Twilight's treatment of Discord- Justified or Not?

[MovieLord101 140]

In light of Saturday's upcoming episode, I wanted to bring up something I've noticed in past Discord episodes. Ever since his reformation, Twilight has ALWAYS been the first one to get all antagonistic towards Discord at even the slightest possibility of him causing trouble, even if whatever happened wasn't 100% his fault! Take for instance, the incident with the Smooze. RIGHT after he showed up with it, Twilight got up in his face about it! And this was WELL BEFORE the Smooze started noming on all the shiny objects it could find!

 

Yes, Discord has a habit of causing trouble, but in cases like that, he clearly didn't intend for the Smooze to get out of hand like that! He just wanted to bring a guest along to make Fluttershy jealous and win her back (in his mind, naturally). But even outside that incident, Twilight (and most of the other ponies, but Twilight seems often emphasized in a lot of cases) treats him like shit just on principal and doesn't even give him a chance! And she's supposed to be the Princess of Friendship, for Celestia's sake! What a hypocrite! This week's episode hopefully will address this fact given the plot synopsis, and I really hope that, regardless of whatever shenanigans Discord's up to this time, Twilight needs to realize that she's not entirely innocent here, either.

 

Thoughts, guys?

[Mesme Rize 15,692]

Well, maybe Twilight is a bit harsh towards Discord. But to be honest, he still is the god of chaos, just in good form. He won't do anything bad, but he still is a prankster. Since Discord is mostly inspired by Q from Star Trek, there are certain parallels in the relationship between Twilight and DIscord/Jean-Luc Picard and Q. Picard also never was fully trusting of Q, eventhough he also turned more into an anti hero instead of full fledged villain.

 

And wouldn't you be a bit perplexed, when you suddenly come home after a few days, to see that all of your friends suddenly hug and love the guy, eventhough they all know that he has done stupid things in the past?

[Sidral Mundet 1,666]

Well I've always sort of liked that.  Here's the thing about Discord, he's the only villain to ever fight the Mane 6 on a personal level.  Each of them was manipulated by him (sans Fluttershy who he just brute forced).  It's very reasonable that each of them still hold a level of contentment (I think that's the right word) towards him, since it's a bit justified given their history.  I also like that he redemption isn't a one and done thing, that the things he did to the Mane 6 still cause them to dislike him, even in Make New Friends, that just because he's good now means they actually have to like him.  That being said that same resentment is also what helped push Discord back towards the Dark side in Twilight Kingdom because only Fluttershy was ever giving him a chance, which made his connection to the light all the most tenuous.  So I feel it's a very realistic give and take. 

[Untitled Goose Q 5,138]

Twilight has plenty of reason to distrust Discord, and not nearly as much to trust him.

[Red Cedar 1,408]

Well, let's see, after being reformed Discord had a relapse and started actively aiding Tirek and only showed remorse for that when Tirek turned on him and left him powerless.

 

Twilight has every reason to be suspicious. She's Princess of Friendship, not Princess of Blind Trust.

[Megas 28,092]

After all of the bullshit Discord's done, even after his reformation, the mane 6 in general have every right not to trust him

[J. Brony 313]

Well I've always sort of liked that.  Here's the thing about Discord, he's the only villain to ever fight the Mane 6 on a personal level.  Each of them was manipulated by him (sans Fluttershy who he just brute forced).  It's very reasonable that each of them still hold a level of contentment (I think that's the right word) towards him, since it's a bit justified given their history.  I also like that he redemption isn't a one and done thing, that the things he did to the Mane 6 still cause them to dislike him, even in Make New Friends, that just because he's good now means they actually have to like him.  That being said that same resentment is also what helped push Discord back towards the Dark side in Twilight Kingdom because only Fluttershy was ever giving him a chance, which made his connection to the light all the most tenuous.  So I feel it's a very realistic give and take. 

 

Very well said sir.

 

It's easy for the bronies to love Discord because we're viewing him objectively from beyond the Fourth Wall.  We see Discord as a cool and comical character who was also an effective villain involved in an interesting storyline.  But the Mane 6 had to experience all of the havoc he caused firsthand.  They actually felt all of the Hell Discord put them through and still harbor animosity towards him.  It's only natural, given the circumstances.  And, in my humble opinion, it's a testament to the Mane 6's character that they've been willing to put up with Discord's antics for this long.  

 

Twilight has given Discord plenty of chances to recant his ways.  But on every single occasion, he manages to cause yet more mischief.  Then he recants again, then more mischief...again.  So no, I can't blame Twilight and her friends for mistrusting Discord and giving him a hard time whenever he's around.  In their eyes he probably deserves it because they would realistically be afraid of what sort of trick he's about to pull and then worry about how they're going to have to clean up after him.  Again. 

Edited November 1, 2015 by J. Brony

[Silver Letter 1,832]

It would be an interesting episode concept if Princess Twilight still had lingering animosity towards Discord as she was most affected by his brief reign of chaos in season 2. I think it would make a lot of sense if that did exist. I also think that would happen with other relationships such as between Twilight and Trixie or between Apple Bloom and Diamond Tiara. Episodes about such relationships and their struggles would involve ideas like forgiveness.

[Castle Bleck 19,440]

Considering that most of the time -- regardless of his alignment -- he's in this mode:

 

 

...I'd say she's Properly Paranoid.

 

Though she has gradually warmed up to him as well -- she took up for him against Tirek, believed in his innocence in Friends Forever #20, etc.

[melody5697 195]

I think it's justified. As for that thing about the smooze, Twilight clearly knew what that thing was and that it could be dangerous.

[Conred 274]

I think the main problem is that Discord never made a move or used his magic to ever help anyone or impress Mane6. Only Fluttershy enjoy him because he is willing to use his magic for her and generally is more frendier.

It's a vicious circle

1. Discord act like and ass toward Twi and the gange

2. As a reaction, M6 act like ass toward him

3. In exchange Discord still being an ass toward M6

 

Fluttershy broke this circle by acting friendly even though he was acting like a jerk. Now it's time for either Discord or Twilight to do the same. Since Discord is clueless about friendship or love, it should be Twilight to teach him about friendship, though.

[cmarston1 5,963]

With all the things that Discord has done and they way he acts, Twilight has every right to be skeptical of Discord.

[Silver Stream. 708]

Justified. To be very honest, Discord never truly reformed.....he simply pledged his allegiance to the ponies because they were willing to befriend them. As the wise Sensei said: The best way to defeat your enemy is to become be their friend.

 

Discord is still the spirit of chaos. It's expected for him to still screw around with the Mane 6 especially Twilight because he knows she doesn't trust him as much as the others do. He has gotten to the point of genuinely accepting them as friends...which explains the inconsistency with Tirek....it meant he had a conscious after all.

 

However, I don't think Twilight mistrusts him as much as we think. Otherwise, she never would have given Discord yet ANOTHER chance the moment he betrayed them. And it was because she forgave him again that led to them defeating Tirek and opening the chest.

 

She is still wary....but who wouldn't be? Discord is the only male within the series who has been properly executed both before his "reformation" and after. And the relationships with the others are realistically played out in the last three seasons.

[MovieLord101 140]

It would be an interesting episode concept if Princess Twilight still had lingering animosity towards Discord as she was most affected by his brief reign of chaos in season 2. I think it would make a lot of sense if that did exist. I also think that would happen with other relationships such as between Twilight and Trixie or between Apple Bloom and Diamond Tiara. Episodes about such relationships and their struggles would involve ideas like forgiveness.

Speaking of which, I hope Trixie returns next season. And not the EG version, she doesn't count!

[PROJECT: Simon 3,955]

We can understand Twilight, Discord has some.. dark past ^^

[Humphrey 49]

Indeed, Twilight sometimes treats Discord not so well, but it is still understandable. Discord has a really terrible reputation, and almost every time he brings troubles to anywhere he goes, even after reformed by Fluttershy. One's good reputation is much more easy to be ruined than built up. Besides, not everyone has the ability to keep maximum objectivity judging someone. 

[Wind Chaser 4,768]

It's not just Twilight, but everypony except Fluttershy seems to be stuffy and stuck in the mud every time Discord is on screen. I could see it justified seeing how in "The Return of Harmony", he tried to destroy everything that was sacred to these ponies; their personalities, lives, and passions, and only Fluttershy, through her kindness, seems to be willing and capable of forgiving him. I think it's the fact that Discord destroyed the world twice and never sincerely owned up to or made up for how big of a jerk he was is the reason why the ponies still don't seem to trust him. In "Princess Twilight Sparkle" he willingly left Equestria in danger to a crisis he created just to test Twilight Sparkle (although it's funny Twilight doesn't get salty towards Celestia for doing almost the same thing in "The Crystal Empire"), and in "Twilight's Kingdom" he resorted to outright betrayal to satiate a need he only considered under the manipulated influence of an unsavory figure.

 

He still has a lot to learn about friendship and continues to value his own enjoyment over the good of others very often. Despite Discord seeming to know more about friendship at times than he lets on ("Princess Twilight Sparkle", "Three's a Crowd"), he often puts other characters into dangerous situations without regard to their lives, work, or collateral damage (just like Q, particularly in "Q Who"). With the past this character has had correlating to continued behaviors, I think Twilight's stuffiness is quite justified given the responsibilities and conflict of interest she's burdened with; keeping Discord alive while being burdened with keeping Equestria safe.

Edited November 2, 2015 by Wind Chaser

[cider float 2,539]

Even if he's not evil he causes mischief and he stands at a very thin line on Twilight's list of those to trust. If the other ponies cause trouble they are pardoned because they don't have a track record like Discord.

 

Also who wouldn't be paranoid that someone as powerful as Discord who can easily just snap his fingers and turn the whole world upside down in a second is walking freely among the ponies not turned into a statue.

 

I'd feel safer walking across a field of mines than standing even for a minute around Discord.

Edited November 2, 2015 by cider float

[MLPFanatic34 3,241]

It's justified considering Discord's past and what he's done, even though he's reformed now for the most part, it's good that she's careful and cautious.

[Swifty 249]

Justified. He's not trustworthy and lost the status of a harmless prankster since the fuss about this hippie pony.

[Celli 4,349]

Well, let's see, after being reformed Discord had a relapse and started actively aiding Tirek and only showed remorse for that when Tirek turned on him and left him powerless.

 

Twilight has every reason to be suspicious. She's Princess of Friendship, not Princess of Blind Trust.

My thoughts exactly. Who's to say he won't turn around again?

Discord still has a ways to go before he gets the full trust of everyone, minus Fluttershy of course.

And I think he still has a lot to learn about controlling his chaos, I mean, sending someone to another dimension for petty reasons? 

[JH24 385]

I do think it's justified. After all that has happened, she has reason to be a bit wary of him. Although she and the other Mane 6 (except Fluttershy of course) likely have realized that at the very least they are partly responsible for DIscord's betrayal in season 4 due to acting hostile towards him while he genuinely was trying to help. (Marking passages in Twilight's journal) This realization might have been the reason Twilight gave him a second chance when Tirek had captured him.

 

 

Being wary or cautious about someone isn't necessarily a bad thing, but at the same time those kind of feelings can grow into an obsession, to the point you're entirely convinced someone is up to something no matter what he or she is doing. I really hope the episode will tap into that, maybe with Twilight feeling jealous about her friends bonding with Discord, but hiding it under the pretext he's up to something. As a Princess of Friendship, it would be a very interesting contrast.

 

On the other hand, it's also possible Discord really has done something, like casting a spell on the ponies to become his friends. But if that would turn out to be true, he would ruin his chances of befriending them, as I doubt Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Rarity would ever want something to do with him again. He would have manipulated them for the second time on a personal level.

 

 

I mean, as a princess, (I'm just speculating here) she might not have as much time anymore to hang out with her friends due to her royal duties. And to see Discord spending more time with her friends might actually hurt her a bit from the inside.

 

In any case, it will hopefully be a very interesting episode. It certainly has the potential to be one of this season's best.

Edited November 3, 2015 by JH24

[cider float 2,539]

If it's not for Fluttershy the mane five wouldn't have hesitated in turning him into a statue.

[SteveMorison 408]

I've always thought Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Rarity were more distrusting of Discord, RD in particular. Twilight (albeit reluctantly) agreed to take care of Discord when he was faking illness, the former 3 didn't. Rainbow Dash was the one in the season 4 premiere who wanted to turn Discord back to stone, with Applejack and Rarity following suit. In the season 4 finale, Twilight actually seemed the more comfortable with Discord tracking Tirek as she was explained and understood what his uses are. On a side note I think Pinkie only distrusts Discord because she's led by the others and has never really had a problem with him personally. In any case Twilight has good reason to distrust Discord, even after reformation he's been largely a troll and she seems to be his main victim for whatever reason. 

[ggg-2 3,554]

Justified. The Tirek incident happened once. What's stopping something like it from happening again?