What is Celestia's rationale for releasing Discord?

[Magic Man 222]

In the upcoming 'keep calm and flutter on', as we all know, it is Princess Celestia who comes up with and instigates the plan to release and reform Discord, and with all the discussion about the episode, one issue that needs to have its own forum topic is Celestia's rationale for releasing Discord in the first place. Basically, what's up, Princess?

 

I have this theory to submit, after reading it on Equestria Daily; perhaps the reasoning for Celestia wanting to reform Discord is not out of personal conviction, but for similar reasons as to why Gandalf took part in the journey in The Hobbit. Celestia (Gandalf) wants to take this extremely powerful being, Discord (Smaug) out of the equation because whilst right now it is peace time, if a future enemy were to appear, they could not re-awake Discord and use him as an ally against Equestria. Sure, it may not be for that EXACT reason word for one, but it could be in a very similar vein.

 

If explained and executed well enough, this could work in the episode. Or maybe I'm wrong, maybe it could be personal conviction for all I know. What do you think?

Edited January 13, 2013 by Magic Man

[Harmonic Revelations 8,835]

I think it has to do with the fact that they can't permenantely seal away Discord, and as to prevent catastrophe, they need to convert him so they don't have to worry about him destroying Equestria when he is rereleased. As it is very easy to release Discord, as shown in the episodes he was featured in.

[100 beasts kaidou 321]

I think she has a crush on him but wont admit it, I am not kidding. And she wants him to become more good so that the ponys love him and her realtion ship with him be accepted. Only for him to say he isnt intrestedthink

[Betez 1,734]

Is that really the plot? Celestia purposely releases Discord? I find that a little hard to believe, mainly because she, Luna, and the mane 6 worked so hard to imprison and then re-imprison him. I'd assume he somehow escapes. If he can never be permanently imprisoned, that seems like a logical explanation.

[Concord 1,982]

I think she has a crush on him but wont admit it, I am not kidding. And she wants him to become more good so that the ponys love him and her realtion ship with him be accepted. Only for him to say he isnt intrestedthink

You've got to be kiddng me...

 

 

Anyways, i like the idea with the hobbit, but i don't like the idea of the show itself of trying to reform him... It would end up ruining discord... This episode is what really worries me, could this be hasbro's biggest mistake?

Edited January 13, 2013 by Concord

[NavelColt 22,880]

I think it has to do with the fact that they can't permenantely seal away Discord, and as to prevent catastrophe, they need to convert him so they don't have to worry about him destroying Equestria when he is rereleased. As it is very easy to release Discord, as shown in the episodes he was featured in.

Yes and no. Yes, I agree I think Celestia wants to at least make him neutral so that he isn't going to be a looming threat, seeing as how he's immortal and will eventually break out again. I don't however agree with the second point. He's not 'easy' to release. The only reason the CMC's little fight tipped him over the edge needed to be released, was because his prison had been weakened significantly ever since the start of the show, when the Mane Six became the new possessors of the elements, and no longer Celestia and Luna. His prison was old and weak as it was.

 

The prison he's currently in was made by the Mane Six, so I don't think he'd break out naturally unless they died, their friendships shriveled out or someone else became the new element bearers. Discord needs to be re-sealed by each new bearer group, because when the elements switch owners, his prison from the previous generation of owners becomes weak.

[Harmonic Revelations 8,835]

Yes and no. Yes, I agree I think Celestia wants to at least make him neutral so that he isn't going to be a looming threat, seeing as how he's immortal and will eventually break out again. I don't however agree with the second point. He's not 'easy' to release. The only reason the CMC's little fight tipped him over the edge needed to be released, was because his prison had been weakened significantly ever since the start of the show, when the Mane Six became the new possessors of the elements, and no longer Celestia and Luna. His prison was old and weak as it was.

 

The prison he's currently in was made by the Mane Six, so I don't think he'd break out naturally unless they died, their friendships shriveled out or someone else became the new element bearers. Discord needs to be re-sealed by each new bearer group, because when the elements switch owners, his prison from the previous generation of owners becomes weak.

Who is to say that the Mane six's prison is stronger? They didn't even use the help of the princesses to seal him away, so if anything it would actually be weaker.

[NavelColt 22,880]

Who is to say that the Mane six's prison is stronger? They didn't even use the help of the princesses to seal him away, so if anything it would actually be weaker.

The plot device of 'They're magically inferior to the Princesses' was something I once thought of too, but seeing as there's zero canonical proof to back this up, it's not really a valid argument. The elements seem to work on a 'they work, or they don't' basis, there doesn't seem to be levels of which they function.

Edited January 13, 2013 by ~Chaotic Discord~

[CrystalRose 636]

Personally, I think the change of heart "oh noes I feel bad" theory is a bit... stupid.

 

I think some of the above posters are right on the money (or bits); and that it's more an issue of getting a threat turned to neutral, or possibly something that only he can do that Celestia needs him for. (Possibly Twilight's next level of training?)

[Stary Dreams 87]

I think that changing Discord into a goody goody little ally will just ruin people's love for him. As for Celestia, well the Dislestia(or whatever you call it) shipping with them being in love because of something that happened in their past is starting to make loads of sense. But seriously, if Hasbro decides to make Discord good, I'm gonna slap someone Discord is best the way he was first presented in the first place.

 

Nuff said.

[kain17 88]

The plot device of 'They're magically inferior to the Princesses' was something I once thought of too, but seeing as there's zero canonical proof to back this up, it's not really a valid argument. The elements seem to work on a 'they work, or they don't' basis, there doesn't seem to be levels of which they function.

 i have to agree with this. the elements just seem to do there own thing and it really doesn't look like the power of the pony really plays that big of fracture in it. even if it did last time when Celestia and Luna sealed him away it was a thousand years ago. they were probably weaker back then and the fact that 1 thousand years have passed so the seal was really old.

[NeverAgain653289he32 285]

I think it has to do with the training of Twilight because it seems season 3 is all about training her, maybe reforming him would teach her something; but what?

[immblueversion 331]

If this is part of the next phase of Twilight's studies, I'm almost certain the Mane Six's adventures in the Crystal Empire have something to do with it. Princess Celestia did say that hope and love would be reflected across all of Equestria if the Mane Six succeeded in making the Crystal Ponies happy. Assuming they still are, they could possibly affect Discord's behavior and thereby make it possible to subdue his chaotic impulses. Or maybe he just knows some important things the Princesses don't, and Celestia wants him to teach Twilight in her stead. Maybe even both!

Edited January 13, 2013 by immblueversion

[PrinceGlaciem/LordNemesis 13]

I think it has to do with the training of Twilight because it seems season 3 is all about training her, maybe reforming him would teach her something; but what?

If I may inquire on that, I must agree with that...S3 is about training Twilight and maybe this is trying to teach her about mercy by chance?

[NeverAgain653289he32 285]

If I may inquire on that, I must agree with that...S3 is about training Twilight and maybe this is trying to teach her about mercy by chance?

Maybe. but with many other backing this popular claim she might end up getting turned into an Allicorn and ruling with them in Canterlot.

[PrinceGlaciem/LordNemesis 13]

Maybe. but with many other backing this popular claim she might end up getting turned into an Allicorn and ruling with them in Canterlot.

I have often since the beginning of "Crystal Empire" have thought that something was about to happen to Twilight... to be turned into an Alicorn...

[Magic Man 222]

I have often since the beginning of "Crystal Empire" have thought that something was about to happen to Twilight... to be turned into an Alicorn...

 

 

Maybe. but with many other backing this popular claim she might end up getting turned into an Allicorn and ruling with them in Canterlot.

 

Let's try and keep this about Celestia's rationale for releasing Discord and not about that talked to death Alicorn topic. That has plenty of topics on this forum in which that is still being discussed.

[Victor van Dort 202]

Maybe Celestia will eventually resign and Discord will take her place. I don't think Luna can raise the sun while Discord can raise both.

[Veylon 255]

I'm having a very hard time imagining Celestia releasing Discord without it being blindingly stupid.

 

Of course, the synopsis doesn't say she'll release him, so it may not be the case after all. It's entirely possible they'll communicate via some sort of dream sequence or something to try and reform him from within.

[Fanglore 140]

you know i was thinking about how discord and celestia talked at the beginning of the episode. it made me think that they knew each other from before hand and im not just saying when they sealed him away. what im thinking is they might of been friends. this is up until discord went bad and took over equestria.

 

so what i think her reasoning is... she wants her old friend back and she is putting her money on twilight and the gang being able to do it 

[Twinhead B 482]

Plot.

 

XD

 

But seriously, it's probably got to do with the finale and Twilight's "epic journey". After all, they've been building towards something with Twilight all season. Her mission in The Crystal Empire, the spells she has to practice in Wonderbolt Academy, the books she has to read in Spike At Your Service. It's all leading to something. I wouldn't be surprised if Discord plays a big part in the finale.

[pinkieshyrose 58]

discord was her boyfreind I think or somthing it just makes sense and did you miss me Celestia I missed you maybe idk maybe

[Zygen 6,066]

Idk, I think Celestia hopes she can convince discord to not try to plunge Equestria into chaos, but I'm not even sure if they're going to succeed.

If they do I highly doubt Discord would be turned into a "good" character. Like ChaoticDiscord said I think at best they'll make him neutral.

 

I'm putting my trust on the writers since they've done good so far, and I know they know how important Discord is to alot of people, so I'm trusting they won't do anything to ruin him.

[Dreadmallon 353]

I simply believe Celestia wants to maintain a balance. You have order (Celestia) being the ruling body over the land, and that's good and all, but to me it doesn't feel right to have the other half completely sealed off.

[Shadow Chaser 633]

Maybe she feels guilty.  She did banish her sister to the moon for 1,000 years.  Maybe since Luna's been back they've been talking about what it was like for her on the moon and now Celestia understands that being trapped in stone could be an even worse punishment.  So maybe she's just having second thoughts about keeping him imprisoned for however long it takes for him to break free again.