character discussion The Character's Apex

[Dark Qiviut 22,393]

Over the years, I occasionally referred to Rainbow Dash's decision to quit the Wonderbolt Academy as her character's "apex." What do I mean by that?

To explain better, here's what "apex" mans, according to Merriam-Webster:

Quote

1.  
   1. the uppermost point : vertex • the apex of a mountain
   2. the narrowed or pointed end : tip • the apex of the tongue
2. the highest or culminating point • the apex of his career

 

Either the first sub-definition in #1 or #2 apply. But to explain what I mean in FIM's context, the apex for a character is a scene or moment within the series showcasing said character at their most mature, most likeable, and best written. Their highlight epitomizes why the character is so well rounded and beloved.

My challenge for you is this: Pick ONE moment from at least one of the Mane Eight or any other character (i.e., CMCs, either individually or as a team). Explain in detail why that moment/scene is that character's apex moment. This moment doesn't have to come in their best episode, occur when that character is the lead for that episode, or even within the TV show. It just has to be an excellent moment that defines their positive to a tee.

For a bigger challenge, if you have a mane character you dislike, describe why the scene you choose is their apex and epitomizes their status as a great character.

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1. Since I'm starting the thread, I'll begin with Rainbow Dash quitting the Wonderbolt Academy. The Bearer of Loyalty spent virtually all her life idolizing the Wonderbolts and wanting to become one. Up to season three, she made great strides as both a character and flyer to eventually become one. But in the Academy, Spitfire rewarded Lightning Dust's reckless behavior and felt pressured to follow LD's lead due to her wingpony status, even when her actions were against her morals. Dust's idea to crank a tornado and not care less about nearly killing her friends snapped the straw. Dash didn't simply quit the Academy, but also her lifelong dream. More than five years later, I remains one of the show's most mature moments and really highlights why Dash is such a great character.
    
2. For the dislike option, it's clear that I'm not a big fan of Sunset, neither as a villain nor protagonist. But Forgotten Friendship fixed many big problems with her as a character, such as her villain and hero personalities acting like different characters, her older traits inconsequential and mostly absent, and being quite flat at times. FF is the first Sunset-centered special to make her whole character and journey cohesive. Two of her traits back when she was a villain (her self-importance and threatening temper) had a big impact on the story and carried hefty consequences.
   
   Everything she went through climaxed when she jumped in between the RM6 and Wallflower, absorbing the blow from the Memory Stone. Despite her journey into the present, Wallflower possessed no trust in Sunset, believing all this time that her reformation was a ruse. After Sunset and everyone else forgot she existed for the last time, Wallflower wanted to make Sunset feel what it's like to be invisible by stealing the RM6's positive memories of her. Not only did it work. Everyone treated her like her reformation didn't occur. But Sunset worked to find the culprit and try to fix the damage Wallflower caused, who looked to really make Sunset feel her pain one more time. Jumping in front of the RM6 and absorb the Memory Stone's beam meant she sacrificed everything to protect her friends and convince the RM6 she isn't evil anymore. Watching Sunset scream in pain from her memories being physically taken away from her as the RM6 watched in horror was terrifying and gut-wrenching, but that moment really shapes how far she came since EQG1 and why I now have appreciation for her.

Edited June 4, 2018 by Dark Qiviut

[Thrond 3,263]

I don't think a character's "most mature, most likable" moment is necessarily the moment which best demonstrates their strengths as a character. I would like these characters if they were constantly on their best behaviour, but to me the actual best moments for each of the main characters would demonstrate why they're interesting beyond that - their most relatable anxieties, and their distinctive comedic styles. What I think people forget is that a good fictional character is not the same thing as a good person. If I were to list those moments, it'd probably be a very different list. This one is significantly more challenging, if only because the premise is so uninteresting to me. Nonetheless:

Twilight Sparkle's "apex" is surely the climax of "Twilight's Kingdom," where she asks Tirek to release Discord as well, despite his betrayal. After all of these pressures arguing against friendship - Discord's aforementioned betrayal, the other princesses urging her to hide - she decides to stand by her principles even when not doing so would be justified. It's that steadfast belief in the power of friendship which helped her defeat Tirek. After becoming a princess, she had lost her way, but in this moment she found it again. She decided not to let the wings and the title change her. 

Edited June 4, 2018 by AlexanderThrond

[Truffles 2,033]

If I were to choose Spike, it would be a tie between "Gauntlet of Fire" and "The Times are a Changeling." But in actuality, I don't feel he's reached his apex yet.

Instead, I'll choose Rarity, and her apex was "Rarity Takes Manehattan." More than any other episode, here she defined who she is and more importantly - what her element means. While it's true she's gone on to do other great things like open a chain of boutiques, I feel like that was a foregone conclusion and was just a sidestep to what she learned in this episode. Here, her whole world view put to the test and whatever decision she made would define what kind of character she would be for the rest of her life.

That moment came during the "Generosity" reprise while she was walking in the rain and the moment right after with all of them and Coco and Suri meeting in the lobby, realizing the mistake she had made by putting the contest ahead of her friends. After making amends (and stating the contest doesn't matter), it led to the freeing of another pony from the clutches of a terrible employer by giving her a sense of self-esteem, and getting the award she almost lost due to giving in to despair.

Edited June 5, 2018 by Truffles

[Dark Qiviut 22,393]

1 hour ago, Truffles said:

Instead, I'll choose Rarity, and her apex was "Rarity Takes Manehattan." More than any other episode, here she defined who she is and more importantly - what her element means. While it's true she's gone on to do other great things like open a chain of boutiques, I feel like that was a foregone conclusion and was just a sidestep to what she learned in this episode. Here, her whole world view put to the test and whatever decision she made would define what kind of character she would be for the rest of her life.

That moment came during the "Manehatten" reprise while she was walking in the rain, realizing the mistake she had made by putting the contest ahead of her friends. After making amends, it led to the freeing of another pony from the clutches of a terrible employer by giving her a sense of self-esteem, and getting the award she almost lost due to giving in to despair.

I like this one, but I'll expand on that sequence, specifically RTM's ending.

• For most of the second act, Rarity emotionally struggled with Suri took advantage of her biggest quality and plagiarized her without remorse, resulting in a fight between them and risking leaving her generous spirit behind. Looking at their vacant suite made her realize what she had done, resulting in that reprise.
  
  That said, following her epiphany, they made up and took part in that private musical under the promise of designing new costumes for Hinny's next show. Rarity's decision to stop caring for that award really shows her growth, but there's one that, IMO, is also an apex candidate for Rarity thus far: hiring Coco for Hinny's next show. Suri plagiarized Rarity, but didn't create the design or sew the fabric. Under Suri's pressured supervision, Coco did. But Coco was completely guilty for participating in it, but had no courage to stand up for herself and walk away, fearing retaliation and having nowhere to go.
  
  Rarity would be absolutely justified to shun Coco, too, for obvious reasons, but Rarity takes the higher road in favor of wanting her to pursue her dreams without under Suri's "tutelage," especially after Coco thanked her for inspiring her to follow her lead. Asking Coco to help design costumes for Hinny's next presentation is Rarity at her best: using her biggest quality for others' benefit.

Edited June 5, 2018 by Dark Qiviut

[Truffles 2,033]

2 hours ago, Dark Qiviut said:

But Coco was completely guilty for participating in it, but had no courage to stand up for herself and walk away, fearing retaliation and having nowhere to go.

A lack of courage is a better description of what Coco was experiencing than what I articulated. Though I suppose her fear might have stemmed from low self-esteem, too.

2 hours ago, Dark Qiviut said:

Rarity would be absolutely justified to shun Coco, too, for obvious reasons, but Rarity takes the higher road

There's a nice bit of voice acting by Tabitha in that scene where she welcomes Coco into the theater. Her greeting is cordial, but there's a hint of reservation - a perfect interpretation of a character who remains friendly but is unsure of Suri's assistant making a surprise visit to see her again.