spoiler Lets talk OOC vs Character Development a second

[Buck Testa 5,505]

So I was scrolling through the comments of Derpibooru (I know, big mistake), and I came across people that were complaining that Rainbow Dash was OOC this episode. They claim she is OOC because she expressed that she liked going to the spa, but was doing it in secret in order to save face and maintain her "cool" reputation. The forums are thankfully more rational when it comes to this kind of thing but with how migraine inducing those comments were I feel I have to draw a line in the sand in what is "out of character" and what is "character development" 

 

When a character is behaving OOC, they exhibit traits and behaviors that have never been established and/or contradict their character and motivations entirely. Captain America saying "Hail Hydra" and secretly being a Hydra agent is a pretty solid example of something that entirely goes against what that character stands for. Nothing in his character would ever even hint that such a thing was the case, and everything we know about him would point that this is nothing but a false representation of who he is. 

 

For an in show example of OOC, I'd point to Somepony to Watch Over Me. Applejack has never been shown to be ridiculously overprotective of Applebloom, nor has she been that overbearing since. You could certainly make the case that she was behaving entirely out of character that episode. 

 

Rainbow Dash being secretly into Spa's on the other hand is bonafide character development. Unlike "out of character" situations, character development has a record of change over time. When the show first began, Dash was uncomfortable even setting hoof in a spa for fear of being seen as less than "Cool." Over time though she's been breaking down this barrier and indulging in the cuter things in life. Between her relationship with Tank, Her getting used to being in the spa with her friends, and other activities like getting into reading, she's been reevaluating what her standard of "cool" really is. She's even started to emulate her friends through impressions. So its not really that surprising that she has decided after two chronological years of in show development that she has become enamored with going to daily spa visits. They've been working her girly angle more and more as the seasons progress. That is character development. 

 

Again, most people on the forums know this, but it's headache inducing when you see people crying OOC over things that clearly aren't regardless of what site you are on. 

 

What are your thoughts on people calling OOC on things that are clearly character development? Do they have a point in what they are saying? What are examples of OOC you've seen in the show that you would consider to be the genuine article? 

 

[Marimo 555]

Wasn't the issue more on what type of service she got at the spa, rather than going to the spa itself?

[Dark Qiviut 22,583]

When a character is behaving OOC, they exhibit traits and behaviors that have never been established and/or contradict their character and motivations entirely.

Out of characterization and in characterization are beyond exclusively the what. What determines if the character is in character or not depends a lot on the "why," too. Just because the action was in character in one scene doesn't it is in another, and vice-versa.

 

Let's go with your example of Applejack from Somepony to Watch Over Me and compare it with her portrayal in Appleoosa's Most Wanted.

1. In the former, Applejack was out of character not because she never exhibited an overbearing attitude, but because she has much more respect for her younger sister and no solid reason to pamper her. Therefore, her actions are stalker-like. Yet, Apple Bloom ran off and was nearly killed, giving AJ the ammo to pamper her; instead, she perceived AB's recklessness as the reason to quit watching over her. Is that very backwards thinking? Without a doubt!

    

   Let's give her a scenario where it would make so much sense. Let's say while AB injured herself while AJ delivered the pies, perhaps get injured by a very careless mistake. AJ's baby-proofing and attitude would be in character. Why? Because she'd have enough reason for her to behave in such a way. In other words, she doesn't want this to happen again.

2. In AMW, Applejack became protective once more, but she was very in character. For a supposedly dangerous bandit was on the run, she had every reason to keep them safe. If any one of them gets hurt, she's responsible. Did she pamper them like in StWOM? No. But would she have every right to do it? Absolutely.

Your example of Rainbow Dash in the spa was definitely in character of her, as she has grown over the years. Her macho behavior when Rarity and AJ catch and tease her for it make sense. Now, is it character development? As we didn't see her actually get to this point within the episode, I'm unsure. You can say yes. But does it emphasize her character growth and maturity over the years? Yes.

 

The biggest example of poorly criticized out of characterization that I know of is Starlight transforming from a villain to a member of the Mane Eight. Let's get this out of the way; if they show better impact of SG's devastation, then more people would perhaps buy it. But OOC it isn't. Think about it. Her lone friend was sent off, a circumstance beyond her control, from usually a very proud moment in a pony's life. At that point, cutie marks became a trauma trigger and a symbol of events that she doesn't want happening again. Consequently, SG has plausible reasons for setting up Our Town. Of all the villain redemptions in this show, SG's makes the most sense: Twilight treated her as someone who needs help to find the true Magic of Friendship rather than the Magic of Friendship she perceived to be.

 

Also, a character can act OOC and still use it as character growth later on. For example, events from Rainbow Falls (one of Dash's most OOC outings) resulted in this speech from Equestria Games:

Rainbow Dash: ...With the possible exception of Bulk Biceps, Fluttershy, and me. I mean, we're good and all, but we're up against the Wonderbolts in the aerial relay, so gold's kind of a stretch. Let's not kid ourselves.

Would we see this if Rainbow Falls hadn't happened? Yes. But since it did, it makes more sense to put it into good use than retcon it.

Edited May 29, 2016 by Dark Qiviut

[Thrond 3,271]

I don't like Rainbow Dash in this episode, but the issue certainly isn't that she's "out of character." It's exactly true that her going to the spa shows that she's more comfortable with supposedly "uncool" stuff, which is why I'm disappointed that the episode still treats that as a joke and has her deny it. I mean, it doesn't help that I don't find that joke funny at all, but but c'mon, Rainbow Dash is more than just her facade of coolness. 

 

The biggest example of poorly criticized out of characterization that I know of is Starlight transforming from a villain to a member of the Mane Eight. Let's get this out of the way; if they show better impact of SG's devastation, then more people would perhaps buy it. But OOC it isn't. Think about it. Her lone friend was sent off, a circumstance beyond her control, from usually a very proud moment in a pony's life. At that point, cutie marks became a trauma trigger and a symbol of events that she doesn't want happening again. Consequently, SG has plausible reasons for setting up Our Town. Of all the villain redemptions in this show, SG's makes the most sense: Twilight treated her as someone who needs help to find the true Magic of Friendship rather than the Magic of Friendship she perceived to be.

Finally, someone who gets it. 

[Buck Testa 5,505]

 

 

I don't like Rainbow Dash in this episode, but the issue certainly isn't that she's "out of character." It's exactly true that her going to the spa shows that she's more comfortable with supposedly "uncool" stuff, which is why I'm disappointed that the episode still treats that as a joke and has her deny it. I mean, it doesn't help that I don't find that joke funny at all, but but c'mon, Rainbow Dash is more than just her facade of coolness. 

 

This is a FAR better argument against this episode than OOC. I completely get where you are coming from on this, though I do think they are working there way up to Rainbow being comfortable with that side of her character.

 

 

 

The biggest example of poorly criticized out of characterization that I know of is Starlight transforming from a villain to a member of the Mane Eight. Let's get this out of the way; if they show better impact of SG's devastation, then more people would perhaps buy it. But OOC it isn't. Think about it. Her lone friend was sent off, a circumstance beyond her control, from usually a very proud moment in a pony's life. At that point, cutie marks became a trauma trigger and a symbol of events that she doesn't want happening again. Consequently, SG has plausible reasons for setting up Our Town. Of all the villain redemptions in this show, SG's makes the most sense: Twilight treated her as someone who needs help to find the true Magic of Friendship rather than the Magic of Friendship she perceived to be.

 

Fantastic point on this one. I still think the delivery of that scene could have been handled better than the way it did (as it was severely underwhelming as it stands) but it does make sense in a technical respect.  

[Splashee 28,596]

On 5/30/2016 at 12:28 AM, AlexanderThrond said:

The biggest example of poorly criticized out of characterization that I know of is Starlight transforming from a villain to a member of the Mane Eight. Let's get this out of the way; if they show better impact of SG's devastation, then more people would perhaps buy it. But OOC it isn't. Think about it. Her lone friend was sent off, a circumstance beyond her control, from usually a very proud moment in a pony's life. At that point, cutie marks became a trauma trigger and a symbol of events that she doesn't want happening again. Consequently, SG has plausible reasons for setting up Our Town. Of all the villain redemptions in this show, SG's makes the most sense: Twilight treated her as someone who needs help to find the true Magic of Friendship rather than the Magic of Friendship she perceived to be.

Oh no, I quoted the guy quoting the original guy. Meaning no one will know who made the original assumption.

 

But I totally agree with this! Good job original guy @Dark Qiviut!

[ExplosionMare 21,401]

OOC is creating new characterizations just to fit a plot or a story. New characterization is creating a new situation for a character in order to develop them further. In Rainbow Dash’s case, her spa appointment wasn’t even really important to the story, it was just a one time joke. You could say it’s a little OOC just for being part of a joke, but it wasn’t important overall to Rainbow Dash or to any of the future episodes.