Ponyville Confidential 'Plot Hole'

[BlueEyedPegasus 59]

The TV Tropes page for this episode lists this so-called 'plot hole':

 

How does everybody know who Gabby Gums is after Rarity finds out and confronts Sweetie Belle over it? Granted the CMC are always together most of the time, but it doesn't have to mean that all three of them are Gabby Gums. Sweetie Belle could have been Gabby Gums all on her own. Secondly, EVERY SINGLE PONY shuns the CMC after they're found out, which reeks of the highest level of hypocrisy, as these were the same people who bought the paper every day looking for the newest gossip on everyone. Unless they literally wrote about every single pony in Ponyville(in which case they wouldn't have been able to do any more columns anyway), the reveal of who Gabby Gums was should have caused at least a few ponies to give them a congrats for entertaining work. Granted, that would have undermined the Aesop of the episode about not writing hurtful gossip, but still...

 

Anybody care to fill up this so-called 'plot hole' and, most importantly, explain how everypony knows about who Gabby Gums is? I really need help!

[IronPonyApplejack 318]

The last line of that paragraph is your explanation. Remember, this is a show about colorful cartoon ponies aimed at little girls. The lesson of the episode is one of the most important parts. More so than having proper continuity over all details of the episode.

[BlueEyedPegasus 59]

The last line of that paragraph is your explanation. Remember, this is a show about colorful cartoon ponies aimed at little girls. The lesson of the episode is one of the most important parts. More so than having proper continuity over all details of the episode.

But it still doesn't explain how everypony else in Ponyville found out about Gabby Gums' identity.

 

On the other hand, is it possible that Rarity could have exposed their identity? Please tell me.

[IronPonyApplejack 318]

But it still doesn't explain how everypony else in Ponyville found out about Gabby Gums' identity.

 

On the other hand, is it possible that Rarity could have exposed their identity? Please tell me.

The most likely scenario from a continuity standpoint is that Rarity exposed the CMC as Gabby Gums, which given the column's popularity, spread quickly.

 

The actual reason, I think, is that it would take too long to flesh that out in the episode. What mattered wasn't how the other ponies found out, it's how the CMC reacted to it. So that bit of the story was passed over.

[BlueEyedPegasus 59]

The most likely scenario from a continuity standpoint is that Rarity exposed the CMC as Gabby Gums, which given the column's popularity, spread quickly.

 

The actual reason, I think, is that it would take too long to flesh that out in the episode. What mattered wasn't how the other ponies found out, it's how the CMC reacted to it. So that bit of the story was passed over.

Well, maybe, but the Heartwarming page has this entry:

 

Interestingly, Rarity was a lot more understanding than the rest of Ponyville, confronting Sweetie Belle about what she had done rather than outright shunning her.

 

So, technically, it would seem rather unlikely that she'd expose the CMC as Gabby Gums. Any other likely scenarios?

[IronPonyApplejack 318]

Well, maybe, but the Heartwarming page has this entry:

 

Interestingly, Rarity was a lot more understanding than the rest of Ponyville, confronting Sweetie Belle about what she had done rather than outright shunning her.

 

So, technically, it would seem rather unlikely that she'd expose the CMC as Gabby Gums. Any other likely scenarios?

I will repeat myself. Cartoon show. For small girls. 22 minute episode. Not enough time.

 

The lesson learned is of greater importance than every detail along the way. It's the point of the entire episode. If you are trying to find a solid continuity through the entire series, you will find SEVERAL plot holes and things that just make no sense.

 

So what I'm trying to say is, let it go.

[Pinkazoid 3,493]

I will repeat myself. Cartoon show. For small girls. 22 minute episode. Not enough time.

 

The lesson learned is of greater importance than every detail along the way. It's the point of the entire episode. If you are trying to find a solid continuity through the entire series, you will find SEVERAL plot holes and things that just make no sense.

 

So what I'm trying to say is, let it go.

Since when does anyone take "a show for little girls" as an answer? x3

 

I've been saying it for 2 years now and no one listens :3

 

 

Anyways OP, that is a pretty big plot hole, there's a bunch of them in the episodes, can't do much about em though...

[IronPonyApplejack 318]

Since when does anyone take "a show for little girls" as an answer? x3

 

I've been saying it for 2 years now and no one listens :3

 

 

Anyways OP, that is a pretty big plot hole, there's a bunch of them in the episodes, can't do much about em though...

Please, please, PLEASE tell me your name is a reference to Freakazoid! I miss that show so much. You will be my new best friend. Not enough people remember it.

[Veylon 255]

Secondly, EVERY SINGLE PONY shuns the CMC after they're found out, which reeks of the highest level of hypocrisy, as these were the same people who bought the paper every day looking for the newest gossip on everyone.

 

It's much easier on the pysche to shoot the messenger than engage in soul searching. Most people would rather blame an external source when things go wrong than accept the blame themselves, especially when it's very clear that it's their own dang fault for things getting to such a state.

 

I wanted somepony to go "Wait a minute! You all were happy to pay and encourage Gabby to embarrass other ponies, but the second you're embarrassed, you throw her under the bus? What's the matter with you!?" I felt that an opportunity to impart an important second lesson had been missed.

Edited May 24, 2013 by Veylon

[pinkiefan1287 610]

Well I have two ideas.

 

1. Rarity could have told someone and the word got spread around town after that.

 

2. The other idea is that, the CMC just told everypony they were Gabby Gum when they were trying to say sorry to everpony. 

 

A little weak, but it could be just that simple.

[Orablanco Account 3,707]

I hate that episode almost entirely because of the CMC being shunned by society in that one scene. Cruel and unnecessary.

 

It would have been okay if the adults learned a lesson themselves: to not encourage the type of environment that lets gossip succeed. Frankly nopony cared about the gossip until it was their own asses on the line.

Edited May 24, 2013 by CITRUS KING46

[immblueversion 331]

Season 2 kinda ended on a low note for me because the last few episodes had moments such as this, with characters acting mean for reasons weaker than they ought to be, and then all but getting glanced over because they're not the focus. I think that contributed greatly to my enjoyment of season 3; the bitter scenes weren't as bitter as those from the first two seasons, and there weren't as many of them.

 

Yeah, I know, kids' shows. Bound to have moments like this. But to have these kinds of moments near and/or in a finale and hiatus of any sort just leaves me with a bad taste in my mouth, and for a long while.

Edited May 24, 2013 by immblueversion

[BlueEyedPegasus 59]

Well I have two ideas.

 

1. Rarity could have told someone and the word got spread around town after that.

 

2. The other idea is that, the CMC just told everypony they were Gabby Gum when they were trying to say sorry to everpony. 

 

A little weak, but it could be just that simple.

Well, I am leaning toward the second idea, since I do consider it unlikely that Rarity would rat out somepony's identity like that. On the other hand, I've written out my own idea as a contradiction on the Fridge Horror page:

 

Remember when Twilight brought up the fact that Sweetie Belle was on the newspaper staff and that she might know something about Gabby Gums? Well, let that sink in and realize that it's rather likely that Rarity kept her mouth shut about Sweetie Belle getting involved when she found out and that the other Mane 5, while they were all listening to this, took this into consideration and once they, along with their other friends and family members, recognized Sweetie Belle with Apple Bloom and Scootaloo, made up their minds somehow about the CMC being Gabby Gums. Furthermore, considering that Spike was also following the stories, it's also quite likely that Twilight reminded him about Sweetie Belle as well, allowing him to eventually make up his mind about CMC when they came to their place after Twilight put up the forcefield. Lastly, Fluttershy may have told Angel about Sweetie Belle ahead of time and what she looked like, which is no more apparent than how Angel instantly recognized the CMC when they came to Fluttershy's door. Take all THAT in and slowly realize that Sweetie Belle is the main clue to the Gabby Gums' idenities.

 

Hope that all sounds reasonable somehow.

 

I hate that episode almost entirely because of the CMC being shunned by society in that one scene. Cruel and unnecessary.

 

It would have been okay if the adults learned a lesson themselves: to not encourage the type of environment that lets gossip succeed. Frankly nopony cared about the gossip until it was their own asses on the line.

I wouldn't consider it one of the worst episodes of the series, since it still manages to end on a happy note, but I definitely consider the whole shunning scene alone to be one of the most heartbreaking moments on the entire show, especially with Big Mac's brutal rant towards the CMC. Makes me wanna punch him the face!

 

Yes, it does seem rather hypocritical on the adults' part, but it's quite safe to assume that they did learn such a lesson offscreen.

 

Season 2 kinda ended on a low note for me because the last few episodes had moments such as this, with characters acting mean for reasons weaker than they ought to be, and then all but getting glanced over because they're not the focus. I think that contributed greatly to my enjoyment of season 3; the bitter scenes weren't as bitter as those from the first two seasons, and there weren't as many of them.

 

Yeah, I know, kids' shows. Bound to have moments like this. But to have these kinds of moments near and/or in a finale and hiatus of any sort just leaves me with a bad taste in my mouth, and for a long while.

The end of "A Canterlot Wedding: Part 1" still breaks my heart. But I'm still glad everything turned out alright in part 2.

 

Well, I hope you're willing to get over them soon.

[immblueversion 331]

Well, I am leaning toward the second idea, since I do consider it unlikely that Rarity would rat out somepony's identity like that. On the other hand, I've written out my own idea as a contradiction on the Fridge Horror page:

 

Remember when Twilight brought up the fact that Sweetie Belle was on the newspaper staff and that she might know something about Gabby Gums? Well, let that sink in and realize that it's rather likely that Rarity kept her mouth shut about Sweetie Belle getting involved when she found out and that the other Mane 5, while they were all listening to this, took this into consideration and once they, along with their other friends and family members, recognized Sweetie Belle with Apple Bloom and Scootaloo, made up their minds somehow about the CMC being Gabby Gums. Furthermore, considering that Spike was also following the stories, it's also quite likely that Twilight reminded him about Sweetie Belle as well, allowing him to eventually make up his mind about CMC when they came to their place after Twilight put up the forcefield. Lastly, Fluttershy may have told Angel about Sweetie Belle ahead of time and what she looked like, which is no more apparent than how Angel instantly recognized the CMC when they came to Fluttershy's door. Take all THAT in and slowly realize that Sweetie Belle is the main clue to the Gabby Gums' idenities.

 

Hope that all sounds reasonable somehow.

 

I wouldn't consider it one of the worst episodes of the series, since it still manages to end on a happy note, but I definitely consider the whole shunning scene alone to be one of the most heartbreaking moments on the entire show, especially with Big Mac's brutal rant towards the CMC. Makes me wanna punch him the face!

 

Yes, it does seem rather hypocritical on the adults' part, but it's quite safe to assume that they did learn such a lesson offscreen.

 

The end of "A Canterlot Wedding: Part 1" still breaks my heart. But I'm still glad everything turned out alright in part 2.

 

Well, I hope you're willing to get over them soon.

 

Oh, I've already gotten over them.

 

Why? Fan fiction. And not the angry kind of fan fiction clearly written for the author to blow off steam; I mean the good kind that actually fixes whatever problems one may have with the original product.

 

Things may always turn out alright in this show, but not always the way we want. I don't blame the writers necessarily; it's just what we come to expect.

[SoundRaptured 139]

I did notice the sweetybell thing and that kinda annoyed me. but if you knew three kids who were always doing everything together and you find out one got in trouble it would be easy to assume they all had something to do with it.

The shunning is just ridiculous though, considering everybody loved her till they found out who she was...

its like meeting someone on the internet xD

[BlueEyedPegasus 59]

Oh, I've already gotten over them.

 

Why? Fan fiction. And not the angry kind of fan fiction clearly written for the author to blow off steam; I mean the good kind that actually fixes whatever problems one may have with the original product.

 

Things may always turn out alright in this show, but not always the way we want. I don't blame the writers necessarily; it's just what we come to expect.

Good.

 

How true that is.

 

I understand.

 

I did notice the sweetybell thing and that kinda annoyed me. but if you knew three kids who were always doing everything together and you find out one got in trouble it would be easy to assume they all had something to do with it.

The shunning is just ridiculous though, considering everybody loved her till they found out who she was...

its like meeting someone on the internet xD

You can imagine how heartbreaking that'd be, especially if nobody even dares to ask something like "Which one of you did that?"

 

I agree with you on the shunning part.

[Rainblow H. Ash 5,091]

I don't really see how it's a plot hole. It figures that Rarity told other ponies that the CMC were Gabby Gums, and they all got shunned because of it. That's not a plot hole, so much as people don't necessarily agree that was the way the episode should've been handled.

 

Besides, folks here are acting like the CMC had no blame at all. Yes, ponies bought the newspaper, does that make what they did right? I don't think so. If anything, the blame should rest on multiple shoulders, not just the CMC and not just the ponies that bought the newspaper. Some of the blame also lies with Diamond Tiara for pushing the CMC to continue to be Gabby Gums against their wishes.

[BlueEyedPegasus 59]

I don't really see how it's a plot hole. It figures that Rarity told other ponies that the CMC were Gabby Gums, and they all got shunned because of it. That's not a plot hole, so much as people don't necessarily agree that was the way the episode should've been handled.

 

Besides, folks here are acting like the CMC had no blame at all. Yes, ponies bought the newspaper, does that make what they did right? I don't think so. If anything, the blame should rest on multiple shoulders, not just the CMC and not just the ponies that bought the newspaper. Some of the blame also lies with Diamond Tiara for pushing the CMC to continue to be Gabby Gums against their wishes.

Again, it's highly unlikely that Rarity told other ponies about Gabby Gums being the CMC because considering the events of "Sisterhooves Social", it seems pretty evident that Rarity has shown newfound loyalty in her younger sister.

 

You do bring up an interesting point, though: the ponies who read the paper also have guilt written all over them, considering how hypocritical they behaved in the circulation of the stories which I'm sure was forgiven offscreen.

[Orablanco Account 3,707]

I don't really see how it's a plot hole. It figures that Rarity told other ponies that the CMC were Gabby Gums, and they all got shunned because of it. That's not a plot hole, so much as people don't necessarily agree that was the way the episode should've been handled.

 

Besides, folks here are acting like the CMC had no blame at all. Yes, ponies bought the newspaper, does that make what they did right? I don't think so. If anything, the blame should rest on multiple shoulders, not just the CMC and not just the ponies that bought the newspaper. Some of the blame also lies with Diamond Tiara for pushing the CMC to continue to be Gabby Gums against their wishes.

 

While I agree that the CMC hold some blame, they're kids who were first encouraged to do the column by everypony in town, and then blackmailed into doing so. 

 

It doesn't matter if they share blame or not, those adults were acting like idiots.

[Rainblow H. Ash 5,091]

Again, it's highly unlikely that Rarity told other ponies about Gabby Gums being the CMC because considering the events of "Sisterhooves Social", it seems pretty evident that Rarity has shown newfound loyalty in her younger sister.

 

You do bring up an interesting point, though: the ponies who read the paper also have guilt written all over them, considering how hypocritical they behaved in the circulation of the stories which I'm sure was forgiven offscreen.

 

Yes, but Sweetie Belle broke that trust when she stole her sisters secret diary filled with her deepest thoughts. Rarity likely told her friends and then one of them couldn't keep their mouth shut about it.

 

I blame Big Mac. That guy's always talking...

 

While I agree that the CMC hold some blame, they're kids who were first encouraged to do the column by everypony in town, and then blackmailed into doing so. 

 

It doesn't matter if they share blame or not, those adults were acting like idiots.

 

Yes, they're kids, and they did wrong; that's why I don't blame them completely. And remember, I blame multiple ponies, not just the CMC. The CMC knew what they were doing was wrong and were all feeling horrible because of it, yet they continued doing it anyway. The adult ponies propagated the newspaper and brought it to new-found heights of popularity. Diamond Tiara refused to let the CMC stop writing nasty articles. Cheerilie let Diamond Tiara run the newspaper with no oversight, although I don't blame her too much since the Editor before Diamond Tiara did a good job.

 

Overall, I just find it kind of ridiculous to be so hard on all the adult ponies when they only played on part in the entire scheme of things. Yes, they were wrong and kind of bull-headed, but I actually think that was a more realistic reaction, because hypocrisy is a thing that plagues all sentient creatures and they were angry at the ponies who revealed all of their secrets, even if they were the ones who aided them in their quest.

[Orablanco Account 3,707]

Yes, but Sweetie Belle broke that trust when she stole her sisters secret diary filled with her deepest thoughts. Rarity likely told her friends and then one of them couldn't keep their mouth shut about it.

 

I blame Big Mac. That guy's always talking...

 

 

Yes, they're kids, and they did wrong; that's why I don't blame them completely. And remember, I blame multiple ponies, not just the CMC. The CMC knew what they were doing was wrong and were all feeling horrible because of it, yet they continued doing it anyway. The adult ponies propagated the newspaper and brought it to new-found heights of popularity. Diamond Tiara refused to let the CMC stop writing nasty articles. Cheerilie let Diamond Tiara run the newspaper with no oversight, although I don't blame her too much since the Editor before Diamond Tiara did a good job.

 

Overall, I just find it kind of ridiculous to be so hard on all the adult ponies when they only played on part in the entire scheme of things. Yes, they were wrong and kind of bull-headed, but I actually think that was a more realistic reaction, because hypocrisy is a thing that plagues all sentient creatures and they were angry at the ponies who revealed all of their secrets, even if they were the ones who aided them in their quest.

 

Agree. That's a failure on the part of the writer for never addressing that the adults were acting like childish hypocrites.

[Rainblow H. Ash 5,091]

Agree. That's a failure on the part of the writer for never addressing that the adults were acting like childish hypocrites.

 

And that's why I actually like the way they handled it, because let's face it, that really IS how a lot of folks act like in real life, with righteous indignation even though they themselves are partially at fault. Sure, the writers could've addressed that, but perhaps it shall be addressed in a future episode...

 

We shall see.

[BlueEyedPegasus 59]

Yes, but Sweetie Belle broke that trust when she stole her sisters secret diary filled with her deepest thoughts. Rarity likely told her friends and then one of them couldn't keep their mouth shut about it.

 

Overall, I just find it kind of ridiculous to be so hard on all the adult ponies when they only played on part in the entire scheme of things. Yes, they were wrong and kind of bull-headed, but I actually think that was a more realistic reaction, because hypocrisy is a thing that plagues all sentient creatures and they were angry at the ponies who revealed all of their secrets, even if they were the ones who aided them in their quest.

I don't consider it to be a total trust-breaker, because considering the way Rarity called her sister out for it in private and Sweetie Belle herself admitting to her older sister that she and her friends felt guilty about it already, Rarity most likely never exposed to the secret to other ponies. I don't care what you say. I'm sticking to what I say and I just want you to accept it without any further arguments.

 

Hypocrisy is sadly a very realistic feeling in all of us which I agree the writers never considered hard enough. Oh, well, I can forgive them for that.

Edited May 24, 2013 by BlueEyedPegasus

[Sugar Cube 4,843]

The episode doesn't explain everything, but it's easy to make a case for these so-called plot holes. After all, you can't cram every little detail into a 22 minute program.

 

1. Rarity being the drama queen that she is, would have told her friends who Gabby Gums was, and from there, word would spread like wildfire. Ponyville isn't an enormous city. It's a small town where everypony knows everypony, so it's not hard to believe it could happen. Realistically, not every resident of Ponyville would know about it, but the show isn't going to go into that, but rather emphasize how much word can spread around.

 

2. It's very likely Sweetie Belle confessed to Rarity that Apple Bloom and Scootaloo were involved. It simply happened off-screen. The three crusaders do practically everything together, so by now I'm sure the big ponies know that if one does something, the others are usually involved with it.

 

3. People love to read juicy gossip about other people, but it's not so fun anymore when you're the one whose privacy is being invaded. That was part of the episode's moral. And despite the fact that everypony shunned the Crusaders, they were all very quick to forgive once the Crusaders did the right thing, which was a tough love approach. Sure, it was a bit much and little over dramatic, but this is a cartoon we're talking about.

 

I don't know what else to say, but sometimes you have to fill in the dots when the episode doesn't explain everything. I don't think there's really any major plot holes here. It was a pretty over-the-top episode, but we've had plenty of others like it.

Edited May 24, 2013 by Sugar Cube

[Rainblow H. Ash 5,091]

I don't consider it to be a total trust-breaker, because considering the way Rarity called her sister out for it in private and Sweetie Belle herself admitting to her older sister that she and her friends felt guilty about it already, Rarity most likely never exposed to the secret to other ponies. I don't care what you say. I'm sticking to what I say and I just want you to accept it without any further arguments.

 

Hypocrisy is sadly a very realistic feeling in all of us which I agree the writers never considered hard enough. Oh, well, I can forgive them for that.

 

Well, that's fine, you can stick by what you believe, but we're going to have to agree to disagree on this one. I feel like Rarity may have told one of her close friends, like Twilight or Pinkie, but then it somehow ended up getting out.

 

But there is another possibility: what if one of the other CMC were found out to be Gabby Gums by somepony else at the same time? After all, we only saw what happened when Sweetie got found out to be Gabby Gums, for all we know a random Ponyville citizen could've discovered the truth and spread it around. It's a very real possibility.