Does anybody think that fans are being too harsh on Starlight?

[Metemponychosis 1,263]

I'm not sure why this turned into two posts, but since I got this space, let me make something useful of it...

 

To me, Starlight Glimmer feels like the sort of character for people to identify with. "Oooh, she's lonely. I'm lonely too, I totally understand that. Ooooh! She's had a happy ending! That makes me happy, yay. I want to have a happy ending too... Weeeee..."

 

Honestly, it's the same with Luna and her social awkwardness, Discord the misunderstood, Sombra the the innocent boy with good intentions that took a wrong turn, Chrysalis the pariah... And then there are characters like Cadance and Shining Armor that seem to be a "insert you here!" kind of character. Bla bla bla...

 

Now, there is nothing wrong with this. But like I said, this was done much better in another episode that had a message and kept focus. Also, some people, like me, like another kind of character that the show outright ignores: the responsible one, that does what they're supposed to do, that keep this mess from falling apart. The Aurons, the Gandalfs, the Galadriels, to name a few. These characters usually aren't very explored, and personally, I'm tired of the "oh poor me" kind of characters.

Edited February 26, 2016 by Metemponychosis

[cmarston1 5,965]

No, not really.

While I am not expecting Korra quality antagonists form the show, I find it ridiculous that Starlight's motivation for becoming a cult leader, literally brainwashing others, forcing people into accepting her ideology, planned on forcefully spreading it all over Equestria, violating several human rights in the process,

stalking and spying on Twilight for the rest of the season, and actively trying to ruin the lives of the mane 6 which involved royally screwing up with the fabric of time and space, which caused unfathomable suffering to countless amounts of ponies, including a timeline in which all of Equestria has become a desolate wasteland devoid of any sort of life what so ever.

And that is not all of what her actions involved or caused.

Plus the fact that she was magically forgiven in a 2 minute montage and became instant best friends with everyone doesn't sit well with me.

She didn't work to earn forgiveness for all of the terrible things that she has done  and instead had everything given to her on a silver platter.

Plus the show has already redeemed so many villains, that at this point it isn't original or special anymore.

It wasn't the worst thing ever or anything and it didn't ruin the show forever nor do I passionately hate it, but personally Starlight's redemption just doesn't work for me at all.

Edited February 26, 2016 by cmarston1

[cider float 2,539]

All justified hate for bad writing. 

[Nila Bean 133]

I personally do, but that's just me. But then again I don't really take the show all that seriously so eh. 

 

Some people are just more passionate than others ^^

[Goat-kun 2,532]

Just because her twisted story can be made somewhat believable doesn’t mean she suddenly stops being a piece of shit that she is because of her personality and sloppy writing. She’s just a Twily Fresh on factory settings that will most likely serve as Twilight’s pet and a lightning rod for another batch of reheated friendship lessons that totally can't be explored by any of the already established characters. What a waste. Don’t they know that making crummy, overpowered OCs is our job?

[TailsIsNotAlone 3,697]

I don't know, but I can't say it surprises me. When the show gives her such a weak reason to turn evil, brainwash a village, and turn Equestria into multiple dystopias via time travel, of course people are going to be upset.

 

But they shouldn't be upset with Starlight herself. She was an interesting, unique, and effective villain with a world of potential in The Cutie Map, and anyone who says otherwise doesn't understand what makes a great antagonist. They should be upset with the writer/s for failing to develop her beyond a generic "my only friend left me behind, so yeah...authoritarian cult FTW." In this case Josh Haber was responsible, but they shouldn't have let him write it solo either. I could give her far better motivation, off the top of my head, for free. (See here.)

 

The entire plot of the finale was misconceived and unfair to her character from the start. If she could go back in time and do anything she wanted, she would use that ability to make her philosophy succeed--not to get back at Twilight Sparkle.

[hollow-shades 130]

nope. Sure she might have lost a very close friend, but ruining the whole Equestria is not exactly how you get over it.

 

Drama Queen Glimmer.

 

Plus her redemption was too fast. She would be a good non-redempted villan, and really, when she returned to Our Town, the Ponies there redempted her in less than 3 minutes while she has been manipulating them for YEARS. They should have tested her loyalt instead of just accepting her.

 

Plus, whats the reason that she tried to ruin Equestria? Because of ONE friend? Gee.

[Rainbow Diamonds 282]

I didn't like her, and I will be upset if she becomes an alicorn. (She's probably going to become an Alicorn) 

 

I lost friends all the time, and I never wanted to create an authoritarian world where individuality is illegal. I think Starlight had a terrible redemption and backstory. I don't think fans are being too harsh. In fact, I think some fans are praising her. Her special talent is magic, so she should be an alicorn? Is that how alicorns are made? If she does become an alicorn, especially if it's at the end of season 6 or during season 6, I will quit watching the show. I will believe that magic=power in Equestria and will lose all respect for the show. 

[Glike 488]

I didn't like her, and I will be upset if she becomes an alicorn. (She's probably going to become an Alicorn) 

 

I lost friends all the time, and I never wanted to create an authoritarian world where individuality is illegal. I think Starlight had a terrible redemption and backstory. I don't think fans are being too harsh. In fact, I think some fans are praising her. Her special talent is magic, so she should be an alicorn? Is that how alicorns are made? If she does become an alicorn, especially if it's at the end of season 6 or during season 6, I will quit watching the show. I will believe that magic=power in Equestria and will lose all respect for the show. 

I've never seen a single fan ever suggest she become an alicorn. Is it really that common?

[Rainbow Diamonds 282]

I've never seen a single fan ever suggest she become an alicorn. Is it really that common?

I've seen it a lot. I thought EVERYONE wanted her to be an alicorn until I found out that there are some who don't. 

[Glike 488]

I've seen it a lot. I thought EVERYONE wanted her to be an alicorn until I found out that there are some who don't. 

Huh, what do ya know.

 

For me, I'm alright with Starlight and I don't have anything against her (not anything more than I would have against say, Luna or Discord), but I wouldn't want her to be alicorn, ever. While I'm a fan of her character, She definitely does not deserve to be an alicorn.

[hollow-shades 130]

I didn't like her, and I will be upset if she becomes an alicorn. (She's probably going to become an Alicorn) 

 

I lost friends all the time, and I never wanted to create an authoritarian world where individuality is illegal. I think Starlight had a terrible redemption and backstory. I don't think fans are being too harsh. In fact, I think some fans are praising her. Her special talent is magic, so she should be an alicorn? Is that how alicorns are made? If she does become an alicorn, especially if it's at the end of season 6 or during season 6, I will quit watching the show. I will believe that magic=power in Equestria and will lose all respect for the show. 

Why would she even become a Alicorn? She didn't even do anything good to get the Alicorn-hood. Sure, she stopped ruining the timelines, but thats only because she got some common sense knocked on her head.

[Rainbow Diamonds 282]

Why would she even become a Alicorn? She didn't even do anything good to get the Alicorn-hood. Sure, she stopped ruining the timelines, but thats only because she got some common sense knocked on her head.

I have no idea. Maybe it's because her special talent is magic? 

[hollow-shades 130]

I have no idea. Maybe it's because her special talent is magic? 

But...we already have a Magical Princess

http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/p__/images/c/c7/Twilight_Sparkle_Alicorn_vector.png/revision/latest?cb=20151125231105&path-prefix=protagonist

Edited February 27, 2016 by Flinp

[Glike 488]

But...we already have a Magical Princess

http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/p__/images/c/c7/Twilight_Sparkle_Alicorn_vector.png/revision/latest?cb=20151125231105&path-prefix=protagonist

Now, now, don't get ahead of yourself guys.

 

Starlight Glimmer can't become a magical alicorn yet..

 

We're still waiting for Trixie.

[hollow-shades 130]

Now, now, don't get ahead of yourself guys.

 

Starlight Glimmer can't become a magical alicorn yet..

 

We're still waiting for Trixie.

Although Trixie is a Alicorn on a alternate timeline Comic or something.

[CastletonSnob 3,096]

Hell no.

 

Starlight's redemption was not only the worst of the show, but one of the worst, most poorly executed villain reformations I've ever seen.

 

That the show expects us to believe that she formed a cult, and turned Equestria into a dystopia SEVEN times, because she lost one friend, is just insulting.

 

And the finale itself was style over substance. The alternate timelines were cool, but they really didn't add anything to the story. They were mostly just, "Hey, remember this villain? Here's what would have happened if they won!".

[1234zua 19]

 

What actually happened was that she lost A friend and them the show takes this leap into "yep... villainy justified". The problem, to me at least, isn't the character. It's the lazy rushed backstory and lazier rushed redemption. And to pour salt upon wounds, Amending Fences did the same story much better.

To me, her villainy was never justified. Her anger and insecurities of not having friends, however is, in my opinion. Having no friends growing up ruins one's self esteem and social skills, and this is coming from someone who didn't have that many.

 

I do side with the fans when it comes to how weak the backstory is and how petty and childish it makes Starlight comes off as, which is why I feel she needs more depth.

[Unlikeable Pony 2,700]

Although Trixie is a Alicorn on a alternate timeline Comic or something.

yeah, reflections arc.

 

chrysalis represented love and Trixie represented Humility and was an alicorn.

 

That being said, reflections was a horrible waste of potential in that when you go to a mirror universe, you're going there to see the MIRROR versions of the mane characters; The mane six in that universe seemed to be just a bunch of random losers living in a shack somewhere that never got to interact in the plot :/

[EverEverOn 346]

At first, I didn't like her backstory and character development, but after thinking it over for a while, I guess I have a theory of why her backstory is the way it is.

 

She could possibly have a hard time dealing with certain things, or possibly not know how to deal with losses, such as losing her best friend. We've only seen four episodes with Starlight, and character development is most likely going to come in season 6. She might overreact to more things in the future. I just really see her as the kind of person to handle things wrongly and need some help with it. I mean, a lot of people are like that.

Of course, I could be wrong. We'll just have to wait and see how she develops in the future.

[MAIKUN 262]

Now you guys mention it, I'm sure Starlight was pretending to be reformed, but when S6 airs in March or May, she might be evil again. Right?

[Nuke87654 1,849]

Now you guys mention it, I'm sure Starlight was pretending to be reformed, but when S6 airs in March or May, she might be evil again. Right?

 

That would a nice twist, though I'm sure the supporters of her reformation will complain of how DHX 'caved to the haters'.

[Wind Chaser 4,769]

Now you guys mention it, I'm sure Starlight was pretending to be reformed, but when S6 airs in March or May, she might be evil again. Right?

I doubt it, and for her to snap back to evil on a whim is even more lazy writing. It would be more like damage control than anything.

 

She will more likely get a Sunset Shimmer/Discord-like reformation arc, that is if they decide to use it. There is the likelihood that her character arc could be dropped completely as well, but that's the worst-case scenario.

[Stasis 39]

I doubt it, and for her to snap back to evil on a whim is even more lazy writing. It would be more like damage control than anything.

 

She will more likely get a Sunset Shimmer/Discord-like reformation arc, that is if they decide to use it. There is the likelihood that her character arc could be dropped completely as well, but that's the worst-case scenario.

I'm not sure she could even get a Sunset arc. Honestly I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't have any investment in Glimmer at all seeing as how she's the most filler character we've had so far.

 

Her reformation and redemption seemed to be in that montage and I wouldn't be surprised if they just decided to skip all of that.

 

Quite frankly though I think her change of character is the worse sin to her redemption. She looks nothing like the Starlight Glimmer we've had before. Honestly if that's going to be her personality I hope we never see her again.

[Concerned Bystander 2,906]

She's definitely had a lot of hate from the fandom.  I myself liked both of the episodes she was in.  People complain that her backstory doesn't justify her turning evil, but all we saw was one small piece of her childhood, there was a lot of time between her losing her friend, and the events of 'The Cutie Map' and a lot could have happened to her in that time.  As for her being overpowered, we do know that exceptional Unicorns appear from time to time.  I'm sure Starswirl the Bearded would have given most Alicorns a run for their money in terms of magical power, not to mention that Twilight herself was clearly a cut above the average Unicorn even before she ascended..