The CMC - Developing appreciation and cutie mark emphasis

[PianoOfMuffins 38]

Just my thoughts on how my feelings towards the characters of Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo developed in time, and what I think on the cutie mark emphasis aspect of the three.

 

 

Growing to appreciate the CMC as en entity

 

I wasn't the biggest fan of the CMC at first, especially from their characterisation in "Stare Master", although this possibly could have come down mostly to Chris Savino's writing.

I am thankful the team quickly redeemed them in the next episode, "The Show Stoppers", almost instantly making them much more likeable from the get-go (even though I did find the episode to be somewhat repetitive there for a while) and also bringing back the "real" Sweetie Belle from the previous episodes.

In fact, thank Celestia that Savino wasn't handed the reins to writing EVERY story featuring the CMC! While I can't say he can be blamed entirely, there is still no doubt he would largely have had influence over their portrayal in "Stare Master", of which I found them to be unfortunately largely irritating.

I think I very well would have skipped every episode featuring the CMC if things had continued this way.

 

However, even though I found the trio likeable enough in "The Show Stoppers", it still took a while for me to truly warm to them. Only until viewing a number of S2 episodes they were featured in did I gradually end up coming to like them a lot more, in fact almost as much as the Mane6 in the end.

"Hearts & Hooves" was certainly one of the episodes that specifically made me become a fan, a story in which I found them to be, frankly, utterly charming and even hilarious at times ("Oh come on!" as the infamous quote goes!).

 

From being unsure of them at first, to now always looking forward to just what they're going to get up to next. The CMC are here to stay and I'm happy to say I'm completely for that.

 

 

***

Cutie marks and their emphasis

I fully appreciate and embrace how it ended up being that every episode starring the young 'uns didn't always be about earning their cutie marks. That would have gotten old real fast.

I do wonder what it would have been like if the show had gone that way though. Would it have been a good or a bad thing? Would the focus of trying to earn their marks every time round have always been enjoyable? I would say it would have become very redundant soon enough. I mean, that's why we read books, watch programmes etc right? To be entertained by an all new story each time, not essentially the same thing over and over again.

 

Furthermore, I am very happy the CMC were further developed into as well rounded characters as the rest of the main cast, rather than just remain a one trick pony act. Sure, so Apple Bloom had already been shown to be an interesting and well rounded enough character in S1's "Bridle Gossip" and "Call Of The Cutie", however, I have to say, I was a little concerned there for a minute she was simply going to fall into becoming a one-dimensional character along with Sweetie and Scoot, simply always being after their cutie marks. The vibes I originally received after their initial set-up from the end of "Call Of The Cutie" was "We're gonna be the Cutie Mark Crusaders - THE END!", of which exactly just this was completely emphasized and expanded upon, being the entire main basis for "The Show Stoppers".

The writers and the rest of the team obviously saw fit that this wouldn't work forever, but it does certainly work when it is the emphasis of an episode on occasion. It's a much smarter, less repetitive and all round better way to go.

 

 

***

Overall

 

I grew into being almost as much a fan of the CMC as the Mane6, largely thanks to episodes featuring them after S1, and am happy they continue to receive just as varied stories as anyone else, as opposed to only ever being portrayed as wishing to earn their cutie marks, of which things quite possibly could have gone that way.

 

The CMC, what are your thoughts on them as characters? Do you appreciate them or not so much? Were you instantly a fan or did it take some time? What do you think of the initial emphasis on their cutie marks and how it is now only just one element of them overall?

 

Fire away!

Edited April 5, 2013 by PianoOfMuffins

[Nayruthepegasister 118]

I hope the CMC find their cutie marks!!! Because then we could follow their adventures and the story continues!!! The mane six are eventually going to grow old... I have a feeling that maybe in season 5 or 6 (if MLP goes that long) we will begin to see the transition of power occur... Perhaps the CMC will represent elements too? I know the main 6 will always be the elements of harmony, but perhaps the CMC will grow to represent something as well... Perhaps they would become the elements of perseverance? 

 

At first I actually found the CMC annoying.... Of course that was around the time I was still not overly fond of MLP... I didn't really get into it until season 2... Overall I love them though, and really hope they grow more depth to themselves, which I think will come as they get older and know themselves better. 

[Righteous Fury 344]

Am I the only one who thinks a CMC spin-off would've been a far better choice than this 'Equestria Girls' crap?

 

Eh, maybe not, S3 did a good job of integrating their adventures with other characters (SiP, JfS). Still, I get the feeling they're part of a different show.

[Evilshy 5,090]

I also didn't like them much at first, but Season 2 did change my opinion of them. They were fleshed out a lot more than in Season 1.

 

 

I hope the CMC find their cutie marks!!! Because then we could follow their adventures and the story continues!!! The mane six are eventually going to grow old... I have a feeling that maybe in season 5 or 6 (if MLP goes that long) we will begin to see the transition of power occur... Perhaps the CMC will represent elements too? I know the main 6 will always be the elements of harmony, but perhaps the CMC will grow to represent something as well... Perhaps they would become the elements of perseverance?

The problem with them finding their cutie marks is that then they woundn't be the CMCs anymore, which is their major reason for being on the show. If they do get their marks (and I think they will), it'll be during the last season, possibly even right before the series finale, like a CMC mini-finale.

They won't ever replace the Mane 6 as the main characters or element holders, not in this series at least. But after the series ends, if they decided to pick it back up, it could be years later, when the Mane 6 are all middle aged, and the CMC could be the new main characters. As for them being the element holders, I think it'd be kinda lame, but this is a kids show, so I wouldn't rule it out.

[Nayruthepegasister 118]

I also didn't like them much at first, but Season 2 did change my opinion of them. They were fleshed out a lot more than in Season 1.

 

 

 

The problem with them finding their cutie marks is that then they woundn't be the CMCs anymore, which is their major reason for being on the show. If they do get their marks (and I think they will), it'll be during the last season, possibly even right before the series finale, like a CMC mini-finale.

They won't ever replace the Mane 6 as the main characters or element holders, not in this series at least. But after the series ends, if they decided to pick it back up, it could be years later, when the Mane 6 are all middle aged, and the CMC could be the new main characters. As for them being the element holders, I think it'd be kinda lame, but this is a kids show, so I wouldn't rule it out.

 

Good point... I don't think the CMC would be the same elements though... They might be new elements... I do think the elements need to grow outside of the six things... Harmony is a very complex thing.. I realize the writers tried to simplify it towards the target audience.... I just wish the CMC could find their marks in the world soon so we can see them grow outside of one dimensional characters... As of now, they are all fairly one dimensional outside of Applebloom... 

[Argumedies 1,748]

Am I the only one who thinks a CMC spin-off would've been a far better choice than this 'Equestria Girls' crap?

 

Eh, maybe not, S3 did a good job of integrating their adventures with other characters (SiP, JfS). Still, I get the feeling they're part of a different show.

Anything would have been better then this Equestrian Girls thing.

 

I do hope they give the CMC cutie marks soon. There running out of ideas to try.