Theory on the reason why the buffalo haven't return

[heavens-champion 1,905]

I think the reason why the buffalo from Over A Barrel haven't made anymore appearances (other than the cameo in Pinkie Pride, and the one in Twilight's Kingdom Part 2) is because of the poor reception that Over A Barrel got, with the whole depiction of the tensions between Native Americans and settlers. What do you guys think?

Edited June 2, 2018 by heavens-champion

[Truffles 2,033]

It's possible. DHX/Hasbro may have seen the commentary explaining how the ponies giving the buffalo pies was akin to white settlers appeasing indigenous cultures with baubles and trinkets and realized there was some validity to that line of thought.

It's too bad if that's the case because I really want to see Rainbow Dash and Little Strongheart together again with their competitive nature on display. (Preferably without all of the negative baggage like we got recently in "Non-compete".)

[ManaMinori 4,145]

they showed up briefly in "Pinkie Pride", and "Apleoosa's Most Wanted". If Over a Barrel got such bad reception, why would they be put in those episodes?

[Thorgir the Mighty 736]

They do make good steak...maybe WE killed the buffalo!

[SharpWit 2,705]

1 hour ago, Truffles said:

It's possible. DHX/Hasbro may have seen the commentary explaining how the ponies giving the buffalo pies was akin to white settlers appeasing indigenous cultures with baubles and trinkets and realized there was some validity to that line of thought.

The whole episode feels weird since the mistreatment of Native Americans is such a controversial topic and is hardly covered in schools. I enjoyed it nonetheless but boy were they potentially treading a really thin line.

1 hour ago, Nightmare Muffin said:

they showed up briefly in "Pinkie Pride", and "Apleoosa's Most Wanted". If Over a Barrel got such bad reception, why would they be put in those episodes?

Those appearances are just to show that everything is still ok between them and Appeloosa. Besides, there'd probably be huge backlash if they were to get rid of them and it'd be strange since they played such a major role in our introduction to Appeloosa.

The main six solve friendship problems. It'd be nice to see more of the Buffalo but if there's no friendship problem there's no reason to go back there. Part of it as well is that they live in an isolated area, and the Yaks have stolen the spotlight.

Edited June 2, 2018 by SharpWit

[Oleks 1,993]

Zecora and Derpy had mixed reception as well, but they started appearing more often eventually, especially in the recent seasons. Maybe buffalo will too. 

[Singe 2,111]

5 hours ago, Truffles said:

It's possible. DHX/Hasbro may have seen the commentary explaining how the ponies giving the buffalo pies was akin to white settlers appeasing indigenous cultures with baubles and trinkets and realized there was some validity to that line of thought.

Value wise the pies and a return of some running lanes was a tiny price compared to the value of the land the ponies got out of it. It comes down to the ponies being able to get most out of the deal since the chief set it up to compromise with their stomachs.

Edited June 2, 2018 by Singe

[heavens-champion 1,905]

5 hours ago, Nightmare Muffin said:

they showed up briefly in "Pinkie Pride", and "Apleoosa's Most Wanted". If Over a Barrel got such bad reception, why would they be put in those episodes?

I mentioned Pinkie Pride.

[kaiser5578 340]

Though the episode did do one thing, it showed us that in the show ponies are the MLP equivalent of white people (just my personal guess, put that pitchfork down jimmy!) just think about it, what they want they take, that housing looks oddly European, they are afraid of half non ponies and half low opinions of the rest with few individual exceptions

i think it opened the door to show us a different path that existed

Edited June 3, 2018 by kaiser5578

[heavens-champion 1,905]

15 hours ago, kaiser5578 said:

Though the episode did do one thing, it showed us that in the show ponies are the MLP equivalent of white people (just my personal guess, put that pitchfork down jimmy!) just think about it, others are less than them, what they want they take, that housing looks oddly European, they are afraid of half non ponies and half low opinions of the rest with few individual exceptions

i think it opened the door to show us a different path that existed

Nooooooooooo, this comment isn't racist at all.

[Wonderbolt Slipstream 263]

I think the Buffalo were wiped out and the few that are left went into hiding, fearing for their lives, their existence on the brink of total annihilation.

[Ganondox 899]

I think that functionally the buffalo were replaced by the yaks. 

[GrimGrimoire 4,973]

The show just has had no real use for them again is my guess that could not be filled by another species. And as OP mentioned, putting them in starring roles would probably just create backlash no matter how good the intentions of the writers. It is one reason we probably will never see Zebras in the show outside of Zecora no matter how many fans might clamor for them.

[Venomboa 7]

I say, GOOD RIDDANCE! It was racist. Also, the writer should never work again....but that's just my opinion  

[Ganondox 899]

On 6/7/2018 at 1:56 AM, Venomboa said:

I say, GOOD RIDDANCE! It was racist. Also, the writer should never work again....but that's just my opinion  

I loved that episode. The yaks are even more racist, but no one cares about Central Asians. 

[Brainstorm 4,112]

On 6/10/2018 at 2:50 AM, Ganondox said:

I loved that episode. The yaks are even more racist, but no one cares about Central Asians. 

I don't think their racist, I think the Buffalo are peaceful with the Applelosa ponies that they don't have as much problems. But that's my theory.