Are the writers pushing Starlight too hard?

[Luminance 2,188]

I'm glad that they're utilizing Starlight more this season because in season 6 she was only in a couple of episodes. I liked that she's developing a character and direction now in season 7. 

[Prospekt 11,037]

Honestly, I think seeing some unexpected Starlight thrown into this season makes up for the writers not using her much last season despite making a big deal of her new arc. Basically, what @cmarston1 said. 

[ManaMinori 4,149]

10 minutes ago, Marimo said:

Maybe wait until after the season so we can actually better evaluate the number of appearances. They rarely actually care about the order of episodes characters appear in. Like how season 6 was pretty Rarity heavy in the first half.

well, we're three episodes into season 7, ans so far, all 3 were Starlight-ccentric.

episode 1- Twilight worrying what do do with Starlight?

episode 2- Starlight and Trixie lesbo-horses

episode 3- Starlight and Maude lesbo-horses

[Marimo 555]

13 minutes ago, Nightmare Muffin said:

well, we're three episodes into season 7, ans so far, all 3 were Starlight-ccentric.

episode 1- Twilight worrying what do do with Starlight?

episode 2- Starlight and Trixie lesbo-horses

episode 3- Starlight and Maude lesbo-horses

We've had 4 episodes. Last week's episode was about Twilight babysitting Flurry Heart. Not even a Starlight cameo. And again using Rarity, in season 5 we had 3 straight episodes where she was a major focus (Canterlot Boutique, Rarity Investigates, Made in Manehattan). You can't judge the whole season based on a small amount of episodes, just like someone can't say season 5 was Rarity centric if those 3 were the first and at the moment only ones they saw or knew about.

Plus even though Starlight was a major part, she still wasn't the actual main character of the episode like my Rarity example. Starlight was a subject of worry, but the main characters of the actual story were Twilight, Celestia and Spike, since they were all discussing her while away from her. Which I think is comparable to something like Pinkie Pride, where the subject is Rainbow Dash and her party but the actual character focus is on Pinkie and Cheese Sandwich. And in today's episode I'd say Starlight was comparable to Treehugger's role in Make New Friends but Keep Discord. She's the tertiary character meant to help move the story along, though the actual focus is on Pinkie/Discord and they connect with Maud/Fluttershy by not understanding how to properly react to the situation the latter puts them in, and in the end they are the ones that need to overcome that character flaw.

Edited April 29, 2017 by Marimo

[BrawnyCharger 513]

The overpushing of Starlight Glimmer has been one of my main problems with the series right now. Mainly because it puts other potential story arcs and character development episodes on the back burner such as Big Macintosh's wishes to be a hero, any possible episodes focusing on any background characters like Derpy or Lyra and Bon Bon. Or maybe certain origins stories.

I'd say the writers need to just give the whole Starlight Glimmer thing a break and let some other ponies get some moments in the sun.

[Marimo 555]

Just now, BrawnyCharger said:

Mainly because it puts other potential story arcs and character development episodes on the back burner such as Big Macintosh's wishes to be a hero, any possible episodes focusing on any background characters like Derpy or Lyra and Bon Bon. Or maybe certain origins stories.

But how much of that is actually Starlight's fault? If she just wasn't in the show anymore, that doesn't mean those ideas would be any more likely to happen instead of them coming up with other ideas. Those all depend on if the writers were actually interested in doing them. Like the Big Mac wanting to be a hero thing, is that really meant to be an still ongoing story? Cause it seemed like his development in Brotherhooves Social already resolved those feelings of feeling less important than Applejack. Plus, we already are getting a Big Mac episode in a few weeks, and it's not about him being a hero, it's about him having a crush on another pony.

[Castle Bleck 19,494]

IMO, other than in The Cutie Re-Mark and Chaos Theory #50, she's ranged from tolerably decent to surprisingly enjoyable.

Edited April 30, 2017 by A.V.

[Thrond 3,272]

I was not expecting her to have such a major role in "Rock Solid Friendship," but I don't think she's being forced upon us since even those roles of hers that I haven't liked so much (i.e. this latest one) have suited their respective stories pretty well. Furthermore, I think getting more stories about her finally finding her place in Ponyville is a good thing. I gotta say, though, her more confident characterization in season 7 is taking some getting used to, and I'm not sure I'm all that interested in it. Wish they'd stop repeating the same handful of ideas with her and double down on stuff like her love of kites, because that's dangerously close to an actual quirk  which would help her stand out more. 

[Babyyoshi309 1,829]

While the writers have been pushing her a lot, they have also improved her character. This episode that was released today improved Starlight's character SO MUCH. AND I LOVE IT!!!!

[SugarCoatxMarblePie 701]

The only thing is it feels like a repeat of when Twi was overbearing on Glimmer.

[SaburoDaimando 1,196]

2 hours ago, Whompy Whomperson said:

Giving Starlight a chance to hang out with Maud(and to a lesser extent, Pinkie), this is actually something I think they should have done more in S6

No kidding.  That was my main criticism of Season 6.  Season 7 I hope improves on Starlight developing not just her, but her own ragtag Mane 6.

[Zel 56]

The problem is not that Starlight is having some screentime this season, it's that last season she barely had any ('-')/

[Star Petal 215]

The purpose of starlight is to have Twilight have a pupil and fullfill the same role as celestia as a mentor and grow as a leader. Now that part is done, she is basically another one of the mane characters. It is the mane 7 now, maybe even the mane 8 depending on how hard they want to ship starlight and trixie together.

[Princess Book Horse 353]

2 hours ago, Nightmare Muffin said:

well, we're three episodes into season 7, ans so far, all 3 were Starlight-ccentric.

episode 1- Twilight worrying what do do with Starlight?

episode 2- Starlight and Trixie lesbo-horses

episode 3- Starlight and Maude lesbo-horses

1. Episode 1 was more about Twilight than Starlight. 

2. This episode wasn't completely Starlight centric.

3. Adding "lesbo-horses" after everything doesn't really prove your point.

4. What everyone else said; giving her screen time with one of the Mane Six BESIDES Twilight makes her fit in more instead of having her feel cut off from the rest of the main cast.

[ManaMinori 4,149]

2 minutes ago, Princess Book Horse said:

1. Episode 1 was more about Twilight than Starlight. 

2. This episode wasn't completely Starlight centric.

3. Adding "lesbo-horses" after everything doesn't really prove your point.

4. What everyone else said; giving her screen time with one of the Mane Six BESIDES Twilight makes her fit in more instead of having her feel cut off from the rest of the main cast.

yeah, because its not as if she could have screentime with Trixie, or Sunburst, or Flurry Heart, or Night Glider, or Double Diamond, Thorax, Spike, Discord, Sugarbelle.....god forbid

[FlareGun45 2,221]

I don't care about how many times Starlight gets developed. I don't want Spike to be underdeveloped, please! This better not be another season 5 season for him!

Edited April 30, 2017 by MegaSean45

[Star Petal 215]

26 minutes ago, MegaSean45 said:

I don't care about how many times Starlight gets developed. I don't want Spike to be underdeveloped, please! This better not be another season 5 season for him!

I would be OK with that actually, he isn't my favorite character. Maybe have him get a dragon girlfriend? That might be nice! As long as it isn't that rarity ship thing anymore. I am sick that that lol. I think starlight is going to be the star of this season though. 

[FlareGun45 2,221]

Just now, Star Petal said:

I would be OK with that actually, he isn't my favorite character. Maybe have him get a dragon girlfriend? That might be nice! As long as it isn't that rarity ship thing anymore. I am sick that that lol. I think starlight is going to be the star of this season though. 

That's fine he doesn't have to be your favorite character. But he's mine though, and if he gets three episodes again like in season 6, I'll be all good! Yeah, I agree that Spike's relationship with Rarity isn't going any further, and it would be nice to see it end, for Spike's sake. I don't wanna see Rarity use his crush to get him to do stuff anymore. It's old now.

[Sly 236]

Am I the only who thinks this whole Starlight gate of the Brony fandom is getting out of hand lately? It's fine if somebody doesn't like a character but I think that we are going way too far with this. While I can understand that some find her reasons of being bad in past dumb (which I don't agree by the way) I think this hate for the character has gone on longer than it should have and at this point is VERY unnecessary.... especially considering how she has been handled in S7 so far....

[Princess Book Horse 353]

59 minutes ago, Nightmare Muffin said:

yeah, because its not as if she could have screentime with Trixie, or Sunburst, or Flurry Heart, or Night Glider, or Double Diamond, Thorax, Spike, Discord, Sugarbelle.....god forbid

Didn't say that, but a lot of people (myself included) wanted to see her friendships with the main cast develop as well, especially since the S5 finale claimed that all 7 of them were her friends.

48 minutes ago, MegaSean45 said:

I don't care about how many times Starlight gets developed. I don't want Spike to be underdeveloped, please! This better not be another season 5 season for him!

This is already a better Season than 5 for Spike. S5 was my favorite, but it was easily the worst season for Spike and Discord.

Edited April 30, 2017 by Princess Book Horse

[FlareGun45 2,221]

2 minutes ago, Princess Book Horse said:

Didn't say that, but a lot of people (myself included) wanted to see her friendships with the main cast develop as well, especially since the S5 finale claimed that all 7 of them were her friends.

This is already a better Season than 5 for Spike. S5 was my favorite, but it's as easily the worst season for Spike and Discord.

I know, I just don't wanna see him get the loose end of the stick again when it comes to the amount of episodes he's gettin', as well as development. He doesn't have to be as awesome as season 6 but it would be nice of him having episodes with those he doesn't bond with alot. It's already a big season for new interactions!

[Princess Book Horse 353]

Just now, MegaSean45 said:

I know, I just don't wanna see him get the loose end of the stick again when it comes to the amount of episodes he's gettin', as well as development. He doesn't have to be as awesome as season 6 but it would be nice of him having episodes with those he doesn't bond with alot. It's already a big season for new interactions!

I agree completely. I also hope they remember that Spike was friends with Thorax first. I love Starlight, but I hope they don't make her steal Thorax from him.

[FlareGun45 2,221]

Just now, Princess Book Horse said:

I agree completely. I also hope they remember that Spike was friends with Thorax first. I love Starlight, but I hope they don't make her steal Thorax from him.

My friend, I felt the EXACT same way in the season premiere! People are asking for a new group with Starlight, Thorax, Trixie, and Discord, and even though that would be a cool group, Spike has had good connections with half those characters! The only one in that group that he hasn't interacted with that much is Trixie! Adding Maud in the group from today's episode, and it would be a pretty sick group!

[ManaMinori 4,149]

4 minutes ago, Princess Book Horse said:

I agree completely. I also hope they remember that Spike was friends with Thorax first. I love Starlight, but I hope they don't make her steal Thorax from him.

i hope they remember Spike was friends with Little Strongheart first

16 minutes ago, Sly said:

Am I the only who thinks this whole Starlight gate of the Brony fandom is getting out of hand lately? It's fine if somebody doesn't like a character but I think that we are going way too far with this. While I can understand that some find her reasons of being bad in past dumb (which I don't agree by the way) I think this hate for the character has gone on longer than it should have and at this point is VERY unnecessary.... especially considering how she has been handled in S7 so far....

nice to know i can't ask if a character is getting too much focus n an episode that doesn't need her, without it being seen as hate.

[Lightning Roller 158]

I personally am alright with starlight at this point. I really liked her as a villain and was reluctant to see her get reformed so quickly, but her character is starting to grow on me. Unlike some other ponies who have really only gotten a couple of episodes with no real development, I like that they are trying to develop starlight as much as they can and with this latest episode they used her to develop maud a little more. I would have liked a little more explanation as to what kind of rock can store cutie mark energy, seeing as that is a pretty big deal that was pretty much swept under the rug within a few seconds of it being mentioned. Like everyone else has been saying, this season is only 4 episodes in now and it doesn't feel like starlight is being shoved upfront belligerently to me. I like her character and she doesn't come off as a twilight 2.0 to me, she is really starting to feel unique as a character and I'm interested to see where they take her in the future.