Would giving characters a permanent love interest be a bad idea?

[ggg-2 3,555]

Hard to Say Anything has me wondering about this. Would giving a character, Big Mac in this example, a permanent love interest be harmful to their character?

Edited April 11, 2017 by ggg-2

[Kyoshi Frost Wolf 42,202]

According to 99% of the fandom, not only would it be a bad idea, it could possibly break the show, at least if it was one of the mane 6. I am not one of those people though. I have always thought that giving a character a love interest can work wonders for character growth in ways that we haven't seen in the show. Now, I do understand the concerns because shows like this tend to take love into a very cliche and pointless route, but imagine if it somehow wasn't. It would be a breathe of fresh air for cartoons in general.

[Megas 28,129]

7 seasons in...I think it's time to bite the bullet and give this a go with one of the mane six....preferably not with a predictable one like Twilight or Rarity

[Maple Bat 3,568]

56 minutes ago, Kyoshi said:

According to 99% of the fandom, not only would it be a bad idea, it could possibly break the show, at least if it was one of the mane 6. I am not one of those people though. I have always thought that giving a character a love interest can work wonders for character growth in ways that we haven't seen in the show. Now, I do understand the concerns because shows like this tend to take love into a very cliche and pointless route, but imagine if it somehow wasn't. It would be a breathe of fresh air for cartoons in general.

I agree strongly with this opinion.

The Fluttercord teases have helped show alot of growth in fluttershy. So whats the worst that could happen if one Love interest was to come into play on the show.

[cmarston1 5,964]

I would be perfectly okay with having Big Mac and Sugar Belle staying a couple, and for that to be a little recurring element.  We are 7 seasons in, and the show does need to add things to prevent it from getting stale.

[Hierok 11,833]

It is worth a shot. You never know if you never know. 

[Jeric 46,883]

At this point in the series life, I would welcome an organically developed relationship like that, yes. I honestly don't care how prominent the character is anymore. To me it doesn't necessarily need to be one of the Mane Six, but it should be a character that has had some significant development independent of a romantic relationship. Big Mac fits that description nicely. 

While I was a person that always liked to consider Cheerilee and Big Mac as a good match, I'm fine with any development of a Sugar Belle relationship. Just gotta handle it appropriately. I don't want to go from Hard to Say Anything to a wedding the next time we see them together. 

 

[ggg-2 3,555]

I guess i'm apprehensive about this because I don't know how it could change Big Mac, one of my favorite characters. Besides, we remember his FIRST shipping episode, don't we? (which coincidentally ALSO starred the CMC) Cringe comedy, ahoy!

[Jeric 46,883]

2 hours ago, ggg-2 said:

I guess i'm apprehensive about this because I don't know how it could change Big Mac, one of my favorite characters. Besides, we remember his FIRST shipping episode, don't we? (which coincidentally ALSO starred the CMC) Cringe comedy, ahoy!

Having watched that episode without the 'benefit' of fan commentary or opinion to color my view (a unfortunately unavoidable artifact of community), I quite liked it. Actually most of the episodes the fandom hated didn't bother me while I was in a vacuum. I digress.

Obviously the plot points and direction would be similar in that I expect that the CMC will have a few bad ideas that fail to help Big Mac impress Sugar Belle. Hilarity and pratfalls arise, and finally we have the beginning of a relationship as Big Mac just endeavors to be himself. 

Bonus points if the CMC tell him that at the end of their failed attempts, and if they are hesitant to get involved due to last time. 

[ggg-2 3,555]

7 minutes ago, Jeric said:

Having watched that episode without the 'benefit' of fan commentary or opinion to color my view (a unfortunately unavoidable artifact of community), I quite liked it. Actually most of the episodes the fandom hated didn't bother me while I was in a vacuum. I digress.

Obviously the plot points and direction would be similar in that I expect that the CMC will have a few bad ideas that fail to help Big Mac impress Sugar Belle. Hilarity and pratfalls arise, and finally we have the beginning of a relationship as Big Mac just endeavors to be himself. 

Bonus points if the CMC tell him that at the end of their failed attempts, and if they are hesitant to get involved due to last time. 

Let's not also forget that Sugar Belle is not local, and would probably be reluctant to leave Our Town, just as Big Mac would be reluctant to leave the farm. Speaking from experience. long distance relationships are VERY difficult to make work.

[K.Rool Addict 719]

No, it would not be a bad idea. Execution is EVERYTHING. How many people thought a new generation of My Little Pony was a "good" idea? That's what I thought.

I will say this though, the chance of the execution being of acceptable quality is slim-to-none, and that is even with the writers' stellar performance in Seasons 4-6. 

Is it possible to do well? Definitely. Would I like to see them try? Yes! Would most of the fans like to see their precious pony waifus being stolen by big, buff, smexy stallions? Somehow, I doubt it U_U 

Edited April 11, 2017 by K.Rool Addict

[Kivil 1,721]

Its maybe bad idea. But honestly I think it would make the show come to an end and we need that to happen sooner than later. I'd just hate to see the show go, we don't know when it'll come back ;-;

[cuteycindyhoney 13,339]

I've always thought Big Mac and Fluttershy would make a wonderful couple. In Filli-Vanilli, he did seem interested.

 

[FlareGun45 2,221]

This is why I wanted Spike to stop his crush on Rarity. Not forever, mind you! Like he'll say, "It's best to make my deception when I'm a little older. But for now, let's just be friends, it's much simpler!" That why the crush can stop, character development, but also it's still possible for them to be together to keep the Sparity fans happy! Well at least some of them!

[Kings&Hooves14 616]

I think that many fans, particularly fan fiction authors, would lose their minds if the show introduced love interests for the central characters.

Let's be honest--a significant number of fanfics focus on romantic interaction between main characters and OCs.

Personally, I would rather they not try to bring romance into the show; they would likely mess it up. 

Edited April 12, 2017 by Kings&Hooves14