / represent, there's this obnoxious, underlying concept of "destiny."  I want to see more slice o' life and adventure and focus on the ponies rather than what's on their respective flanks.  I think the ponies are more than - and obviously more important than - their Cutie Marks.  And "MMC" actually established (despite the inconsistent nature of CM handling in-show) that, despite the Cutie swap, simply having another pony's Mark didn't magically bestow upon the recipient the original pony's abilities.  And, furthermore, the ponies still retained what abilities they originally possessed prior to the swap.

 

Despite my stance on Cutie Marks, I've enjoyed much of season five thus far.  Two episodes were blissfully free of any focus on Cutie Marks; I'm hoping for more of that. x3

[MAIKUN 262]

Maybe their acknowledging their weird nature, I mean come on they like to stare at each others butts. Although I think the most likely theory (story wise) is that the CMC are probably gonna get their cutie marks. 

Yeah afraid not you know. The CMC won't be getting their marks this season.

[chirox the pony 1,336]

Yeah afraid not you know. The CMC won't be getting their marks this season.

And you know this because?