If AJ's parents are alive next season, I quit the show.

[Buck Testa 5,505]

Quitting the show still seems rather drastic as a response to something like this occurring. It seems as though you have been displeased at many things that have happened in the show up until this point. Just Season 6 being trash in your perspective isn't enough backstory to warrant wanting to drop a show. Which other factors are accumulating up to make you feel this way, OP?

That's a pretty fair assessment. Like I said in the original post, something like this would be the "straw that broke the camels back." so to speak. This would be a pretty damn big straw for me. 

[ChocolateCrane 156]

That's a pretty fair assessment. Like I said in the original post, something like this would be the "straw that broke the camels back." so to speak. This would be a pretty damn big straw for me. 

 

Well, we have established that you have a favorable opinion of Season 5, correct? Was Season 4 disappointing for you? Or Season 3 or 2? How about Equestria Girls? I feel the need to isolate specifically why you feel so frustrated with the direction the show has taken.

[Buck Testa 5,505]

Well, we have established that you have a favorable opinion of Season 5, correct? Was Season 4 disappointing for you? Or Season 3 or 2? How about Equestria Girls? I feel the need to isolate specifically why you feel so frustrated with the direction the show has taken.

Season 6 was a terrible dip for the show over all. Save for a select few episodes, the whole thing hints to a lot of bad writing to come. The fact that there are so few of the original writers anymore doesn't help quell such uneasy feelings either. 

I couldn't see the older team pull something this bad, but these new writers give me no such assurances. 

 

Also something I would like to add to the discussion this is from a Q&A of lauren faust, where she responds to the question of applejacks parents.

 

 

"Q:  Where are Applejack's parents?

To put it bluntly, we just never figured it out.  I just liked the feeling of them living with their Granny, but keeping the family dynamic tight and small.  To be honest, I would like to simply say that they passed away somehow, but it's just too sad for a kids' show and I don't think it would have ever been approved.  There was brief discussion of them being traveling salesponies or explorers, but since we never needed the information in an episode, nothing was ever made official.  So it will have to remain a mystery until someone decides to define it." -Lauren Faust

 

Source

I'm not exactly a Faustian, in fact I've been rather combative with them in the past. HOWEVER, there have been plenty of cues that their parents were dead since then. 

 

The two comets, AJ flat out saying to Applebloom that they'd be proud of her if they were "with us" , ect.

 

Going back on that momentum would be disastrous 

Edited March 7, 2017 by Buck Testa

[ChocolateCrane 156]

Season 6 was a terrible dip for the show over all. Save for a select few episodes, the whole thing hints to a lot of bad writing to come. The fact that there are so few of the original writers anymore doesn't help quell such uneasy feelings either. 

I couldn't see the older team pull something this bad, but these new writers give me no such assurances. 

 

^On the subject of both Applejack's past and the new writers of season 6.... what did you think of Where the Apple Lies? I thought that episode was absolutely hilarious. I Loved the interactions between adolescent AJ and Big Mac in particular. The whole "flow" of the episode was very satisfying to me, and the buildup to the climax felt pretty believable despite the ... "horrific" consequences at stake.

[Buck Testa 5,505]

^On the subject of both Applejack's past and the new writers of season 6.... what did you think of Where the Apple Lies? I thought that episode was absolutely hilarious. I Loved the interactions between adolescent AJ and Big Mac in particular. The whole "flow" of the episode was very satisfying to me, and the buildup to the climax felt pretty believable despite the ... "horrific" consequences at stake.

That one frustrated me for a number of reasons. 

 

1) AJ's parents are nowhere to be seen, which is fine, but...

 

2) Applebloom is nowhere to be seen either. So if the parents are gone by this point then where did AppleBloom come from? If she was just a baby at this point why not just show her in a crib for like half a second. If the parents aren't gone yet then where the hell were they? They acted like their parent's weren't even a factor, so clearly they were gone, but the absence of Applebloom just makes problems. 

 

The episode was alright, but god damn does it leave plot holes. 

[ManaMinori 4,145]

Also something I would like to add to the discussion this is from a Q&A of lauren faust, where she responds to the question of applejacks parents.

 

 

"Q:  Where are Applejack's parents?

To put it bluntly, we just never figured it out.  I just liked the feeling of them living with their Granny, but keeping the family dynamic tight and small.  To be honest, I would like to simply say that they passed away somehow, but it's just too sad for a kids' show and I don't think it would have ever been approved.  There was brief discussion of them being traveling salesponies or explorers, but since we never needed the information in an episode, nothing was ever made official.  So it will have to remain a mystery until someone decides to define it." -Lauren Faust

 

Source

I thank you for posting this. Everyone latches onto the fact that they're dead, taking Fausts' word as gospel, but fact of the matter is she never ourtight said they were dead. Just that she would've liked them to be. Seems people also miss the fact that discussion with other writers was had about them being traveling salesponies or explorers, but no one ever even considers these options. 

[ChocolateCrane 156]

That one frustrated me for a number of reasons. 

 

1) AJ's parents are nowhere to be seen, which is fine, but...

 

2) Applebloom is nowhere to be seen either. So if the parents are gone by this point then where did AppleBloom come from? If she was just a baby at this point why not just show her in a crib for like half a second. If the parents aren't gone yet then where the hell were they? They acted like their parent's weren't even a factor, so clearly they were gone, but the absence of Applebloom just makes problems. 

 

The episode was alright, but god damn does it leave plot holes. 

 

Apple Bloom is Big Mac & AJ's offspring. Plot hole successfully evaded! /)^3^(\

[Lambdadelta 1,462]

https://www.equestriadaily.com/2016/09/character-designer-kora-kosicka-rainbow.html?m=1

Read that shit and calm down. There are 80% chance AJ parents are dead unless some miracle happen, dont need to be panic or anything. The mlp lead designer already confirm AJ parents dead without any implication or tricky words, she even said it is a spoiler and we will find out how they die someday (S7 perhap?). Before anyone say "i wont believe any news not from Megahn or Big Jim", i will ask you one thing : if you dont have any faith of the show, why not quit?

 

If this news cant calm you down, any other comments in this thread cant.

Edited March 7, 2017 by Lambdadelta

[ShadOBabe 19,011]

"i wont believe any news not from Megahn or Big Jim"

 

I just wanted to snip that little bit right there and say I never believe a word that comes out of Meghan McCarthy's mouth.

[FlootahBabby 265]

Wouldn't it be hilarious if they introduce them as if they were alive the whole time, and then someone kills them by the end of the episode 

Edited March 7, 2017 by FlootahBabby

[Ganondorf8 11,369]

The only way I can see Applejack's parents being presented in the show would be through a flashback yet whether they were alive or not would remain unanswered because the age demographic prevents their status from being answered. The concept of death is something young audiences shouldn't be exposed to until they are a bit older and are able to understand what it really means. Now, if her parents were alive, then Applejack's one line in "Crusaders of the Lost Mark" will become scrutinized.

[KillerKingBakudan 702]

I'm sure I wouldn't like it if it happened, but it wouldn't be enough to get me to stop watching the show. Because in all seriousness, so what if Applejack's parents are alive? What if they ARE the worst parents in the world and they chose to abandon their kids? This is a real-life problem with a lot of families, and I don't see why it'd be taboo for the show to delve into such a topic.

 

I also don't think that would neuter Applejack's development at all. If anything, it would just present a huge moral dilemma and put her honesty to the test. Imagine spending most of your childhood thinking your parents died in some tragic accident. You grew up and took over your family's business, and then all of a sudden, you find out that your parents ARE, in fact, alive and having a good time living on a tropical resort somewhere. How would you deal with that? You wouldn't know what to think. And neither would Applejack. Her family is what she holds most dear, and for two of her closest, most important relatives to pull something like this? She would be unbelievably crushed. And that's cause for a LOT of drama. I wouldn't like it. You wouldn't like it. But on the other hand, maybe we're not supposed to like it? It's not like there isn't potential there for a good story. 

Of course, I'd rather just see her parents in flashback only myself, with the episode providing a good explanation for why they died. But if it turns out to be the former, as disgusting as that might be, I'll just have to accept it and judge their appearance purely on the story's execution. If they bring them back, and it goes nowhere, then I'll start complaining.

[Buck Testa 5,505]

https://www.equestriadaily.com/2016/09/character-designer-kora-kosicka-rainbow.html?m=1

Read that shit and calm down. There are 80% chance AJ parents are dead unless some miracle happen, dont need to be panic or anything. The mlp lead designer already confirm AJ parents dead without any implication or tricky words, she even said it is a spoiler and we will find out how they die someday (S7 perhap?). Before anyone say "i wont believe any news not from Megahn or Big Jim", i will ask you one thing : if you dont have any faith of the show, why not quit?

 

If this news cant calm you down, any other comments in this thread cant.

If this turns out to be accurate good. 

 

I'm actually relatively calm about this, but at the same time I am quite serious about this matter. I'd still talk and hang with my friends in the fandom, but I wouldn't be able to watch the show beyond a misstep like that. Season 7 is still on rickety footing with me regardless though, I truly hope it has a better showing than it did last season. 

Edited March 7, 2017 by Buck Testa

[ChocolateCrane 156]

Honestly, I don't really understand why you think AJ's parents will be in season 7 specifically. What if they come back in season 8 or 9, assuming these seasons even come to fruition? What if they come at the very end of the series in some way? What if Chrysalis had them imprisoned in some underground lair for countless years and everyone just assumed they were dead?

Edited March 7, 2017 by ChocolateCrane

[Lambdadelta 1,462]

If this turns out to be accurate good. 

 

I'm actually relatively calm about this, but at the same time I am quite serious about this matter. I'd still talk and hang with my friends in the fandom, but I wouldn't be able to watch the show beyond a misstep like that. Season 7 is still on rickety footing with me regardless though, I truly hope it has a better showing than it did last season. 

I pray for this everyday after hearing the Parents episode's synopsis   If the parents are 100% dead, i will give this ep 10/10 no matter what lol, and you dont have to leave this show... too soon 

 

Hey, Buck, if the parents are still alive but they lost all their memory and have a new life, will you accept it? 

Honestly, I don't really understand why you think AJ's parents will be in season 7 specifically. What if they come back in season 8 or 9, assuming these seasons even come to fruition? What if they come at the very end of the series in some way? What if Chrysalis had them imprisoned in some underground lair for countless years and everyone just assumed they were dead?

There is confirmation in Toy Fair 2017, AJ parents will appear in episode 13 Season 7 and their name have been confirmed, and there will be a song. 

Edited March 7, 2017 by Lambdadelta

[Buck Testa 5,505]

I pray for this everyday after hearing the Parents episode's synopsis   If the parents are 100% dead, i will give this ep 10/10 no matter what lol, and you dont have to leave this show... too soon 

 

Hey, Buck, if the parents are still alive but they lost all their memory and have a new life, will you accept it? 

That would be some soap opera grade shit right there lol. 

 

Twilight rushed to Applejack, joy and excitement filling her eyes as she broke the news,  

 

"It turns out your parents were alive, but they both had amnesia...!"

 

"What in tarnation?" Twilight almost lost her footing as she jumped back from the surprising annoyance etched into Applejack's voice. The farm pony's grumpy face turned towards a giddily hopping Pinkie Pie, pointing her hoof aggressively in the pink mare's direction as she barked out her orders.  

 

"Pinkie! Open the wall!" 

 

"Can do!" Pinkie reaches out in the air and opens up a hole in the sky, revealing a board room filled with the real life writing staff. Twilight's mind has a hard time processing what was going on as Applejack jabbed her hoof out towards the opening at the people behind the portal. 

 

"Which one'a Y'all is writin this script!?" she shook her foreleg at script writers, waving around a stack of papers that Pinkie materialized and placed in her hoof for emphasis, "What do y'all think this is, some hay flippin soap opera?!" 

Edited March 7, 2017 by Buck Testa

[darkwingmare 1,321]

You make a great point indeed... I'm upset if they're alive too, all that build up for nothing. I'd rather see an episode about Scootaloo's non-exisiting parents than to see Applejack's, whom we have been HINTED are dead several times? Where have they been on the flashback's been showing, if anything?? It just doesn't add upp at all..

I still love Applejack, she's my favorite, I'll just be a bit concerned about the writing...

[Buck Testa 5,505]

You make a great point indeed... I'm upset if they're alive too, all that build up for nothing. I'd rather see an episode about Scootaloo's non-exisiting parents than to see Applejack's, whom we have been HINTED are dead several times? Where have they been on the flashback's been showing, if anything?? It just doesn't add upp at all..

I still love Applejack, she's my favorite, I'll just be a bit concerned about the writing...

She's definitely one of my favorites too, which is why I feel so strongly about this point. It would turn one of the deeper characters in the main cast to one of the weakest in the span of an episode. 

[Kyoshi Frost Wolf 41,730]

While it would not make me quit the show, (that's reserved for something else that I hope never happens), it would make me facepalm to the moon and back. While AJ isn't exactly my favorite of the mane 6, she quite possibly has the most complexity to her backstory and life, and her parents not being around is part of that depth. To ruin that is to ruin part of AJ's story, pretty heavily. I still have hope that they won't do this, I keep thinking of the scene where she looks to the sky and sees the two stars, so I am hopeful. Cautiously hopeful that is.

[cmarston1 5,959]

Having Applejack's parents somehow still being alive and randomly popping up in season 7 after barely any mentioning of their existence in the first 6 seasons would be insane. It would require a crap ton of writing gymnastics and hoops and hurdles to overcome that I highly, highly doubt the writers are capable of justifying.

[man dude man 555]

I will call pandering hardcore... but no, this is definitely something that absolutely does not need to happen. We identify her sense of responsibility and ethic and individuality from one of these conceived notions of her being forced into such an independent role...

I think the plot would be a fan pick up for many and let down hardcore to fandom bronies, there is a lot more to applejack like they showed in "When the Apple Lies" and such, and then her with her over complicated routines...  Applejack has just finally claimed her conviction, and she has an absolute discipline and shell on her character, like in "Tanks for  the Memories" When Pinkie claims "she cries on the inside"(adds to that emptiness and that hollow shell of what she has to be.) Applejack verifies this by saying "it's true." its just even if these are for other reasons, I feel like such a pony factoid(it might as well be considered) to be completely ignored, or even reexplained would be completely out of the question. Quitting the fandom is out of the question for me though also... haha

[FirePuppy 735]

That episode where Applejack's parents appear in that flashback, if Applejack's gonna be the only Mane Six pony there, it'll have to be the only episode for the whole season. Every season (except in two, where Twilight appeared in every episode in one and Rainbow Dash and Rarity appeared in every episode of another) always had at least one episode following that kind of routine.

[digit112 89]

If AJ's parents were alive, then it would really diminish her character and that would be ridiculous, but there are other ways around it. Like say they got caught in some huge battle and went missing, or got imprisoned somewhere only to return years later. Then we could maintain that the apples went through a huge loss, and thus retained their character, while still seeing the parents for an episode about dealing with that loss, or perhaps forgiving yourself for past mistakes like we saw with Luna.

[sweetolebob18 728]

It would probably be the biggest mistake the writers ever made (& dude that's a TOUGH league to be champion in).  IDK if I'd drop the show but I'd bet it'd top the Least Favorite Episode list (another tough league to compete in)

[Steve Piranha 29,432]

Did you hear... we got another Daring Do episode?

I don't care about Daring Do episodes, I want more books  ....... BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOKS . I MEAN, THOSE BOOKS WHERE THE SHIT AMONG THE PONY BOOKS AROUND THERE, I WANT MOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR  .

 

Well, on topic. I won't be quitting the fandom nor the show if AJ's parents where turn-up to be alive and well, but I agree that'll make a poor decision. It'll make me go like: