I believe Rainbow Dash is getting too much screentime.

[Akemi Homura 7,681]

The best hypothesis I can formulate at the time being is that they may be trying to emulate AJ's down-to-earth and modest personality, so her lack of screentime could be a reflection of her personality. Hear me out on this one. She's humble, reserved, and doesn't crave for attention. That sets her apart from somepony as exuberant and acknowledgement-seeking as Rainbow Dash. Whereas AJ isn't afraid to speak her mind, she does so in a timely manner - in contrast to Rainbow who barks out her opinion on anything any chance she gets. By nature, most of us either love or hate those kinds of folk, and as long as you give into that sort of hype, it'll keep growing and more and more people will begin to take notice of it.

 

Similar situation with Fluttershy. She wasn't revealed to be much of a main character in season two (excluding Putting Your Hoof Down and Hurricane Fluttershy) but ironically enough, she gets attention despite her not wanting it. Reverse psychology.

 

So in essence, the humble and modest won't get so much attention as the lively (Rainbow, Pinkie) or... adorable (Fluttershy). Don't take that too harshly. It's just that not many are into that sort of character, but AJ does have a dedicated fanbase which is what really counts.

Edited January 20, 2013 by Alfonzo Dennard

[Modphase 1,271]

  On 2013-01-20 at 3:07 AM, ~Chaotic Clarity~ said:

Speculation about Discord = ~CD~'s own thoughts on the matter.

 

Forgive me, I didn't know about that thread made by Chaotic Discord, but in a sense, what I meant was that the thread which I described was reasonable because OP had a more neutral standing opinion on the matter.

 

 

 

  On 2013-01-20 at 3:07 AM, ~Chaotic Clarity~ said:

I want to discuss this with others. That's why I made a topic, because I want to hear other people's opinions and convince them to convince me. They can agree, or they can contradict. Making a topic about this is perfectly fine in my opinion. I believe ~CD~ would have locked this (he posted in the first page) if it wasn't suited as a topic and rather as a blog entry. 

 

However, there has already been one, if not more, threads on the matter of Rainbow Dash getting too much screen time, so the discussion has already been discussed.

 

  On 2013-01-20 at 2:57 AM, Firebolt said:

AJ is my fourth favourite pony of the mane 6, so I don't think I'm that biased. That being said, I think she has too little screen time, and I am not very biased saying that. I /am/ biased saying RD gets too much screen time, but that is also legit because multiple people can back me up on that.

 

I partly agree with your first statement. However, as concerning your second statement, I cannot. Let me make an analogy. You are biased against not jumping off of a bridge because you are a suicidal person. But multiple people can back you up, so jumping off of a bridge must be right. How does that make any sense?

[Akemi Homura 7,681]

  On 2013-01-20 at 3:03 AM, Batbrony said:

As for RD, no, I really don't think she's gotten too much screen time this season at all.  I mean, yeah, I get that she's always been, due to her popularity, and very outgoing and loud-mouthed personality as well, one of the most prominent characters of the Mane 6 with some of the most screen time, but still, this is about as much screen time as I envisioned her fairly getting this season.  I mean, think about it this way Clarity, could Studio B really do a complete 180 and just completely ignore RD's character this season?  There is no handbook or guide that determines how much screen time a character in any movie or show should "fairly" receive, so Studio B could never have systematically determined "OK, Rainbow Dash should get ----- amount of screen time this season, because she got this much screen time the last two seasons".  Besides, when AJ's getting as much screen time as she has this season (something that I'm quite happy about myself, as you should know by now), why even bother complaining about this?

 

Yeah, I agree with all of this. In the long run, it doesn't seem like it'll work out in anyone's favour if they try to force the issue with giving different ponies different amounts of screentime on a season-by-season basis, because that's exactly what it is. Forcing the issue. On the other hand, jotting down the ideas and letting ideas run its course is far more healthy to not only the series' continuity, but the overall story.

[MelancholicMemory 2,027]

  On 2013-01-20 at 2:59 AM, ~Chaotic Clarity~ said:

I'm not going to say that Twilight's the main protagonist, but...Twilight's the main protagonist.

 

All jokes aside, Twilight does, in fact, get attention, but usually only in her own episodes (exception is Season 1). Not like Rainbow Dash stealing episodes like the Last Roundup and having half of the mane six's dialogue in the newest episode.

 

 

Good stories should be shared between all of the characters.

 

 

And what makes you think that? Do you think the reason I made this topic is because I want to get back at people who complained about Applejack screentime? That would petty and stupid of me. I made this topic because I actually believe she got too much screentime. 

Rainbow stole The Last Roundup? Honestly, after AJ and Derpy, Pinkie Pie stood out most to me. I didn't watch the newest episode yet, so I can't say anything about that.

 

I don't think stories should be written with a quota that every character must speak the same number of lines. I think personality is a legitimate justification for any imbalance in screen time (at least to a degree), although I also think a bit more could be done to improve the amount of dialogue to some extent. 

 

Nah, I wasn't implying anything like that. I'm sorry if that' s what you thought I meant. I would never mean to suggest such bad things about anyone. 

[Fluttershy_babe 53]

I DO agree that Applejack hardly ever gets Screentime, BUT Rainbow didn't really get attention in Season 1. Alot of season one had episodes all about Rarity and Twilight. :|

But lets face it....Their aren't much Applejack fans. (Sorry AJ fans!) Saying this I don't mean that Applejack sucks or anything, but the reason why isn't popular is because she barely ever gets episodes about her. So I do agree, but don't agree about RD getting to much screentime. Alot of the ponies are usually equal. They have episodes on different ponies one after one. (Like, for example, there wouldn't be 3 eps in a row focused on Rainbow Dash)

)

[Leafeon 2,702]

  On 2013-01-20 at 3:19 AM, Modphase said:

I partly agree with your first statement. However, as concerning your second statement, I cannot. Let me make an analogy. You are biased against not jumping off of a bridge because you are a suicidal person. But multiple people can back you up, so jumping off of a bridge must be right. How does that make any sense?

Reading that over I realize I did not word it too well

 

What I meant was there was enough evidence for my case to make it legitimate. While Rainbow does not always have the most episodes, she almost always has a large role. I think this is because out of the 4 (Or 3?) episodes she got in season 2 were some of the worst, and back to back (May The Best Pet Win, and The Mysterious Mare Do Well). Again, that's my thoughts. So I may be wrong. But I can't recall many episodes where she seemed downplayed. Not in season 1 that is, I haven't watched that in forever.

 

And I also meant a lot of people would agree with me, I think.

Edited January 20, 2013 by Firebolt

[Dark Qiviut 22,491]

Great attempt, but objectively, your topic is just as flawed as the one you're countering and attacking.

 

Throughout season three, almost the entire cast has actually had what can be considered much more equal screentime. Unlike the second half of season two, when the groups were clumped in bunches, the screentime has been more proportional and spread out with them being around just like the others. Basically, when one character is there, there's a good chance that the other members of the Mane Six will be there, too, how much time remaining to be seen. The lone exceptions where not everyone was there were Sleepless in Ponyville (Pinkie, Fluttershy, and Twilight absent) and Apple Family Reunion (Twilight and Fluttershy absent, the other members of the Mane Six having very miniscule roles). The lone pony who hasn't garnered much publicity is Rarity, for she hasn't had a main or lead secondary role thus far. Fluttershy was also pushed into a secondary role throughout most of the season, but Keep Calm and Flutter On positioned her into a lead role and gave her some needed screentime.

 

Rainbow Dash is no exception. Like Twilight, Pinkie, and Applejack, she has gotten quite a bit of screentime herself. If anything, this season has given her almost an equal amount of optical screentime as Applejack herself. But unlike most of last season, whenever she's in the episode, her lines and actions feel like her. I love Rainbow Dash, and the lack of great characterization in the first half of season two was grating. More great characterization of her, the better.

 

And quite a few people has explained quite well why Applejack doesn't receive a main or important secondary role in stories throughout the forum. Compared to Applejack, Rainbow Dash is still a pony with a hell of a lot to learn and can still really royally screw up any way she gets. Applejack is the most mature and adult of all the ponies, but Rainbow Dash is brash and can easily put her hoof here her muzzle is verbally, something that doesn't fit Applejack at all. This show's central goal is to have these characters get into roles or problems and then have them solve them firsthand or secondhand in order to teach friendship and life lessons. Rainbow Dash is a character who has the wiggle room to do just that. Applejack's character is much more complete, so inserting her into these kinds of roles becomes more difficult (and even more difficult to pull them off convincingly). But because Dash is so loud, it gives that perception that she has "too much" screentime this season, when it isn't truly the case.

[Modphase 1,271]

  On 2013-01-20 at 3:29 AM, Firebolt said:

Reading that over I realize I did not word it too well

 

What I meant was there was enough evidence for my case to make it legitimate. While Rainbow does not always have the most episodes, she almost always has a large role. I think this is because out of the 4 (Or 3?) episodes she got in season 2 were some of the worst, and back to back (May The Best Pet Win, and The Mysterious Mare Do Well). Again, that's my thoughts. So I may be wrong. But I can't recall many episodes where she seemed downplayed. Not in season 1 that is, I haven't watched that in forever.

 

And I also meant a lot of people would agree with me, I think.

Thank you for reiterating   As now, I can understand what you mean, and thus, I can agree with your statements. It is all good now.

[Akemi Homura 7,681]

  On 2013-01-20 at 3:33 AM, Dark Qiviut said:

But because Dash is so loud, it gives that perception that she has "too much" screentime this season, when it isn't truly the case.

 

And that's basically all you truly need to know! It doesn't get much simpler than this. Loud folks are much more noticeable (obviously enough) compared to the reserved ones and the audience as a result doesn't focus as much on the latter.

[Shiki 5,856]

It may be true. However, what are you going to do about it? Okay, whoopee, you're pretty much right, but so what? The writers will do what they want. If you don't like it, then you don't like it, and that's about it. 

 

Although, I think it's actually rather fitting. She's overly obnoxious and arrogant and such, so of course she would just say more and have a harder drive to be "in the spotlight" above the other ponies, because she's just like that. While I dislike her character and agree she gets a bit too much screen time, I also believe it's pretty pointless to acknowledge it, because nothing is going to happen, otherwise. 

[Megas 27,834]

Oh boy, another "X has too much screen time!" thread. Personally I don't think anypony is gets too much screen(albeit, I'll go ahead say that I think Pinkie Pie has some forced and unnessesary moments, like the One Bad Apple parade). And honestly the only reason I can think they'd give more attention to Rainbow Dash is because a lot of people were upset with how she was handled in season 2(though personally I think fans overract and bitch way too much, seriously it wasn't bad at all, barring Mare Do Well). And if I recall, Rainbow Dash had the least screentime in Season 1, despite what you believe(and even without the chart, it still felt like she had the least development with her like, 2 episodes, 3 if you count Griffon the Brush Off's ending), and even with season 2 included, she's only 4th place compared the to the rest. Sure Applejack could use more screentime, but it's not necessary now, there's another pony that deserve ponies more screentime this season, and she is Rarity. But there is no way, or at least the way I see it, that Rainbow Dash(or Applejack for the most part) have too much screentime

  On 2013-01-20 at 2:59 AM, ~Chaotic Clarity~ said:

 Not like Rainbow Dash stealing episodes like the Last Roundup 

 

Now you're just trying too hard

Edited January 20, 2013 by Megas75

[Modphase 1,271]

  On 2013-01-20 at 3:38 AM, Kirino said:

It may be true. However, what are you going to do about it? Okay, whoopee, you're pretty much right, but so what? The writers will do what they want. If you don't like it, then you don't like it, and that's about it. 

 

Although, I think it's actually rather fitting. She's overly obnoxious and arrogant and such, so of course she would just say more and have a harder drive to be "in the spotlight" above the other ponies, because she's just like that. While I dislike her character and agree she gets a bit too much screen time, I also believe it's pretty pointless to acknowledge it, because nothing is going to happen, otherwise. 

And you say I should stop being logical on the internet and here you are being logical? I can sense an internet double agent in the midst.

[Sketchi Inktip Quillwing 97]

She is getting a bit more than most. So far we haven't had too much Pinkie Pie (Only "Too Many Pinkies") or Fluttershy (Only "Keep Calm and Flutter On"), we also haven't got very much Rarity or Twilight at ALL. I honestly agree with you as she has gotten VERY many episodes lately; i.e: she had a bit of screentime in "The Crystal Empire" , a good bit of screentime in both "Too Many Pinkie Pies" and "Sleepless in Ponyville", AND her own episode; "Wonderbolt Academy."

 

Not only that, but her new and growing ego is wearing on my nerves more than before ...

[Galex Dj 173]

I love Rainbow Dash, so her many appearances in this season is not bothering me at all.

 

But I do agree that Rainbow Dash is getting quite a lot of air time this season compared to the other ponies and the other seasons as well. Maybe the creators really want to show case her this season because of all the love she has been getting lately. And maybe next season one of the ponies will take their turn in the spotlight. I mean Twilight go most of Season 1 to her self, so maybe now it's Rainbow Dash's time to shine.

 

But you never know, something big may happen to Rainbow Dash soon, so the creators are leading up to it in a big way. You never know.

Edited January 20, 2013 by Galex Dj

[Clarity 3,094]

:L Some people seem to be way too offended over this.

 

All I'm asking is for people to either convince or agree. I say "I'm interested to hear your thoughts about this" for a reason. 

 

My post is something called an opinion. You can disagree. But some of you are overreacting, rather, instead of rationally stating the reasons why you don't think that Rainbow Dash is getting too much screentime. 

 

Also. Regarding the point that my topic is very "pointless" and "unnecessary"--I do not believe it is so because I am asking for your opinions. Blog entries are for my rants and opinions and for others to comment on them. This one is different because I look more toward what other people think than what they think of mine.

 

If my topic angers you so much, report it. I really don't care. 

Edited January 20, 2013 by ~Chaotic Clarity~

[blackstar9999 3]

cool i'm glad she's getting more screen time she deserves it because she is fast after all but i wish we would get more princess luna episodes

[Zygen 6,066]

Well I never really had any problem with AJ getting the screentime she did really, so I can't say that I was included in the group saying that.

 

To be honest I'm not really bothered by Rainbow Dash's screentime that much either. Whether it is to much is kinda hard for me to decide.

 

Rainbow Dash has been getting a pretty decent amount of screentime this season,  but I personally don't have any problem with it(And Shes not my favorite pony or anything, I mean I'd overall rather some more Fluttershy.. but ya know.. .)

 

I think it made sense in this episode for Rainbow Dash to be the one talking to Fluttershy alot because of their relationship with each other being a little stronger then the others, they're like childhood friends so I think it made sense for her to have the dialogue she did in the newest episode.

 

I really don't know whether I would say shes been getting to much overall or not though. It all has to depend on where you draw the line I guess, all I know as it hasn't been something that's been like"Hey you know what? Rainbow Dash is getting alot of screentime." And then that affected me in any way really.

 

I'm not really sure, all i can say is that if she has been then it hasn't come to the point where it bothers me yet. Neither has AJ, but she will take more screentime overall I think because of her lack of attention throughout the other seasons.

 

It takes drastic things for me to really get annoyed with anything in the show honestly, most of the time I just enjoy the show and I don't really spend a whole lot of time deeply analyzing stuff in the episode, maybe I'm just to easily pleased.

 

Anyways I've rambled on long enough. Basically I don't really find that AJ or Rainbow Dash have had to much screentime, I just don't feel bothered at all by the attention either has been getting. But it all really depends on where you personally draw the line I guess.

[Lightning Fluttershy 1,844]

  On 2013-01-20 at 5:39 AM, blackstar9999 said:

cool i'm glad she's getting more screen time she deserves it because she is fast after all but i wish we would get more princess luna episodes

Erm...... if you're joking or being sarcastic, than lol.

 

If you legit think that she deserves more screen time than other mane characters even during their episode than I also say lol but in more of a condescending tone. You proved to me exactly what I said in my first post on this thread. Popularity shouldn't affect screen time, especially not to the absurd extent that Rainbow Dash is receiving. Also, because she's fast? That's a terrible excuse. Physical ability shouldn't be a factor at all to how much time a character gets on a show.

Edited January 20, 2013 by Lightning Fluttershy

[Motion Spark 7,807]

I have to disagree with this thread. Even though what you say is true Clarity, Rainbow Dash had a lot of time in many of the episodes, which I believe she had at least some kind of apparition in all of the episodes (like Applejack). But what's the point of that if none of these moments are memorable? 

 

Don't get me wrong, she had the spotlight in "Wonderbolts Academy" and "Sleepless in Ponyville" with Scootacool, and actually "Wonderbolts Academy" was the first episode ever when I could say, wow, I like Rainbow Dash in this. Her moments in other episodes in which she's not featured are weak compared to characters like Applejack in this season.

 

There is no doubt that Applejack owned this season, geez! even more than Twilight!, even though she wasn't featured all the time, her screen time (which was a lot) was memorable, Rarity was very weak this season, but in my opinion she had more memorable moments (funny moments), someting I could not say about Rainbow Dash. To be short, her screentime had quantity but not quality.

[Clarity 3,094]

  On 2013-01-20 at 8:40 AM, Motion Spark said:

There is no doubt that Applejack owned this season, geez! even more than Twilight!, even though she wasn't featured all the time, her screen time (which was a lot) was memorable, Rarity was very weak this season, but in my opinion she had more memorable moments (funny moments), someting I could not say about Rainbow Dash. To be short, her screentime had quantity but not quality.

Well, I'm sure many people find Scootalove one of the most important points of the show and very memorable after all. I know she's your least favorite so you won't remember her moments much. She's not high on my list, yet I can perfectly recall every single moment that happened in Wonderbolts Academy.

 

She has quantity, yes. That's what this thread is about. Not the quality. I never said anything about the quality. 

[Dev 251]

I wish, instead of arguing about who gets the most screentime in the series, we watch the show, because really, it's not noticeable and all the characters have their fun in the sun. Are you people telling me you only watch the show for your favourite pony? They're all awesome in their own special way, additional screentime doesn't matter, it'll never be perfect.

[Motion Spark 7,807]

  On 2013-01-20 at 8:47 AM, ~Chaotic Clarity~ said:

Well, I'm sure many people find Scootalove one of the most important points of the show and very memorable after all. I know she's your least favorite so you won't remember her moments much. She's not high on my list, yet I can perfectly recall every single moment that happened in Wonderbolts Academy.

I think that it is irrelevant the fact that she is my least favorite because when she does something memorable it can cause an impression on me wheter if it is possitive or negative. 

Her impression in "The Crystal Empire", for me, was VERY negative, and I still remember Rainbow Dash very well in these episodes, because of the bad impact she made on me. I took out "Sleepless in Ponyville" and "Wonderbolts Academy" out of the list because these are episodes that are focused on her, so it's obvious that she would have a lot of screentime and memorable moments.

 

  On 2013-01-20 at 8:47 AM, ~Chaotic Clarity~ said:

She has quantity, yes. That's what this thread is about. Not the quality. I never said anything about the quality. 

woops! my bad   

[Clarity 3,094]

  On 2013-01-20 at 8:58 AM, Dev said:

I wish, instead of arguing about who gets the most screentime in the series, we watch the show

Perhaps we shall not speculate the show or discuss about it and just watch it. Then what are these forums for? I had no idea we are not allowed to debate.

[Princes Cadance 345]

  On 2013-01-20 at 8:40 AM, Motion Spark said:

There is no doubt that Applejack owned this season, geez! even more than Twilight!, even though she wasn't featured all the time, her screen time (which was a lot) was memorable, Rarity was very weak this season, but in my opinion she had more memorable moments (funny moments), someting I could not say about Rainbow Dash. To be short, her screentime had quantity but not quality.

I think it's really hard to completely balance out all of their screen time, while keeping the same quality throughout. I actually don't remember AJ having that much screen time and with that said maybe it's because the time she had on screen was not as carefully thought out as the others. 

[Dev 251]

  On 2013-01-20 at 9:16 AM, ~Chaotic Clarity~ said:

Perhaps we shall not speculate the show or discuss about it and just watch it. Then what are these forums for? I had no idea we are not allowed to debate.

 

It's fine to debate, but some things just seem pointless to debate over, really. I mean, we're debating over something which isn't really backed up by any facts and is just personal opinion...

 

But, um, whatever you wanna do is fine. :3

Edited January 20, 2013 by Dev