Are the Journal Entries Dead?

[Sidral Mundet 1,666]

So being seven episodes into season 5, it appears as if the journal entries that were in season 4 are no longer happening, though to be fair, 4 of the episode this season were either part of the premier or CMC related.  I guess since the journal entries have served their purpose in Twilight's Kingdom, they aren't needed anymore, though I thought the original purpose of the journal was just to have a record of all the stuff the Mane 6 did, so them not doing it anymore seems like either the staff just forgot about them or don't want to do them anymore. 

[Attack of the Pwns 894]

They may just not disclose anything they're writing now to the audience, as it's no longer an effective plot device. That doesn't mean they aren't still writing one.

[Justin_Case001 4,855]

Well, from a technical standpoint, the journal was just a plot device so that Twi could re-read the key episode entries.  But I agree with Attack of the Pwns.  I'd like to believe they still keep the journal, though we'll likely never hear of it again.

 

But then again, what do they really need with a journal, anyway?  I mean, what did the ever need with it?  They could have just had Discord teleport them to Celestia's movie theatre where they could re-watch any episode they want, and marathon through all the key episodes.

[Unlikeable Pony 2,698]

Actually, its more than just the journal; the Lesson system is gone now.

Its no longer framed as a character learning a lesson in the episode like it previously was, so much as its just about the characters kind of having a slice of life experience, not unlike the comics.

[BohabofEquestria 58]

Eh, yeah. The journals were just the main plot device for S4. 

[AlbaTross 1,581]

Actually, its more than just the journal; the Lesson system is gone now.

Its no longer framed as a character learning a lesson in the episode like it previously was, so much as its just about the characters kind of having a slice of life experience, not unlike the comics.

Maybe not, but there are still lessons learned in each episode. They are just framed differently now so the show won't become stale. I agree with what has been said so far though, that the journal may not be mentioned again. Its whole point in existing in the first place was for the purpose of homeostasis anyways. Twilight wasn't going to write to Celestia anymore, but the writers clearly wanted to preserve that idea. Now, it seems that crutch has been discarded and that they have come to the realization that there are other ways to have lessons. I believe they are a key aspect of the show, but they don't need to always be framed the same way, and I'm actually kind of pleased with the direction the show has taken, sans the journal.

[Rainboom Dash 1,054]

I'd honestly forgotten the journal system and didn't realise we weren't getting them anymore.

 

But yeah, they've pretty much served their purpose now.

[colt_following 169]

Yeah, I think we've reached a point where the lessons are just displayed in a different way. They're more "in the moment" than "after the fact". It's in line with Twilight no longer being Celestia's student now, but is it more to appeal to the older audience now or something? I wonder...

[UnknownFry 169]

Maybe.

 

I still wonder if that chandelier in Twilight's Castle still has a role yet to play in all of this as far as recording and writing lessons downk

[Cleverclover 1,525]

Yeah, I think they're pretty much dead. After all, Twilight is clearly no longer in any need of a lesson system, so I really don't know why they would still bother with lessons for the other five either. 

[Unlikeable Pony 2,698]

Yeah, I think we've reached a point where the lessons are just displayed in a different way. They're more "in the moment" than "after the fact". It's in line with Twilight no longer being Celestia's student now, but is it more to appeal to the older audience now or something? I wonder...

Nah, i don't think its to appeal to the olde audience; its just easier, yeah?

Its alot simpler to make an episode where you don't have to *specifically* wrap it up by focusing on a central lesson. You can have the lesson be more subtle or have multiple lessons that way, or even focus on a more nuanced plot that way.

 

 

Maybe.

 

I still wonder if that chandelier in Twilight's Castle still has a role yet to play in all of this as far as recording and writing lessons downk

To be honest, I'd expected this season to have them making a new memory crystal thing for the chandelier after each episode; but that appears to not be happening.

[MLPFanatic34 3,234]

I believe the journal entries were the main focus of Season 4, but now they aren't. I do think that lessons are still shown and learned in the show even though the journals aren't around and the letters to Princess Celestia aren't around.

[TheJLeeTeam 914]

Actually there are still lessons in Season 5 episodes most just aren't reiterated at the end. But last episode had a really good lesson even though it wasn't written down. I'm sure Season 5 is about making this show more expansive.

[Little Red 1,529]

I hope the journals come back! It was really cool in season four, and in my opinion a great replacement for the letters to Celestia!

[sweetolebob18 724]

It is possible they are still keeping the journal & just not showing it.  Twilight has been communicating w Sunset Shimmer through a journal & they don't show that

[Unlikeable Pony 2,698]

Actually there are still lessons in Season 5 episodes most just aren't reiterated at the end. But last episode had a really good lesson even though it wasn't written down. I'm sure Season 5 is about making this show more expansive.

 

 

I loved The lost treasure of griffonstones message, but DAMN was that sappy how they presented it.

"Work together with others and care about each other" is a great message, but the way they presented it as just "FRIENDSHIP!" left me with diabetes.

[colt .45 259]

Take what you will from this observation, but in the title sequence Spike is still holding the Journal of Friendship.

[chirox the pony 1,334]

I loved The lost treasure of griffonstones message, but DAMN was that sappy how they presented it.

"Work together with others and care about each other" is a great message, but the way they presented it as just "FRIENDSHIP!" left me with diabetes.

Which is why they made a joke out of it.

 

On a more on topic note I don't think just the journal is gone I think the whole moral at the end of an episode concept is gone (or at least going), which makes sense considering that there's only so many ways you can tell people to be nice to each other, it seems to have evolved into just general life advice.