What If Flash Sentry Was A Girl?

[Denim&Venöm 19,754]

Few Bronies actually like Brad Flash Sentry. He seems like a very contrived figure made to be a romantic interest and only a romantic interest, having zero personality or redeeming qualities about him outside of his stereotypical cool guy trope. 
 
But. How would we all have felt if back in 2013, Twilight kept bumping into, and appearing to have the hots for, a female Flash Sentry?
 

 

 

First off, how would the fan base react to an eluded to female on female mutual attraction,  (TV-G rating aside)? And second, would Flash being female make her a more accepted character? And would her flaws be overlooked in light of one of very few homosexual relationships, or even hints of one, in a kids movie?

[TubeSock2018 325]

Why "TV-G aside"? If you just swapped Flash's gender, but kept everything the same, it would still be TV-Goooh that's right, this is the U.S.A., I forgot.

Where for some reason, same-sex relationships are somehow more inappropriate than hetero relationships.

 

I personally think the fan base would react better.

 

I know a lot of people cite "bland character" for hating Flash, but even before the movie was released, people were already hating him.

From the first trailer, people were freaking out "oh, no, twilight is getting a love interest. She'd never do that. She'd focus more on studying than boys".

 

I think this dislike for Flash stems deeper than him simply being bland.

 

So why would that change if he was female?

Well, look at her. Female Flash looks cute and I feel that would already make people like seeing the two have awkward bump moments. We ship characters for the most shallow of reasons (they're always standing next to each other, must be love) and yet we dislike Flash because he has no character. I don't buy it.

[Dark Qiviut 22,510]

It doesn't matter what gender Flash is. Even if he was was a she instead, she's still a stereotypical, walking piece of cardboard. Thus, she's still an objectively terrible-quality character.

 

In fact, if Twilight had the hots for a female character, it'll arguably be even more damaging than the current setup. Same-sex couples in family programming is a gigantic rarity. It's a big, bold move to add one. For adolescent kids, it may be their first time seeing one on TV, period. It's something to genuinely build up a couple, much less of the same sex. Because Hasbro has a reputation of being homophobic, to present a same-sex couple this badly would come across as desperate.

Edited October 8, 2015 by Dark Qiviut

[Redacted321 105]

I don't know how others would have reacted but i know how i would have reacted. I went into all 3 movies having no prior knowledge so when i saw twilight bumped into him it was like, "ok so he's going to be a main character" bumps into him a couple more times and suddenly has the hots for him "OH COME ON!" If he was more fleshed out, played a more involved role and his personality didn't change between the movies i probably would be fine with it.

[Steve Piranha 29,453]

Why "TV-G aside"? If you just swapped Flash's gender, but kept everything the same, it would still be TV-Goooh that's right, this is the U.S.A., I forgot.

Where for some reason, same-sex relationships are somehow more inappropriate than hetero relationships.

 

I personally think the fan base would react better.

 

I know a lot of people cite "bland character" for hating Flash, but even before the movie was released, people were already hating him.

From the first trailer, people were freaking out "oh, no, twilight is getting a love interest. She'd never do that. She'd focus more on studying than boys".

 

I think this dislike for Flash stems deeper than him simply being bland.

 

So why would that change if he was female?

Well, look at her. Female Flash looks cute and I feel that would already make people like seeing the two have awkward bump moments. We ship characters for the most shallow of reasons (they're always standing next to each other, must be love) and yet we dislike Flash because he has no character. I don't buy it.

NOT to mention, that the background poneh are (or WERE in some cases  ), just that, bland background poneh. None of their personalities were canon until Slice of Life and Amending Fences came, and they were all crazy popular. The only difference, they didn't stole any waifus 

[Stardust* 3,302]

I don't think that his character or "stereotype" should be called into question. We have seen him a hand full of times and each time we do he has been kind and quiet. Never going up for high fives/hooves and bragging about how cool he is and that he will totally get with Twilight. 

 

If they develop the character more and plan on exploring him more as a pony or Equestria guy then we should wait and see if that develops him as a character or if it just isn't a good fit. 

 

I don't think that making him a girl would have any affect since there really hasn't been enough dialog to even know who he is. 

 

but that is just my opinion.

[CandyStrike 603]

I would be much happier with Flash Sentry and the whole Flashlight thing if Flash Sentry were a girl.  My main problem is that Flash Sentry was just yet another boring forced romantic interest. Seemed only to exist because all kid movies about teenage girls seem to have to reinforce the idea of heterosexual coupling.  Date the boys!  Boys, boys, boys! I don't have a problem with heterosexuality, it's just so annoying when that is all we get.

[ManyANewDay_36 178]

I think I would actually like girl Flash better. -_-

[Megas 27,920]

People probably wouldn't be bothered by FemFlash simply knowing that she wouldn't be in a forced, shitty romance with Twilight

 

EDIT: Reread the topic. Even if they kept the romance part in, people still wouldn't be as bothered since this fandom has a thing for lesbian pairings

Edited October 8, 2015 by Megas75

[chirox the pony 1,336]

Well that would make things slightly better as having a homosexual main character who is not in any way a stereotype would be good for kids to see. 

[Velcorn 279]

I still don't get why people dislike Flash so much, he is nothing more than a simple crush or infatuation on a person merely superficially based. It's perfectly normal, especially for teenage boys/girls. I wouldn't call him a romantic interest since this attraction is based on physical appearance and nothing else.

 

It wouldn't change in any way if the gender was different aside from people crying about same sex relationships, especially in a children's show... It's still just a crush/infatuation without any actual character development.

[TubeSock2018 325]

NOT to mention, that the background poneh are (or WERE in some cases ), just that, bland background poneh. None of their personalities were canon until Slice of Life and Amending Fences came, and they were all crazy popular. The only difference, they didn't stole any waifus

Exactly. Characters like Vinyl Scratch and Octavia were shipped simply because they both were musicians. Like, it would make me ask "have you ever been in a relationship? There's far more to it than simply having a similar profession".

 

Twilight and Flash's relationship based on physical attraction is even more believable because it happens, literally, everyday all the time.

 

I have a friend who I speak with about MLP and when Flash made a cameo in season 4, I was glad. I said "It would be nice to see Flash in FiM because he'd had time to develop a character" and my friend said "No! No Flash! Period!".

Like, he reeeeeally wanted nothing to do with Flash.

 

If we're going to hate Flash, then we gotta think of a better excuse than "He's a bland stereotype" because we never gave the same treatment to the Dazzlings, who each are stereotypes themselves.

One was the generic leader villain, the other was the generic sarcastic villain, and the third was the comic relief villain.

Their motives and goals were not complex at all, as well.

 

So Flash. Why all the hate?

Is it really only because he's a male?

Could it be that 90% of bronies are single, therefore we resent Flash?http://www.bronystudy.com/id1.html

It's also strange that the majority of pro-Flash people that I've personally seen on the internet have happened to be female.

 

Because it obviously can't just be bland character. Why, like we did for every other popular characterless character like Octavia, are we not creating more fan shipfics, or just fanfics in general, for him?

Edited October 8, 2015 by pollo20x6

[Wind Chaser 4,768]

I wouldn't give a damn either way. In fact, I'd probably give even less of a damn. As a guy, he's just there, shows up when the plot calls for it, and Twilight falls for him. As a girl, she'd be just there, show up when the plot calls for it, and Twilight may or may not fall for her. She'd just be a throwaway secondary character.

 

 

If we're going to hate Flash, then we gotta think of a better excuse than "He's a bland stereotype" because we never gave the same treatment to the Dazzlings, who each are stereotypes themselves.
One was the generic leader villain, the other was the generic sarcastic villain, and the third was the comic relief villain.
Their motives and goals were not complex at all, as well.

So Flash. Why all the hate?
Is it really only because he's a male?
Could it be that 90% of bronies are single, therefore we resent Flash?http://www.bronystudy.com/id1.html
It's also strange that the majority of pro-Flash people that I've personally seen on the internet have happened to be female.

Because it obviously can't just be bland character. Why, like we did for every other popular characterless character like Octavia, are we not creating more fan shipfics, or just fanfics in general, for him?

From what I see, it's mostly because he doesn't have anything to work off of. Vinyl, Octavia, Derpy, etc. weren't bland. They were limited in screen time and dialogue, but it's usually their designs or what they're doing in their scenes that set them apart. As soon as creative people get a hint of potential from something like crossed eyes, a DJ booth, or a cello, they follow their impulse to expand upon it.

 

Flash Sentry, however, doesn't seem to hold the same kind of appeal regardless of whether or not a relationship with Twilight is involved. For one, his initial appearance being in the first EqG movie is already a setback being that there was such an aversion to the idea of MLP characters in high school at the time.

 

Another is really that he portrays a very idealized and typical male character; he drives a nice car, dresses in leather, plays/listens to rock music, etc. One can argue this characterization might actually be a good thing, but look at almost every piece of media from the 80s to the 2000s that had a team of guys and one girl in it. Sure the girl may have kicked ass, gone on adventures, and looked good doing it, but there was still a backlash against it, because being a girl seemed to be the only trait of her personality. Likewise, Flash is just "the guy", and there isn't much more to him than that.

Edited October 8, 2015 by 13M0N-2E57 (WC)

[cider float 2,539]

They would probably like her because bronies like female characters no matter how zero character development they have mostly because of their visuals.

[PROJECT: Simon 3,955]

Everyone would scream in fear  

 

Or.. happy because their waifu can't be stolen xD

[Kivil 1,721]

Honestly I would still hate Flash even if he were a female! NO ONE MAKES TWILIGHT CRY!!!!!!! 

 

[Jeric 46,869]

It doesn't matter what gender Flash is. Even if he was was a she instead, she's still a stereotypical, walking piece of cardboard. Thus, she's still an objectively terrible-quality character.

 

 

I completely agree. Gender can't save a poorly written character. You only have to look at the consensus on Sunset Shimmer after the first film came out. The general reaction was poor to lukewarm at best. It wasn't until Rainbow Rocks (when they actually made some effort at expanding on her character) that the aggregate fan opinion appeared to have changed.

 

A no effort character is a no effort character.

They would probably like her because bronies like female characters no matter how zero character development they have mostly because of their visuals.

Not really. Post Rainbow Rocks ... how much Sonata art was created vs Aria art?

 

That wasn't just visuals. Characterization still matters. In fact one of the complaints I keep seeing about FG is the lack of dialog given to some Shadowbolt characters. A striking design can only take you so far if a ball is dropped in creating and fleshing out a character.

 

Also, a complete lack of characterization is usually better than a poor attempt. You at least have a blank canvas for your imagination to go wild. Flash was not a silent background character so he can't be compared to a famous background pony.

[Sunny Fox 5,952]

No, I'd like Flash as much either way. It wouldn't make him a better character, of course.

 

 Because Hasbro has a reputation of being homophobic, to present a same-sex couple this badly would come across as desperate.

For the record, the information on that blog is out of date (September of which year might also be a good question to ask). Currently, Hasbro rates 75%, so they've apparently done something to redress the issue. No detail on what measures they took, though.

 

Not really. Post Rainbow Rocks ... how much Sonata art was created vs Aria art?
 

Sonata is a "fleshed out" character? She has two personality traits: she's a ditz, and she like tacos. Apparently that's enough for instant popularity. Without that "tacos" line, she'd not even be a blip on the radar.

[Jeric 46,869]

Sonata is a "fleshed out" character? She has two personality traits: she's a ditz, and she like tacos. Apparently that's enough for instant popularity. Without that "tacos" line, she'd not even be a blip on the radar.

Let me point you to this quote you missed.

 

"Also, a complete lack of characterization is usually better than a poor attempt"

 

I'll agree to modify that by adding a simplistic endearing allowance as evident in Sonata and absent in Aria.

 

My point is valid. Sonata was given a few personality quirks that allow for additional viewer interpretation. To be fair loveable ditz is generally endearing. Also, you realize that I highlighted Sonata not to say she is a fleshed out character, but rather to contrast her to a similarly exposed character that was not as popular thereby disputing the claim that an overgeneralization made previously is innacurate (as over generalizations are want to be).

 

That said, Flash isn't Sonata. She passes more of the key components to what comprises an interesting character. If you try and make a character an element of the narrative, and not a Rorschach character, you need to give the character generally endearing or engaging attributes. In that Sonata is a more successful character because she passes a key psychological litmus test.

[Sunny Fox 5,952]

Let me point you to this quote you missed.

 

"Also, a complete lack of characterization is usually better than a poor attempt"

 

I'll agree to modify that by adding a simplistic endearing allowance as evident in Sonata and absent in Aria.

 

My point is valid. Sonata was given a few personality quirks that allow for additional viewer interpretation. To be fair loveable ditz is generally endearing. Also, you realize that I highlighted Sonata not to say she is a fleshed out character, but rather to contrast her to a similarly exposed character that was not as popular thereby disputing the claim that an overgeneralization made previously is innacurate (as over generalizations are want to be).

 

That said, Flash isn't Sonata. She passes more of the key components to what comprises an interesting character. If you try and make a character an element of the narrative, and not a Rorschach character, you need to give the character generally endearing or engaging attributes. In that Sonata is a more successful character because she passes a key psychological litmus test.

So we agree she's not "fleshed out"? Cool, mission accomplished.

 

The problem with Flash isn't that he isn't given endearing traits. He is. It's that there's nothing more to him but those endearing traits, making him a flat character. And I would argue the exact same thing with Sonata. Her traits are "is ditzy" and "likes tacos". I don't find that compelling, no matter what is "generally" thought. Had she expressed at least some discomfort or doubt with what the Sirens were doing and how they were going about it, I would be singing an entirely different tune (no pun intended). But she doesn't. She follows Adagio just as much than Aria does. Less even, at least Aria gives some indication that she chafes under Adagio's leadership, the same scene that gave us "taco tuesdays". Depth of character is not decided by a popularity contest.

 

Anyway, whatever else we think, we both agree Flash wouldn't be any better as a female.

[Singe 2,111]

Female Flash Sentry that stalks Twilight Sparkle. Where's Flash, there she is peek through the window while hidden in a bush. A guy wants to ask Twilight to the Fall Formal but then he disappears off screen.

 

Pinkie Pie can't cheat detect her.

Edited October 10, 2015 by Singe

[KatonRyu 1,033]

It wouldn't change anything in my opinion. My dislike for the character comes from him having no characterization at all. He's just a piece of cardboard, and if they'd developed him well and had thought out his interactions with Twilight better I might even support the pairing because I'm not against het pairings in the least.

 

Since all of this isn't the case, though, a simple gender-swap would not have made me any more accepting of it. Besides, I ship Twilight with Sunset, so Flash was never going to have my full support, only my acceptance at most.

[----- 477]

I will be honest, I think I would tolerate the FlashLight thing a tiny bit more.

But when it comes to Flash him or herself I do not think that it would change anything. 

[Britney Biskit 55]

Meh. I say like, keep him how he is.

[PinkiePie97 913]

The only thing that would change for me is that I'd like seeing that sort of thing happen on something targeted for kids. Otherwise, I wouldn't feel any different. I actually don't have a problem with Flash Sentry being a love interest for Twilight.