Am I the only one who got slightly creeped out by Discord?

[Zalgo 593]

 

 

its ok, i liked discord too

 

Same here

[Yellow Diamond 7,575]

I find the reaction to Discord from the fan base to be intriguing (though not surprising). He's kind of like the "Stone Cold" Steve Austin of MLP: the more bad things he does, the more popular he becomes. That and he cuts awesome promos. In other words, being a charismatic villain helps Discord get over with the fans.

[Starswirl the Trixie 975]

I viewed Discord as a revolutionary with some antiheroic qualities (notably arrogance). However, I was still sad that not only did he fail, but that nopony was encouraged to question the status quo from his acts.

 

In addition, I still think that "hypnotized" isn't a good word for describing how he transformed the Mane 6. Only Rarity seems to have been hypnotized to a degree, the others (especially AJ and RD) seem to have just been convinced through some logic/sophistry. Remember, the Mane 6 had never before heard a criticism of Celestia's status quo, so it's natural that they act strange. Often, once a supporter of X is "converted" to supporting Y, they become a diehard Y supporter.

[Smokey the mudkip 52]

He's not that creepy :3 or I didn't think so

[Crispy 5,563]

He could have been creepier and I'd have been fine with it.

 

I'm still hoping for a villain like this, true dark characters always make me happy.

 

 

[Akemi Homura 7,680]

He could have been creepier and I'd have been fine with it.

 

I'm still hoping for a villain like this, true dark characters always make me happy.

 

 

 

I remember this guy.... needless to say he was a complete turd.

[Gingerpotato 889]

I wasn't creeped out by Discord, he was EPIC! His entire personality and his ability to turn everyone against each other and just the fact that he didn't believe he could be beaten really added to the whole thing for me. So, not creeped out, more. . .admired as a villian.

 

Plus he made chocolate rain, chocolate rain you guys!

[Yellow Diamond 7,575]

I viewed Discord as a revolutionary with some antiheroic qualities (notably arrogance). However, I was still sad that not only did he fail, but that nopony was encouraged to question the status quo from his acts.

 

In addition, I still think that "hypnotized" isn't a good word for describing how he transformed the Mane 6. Only Rarity seems to have been hypnotized to a degree, the others (especially AJ and RD) seem to have just been convinced through some logic/sophistry. Remember, the Mane 6 had never before heard a criticism of Celestia's status quo, so it's natural that they act strange. Often, once a supporter of X is "converted" to supporting Y, they become a diehard Y supporter.

 

Good points, though I have qualms with the use of "antihero." The term has been misappropriated in modern literature and story telling to mean any character who might have jutsifiable ends. So, for example, a serial killer like Light Yagami from Death Note is an "antihero" because he wants to eliminate crime. An antihero by the truest definition is a hero who possesses a glaring flaw(s) which subverts the classic definition of a hero. Nevertheless they are still heroes in spite of the flaws, usually by traversing the path of the hero's journey (e.g., Luke Skywalker).

 

Discord isn't an antihero in any sense, despite my reference to the 90s antihero trope embodied by "Stone Cold." Discord is a villain across the board; it just so happens he's also a magnificent bastard.

Edited February 9, 2012 by Thereisnospoon303

[RainbowDolly 10]

I for one LOVED Discord as a character and when I saw the first preview clip the fanboy in me rejoiced. Being the trekkie that I am, I was very pleased how similar he was to Q even down to the fact that he was voiced by John DeLancie.

 

Yes! I love Star Trek and TNG and Q is my favorite character, so I was very excited about that episode. I'm so happy they chose De Lancie to voice a very Q-like character.

[Ron Jeremy 2,032]

Only thing that was really "creepy" about Discord is how laid-back he was. I mean, to put it bluntly, he just didn't give a crap.

 

To everypony else, his chaos was an absolute disaster. To him, it was just a little game. Tell me there's not a little bit of creepiness there.

 

And his appearance, maybe. I mean, in a world of baby dragons and pink ponies with poofy hair, he's a somewhat grotesque creature with features from various creatures unevenly piled on.

[Twi Rubix 726]

Not really, but did have a Wtf reaction when I saw him though.

[Starswirl the Trixie 975]

Good points, though I have qualms with the use of "antihero." The term has been misappropriated in modern literature and story telling to mean any character who might have jutsifiable ends. So, for example, a serial killer like Light Yagami from Death Note is an "antihero" because he wants to eliminate crime. An antihero by the truest definition is a hero who possesses a glaring flaw(s) which subverts the classic definition of a hero. Nevertheless they are still heroes in spite of the flaws, usually by traversing the path of the hero's journey (e.g., Luke Skywalker).

 

Discord isn't an antihero in any sense, despite my reference to the 90s antihero trope embodied by "Stone Cold." Discord is a villain across the board; it just so happens he's also a magnificent bastard.

 

The reason I called him an antihero was because I sometimes do view Discord as a flawed protagonist. Sometimes I like to turn a show on its head; it's not possible with every television show, but it is with MLP. It is sometimes insightful to swap the roles of protagonist and antagonist for a moment, as, in RL, there really aren't people/sides of a conflict which can be defined simply as "good" or bad". In this way, I often think of Discord as a quite antiheroic protagonist, Celestia as the chief antagonist, and the Mane 6 as her good-natured but misguided cronies; while unconventional to tell a story centered on the antagonist, it at least can make some sense with MLP:FiM. If the role of protagonist must be assigned in this show, it actually just comes down to a philosophical question: Is an unnatural status quo that ensures that its members live a (at least superficially) happy existence better than a more natural, free, perhaps unfair world? I am undecided...

Edited February 10, 2012 by Starswirl the goateed

[Yellow Diamond 7,575]

Should we view the situation from a "villain is the hero" perspective, Discord is still rather solidly in the villain camp. He's overconfident and arrogant to be sure, but he is not an "antivillain"; everything Discord did in MLP was aimed toward a villainous end. He turned all of Equestria into his own personal amusement park, emotionally tormented the Mane 6, and reaked enormous destruction, so I'm not buying the concept that he opened the door for freedom from a certain point of view. Remaining on point, though, we can safely state that his villainy is firmly established. Using the D&D (Dungeons and Dragons) alignment paradigm, Discord is Chaotic Evil; the only freedom he is concerned about is his own, and others will suffer as a result. Even if he were the protagonist, there's little confusion over the evil of his acts, much like The Joker in Batman.

 

So, in my opinion, Discord is quite simply a villain; an awesome villain, to be sure, but nothing else.

[DJ MUFF1N D3RP 323]

To say the least, I was a little unnerved by him. I mean, I thought he was an awesome villain for the express reason that he was just totally controlling every move the ponies were making and had basically already won, but those same reasons also made me fear for the lives of all my favorite ponies.

[Tom 891]

So, in my opinion, Discord is quite simply a villain; an awesome villain, to be sure, but nothing else.

 

While I don't completely agree with what you are saying I agree that he is awesome.

 

After all he never went out of his way to inflict pain. He merely wanted to liven things up.

[Yellow Diamond 7,575]

While I don't completely agree with what you are saying I agree that he is awesome.

 

After all he never went out of his way to inflict pain. He merely wanted to liven things up.

 

"Nothing else" was poorly worded. He's a multifaceted villain, to be sure, but he is still a villain. The arguments for Discord the villain far and away outweigh the arguments for Discord the hero/antivillain.

[Tom 891]

So he's a villain, but he's not an evil villain. Just a misunderstood one.

[Yellow Diamond 7,575]

I don't quite understand how Discord is not evil. He's certainly psychopathic; and while psychopathy doesn't automatically translate into evil, Discord's lack of empathy plays a huge role in his quest to ruin Equestria. Again, the only freedom about which he cared was his own. Discord possessed little interest in liberating others or providing them with a wider variety of choices. Similar to The Joker in The Dark Knight, it was about chaos leading people (or ponies, in this case) to tear one another apart.

 

Discord is, at best, an omnipotent trickster with a sadistic streak (similar to Q). That speaks very poorly about his moral axis.

Edited February 10, 2012 by Thereisnospoon303

[Tom 891]

I don't quite understand how Discord is not evil. He's certainly psychopathic; and while psychopathy doesn't automatically translate into evil...

 

This, he doesn't do it to hurt people, only to provide entertainment for himself. Edited June 5, 2012 by Tom

[Yellow Diamond 7,575]

This, he doesn't do it o hurt people, only to provide entertainment for himself.

 

Discord derives entertainment from harming others and encroaching on their rights, whether natural or otherwise. They aren't mutually exclusive components. As a contrast, Pinkie loves to pull pranks; but she is sensitive to their vulnerabilities and only plays pranks at which the pranked party would laugh. Discord, however, is exploitative and malicious. He doesn't very much care what you think; furthermore, he would gladly pit your worst fears against you if it either a.) removed you as a threat or b.) gave him a form of entertainment.

 

Discord is demonic. I think that was played pretty straight in the show.

Edited February 10, 2012 by Thereisnospoon303

[Tom 891]

This argument isn't going anywhere fast, let's leave it for now.

[Nah 3,182]

Discord is best pony.

[Steel Accord 6,660]

I don't quite understand how Discord is not evil. He's certainly psychopathic; and while psychopathy doesn't automatically translate into evil, Discord's lack of empathy plays a huge role in his quest to ruin Equestria. Again, the only freedom about which he cared was his own. Discord possessed little interest in liberating others or providing them with a wider variety of choices. Similar to The Joker in The Dark Knight, it was about chaos leading people (or ponies, in this case) to tear one another apart.

 

Discord is, at best, an omnipotent trickster with a sadistic streak (similar to Q). That speaks very poorly about his moral axis.

 

[Crispy 5,563]

Another villain type I'd love to see pop up?

 

[Future Allie Way 185]

Ok, now I'm feeling weird because I actually liked Discord