Lauren Faust's intentions with Twilight are confusing

[Commander_PonyShep 349]

I know it's been months since this whole Princess Twilicorn debacle, and I should be over it.  But one thing had been nagging my mind.

 

On Lauren Faust's Twitter feed, she said she had other plans for Twilight in mind, aside from making her princess, but became irrelevant now that Twilight became leader of Equestria.  However, in an interview with her, she said that she wanted Twilight to be Princess Celestia's successor, which was almost the opposite of what she said on Twitter.

 

So really, what the Hell did Lauren Faust want to do with Twilight Sparkle?

[Pinkazoid 3,493]

She never planned on making her an alicorn, just to replace Celestia eventually. Lauren dropped out of the team, and Hasbro or whoever came up with the bullsh*t idea decided to take it into action, and turn Twi into an Alicorn.

[Commander_PonyShep 349]

She never planned on making her an alicorn, just to replace Celestia eventually. Lauren dropped out of the team, and Hasbro or whoever came up with the bullsh*t idea decided to take it into action, and turn Twi into an Alicorn.

So technically, Lauren wanted Twilight to become a princess, but not an alicorn, either.

 

Well, at the very least, even if Twilight lost Rarity as a same-species counterpart, at least she gained Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy as her same terrain counterparts.  Likewise with Rarity; if she's going to remain grounded while Twilight gains wings, at the very least the fashion-pony is grounded with Applejack and Pinkie Pie.

[Pinkazoid 3,493]

So technically, Lauren wanted Twilight to become a princess, but not an alicorn, either.

 

Pretty much, there's many things Lauren wanted but Hasbro didn't grant.

 

For example, Celestia was originally "Queen Celestia" Hasbro however, said "Princess" would attract more little girls to buy MLP merchandise, also why she was originally Pink in the toys. Twilight was originally going to be a Princess alongside her Mentor, a Queen.

Edited May 24, 2013 by Pinkazoid!

[Kyoshi Frost Wolf 40,274]

The way I see it, Lauren did a great job, but she left. Regardless of reasons, she left. She isn't in control of anything now. The show doesn't have to go with 'her' vision. Whether or not it would have been better is entirely up for debate but nothing more. 

 

Twilight is an Alicorn now. All we can do is wait and see how they will handle it. I have hope that they will do many great things with it. I personally love seeing shows actually show advancement and go somewhere with it. This opens up the doors for further advancements with other characters in the future. If everyone is so pissed that Twilight is an Alicorn, than I wonder what the reaction would be if Rainbow Dash became a Wonderbolt...

 

Either way, I am tired of negativity. The hatred of change from some people within the fandom is starting to get slightly annoying, but that is just me.

[Commander_PonyShep 349]

Pretty much, there's many things Lauren wanted but Hasbro didn't grant.

 

For example, Celestia was originally "Queen Celestia" Hasbro however, said "Princess" would attract more little girls to buy MLP merchandise, also why she was originally Pink in the toys. Twilight was originally going to be a Princess alongside her Mentor, a Queen.

And again, at the very least, what we actually got was pretty damn close to Lauren's original vision.  Twilight becomes princess of Equestria alongside Celestia, it's just that she also becomes an alicorn to reflect her growth and development as a character.

 

The reason I've brought this up was because I read this article: http://feminspire.com/equestria-girls-how-did-my-little-pony-go-so-so-wrong/

 

The article criticized Equestria Girls for turning MLP from an aversion of girly stereotypes, to a reinforcement.  At the beginning of the article, it also did likewise with Princess Twilight the alicorn.  What they didn't realize, however, was that Lauren Faust intended for Twilight to become a princess, just not an alicorn, either, just as she intended to make Celestia a queen rather than a princess, just because queens are portrayed negatively in pop-culture.

[PonyEcho 1,610]

I think that when she said she wanted Twilight to be Celestia's successor. I think she meant it in the field of Magic and Friendship rather then the status of Princess or even being an Alicorn.

[Rainblow H. Ash 5,090]

That's a possibility, because I don't see how Twilight could take over for Celestia as ruler since she's immortal. Unless she stepped down or it turns out Alicorns can't live forever, I don't see how it's possible for Twilight to replace her. Plus, if Twilight was meant to replace her as ruler, that's like a huge snub to Luna, who should be the logical next in line for the throne.

[Commander_PonyShep 349]

I think that when she said she wanted Twilight to be Celestia's successor. I think she meant it in the field of Magic and Friendship rather then the status of Princess or even being an Alicorn.

What makes you think that?

 

Besides, I highly doubt that.  Even though Princess Celestia is over one-thousand years old, even she needed a successor, perhaps because her time is almost up or something.

[Rainblow H. Ash 5,090]

What makes you think that?

 

Besides, I highly doubt that.  Even though Princess Celestia is over one-thousand years old, even she needed a successor, perhaps because her time is almost up or something.

 

So essentially Celestia is going to snub her younger sister Luna and give the throne to some random Unicorn with strong magic power that she turned into an Alicorn?

 

Celestia is one cold ruler.

[Mars Caramel 319]

I often wonder how Lauren actually felt when Hasbro just did this to all of her intentions, possibly just for toy promotion.

 

I would've looked forward to a "Queen Celestia", and a non-alicorn princess Twilight.

[Commander_PonyShep 349]

So essentially Celestia is going to snub her younger sister Luna and give the throne to some random Unicorn with strong magic power that she turned into an Alicorn?

 

Celestia is one cold ruler.

That is, unless Luna makes Cadence her successor.

 

In the book, Twilight Sparkle and The Crystal Heart Spell, it was established that Cadence was a pegasus pony before becoming an alicorn.  That means it's likely that Cadence would be Luna's successor.  Makes you wonder about Shining Armor and the Crystal Empire, and what Cadence will do with either once she succeeds Luna, though.

 

In fact, when you think about it, Celestia's intentions never make any sense.  She'd turn a pegasus into an alicorn, but instead of making her her successor, she had her marry Shining Armor and rule the Crystal Empire.  And, as you said, she'd have Twilight become next in line as her successor, but not Luna.

[Rainblow H. Ash 5,090]

That is, unless Luna makes Cadence her successor.

 

In the book, Twilight Sparkle and The Crystal Heart Spell, it was established that Cadence was a pegasus pony before becoming an alicorn.  That means it's likely that Cadence would be Luna's successor.  Makes you wonder about Shining Armor and the Crystal Empire, and what Cadence will do with either once she succeeds Luna, though.

 

In fact, when you think about it, Celestia's intentions never make any sense.  She'd turn a pegasus into an alicorn, but instead of making her her successor, she had her marry Shining Armor and rule the Crystal Empire.  And, as you said, she'd have Twilight become next in line as her successor, but not Luna.

 

True... Celestia is a confusing ruler to say the least. Perhaps both her and Luna are preparing successors for their rule. For all we know, Celestia and Luna could technically be co-rulers, and want two Alicorns to take their place to control the sun, moon, and lead the country. That actually might make more sense, now that I think about it.

[Metemponychosis 1,236]

It doesn't really matters what Lauren Faust wanted to do with the characters. She has no ties to the show anymore.

 

About Twilight and Cadance replacing Celestia and Luna, it doesn't make sense to me. Cadance is ruling in the Crystal Empire. So, they would take the two sisters, put Twilight and Cadance in their place and leave the Crystal Empire's throne vacant.

 

To be honest, I think it's going to be more on the line of "Princess" being some sort of "spiritual leader", an example for ponies to follow instead of having any REAL link between being a Princess and ruling.

 

My main reason for thinking this way is that taking Celestia and Luna away is just stupid: they make this perfect "circle" of opposites that complete each other, which Twilight and Cadance just lack with each other.

 

So, I'm for maintaining the Diarchy as it is. It's just weird though that we don't really understand the relation between Equestria as a whole and the Crystal Empire. Are they a different country or are they a sort of province within Equestria? I mean, they have their own rulers but they are going to house the Equestrian Games? It sound like Germany hosting the "French Games" if they are different countries.

 

Or maybe their government simply work in ways that are completely alien to us. How about they actually address this sort of thing? My guess is that's what the Season 4 opener is about

[Rainblow H. Ash 5,090]

@

 

Good point...

 

I wonder if now that Cadance is ruler of the Crystal Empire, it has now become a part of Equestria? Sort of like an annexation of sorts? I mean, I wonder if they were a separate nation back when Sombra ruled them, and now that Celestia and Luna have installed Cadance as leader, it is now under Equestrian rule.

 

If so, then dang, they are some smart rulers when it comes to expanding their territory. I don't see how it could be any other possibility; it would be weird to call a province an Empire, as that naming scheme just makes no sense.

 

As for what Twilight will be now that she's a Princess, I'm not sure. And we weren't really talking about Faust's intentions anymore, but rather what the point of turning Twilight into an Alicorn is in the first place. 

[duidamasterXD 9,626]

I have heard the rumors of her being Celestia's successor eventually, of course there are countless ways that could be interpreted. The thing that strikes me as interesting about that is having a seemingly immortal character suddenly need a successor. What would happen to her? Would she die? Prove herself unworthy of ruling anymore? Retire? I have no idea how that would be handled. In any case, Twilight advancing in her studies and gaining a more important role was inevitable. Whether it would have been as an Alicorn or a Princess is questionable. I wouldn't mind knowing some more specifics about Faust's plan, even if it isn't really relevant anymore. 

[Metemponychosis 1,236]

@, 

 

Keep in mind that we don't know ANYTHING about Cadance. She may be a thousand years old (she just aged differently than Twilight because she was already an alicorn, meaning, more slowly), and may be a survivor of the curse that King Sombra cast on the Crystal Empire. That would explain why did the crystal ponies call her the Crystal Princess and why her cutie mark shows the Crystal Heart. What hurts this theory is that Meghan said that Twilight will not outlive her friends, meaning that alicorns do not necessarily age very slowly or are immortals. .............................. Or we will have five more alicorns soon. 

 

The name, "Crystal Empire", just boggles my mind. So, they were worried with "Queen Celestia" but ok with "Crystal Empire"? Maybe the name is what it is because King Sombra made it so, but then, why isn't he EMPEROR Sombra?! Honestly, I don't think they even gave it any thought.

 

Anyway, I guess that the Crystal Empire (based on it's name) could have been a different country. Celestia and Luna just took action to take down Sombra because he was being a tyrannical jerk to the crystal ponies, and not because he was a local governor under the Princesses that stepped out of line. So, even if they rule their own country, they took upon themselves to bring justice to the ruler of another country? Was Sombra manufacturing the Pink Cloud?!   Sorry, couldn't resist.

 

This brings me to what the princesses really are. I always thought a bit silly the notion of several countries in a world where the rulers of one of this countries control celestial bodies. In our world, when we thought of beings like this, we identified them as deities (not necessarily almighty, all-seeing deities, but with immense powers limited to their "roles" in the world). The finale for season 3 made alicorns look like Buddhas, enlightened beings that surpassed "normal" understanding of magic and the magic of friendship and ascended to a "higher level" (becoming an alicorn) and then serving as an example for other ponies. That, is freaking awesome, IMO.

 

So the real question is: are alicorns/princesses necessarily political leaders? Or are they simply role models, and Celestia, Luna and Cadace happen to be rulers as well?

Am I making any sense?!

Edited May 24, 2013 by moonlightavenger

[Princess Periwinkle 3,774]

Forgive me for not providing a source, but I'm pretty sure that Twilicorn was the plan all along, and Magical Mystery Cure was written way back in season one. If I can find where I read that I'll link it later.

 

As for potentially replacing Celestia/Luna, I'm fairly sure that won't happen. We already know that Celestia has been around for thousands of years, and we also know that Twilight isn't going to live any longer than a normal pony (source).

[DND 2,354]

In my personal head-cannon, Celestia & Luna gained some power of some kind for them to have the abilities of longevity. Because it appears so that Twilight and Cadance have normal pony lifespans.

[Nature's Spell 526]

Lauren Faust is often cast as the hapless artist who's vision was corrupted by heartless, money grabbing Hasbro suits. That's silly. Faust is a professional and has worked in TV for a long time and knew what she was getting into and to think anything else is naive and gives her no credit.

 

I don't know what her ideas where and I don't care or think it matters at this point. There is no perfect "should be" version of Twilight. Whatever she is is what she should be and you may not like it, but it's still valid, and was thought out as well as any aspect of the show. You can't please everypony all the time, but at some point you were pleased, and others were upset. It goes in cycles.

 

As far as the alicorn thing, once she became a princess she had to be an alicorn, since all the princesses are! So she got wings. Not a big deal.

Edited May 25, 2013 by Nature Spell

[Freewave 1,145]

Lauren Faust is often cast as the hapless artist who's vision was corrupted by heartless, money grabbing Hasbro suits. That's silly. Faust is a professional and has worked in TV for a long time and knew what she was getting into and to think anything else is naive and gives her no credit.

 

I don't know what her ideas where and I don't care. There is no perfect "should be" version of Twilight. Whatever she is is what she should be and you may not like it, but it's still valid, and was thought out as well as any aspect of the show. You can't please everypony all the time, but at some point you were pleased, and others were upset. It goes in cycles.

 

 

I understand that's it's not cool to take Faust's intentions for the characters and say that those were the RIGHT ideas for the charcters and that Hasbro perverted them. I don't think that's fair to either party. I do know that Faust helped creat these 6 wonderful characters and hope that Twi would eventually be Twi's successor and that she'd have Rarity get her own shop in Canterlot and Rainbow Dash be a wonderbolt (because she has said so for the broines documentary extra footage trailer). Before we go off and say that Faust doesn't matter anymore or is important to the show because she's not part of it anymore let's not forget what she helped kick off. Lauren is to FIM as Stan Lee is to Marvel.  Let's not forget how important their brief tenure was in making our show a magical place and the characters so full of life because all the groundwork was done in that first season. Maybe someone else could have done the same but lets continue to have respect for Lauren that she did what she did, when she did.

[Nature's Spell 526]

I understand that's it's not cool to take Faust's intentions for the characters and say that those were the RIGHT ideas for the charcters and that Hasbro perverted them. I don't think that's fair to either party. I do know that Faust helped creat these 6 wonderful characters and hope that Twi would eventually be Twi's successor and that she'd have Rarity get her own shop in Canterlot and Rainbow Dash be a wonderbolt (because she has said so for the broines documentary extra footage trailer). Before we go off and say that Faust doesn't matter anymore or is important to the show because she's not part of it anymore let's not forget what she helped kick off. Lauren is to FIM as Stan Lee is to Marvel. Let's not forget how important their brief tenure was in making our show a magical place and the characters so full of life because all the groundwork was done in that first season. Maybe someone else could have done the same but lets continue to have respect for Lauren that she did what she did, when she did.

I'm not saying we should forget her or that we don't owe her a lot. We do. Saying I don't care about what she wanted is just excepting the fact at this point it really doesn't matter. She left the show and we'll never know why. I just don't like people looking to her to defend or refute the shows new direction.

[Freewave 1,145]

I'm not saying we should forget her or that we don't owe her a lot. We do. Saying I don't care about what she wanted is just excepting the fact at this point it really doesn't matter. She left the show and we'll never know why. I just don't like people looking to her to defend or refute the shows new direction.

 

I think that's fair to a degree. It's natural that those who aren't happy with how Hasbro has written the direction of the show to long for how Lauren intended to handle these changes and hope that they would have been executed better. But you are right that it's ultimately irrelevent to how the show IS being written out and that's what we have to accept in the long run.

[Nature's Spell 526]

I think that's fair to a degree. It's natural that those who aren't happy with how Hasbro has written the direction of the show to long for how Lauren intended to handle these changes and hope that they would have been executed better. But you are right that it's ultimately irrelevent to how the show IS being written out and that's what we have to accept in the long run.

I agree with you that people have the right be be unhappy, but again we have the meme that everything was better when Lauren was involved and only she can "protect us" from Hasbro. It's not true. TV is a give and take between the "artists" and "suits" and that's OK. Personally I trust Meghann as much as some trusted Lauren.

[MadPointer 75]

Lauren obliviously isn't happy with Twilicorn.
Even if she planned having Twilight succeed Celestia, it wasn't done the way she intended.

 

 

 

 

This is from a guy who was editing the official Bronies documentary. 

Edited May 25, 2013 by MadPointer