Spoiler: So, time for the old discussion on reformations in the show...

[Unlikeable Pony 2,700]

So, after the S6 finale, lets trot out this old question: How do you feel about the number of reformations that go on in the show? this has been a point of contention in the past about the number of Antagonists and villains reformed, and so this question seems pertinent in light of the events of the finale:


Do you think there are just enough reformations, too many reformations, not enough reformations, ect.?

[BastementSparkle 20,335]

It's a show mostly about Friendship and forgiveness. I think mostly reforming villains and antagonists fits with the shows themes and ideas. Whether or not you think those reformations were well written or handled well is a bit of a different matter, but just in terms of the number of them, I'm fine with it.

 

 I do think it's good to have at least a few bad guys that don't get reformed, or even refuse to do so, as there are people like that too, and we have had some of those. Chrysalis and Tirek immediately come to mind. But, so far I like the fact that most of the focus on villains is about reformation, instead of simply beating them down. I honestly find the idea of making your foes your friends much more satisfying than any punishment could be anyway.

[Concerned Bystander 2,905]

My personal viewpoint is that villains are reformed far too often, and far too easily.  However, it is the nature of the cartoon to conclude its villain's stories in such a manner, so as disappointing as it may be, it comes as no great surprise when it happens.

 

Reformations can be a satisfying end to a story arc if handled properly, but due the very short format of the cartoon it is very hard for them to be depicted in a convincing manner, and all too often the villain goes from hell-bent megalomaniac to sweet as sugar in a single blink and you'll miss it moment.  Discord at least had a whole episode dedicated to his turnaround, which is a lot more than Nightmare Moon, Starlight Shimmer and any number of minor antagonists have had.  At the end of day though, as I already mentioned, it is the nature of the cartoon both in its message and its format for rapid conclusions to its storylines.

 

At least they have managed to keep a couple of villains in their back pocket for use again later.

[Ganondorf8 11,700]

If the reformation was handled correctly then it would be seen as being a welcome change to a character. The biggest hurdle that I find with the premise is the time constraint. Since they only have twenty-two minutes--forty-four if it's a two part episode--much of what they do when it comes to a reformation is rushed. It comes off as the writers just throwing it in there because of the nature of the show: that being Friendship is Magic. I enjoy it when villains reform. You get to see them in a much different light than before, and they become so much more endearing than they were in the villain role that defined them.

 

Yet, having some villains who simply can't be reformed is also a good idea. You need to have some antagonistic force that will continue to be a plague on the ponies--humans for Equestria Girls--of Equestria.

[GrimGrimoire 4,973]

Well, to be honest... how many "true" reformations have they had? I could make the argument very very few honestly. In fact as far as I am aware there has only been one. Let's pick them apart shall we and see what is really there. And I will be using the characters I see most often complained about in some form or another. I also am ignoring the comics for the moment.

 

Nightmare Moon - She was never really reformed... since it has been made fairly apparent that Luna and NM are two different characters in a manner of speaking. Luna became hungry for attention and let jealousy conquer her heart and in doing so, she became Nightmare Moon... honestly I think her exile to the moon broke a lot of that which is why she did not seem to put up as much of a fight as she probably could have to defeat the heroes... she wanted to be saved from that blight. Jealousy is a nasty bitch and it makes you act and do things you may not normally do, and sadly raging is one of those things. And then furthermore, once jealousy has taken hold of you, often it is virtually impossible to let it go... it is a form of cancer in a manner of speaking.. and it grows uncontrollably at times. I would say the Mane 6 broke the dark magic that had a hold on her heart and allowed her to see what she truly missed and wanted and what holding onto the jealousy was preventing. Her only true obstacle all along was pride... not any other pony and especially not her sister.

 

Trixie - I don't consider Trixie reformed at all. She was never evil to begin with. She was egotistical and a loud mouth. She was never implied to be some sinister hag out to destroy anyone or control anything. She just though she was great at what she did and wanted to make sure others believed it as well. In regards to the alicorn amulet, yeah it made her go psycho with power... and at the time she wanted revenge. If someone utterly humiliates you for whatever reason, you would want to get them back as well. She figured arrogantly she could control the amulet and use it for her own desires, and instead was in turn used by it. She was never truly evil and has not been reformed. She is still a loud mouthed egotistical character, just now one with a friend.

 

Starlight -  Again, Starlight was never evil. I don't care what anyone says. She was misguided and has a ton of emotional baggage... but having emotional issues does not equal evil. She took over a town and convinced everyone to cough up their cutie marks, not to control them, but to in her eyes make them all the same and thus less likely to reject her. It was a horrible thing to do, and for those involved in it, I am sure they felt she was doing it out of maliciousness... but the viewers got the full story... whether or not you understand it, agree with it or like how it was handled it absolutely immaterial. when people go through some form of trauma, they react differently... some brush it off, and others blow it up. Starlight went straight for the dynamite.. and you know what... so do a lot of other people... they just don't have access to magical powers and time spells. Then she had that version of "reality' for her shattered by Twilight... and rightly so... she was living in her own personal lie, and forcing others to live in it with her. The fact is, it does not matter what anyone thinks, she felt she had something stolen from her that day, and to her, Twilight ws the thief.. and thus she sought the oldest of known punishments to dish out... an eye for an eye. She was wrong.. period. But being wrong does not  make you evil to vileness incarnate. She was never "reformed"... she was given a opportunity by Twilight to change her future and accept something she never thought she would see without some form of deceit involved. She has a ton of hurdles to go through yet, but that is her struggle to make.

 

Discord - And now the elephant in the room. Hold onto your top hats lest they completely flip off your heads but by all indications... Discord was never evil either. he is chaotic and mischievous... but not what I would call "evil". By all means he makes others unhappy and miserable... but the truth is, deep down he is just looking to amuse himself in the most absolutely anarchic of ways. If he had truly wanted to, he could have easily destroyed the Mane 6... who cares about the  EOH... he could have buried them under 10 miles of snow outside Yakyakistan and teleported the characters to Tarterus or under the sea or onto the moon or whatever. He is not looking to punish anyone, destroy anyone or control anyone... he is looking to have fun at whatever cost, even if it upsets everyone around him. When he broke free he buried Ponyville under chocolate milk, sugary sweets and dancing buffaloes.. not fire and lava and demons from hell out to consume the living. Sure, no pony was happy, and if I were there I would probably call Discord an evil bastard as well... but the truth is... he just isn't... he is childish. He has too much power, too little self control and no one to really make him see or understand that recourse of his actions and how they can truly affect those around him. When he does not get his way he becomes bitter and pretentious and when he gets a taste of something he really likes he becomes apologetic and almost submissive in his behavior. So yeah, Discord is not evil.. he is just a powerful spoiled brat that is discovering how much he really values having a friend and having others care about him. He is the only one on this list I would truly call reformed. However considering how he often acts to this day, I am not sure you could call him "reformed" so much as a bit more disciplined perhaps.

 

Sunset Shimmer - This one I'll be honest.. I dunno, I don't watch EQG so someone more knowledgeable than i will have to tackle that one.

 

The Changelings - All we saw was them change colors and designs. How this will overall affect them remains to be seen.

 

Did I miss anyone?

[Mesme Rize 15,692]

It fits the shows theme to be honest, considering we talk about a show that is called "Friendship is magic." I think it is always good to give someone a second chance.

 

Also, i think that Chrysalis will also be reformed next season. That scene at the end of Season 6 was just a bone that the writers threw at the bronies.

[Ninjaed 532]

The world needs more love! But just giving love away won't always suffice to solve a problem. The short format of an episode makes it so that it can't do the reformed villain justice, though. Still, I'd rather have an attempt at teaching people forgiveness than throwing it out the window and teach them to beat their problems senseless.

[Once In A Blue Moon 896]

Well, to be honest... how many "true" reformations have they had? I could make the argument very very few honestly.

 

I agree, and I assumed that it was a recurring theme that antagonists such as Trixie, Babs Seed, Starlight et al. had reason and motivation* for how they acted, which left the possibility of redemption open - they were all ponies, and they could listen to reason (an excellent theme to encourage.)

 

My personal viewpoint is that villains are reformed far too often, and far too easily.  However, it is the nature of the cartoon to conclude its villain's stories in such a manner, so as disappointing as it may be, it comes as no great surprise when it happens.

 

I suppose 'How to Train your Dragon 2' gave a nice example of how to make a villain that refused to be reformed, but given the core demographic I can appreciate why they don't choose to include that sort of story. And to be fair, conflict is the result of opposed interests far more often than it is due to simple evil intent, so in an ideal world (such as one full of magical friendship ponies) conflict resolution would be through reasoning and empathy far more often than through force (which is still used in some episodes.) 

 

 

*How well-written they are is another matter, of course. Starlight's was a bit too abrupt in my mind, but that's a flaw in execution rather than in theory. I much prefer this solution.

Edited October 11, 2016 by Once In A Blue Moon

[Silver Letter 1,832]

 

 

At least they have managed to keep a couple of villains in their back pocket for use again later.

What villains/antagonists are left? Even Diamond Tiara was reformed. And this was the whole Changeling civilization we're talking about. Just reformed instantly. No resistance. No question. I mean, they're drones and all, so I might as well expect it but then does the reformation even mean anything? They turned against their own queen who had so far proven to be so powerful to have conquered all of Equestria, doing what no other villain could have hoped to accomplish with the possible exception of Tirek and even he still had to fight. There was, as far as we know, no resistance. All of Equestria's most powerful leaders and magic users were useless. I wish I could have seen the scene where Queen Chrysalis slaps herself in the forehead and says, "I should have just done that the last time!"

 

I will have to think about this for a while. What implications, unfortunate or otherwise, spring up from the idea that an entire people can be "reformed" at once? If the Changelings were cursed or something, it would have been a story worthy of that MLP movie coming next year. But that's not the case. I doubt we'll ever see the queen again. Why would we? She's defeated for good this time. She did reject Starlight for some reason but it shouldn't matter since she lost everything, including her hive. Unless she has another, what can she do? Even if she had one, what does it matter? She actually did succeed and still lost in the end, and by her own army no less. They should have had her accept Starlight.