Is MLP:FiM biased against secondary characters?

[Zerbu 72]

Lately, I've been paying closer attention to how the show treats the Mane Six (and other major characters like the Cutie Mark Crusaders) compared to secondary characters.

 

When major characters are shown doing stupid things, being drove to commit bad deeds or being inconsiderate to others, it's shown in a way to enact sympathy as they overcome their flaws. When secondary characters show similar flaws, they're vilified or played for laughs.

 

You don't even need to go far from the main cast for examples, just look at how Spike is treated when he shows flaws compared to the others.

Edited August 19, 2015 by Zerbu

[Codelyy 1,289]

I don't think it's because they are biased but more the fact that they are secondary characters. They are not meant to be the main focus of the show so creating a episode based on how a secondary character overcomes their flaws wouldn't be right. Would take episodes away from the main characters of the show that present it.

 

Plus i wouldn't call Spike a secondary character. He's been there since Episode one and talks a lot more then any secondary character i've seen. Plus he's had his own episodes based around him before.

[GuyNamedEarl 1,332]

I found it interesting in the Cutie Map thay the Mane Six had to rely on background ponies to save the day.

[Zerbu 72]

Now that I think about it, Daring Don't is a great example of what I was talking about. Rainbow Dash practically got rewarded for doing the exact same thing the intruders did.

 

I don't think it's because they are biased but more the fact that they are secondary characters. They are not meant to be the main focus of the show so creating a episode based on how a secondary character overcomes their flaws wouldn't be right. Would take episodes away from the main characters of the show that present it.

 

Plus i wouldn't call Spike a secondary character. He's been there since Episode one and talks a lot more then any secondary character i've seen. Plus he's had his own episodes based around him before.

 

The show could still stand to be less cruel towards them though. It would be considered horribly cruel if Hurricane Fluttershy made fun of Fluttershy's weakness and enacted laughter.

 

I found it interesting in the Cutie Map thay the Mane Six had to rely on background ponies to save the day.

 

I liked the way the background ponies were portrayed in that episode, but it's definitely an exception to the norm.

[GuyNamedEarl 1,332]

 

 

 

I liked the way the background ponies were portrayed in that episode, but it's definitely an exception to the norm.

 

 

True, and I have a feeling that will be the only exception to that norm.

[cider float 2,539]

Um an example would be nice. Because any flaws the secondary characters have doesn't go deep enough to warrant a big problem. And these same minor flaws are played out by the main cast for laughs too. And if we had to find a solution to every tiny detail in their behavior for every character out there each episode would be over 5 hours long or something. As much as I would like a long episode it would not be worth it seeing every character getting some lesson learned and the staff can't afford that kind of time.

[IDoNotSpeakEnglish 89]

Every single story ever is biased against secondary characters, because the point of the story is to show you the main characters and have you empathizing with them, not the secondary ones(hence the name). Secondary characters are there just to be used for filler, laughs and support. The show seems to be harsher with them because there's simply no time or way to make you empathize that much with them, and, therefore, their problems and struggles are more superficial and treated as such(particularly so in character-driven narratives; which is the case, I say).

Edited August 21, 2015 by IDoNotSpeakEnglish

[ponylaces 1,870]

I thought the CMC were secondary characters?

 

Anyway, I'd like to hear some examples. If secondary characters have flaws, they usually have them for a reason. But thoroughly developing characters that aren't important to the story would take forever, plus it's kind of redundant. I don't see the problem with minor flaws being played for laughs. Don't the Mane 6 have them too?

[Sectus 246]

Secondary characters do not require ethical or moral reaffirmation because of just that, they are secondary characters. A secondary character is called that because they are, putting it bluntly, not as important as the primary characters in the series. Their role in the show is to be secondary; used as gags, jokes, and one-minute spotlights.

 

Where our primary characters are concerned, they are the ones whose adventures we follow regularly. We are meant to sympathize with them and feel almost as if we could be their friend in a time of need, so their retribution on the show is far more critical. Perhaps secondary characters do get their retribution in some way depicted off-screen, but it is not important. They are secondary for a reason.  :comeatus:  

Edited August 21, 2015 by Sectus

[Singe 2,111]

Wonderbolts Academy is a prime example. Rainbow Dash was a partner in the reckless acts. Mane 5 go to the Wonder Bolts academy unannounced in the middle of a training session. Tornado wasn't really bad until the Mane 5 showed up out of no where. Rainbow Dash quits after making a speech about reckless acts are bad while pinning it all on Lightning Dust, doesn't get held responsible for her part, is rewarded instead, and goes on to blow up a weather factory in Tanks for the Memories.

 

There is probably a double standard

Edited August 21, 2015 by Singe

[cider float 2,539]

Wonderbolts Academy is a prime example. Rainbow Dash was a partner in the reckless acts. Mane 5 go to the Wonder Bolts academy unannounced in the middle of a training session. Tornado wasn't really bad until the Mane 5 showed up out of no where. Rainbow Dash quits after making a speech about reckless acts are bad while pinning it all on Lightning Dust, doesn't get held responsible for her part, is rewarded instead, and goes on to blow up a weather factory in Tanks for the Memories.

 

There is probably a double standard

Careful if you say anything bad about RD the Rainbow Dash fans will mob you.

[Jangocoolguy 433]

Some examples: Celestia, Shining Armor, Sunset Shimmer, Diamond Tiara, and the villains being treated more like plot devices than actual characters with personality and depth.  

 

ESPECIALLY Celestia. There's a reason fanworks like to portray her a troll and tyrant...