Question about "Bridle Gossip"

[BlueEyedPegasus 59]

I know I may have already brought this up in the official Bridle Gossip thread under Season 1, but it still keeps rubbing at my head: the part where Applebloom leaves her shrunken older sister on a branch, too high to jump down from and too far from the ridge where Applebloom stood when she put her there, before going to settle things with Zecora. I honestly can't decide: was Applebloom in the wrong by ditching Applejack like that, or did she have good enough reason to do so?
 

And if Applebloom did have good reason, then consider these possibilities:

 

1. Could it be that Applebloom meant no harm when she placed Applejack on that branch? If she meant no harm, then is it pretty evident that she forgot about possible dangers that could befall her older sister? If so, then can her naivete be justified since she is a child?

 

2. Is it possible that when Applebloom placed Applejack on that branch, she may have somehow protected/saved her from something far worse? If so, then was it? (My guess it was making Applebloom keep giving into her older sister's own selfish demands and preventing her from knowing the truth which Applejack and the rest found out later as well.)

 

Also, can any of these points be justified in any way? I await your responses.

[mycarhasaMoustache 449]

Apple bloom put apple jack on the branch because she wanted to keep going and Apple jack was telling her to turn around so Apple Bloom decided to leave tiny Apple Jack there because she knew there was nothing tiny Apple Jack could do about it.

[BlueEyedPegasus 59]

Apple bloom put apple jack on the branch because she wanted to keep going and Apple jack was telling her to turn around so Apple Bloom decided to leave tiny Apple Jack there because she knew there was nothing tiny Apple Jack could do about it.

Well, yeah, but how can it be justified?

 

Also, is there any way Applebloom could have been protected Applejack at that point? If so, what was it?

[mycarhasaMoustache 449]

Well, yeah, but how can it be justified?

 

Also, is there any way Applebloom could have been protected Applejack at that point? If so, what was it?

I dont think Apple Jack was in any real danger at the time and it can be justified by being convenient for the plot I dont think there is much more too it then that really.

[BlueEyedPegasus 59]

I dont think Apple Jack was in any real danger at the time and it can be justified by being convenient for the plot I dont think there is much more too it then that really.

Okay. On the other hand, what are the odds of being confronted by critters while on that branch?

 

Also, care to explain how Applejack wasn't in any real danger?

[Freewave 1,145]

Applejack is tough. She could handle any bug or insect that came her way. They would likely be on the ground. Now squirrels might be a problem. I really wouldnt fixate too much on that scene. AB likely didnt think too hard about the danger and AJ made it in the end.

[Zygen 6,066]

Eh, I think AJ was fine, and while it wasn't the best choice she was complaining to turn around, but apple bloom wanted to find the truth, so I guess in a way it's justified. She's not in a real good bit of danger honestly I don't think since she is found by the others pretty soon anyways.

 

She did it just to leave her there so she didn't have to hear her demands and so she could continue on, nothing else much was in her mind I imagine, unless you count thinking how AJ couldn't do anything back at the moment anyways.

[Trixie the Greatest 130]

Applebloom was just being a kid who wasn't taking lip from a grown up.  After all, she is 10 years old in human age, and always as stubborn as Applejack when it comes of not being a grown up enough to prove anything.

Edited May 23, 2013 by Warpony

[Kyoshi Frost Wolf 41,730]

Whether or not AJ was in any real danger (technically she was I assume, given that it was the Everfree Forest), I don't necessarily put blame on Apple Bloom fully. She is just an easily excitable filly who more than likely did not think things through very clearly. She just wanted to catch up to Zecora. A dedicated child who has a singular focus would probably not think of every detail of a situation. Plus, she was probably wrapped up in the 'I'm the big sis now!' mindset. I always find it funny seeing AJ getting pwned by her sister. Too bad it doesn't happen very often...at all.

 

Was she in the wrong? Maybe, but she had good intentions either way and those intentions turned out to be the best thing in terms of the plot.

[BlueEyedPegasus 59]

All of you do bring up very good theories and points.
 

Also, given the fact that a great number of characters on this show are always easily forgiven, it's quite safe to assume that Applebloom herself had forgiven Applejack offscreen at some point. Plus, if Applebloom ever did realize that it was wrong of her to leave Applejack on that branch, I'm sure Applejack would have forgiven her, too.
 

Also, a couple of more points:
 

1. You know how Applejack swore that she'd tell Big Macintosh on Applebloom? Well, skip on ahead to "Hearts and Hooves Day" where he agrees to let Miss Cheerliee punish the CMC by making them do Big Mac's chores and "Ponyville Confidential" where he delivers an undoubtedly brutal rant towards the CMC for humiliating him and Applejack. One could argue that he's the real deliverer of discipline in the Apple family.
 

2. Notice how nicer Applejack has been to Applebloom in subsequent episodes. Could be that Applejack's become a better big sister to Applebloom.

 

Well?

[mycarhasaMoustache 449]

Okay. On the other hand, what are the odds of being confronted by critters while on that branch?

 

Also, care to explain how Applejack wasn't in any real danger?

Because she was off screen and like I said it was convenient for the plot more then anything. In reality she would have been in danger but the writers didnt have time or chose for her not to be.

[Princess Periwinkle 3,775]

I'd like to imagine someone could write a fanfic about everything that happened to AJ while she was left there.

 

But really, I think she was in danger, and AB just didn't think too hard about what she was doing.

[Anadu Kune 668]

Well kids don't tend to think really logically but I guess it can logically work out if you think about it. 

Reasons danger to Applejack is negligible or unlikely. 
1. Small or not Apple Jack can Handle herself.
2. Zecora is fine walking through and living in the Everfree Forest.
3. Apple Jack and the Mane six have successfully come back from a trip from deep within the forest before.
4. It is unlikely the creatures will see Apple jack given her size and if they do see point #1
5. Fluttershy lives in close proximity to the forest and has no problem. 
6. The location is very temporary anyway. Shell only be there until Apple Bloom can get a cure from Zecora. 
7. Considering Zecora warned the ponies it seems she knows whats wrong. So its likely she'll know how to fix it. Once she knew that shed go back for Applejack who would then be the first cured. So Applejacks time there would be very short.
8. kinda an extension of #1. Apple bloom knows Applejack can deal with timber wolves and we have seen her do so.  

 

Whilst we know that there are dangerous creatures in the forest we cant tell their frequency. Timber wolves dwell in it but how often are they encountered? Given that Zecora lives in the forest happily and Fluttershy lives just outside it and she doesnt really encounter problems the forest must be somewhat safe at least in parts. This could mean a few things. Danger in the forest can be had but only on occasion. Danger is far more prevalent deeper into the forest than on the outer edges of it. Or that creatures tend to avoid these areas except for given times of the year, such as Zap Apple season. 

Reasons for doing the deed.
1. Applejack would make negotiating with Zecora difficult if not impossible.
2. The constant nagging was irritating and perhaps halting progress.

So whilst there is potential to go wrong it may be very unlikley. Apple Bloom needed a way to cure them and it was clear to her the other ponies weren't going to find it as they were to close minded to the most probable solution. also technicaly Applejack could have just jumped. Given her size I doubt she would have been harmed by the fall.

[Winona the Dog 1,984]

While I do think Applebloom had a justifiable reason; I think she did make a bad decision to leave her there alone in the Everfree forest.

 

Well kids don't tend to think really logically but I guess it can logically work out if you think about it. Reasons danger to Applejack is negligible or unlikely. 1. Small or not Apple Jack can Handle herself.2. Zecora is fine walking through and living in the Everfree Forest.3. Apple Jack and the Mane six have successfully come back from a trip from deep within the forest before.4. It is unlikely the creatures will see Apple jack given her size and if they do see point #15. Fluttershy lives in close proximity to the forest and has no problem. 6. The location is very temporary anyway. Shell only be there until Apple Bloom can get a cure from Zecora. 7. Considering Zecora warned the ponies it seems she knows whats wrong. So its likely she'll know how to fix it. Once she knew that shed go back for Applejack who would then be the first cured. So Applejacks time there would be very short.8. kinda an extension of #1. Apple bloom knows Applejack can deal with timber wolves and we have seen her do so.   Whilst we know that there are dangerous creatures in the forest we cant tell their frequency. Timber wolves dwell in it but how often are they encountered? Given that Zecora lives in the forest happily and Fluttershy lives just outside it and she doesnt really encounter problems the forest must be somewhat safe at least in parts. This could mean a few things. Danger in the forest can be had but only on occasion. Danger is far more prevalent deeper into the forest than on the outer edges of it. Or that creatures tend to avoid these areas except for given times of the year, such as Zap Apple season. Reasons for doing the deed.1. Applejack would make negotiating with Zecora difficult if not impossible.2. The constant nagging was irritating and perhaps halting progress.So whilst there is potential to go wrong it may be very unlikley. Apple Bloom needed a way to cure them and it was clear to her the other ponies weren't going to find it as they were to close minded to the most probable solution. also technicaly Applejack could have just jumped. Given her size I doubt she would have been harmed by the fall.

The Everfree forest is a unpredictable place. There could have been a chance that a bigger creature could've emerged and attacked Applejack if such occurrence had happened. What takes place in the Everfree is random and I don't think Applebloom should've taken that chance..... even if it was unlikely. Applejack's constant nagging on her going to Zecora would have been irritating but if only Applebloom had tried to convince Applejack there's nothing to worry about. (Which she did but not deep enough) She is the one who basically teaches the Mane 6 not to deem someone creepy just by appearance and conveniently misplaced behavior.

 

 

So in my final opinion , it was wrong for Applebloom to leave her sister there in the middle of the Everfree.

[Sugar Cube 4,843]

Of course Apple Bloom meant no harm to Applejack. She put AJ down on the tree branch because she knew Applejack didn't want her anywhere near Zecora, but Apple Bloom did not want to listen to reason, so she left Applejack because she felt she had to. One thing to note about Apple Bloom is how plucky she is. She's quite brave for a child, and part of it may be her naivety of the dangers in life. Regardless, Apple Bloom was not afraid of the Everfree Forest. Apple Bloom has trekked through the Everfree Forest in at least three episodes now: Bridle Gossip, Stare Master, and Cutie Pox, and she has never displayed fear except when she saw the Cockatrice. So in AB's mind, AJ was not in any real danger.

 

The way I see it, Apple Bloom sees Applejack as an amazing sister and parental figure who can handle anything. After all, Applejack is so strong and reliable that Apple Bloom looks up to her for it.

Edited May 25, 2013 by Sugar Cube

[DarligPegasi 315]

Like most people/ponies, the heat of the moment leaves you somewhat blinded to reason. So maybe she was just so intent on going to prove that Zecora was not some pony eating monster that she just left AJ there without thinking of any potential consequences.

[Scootalove 10,689]

Apple Bloom meant no harm to Applejack, she wanted to make sure that she was safe and away from Zecora. Basically, she wanted to keep AJ away from harm by putting her on the branch and keep her safe.