Are you being attacked when someone criticizes your favorite show?

[StoryStorm 137]

Disclaimer: This post is based on observations and a general discussion I feel needs to be had. Its not coming from a hostile place nor is there a call to action. I also hope my language doesn't seem to vague or abstract or all over the place. I think readers will get the picture.

So, it's been echoed recurrently throughout YouTube videos, internet discourse, and overall debates over fans' reactions to their favorite media being criticized constructively or otherwise. A good summation of their response is, "Go outside and touch grass." Listen, I get it. There's nothing wrong with critiquing works of art whether that be television, film, literature, video games, etc. In fact, I would argue its healthy. It's engaging to go farther than "I like this piece of media," or "I dislike this piece of media." It's also compelling to hear different types of critiques which provide a roundabout answer to various questions surrounding the media? What does it mean? Is that character/storyline/message problematic? Should this be explored? How does this fit in with our social climate?" Also, on a fundamental level. "Is this villain's backstory compelling? Was this storyline's pacing rushed or awkward?" I understand critiquing or even disliking a show for which I hold passion on a personal level and on a level of artistic appreciation (fancy way of saying I'm a fanboy). For example, My Little Pony?  I understand there are fans of this show and other media that receive any criticism of their favorite show as a personal attack on them. The classic examples of retorts such as, "You just don't understand it!" Or "This show wasn't made for you, anyways!" Or even something suggesting their favorite show is objectively good, great, or even perfect. Trust me, I've become obsessed with My Little Pony, but I don't see critiques or criticisms of the show as personal attacks on me. Even when the criticisms are smarmy, pretentious, sanctimonious, etc, I might politely engage debate with the critic, but I'm not going to respond on behalf of the show as if I'm a defense attorney. From what I've seen on this site, I feel like 99% of fans share the sentiment.

That being said...is it not fair to point out when it goes to far and does become a roundabout personal attack? Is there a point where declarations are made or generalized assumptions are asserted or even facetious jokes that take a step too far?

What am I talking about?

So, I love My Little Pony, and wouldn't you just be so surprised I'm also a massive fan of other pieces of fiction? Hazbin Hotel/Helluva Boss, Owl House, Gravity Falls, X-Files, Breaking Bad, etc. I'm a fandom guy and that's just who I am. At a certain point, though, I'm with friends and we're talking about things we all love. Two of my friends and I were talking about The Boys, another show I like quite a bit...not to the level of MLP, but I would consider myself a big fan. Also, they'll bring up shows both or either of them like, and I'll engage in conversation even if its something I don't like. For example, I don't like the Marvel movies? I recognize the artistic merit of some of them, I like some of the characters, and there are a few movies I could see myself watching again, but I'm not a fan. I'll happily discuss them, though, and both criticize and praise various qualities. I'll make my dislike known, but I won't go farther than that. On the other hand, if I start talking about MLP or Hazbin Hotel/Helluva Boss (three shows shows I receive the most negatively for liking), I can't really get a word in? Even if they claim to hear me, every three sentences there's a joke aimed at the show, and I'm present. One day, I even noticed a friend out of nowhere say, "What's that show you like? ****bag hotel?" And there's the constant insinuation that MLP fans simply must be perverted in some way. I even had a friend who's non-Christian say, "I hope the Christians win on this one" talking about Hazbin Hotel. Was he joking? Yes. Did I appreciate it when I can't discuss something I love with friends without supposedly playful bashing? Not at all. Am I being unreasonable? I haven't made these feelings known with these people, but what I'm talking about operates on both an interpersonal level as well as on a larger level regarding online discussion of such media. Sometimes, it feels like gaslighting.

Why does it feel like a problem?

People like me, and I'm sure plenty of people on this site, have an emotional connection with MLP and other pieces of fiction. Of course, not everyone will have that personal connection or take a liking to my favorite stuff. I'm perfectly fine with that. I mean, lots of people in my family love football. In my law classes, students are notorious for checking in on NFL or College Football, and I totally get it. I wouldn't be caught dead watching NFL, but I understand their appreciation. The athleticism. The competition. Celebrating shared victory with their favorite teams with their friends who have the same favorite teams, or even playfully rub their friends' faces in their team's victory over their friend's favorite teams. I might state I don't like football, and I might even go further and say, "I can't have much of a discussion with you about it because I know nothing," but that doesn't mean I don't respect it? When a small subset of unreasonable fans go out of their way to attack critics of their favorite media, it seems like those critics use it as reason for outright mocking and generalizing certain pieces of media and trying to trip them of any artistic merit?

It just feels like there should be a difference between criticism/critique and outright mockery and bashing? To say, "Its just a show, I'm not attacking you" doesn't hold as much water when you're making generalized criticisms as a negative representation of the show's appeal and the types of fans it allures. Constructive criticism of my favorite shows often make me appreciate the show even more. The fact the show has reached heights it compels critique speaks to the power and resilience of the show. But just because you aren't technically attacking the person, I don't feel like its overreaching to ask people to comprehend people have emotional connections with the shows and fiction they're passionate about, so is it a ridiculous request to keep negative comments to constructive criticism, or even just criticism, instead of left-field and outright bully-esque assumptions about the show's popularity simply because you don't like it? On that level, it seems like the critic feels like the show is an attack on them when they don't have to watch it, comment on it, critique it constructively or otherwise. 

How do you feel?

I admit for my own good or anyone else's own good who feels the same way that it would be better to have thicker skin. MLP: FIM wouldn't have had nine seasons, a theatrical film, and a spinoff series of films/specials (Equestria Girls) if the toxic mockery actually had an effect on the show. Hazbin Hotel wouldn't be the most successful debut for an Amazon show if its mockery affected the show. Its just that it feels like the there's a refusal to consider the possibility that while these pieces of fiction are fiction, they resonate with people emotionally. People care about these shows and each fan has their own unique relationship with it. 

Maybe I'm just ranting, and if I am, I hope you understand. It just seems like the, "Its just a (insert art medium)" is kind of gaslighty when you're criticizing a show for only being popular because of a negative generalization of the show's fanbase or mocking your friends without allowing them to express the positive influence their show has had on them.  Would love to hear your thoughts? I could be overreacting, but its a pattern I've noticed when it comes to toxic division between different types of passions whether that be for sports, different types of media (as in, you hate shows like MLP but you love shows like Breaking Bad, a show I also love), cooking...I even have a friend who has a sincere and genuine passion for advertisement design and he's shown me details and observations which are genuinely compelling. What do you guys think? There's a roundabout thesis, here, but I made this post on a whim and I'm new to the site so I'm kind of just trying to get in the habit of engaging the community. 

[Dreambiscuit 10,164]

I don’t think of anything as an attack unless it’s specifically designed to be. If someone insults something I like it doesn’t matter because everyone’s entitled to their opinion. If someone says I’m stupid (or other insult) because I like a certain show, naturally that would be an intentional attack. In either case I don’t care because I don’t respect the opinions of people who are so small-minded as to attack someone else over something as silly as an opinion on art, in any form. Therefore I’m not hurt by it. The more time I spend online, the more I become disillusioned by the state of human intellect, so it’s good to have a thick skin in any aspect of life because a huge number of people out there seem to enjoy spreading negativity just for the sake of being mean. They’re simply pathetic and of no interest to me, nor are their opinions of any art form. If someone expressed opposing viewpoints as a means of having an interesting discussion, that’s all fine with me, and certainly not viewed as an attack. I only view things according to their intent; good, bad or indifferent.

[Iforgotmybrain 5,796]

1 hour ago, StoryStorm said:

That being said...is it not fair to point out when it goes to far and does become a roundabout personal attack? Is there a point where declarations are made or generalized assumptions are asserted or even facetious jokes that take a step too far?

For me it’s when people start criticizing personal opinions people hold. Using MLP as an example, someone saying that your favorite ship isn’t valid or that your choice of favorite pony, song, episode, whatever, is wrong, for whatever reason. Or, when people start criticizing others simply for watching or enjoying a specific (we’ll assume unproblematic) show.

1 hour ago, StoryStorm said:

What's that show you like? ****bag hotel?" And there's the constant insinuation that MLP fans simply must be perverted in some way. I even had a friend who's non-Christian say, "I hope the Christians win on this one" talking about Hazbin Hotel.

This is a good example of what I mean, almost exactly. At that point it feels more like a personal attack, or making fun of someone for liking a particular thing, than it does actual criticism of the show.

1 hour ago, StoryStorm said:

Maybe I'm just ranting, and if I am, I hope you understand. It just seems like the, "Its just a (insert art medium)" is kind of gaslighty when you're criticizing a show for only being popular because of a negative generalization of the show's fanbase or mocking your friends without allowing them to express the positive influence their show has had on them.  Would love to hear your thoughts?

I don't know if I’d say it’s gaslighting, maybe more toxic. There’s such a vast difference between criticizing a show itself and criticizing a person for watching a show that it has to be intentional, to a degree. As for why people do it, I dunno for sure. Probably makes people feel better about themselves, they feel smarter or more important for not liking something that’s popular, for example.

[StoryStorm 137]

@Dreambiscuit

That's a good way of looking at it. Looking back at this post I made before right before bedtime, I think it had more to do with interpersonal issues than actual quarrels with general online criticism. I mean, if its clear a reviewer, critic, analyst, etc are simply in it for narrow-minded criticism and hatred of something that annoys them, I just don't watch any farther. 

9 hours ago, Iforgotmybrain said:

For me it’s when people start criticizing personal opinions people hold. Using MLP as an example, someone saying that your favorite ship isn’t valid or that your choice of favorite pony, song, episode, whatever, is wrong, for whatever reason. Or, when people start criticizing others simply for watching or enjoying a specific (we’ll assume unproblematic) show.

@Iforgotmybrain I haven't encountered much criticism of my favorite ponies, songs, episodes, etc. I've mainly just encountered the second part which is criticizing others simply for watching or enjoying an unproblematic show, and even if it's not direct, it's difficult not to pick up on some kind of judgment or assumption of people who watch a show.

9 hours ago, Iforgotmybrain said:

I don't know if I’d say it’s gaslighting, maybe more toxic. There’s such a vast difference between criticizing a show itself and criticizing a person for watching a show that it has to be intentional, to a degree. As for why people do it, I dunno for sure. Probably makes people feel better about themselves, they feel smarter or more important for not liking something that’s popular, for example.

Yeah, toxic is a better word. I can be too quick to throw the gaslight word out there.

You said they feel "smarter or more important," but it also seems like they feel "cooler." Words like "cringe" and "based" get thrown around and its ridiculous. 

[MidnightFire1222 2,170]

I think unless it's directed at someone specifically it's not really an attack. As others have stated before me, everyone is entitled to their opinion, and if someone is gonna make some reaction video or essay about why they don't like something, that's their prerogative. I find it pretty easy to just leave the page of something I might dislike. There's really no need to feel attacked because someone doesn't like something you like. We've got to have thicker skins.

[StoryStorm 137]

1 hour ago, MidnightFire1222 said:

I think unless it's directed at someone specifically it's not really an attack. As others have stated before me, everyone is entitled to their opinion, and if someone is gonna make some reaction video or essay about why they don't like something, that's their prerogative. I find it pretty easy to just leave the page of something I might dislike. There's really no need to feel attacked because someone doesn't like something you like. We've got to have thicker skins.

I get that. I said its better to have thicker skin in the post. It just sucks when people make assumptions about you based on what you like.

[Espy Vibe 4,437]

Yeah there's always been an irony of MLP's fandom starting with G4. A cartoon about friendship, but the people watching it being incredibly annoying, mean-spirited and inconsiderate with it to others. It's why it has such a bad rep, though I think lately newer bronies, or just younger fans in general who grew up with the show as part of their childhood, have quietly and unintentionally been cleansing everything fandom-related to MLP in recent years.

Headcanons usually seem to trigger the deadliest arguments for fandom in-fighting. Maybe it's generally got something to do with feeling hurt when someone challenges personal beliefs.

For anyone outside the fandom, I think it's a mixture of some things like projection or just wanting to get some reaction to point at and say (paraphrasing) "See they're crazy! Bronies are always the same weirdos as seen here!" It's best to not respond. There's also the trolls grabbing at low hanging fruit.

I saw somewhere else a few months ago where someone was showing their appreciation for MLP on a game and someone was being critical of them by saying something like "Its a cartoon bruh dont get attached". But I looked into their post history and they have a huge parasocial relationship with a streamer, everything from hivemind spamming memes from the streamer's community to getting a tattoo of the person on themselves and showed it off. Cool, but it's really hypocritical for them to say to not get attached to a cartoon when they're probably even more attached to this IRL streamer than the OP was to MLP.

The OP didn't respond to that guy which was really good and smart of them. Most of the other comments on that post were supporting the OP, which they responded to instead, thanking them.

Tbh, most people I've met online now don't really care enough to make a fuss about it. It's quite difficult to find harsh outsider critics or trolls unless you go looking for it (or at least for me it is).

To answer the actual question of this thread's title, no I don't feel personally attacked if someone's criticizing the show. It's like when in S2 where Discord was trying to tell Fluttershy that she was weak or whatever and she was like "yeah I know but it's fine, I don't mind" and he was somehow baffled that she wasn't manipulated by that statement. That's basically how my attitude is with stuff like this.

ALTHOUGH, I can play along a little bit depending on how someone wants to poke at me if they're intentionally trying to troll me. It just depends on the situation.

[abronymouse 5,816]

Trouble with being a fan, for me, is that at some point the objective elements of why the show fell away and I just kinda fell in love with it  

So it's hard for me to engage with criticisms. I just have to grin and bear it. As long as they don't push the issue, it's fine. But if they push me to defend, then at some level it becomes a defence of myself and not just of a show, which can make me cross.

Quote

I admit for my own good or anyone else's own good who feels the same way that it would be better to have thicker skin.

'tis the way of the internet   

[Starlight Serenade 3,500]

No.  I am aware that everyone has different opinions. I have some friends who hate some of the shows I love XD 

However, I can understand how a person can feel defensive if they are told that their favorite show is not good at all. 

[TheRockARooster 52,202]

On 2024-09-12 at 5:18 PM, Dreambiscuit said:

I don’t think of anything as an attack unless it’s specifically designed to be. If someone insults something I like it doesn’t matter because everyone’s entitled to their opinion. If someone says I’m stupid (or other insult) because I like a certain show, naturally that would be an intentional attack. In either case I don’t care because I don’t respect the opinions of people who are so small-minded as to attack someone else over something as silly as an opinion on art, in any form. Therefore I’m not hurt by it. The more time I spend online, the more I become disillusioned by the state of human intellect, so it’s good to have a thick skin in any aspect of life because a huge number of people out there seem to enjoy spreading negativity just for the sake of being mean. They’re simply pathetic and of no interest to me, nor are their opinions of any art form. If someone expressed opposing viewpoints as a means of having an interesting discussion, that’s all fine with me, and certainly not viewed as an attack. I only view things according to their intent; good, bad or indifferent.

You speaketh the truth, Dreamy. 

[EpicEnergy 23,224]

Nah it's not an attack unless they insult you for watching it.

[Dawnshine Wonder 345]

To your above question, not really, but as you described, it only becomes a problem if they discriminate against you for liking the show or imply you're lesser because you do, but that does happen from time to time, as it does within any fandom, doesn't matter what it is, Dragonball, Naruto, One Piece, Sonic the Hedgehog, Transformers, Star Trek, no one is immune from this, we've just got to deal with it the best we can, and not let the darkness overpower the light, I know how hurtful those assumptions can be, I've been made aware of a friend who has received negative comments about herself about her liking My Little Pony friendship is magic, she probably does not talk about this in public, not at work or anywhere else because of that. Non constructive criticism, like what you may find on Lily Orchard's Youtube channel, can be harsh and sometimes even repulsive in her comments about MLP, but she is not representative of the entire fandom. I've had moments where I thought to myself about her bad takes "Are you serious? that's it I'm so done with this fandom" but obviously I don't mean everyone else here, just people like her who stir the pot. Though if that hurts your feelings, I will apologize, I've been put into a bad mood lately because of the negativity that exists in the community.

 

The show doesn't only appeal to me, I wished I could be somepony in that fictional world where acceptance and unity is more valued than in our world with so many likable individuals who inhabit that fictional realm, which led to me writing a fan fiction in ChatGPT about this, and that's not for any perverse reason either. Like that one time where I fantasized about being reincarnated as a pegasi and wearing flower crowns with Fluttershy as a symbol of friendship and innocence, not romance. But no, we do get shamed for that sometimes too apparently, showing vulnerability or the capacity to be sensitive, there's something not quite right with our world honestly. Then again in the past, before I joined this forum, I've said hurtful things to other people before, and I do regret them wholeheartedly, we cannot turn back time, only move forward and learn to be more kind to others.

 

Edited January 14 by Dawnshine Wonder

[Clawdeen 15,487]

It all depends on the context and their intent. I don’t care that much if people don’t like things I do and vice versa. The only time I have an issue is when people get offensive about it. But that’s what they’re trying to do. Using racial and other types of harmful slurs and insults against you or, in regards to characters and actors in the show you like. People who say those sort of things are typically looking for a rise out of somebody, if not you. For the most part I try not to engage but sometimes someone will say something or make a post out there so disgusting that I can’t help but feed the troll and call them out.

TLDR: I don’t care as long as they aren’t insulting me for liking whatever it is or aren’t being racist and offensive about it. 

[Pentium100 2,186]

Just like I like and dislike a lot of media, so do other people and I do not consider someone criticizing my favorite show as a personal insult unless the other person makes it a personal insult ("you are an idiot for liking xyz"). Just like I do not like some media, be it a TV show or a song, that someone else likes, someone else is entitled to disliking something that I like. 

At the same time, I can understand that a grown man liking a show for little kids (be it MLP or some anime) may seem weird to other people, so I do not go around advertising it to everyone, because I just do not see a reason to. If someone asks I may tell them, but not just be in their face. Just like I dislike it when someone is in my face with some media that I may not particularly like.

[Dawnshine Wonder 345]

6 minutes ago, Clawdeen said:

It all depends on the context and their intent. I don’t care that much if people don’t like things I do and vice versa. The only time I have an issue is when people get offensive about it. But that’s what they’re trying to do. Using racial and other types of harmful slurs and insults against you or, in regards to characters and actors in the show you like. People who say those sort of things are typically looking for a rise out of somebody, if not you. For the most part I try not to engage but sometimes someone will say something or make a post out there so disgusting that I can’t help but feed the troll and call them out.

TLDR: I don’t care as long as they aren’t insulting me for liking whatever it is or aren’t being racist and offensive about it. 

Of course it's crossing the line to be racist, I've got questions though, can't we agree that Discord was still reckless in later episodes? while some characters unjustly receive criticism, it's justifiable for characters like Discord because of his poorly made redemption arc after season 4. I like Twilight's Kingdom, and I do admit the fight scene was epic, but it does have problems, we were led to believe Discord would stop being so arrogant and be a better friend to Mane Six, which if I recall correctly he later conspired with Queen Chrysalis, what friend do you know, who would do this? As an MLP fan myself even I can admit the show has problems, and I am not talking about the Dragonball style battle between Tirek and Twilight which only happened once which while popular, some fans called boring, which is a subjective opinion, I am talking about the other parts of the show and how horrible some of the characters are written.

[Clawdeen 15,487]

24 minutes ago, Dawnshine Wonder said:

Of course it's crossing the line to be racist, I've got questions though, can't we agree that Discord was still reckless in later episodes? while some characters unjustly receive criticism, it's justifiable for characters like Discord because of his poorly made redemption arc after season 4. I like Twilight's Kingdom, and I do admit the fight scene was epic, but it does have problems, we were led to believe Discord would stop being so arrogant and be a better friend to Mane Six, which if I recall correctly he later conspired with Queen Chrysalis, what friend do you know, who would do this? As an MLP fan myself even I can admit the show has problems, and I am not talking about the Dragonball style battle between Tirek and Twilight which only happened once which while popular, some fans called boring, which is a subjective opinion, I am talking about the other parts of the show and how horrible some of the characters are written.

My response to the OPs question was in general to any show. Not just directly at mlp. And I’ll gladly answer any questions related to what I posted but I didn’t mention any of what you’re talking about in my post. I also have no opinions on what you’ve mentioned either. Maybe someone else will though.

[Dawnshine Wonder 345]

9 hours ago, Pentium100 said:

Just like I like and dislike a lot of media, so do other people and I do not consider someone criticizing my favorite show as a personal insult unless the other person makes it a personal insult ("you are an idiot for liking xyz"). Just like I do not like some media, be it a TV show or a song, that someone else likes, someone else is entitled to disliking something that I like. 

At the same time, I can understand that a grown man liking a show for little kids (be it MLP or some anime) may seem weird to other people, so I do not go around advertising it to everyone, because I just do not see a reason to. If someone asks I may tell them, but not just be in their face. Just like I dislike it when someone is in my face with some media that I may not particularly like.

The problem comes in when people become condescending about what is or isn't the right way to enjoy the show, or even enjoying the show itself. Despite the shows flaws, I think on the whole, Hasbro did work hard to make sure fans got what they wanted, now that the FIM series has ended. Sometimes I think critics do go too far, like when they claim Stare Master was too dark, despite no one actually dying in the episode, and there are moments in the show that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Bad criticism, or failed logic, doesn't get called out enough. Mr Enter on Youtube for instance if I recall made the claim Twilight being turned to stone meant death then made some absurd comparison to a video game. At what point, do we tolerate opinions before they deserve a response of their own? at any rate, death is not unheard of in MLP verse, in the MLP G4 comics, Queen Chrysalis killed a kitten in front of Cutie Mark Crusaders, which in my opinion is as dark as the franchise has ever gotten.

[Pentium100 2,186]

5 hours ago, Dawnshine Wonder said:

At what point, do we tolerate opinions before they deserve a response of their own?

The difference IMO is that you can discuss the show with someone who does not like it, but you have to now that most likely you won't change his mind, just like he won't change yours. Also, people usually are not interested in doing research about things they do not like, so if his opinion is based on wrong information, he likely will not watch some episodes to find out - after all he does not like the show, so why should he bother watching it?

At the same time, just because someone says that MLP of some other of your favorite shows is stupid, it should not be taken as a personal attack. 

5 hours ago, Dawnshine Wonder said:

Despite the shows flaws, I think on the whole, Hasbro did work hard to make sure fans got what they wanted, now that the FIM series has ended.

Sure, but people who are not fans of the show, would still dislike it. Either they think that a show about cute cartoon ponies is only for little kids (and for parents to endure watching it with their kids), they think that the show itself is just bad or boring or some other reason. 

For example - I watched Stargate Universe and despite being a Stargate fan, I did not really like it (but watched it because it's still Stargate). I am sure the show had a lot of fans who were sad that it was canceled, but I did not really care. Fans of the show can try to prove to me that the show was good, but it won'w work, because I have a different opinion, based on my different taste. 

5 hours ago, Dawnshine Wonder said:

Sometimes I think critics do go too far, like when they claim Stare Master was too dark, despite no one actually dying in the episode, and there are moments in the show that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.

And for some other people the episode was too dark, because they think that some other elements were too dark, despite nobody dying (those people would probably consider someone dying to be especially dark and unsuitable for kids). Different people have different tastes and tastes change over time. For example - watch the 1926 move "The General" - it's a great comedy, recognized by various people. However, when it came out, it flopped (ruining the career of Buster Keaton), because at the time, "people dying" was considered too dark and completely unfunny. But now, it's an awesome and funny movie.

[Dawnshine Wonder 345]

2 hours ago, Pentium100 said:

The difference IMO is that you can discuss the show with someone who does not like it, but you have to now that most likely you won't change his mind, just like he won't change yours. Also, people usually are not interested in doing research about things they do not like, so if his opinion is based on wrong information, he likely will not watch some episodes to find out - after all he does not like the show, so why should he bother watching it?

At the same time, just because someone says that MLP of some other of your favorite shows is stupid, it should not be taken as a personal attack. 

Sure, but people who are not fans of the show, would still dislike it. Either they think that a show about cute cartoon ponies is only for little kids (and for parents to endure watching it with their kids), they think that the show itself is just bad or boring or some other reason. 

For example - I watched Stargate Universe and despite being a Stargate fan, I did not really like it (but watched it because it's still Stargate). I am sure the show had a lot of fans who were sad that it was canceled, but I did not really care. Fans of the show can try to prove to me that the show was good, but it won'w work, because I have a different opinion, based on my different taste. 

And for some other people the episode was too dark, because they think that some other elements were too dark, despite nobody dying (those people would probably consider someone dying to be especially dark and unsuitable for kids). Different people have different tastes and tastes change over time. For example - watch the 1926 move "The General" - it's a great comedy, recognized by various people. However, when it came out, it flopped (ruining the career of Buster Keaton), because at the time, "people dying" was considered too dark and completely unfunny. But now, it's an awesome and funny movie.

We cannot please everyone. In an ideal situation we would've gotten many more official interpretations of this series, so that larger numbers of fans would've gotten the outcome they wanted in each MLP episode, but this is too much work, even for Hasbro and their respective studio workers, nobody has the time for this. I don't want this show to be excessively dark either, otherwise it ruins the whimsical element of the story, it isn't necessary to have gritty, Dragonball-esque themes like death and soul erasure to make MLP FIM good, its popularity even after it was canceled showed it's not going to fade into obscurity anytime soon. At least MLP fandom is not like the Dragonball fanbase, where all of the sudden massive numbers of people started hating DB, It used to be a big hit in the 90's and early 2000's, but then when Dragonball Super came out, the franchise lost its original attraction in favour of other media, but they won't find perfection anywhere else, when they become bored of the next franchise they invested in, what then? is it a matter of the franchise being bad or human minds being inherently flawed? in any case, it shows darker =/= better, if it's fun, who cares?

I think Do Princesses Dream of Magic Sheep was darker than Stare Master, because contrary to Twilight Sparkle's petrification which was not only reversible, she wasn't in any pain, in the other episode, Princess Luna was self harming, poor Luna had to go all that pain in silent as a result of bottling up her own deep emotional issues up until that episode, while nopony else noticed. And some fans still think what she was doing was being reckless by creating Tantabus as a means of self punishment as if to say she does not deserve sympathy, wilfully ignoring the nuances of self harm, that it can happen in cases of past regrets, and is more common than some people might assume, and self harm nearly always ends up harming someone else who cares about them, even if not physically, it still does emotionally. Some fans don't even have a good understanding of the fiction they watch or like, either, it's especially evident in cases like this one, a show about friendship of all things and fans perpetuated harmful myths about mental health. When people reduce Princess Luna's mental health issues to some emo stereotype, I think that's going to be quite controversial among fans who can relate to that character's struggles, particularly individuals who also experience depression. I don't care if people consider the Nightmarity arc in the comics "better", I never read the comics, I only know of G4 comics by looking up wikis, the point is sometimes the generalizations people make, can do harm.