Are the writers overusing the redemption storyline?

[Mywas 687]

So lets see our redeemed Villains/antagonists so far:

 

Nightmare Moon: Well she was the first to be redeemed so it was original and she was given a sob story from the start of her episode so her being redeemed wasn't that much of a suprise. and she wasn't even redeemed, Luna was.

 

Trixie: Sure she wasn't evil but correupted and her being redeemed might been a huge Fanservice but it did not hurt her character at all. Plus she might appear in future episodes because of this So overall wasn't that bad of a redeemtion

 

Babs Seeds: Well she was kinda created for the sake of showing little girls that talking to your bully might help. and plus because of it we got Three new CMCs(two still unknown)

 

Discord: So let me just say that I hated Keep Calm and Flutter On, not because Discord was redeemed, but because of the way he was redeemed, atleast Vegeta and Picolo still kept their dignity. A walk of shame? really? I hope they make up for it in future episodes otherwise they would end up ruining a great character.

 

Sunset Shimmer: Okay at this point this is getting stupid, Why was she redeemed? She already has a lot of stuff that makes her a terrible villain so why add a terrible redeemtion scene to it? She cried ffs. She isn't going to be in the main show so why not kill her off or have her arrested by the Police? 

 

So I think I proved my point, so do you think the writers should stop using the whole "I am just misunderstood" card? Well I think they should

Edited August 19, 2013 by What

[Harmonic Revelations 8,835]

They need to be redeemed, because due to the nature of the show, that's really the only way to solve the problems with each in the long run, because it's not like they can just kill them or something.

[ReGen 1,466]

Yeeeaaahh... Sunset Shimmer's didn't make much sense. Good thing it's a spin-off. Discord's didn't make any sense to me either. He's Discord, he causes chaos! Now what's he going to do? Water the flowers for everyone?

 

They need to be redeemed, because due to the nature of the show, that's really the only way to solve the problems with each in the long run, because it's not like they can just kill them or something.

 

This here's the best answer.

[Scootalove 10,689]

The writers probably felt that they wanted them to be redeemed. Besides, if they kill them off there wouldn't be much of a purpose to killing them yet.

[. eris . 1,661]

Redeeming a villain is basically the only thing they can do, since Equestria is supposed to be sunshine and daisies, and everything usually works out in the end. They can't kill their villains off, this isn't exactly Disney.

[~StatesTheOblivious~ 1,795]

because it's not like they can just kill them or something.

 

Yeah...

 

 

But I think it's really difficult to not do so if you consider the show's premise. The redemption, that is. But it is not as well executed as it could be. And when the next villain will me reformed, I will start to consider it as one boring, recurring element of the show.

Edited August 19, 2013 by StatesTheOblivious

[Mywas 687]

Yeah...

 

 

But I think it's really difficult to not do so if you consider the show's premise. The redemption, that is. But it is not as well executed as it could be. And when the next villain will me reformed, I will start to consider it as one boring, recurring element of the show.

Not to mention.....

 

This is Tirek from G1 being flamed to death

and this is Lavan from G1 killing him by mistake....

 

G4 aint got nothing on G1

[Misty Shadow 7,863]

I thought the noun for it was "redemption". Anyways, as long as Chrysalis and Sombra (if either of them are ever brought back in the show for some crazy reason) never change, I'm cool.

[They call me Loyalty 1,948]

Overused, I don't think so. Bad executed, maybe.

 

I wasn't expecting Discord to be reformed in that bland way the writers did it. He is supposed to be Chaos itself. A being  made of chaos should be conformed by many different personalities, as a result of one shattered mind, which should react in hundreds of different ways, without following any logic pattern.

He was supposed to no make sense due his inner conflict. But the way he answered to fluttershy leaving him, in some way made sense. I was a little bit dissapointed by that. Eventhough one part of myself liked his reaction and the whole episode.

But that shouldn't be the way of Chaos to act.


Apologies for my english, it isn't my first language.

[Mr. Jaguar 1,403]

I think it depends on how further redemptions are executed. I really haven't had a problem with any save for Sunset Shimmer, who I was hoping they'd kill (for trying to kill Twilight), but apparently accepted her apology. Then I decided that maybe they really think she's legitimately sorry, in which case, I'm fine with it. Then again, I'm not really expecting them to have any villains actually die by the hooves of the protagonists, since this is a kids show and I guess they think that showing the good guys killing the villains will mess the kids watching up, which I don't agree with but whatever.

 

When they start redeeming remorseless villains who don't desire to change other than for selfish reasons, then I'll complain.

[Salacberry 90]

No, honestly I don't see a problem with it. The series is 'friendship is magic,' so I feel that it only makes sense for characters to redeem themselves, become better ponies and learn the magic of friendship to fit in with the show's themes.

[Luffyiscool 397]

I had no problem with Discord's redemption, because the angle made sense.
Annoying and toying with other beings is the only thing he's ever known. The lack of friendship is a given.

 

Fluttershy's plan was to get under Discord's skin and make him realise how wonderful it is to have a friend.
Discord takes advantage of her kind gestures at first, freely twisting her home around and playing pranks at the dinner table,
but while enjoying the confrontation arising between the ponies over his behaviour, he was suddenly caught off guard.
Fluttershy grabbed him and said that she cut him all that slack "because that's what friends do."

I bet Discord was thinking about how everyone else in his life would have told him to GTFO or at least gotten angry with him by that point, like the other ponies in the room. This was the first time that someone had truly stuck by him and defended him despite his reputation, so of course it felt like a very big deal to him. The crack in his armor appeared and he seemed genuinely touched as he shared a smile with Fluttershy.

But the key thing here is that he didn't yet realize the full meaning of what a friend was. He thought he could have his cake and eat it too. He kept tempting Fluttershy to join in with him, which was definitely presented as a ploy to stop her using her element, but under the surface i believe he was also trying to secure her companionship.

Even when Flutters finally snapped and rejected him near the end, and he launched a stroppy rant at her, he still referred to her as the only friend he ever had. And that's when he realised just how much he'd already let her into his heart. She actually WAS his friend, whether he admitted it to himself or not, which prompted his feeling of loss and pain now that she was leaving his side.

For me, that subtle build up and realization made this episode very enjoyable.


Also, i don't really like the arguments against his redemption that only bring up his affiliation with chaos.
Sure, he's good at creating chaos and he loves creating it. But that isn't inherently evil.
Chaos is randomness, loss of order, etc. Just like practical jokes, or public disturbances, which happen all the time.
Something doesn't have to wreck a whole town to be considered a chaotic act.

Take the phrase "what's normal for the spider is chaos for the fly" for example. Chaos is still happening, but on a smaller scale.
Discord has already been seen doing small things like changing the sizes of rabbits, re-designing lampshades and trolling angel. So we know that when he wants to he can certainly tone down the scale of his deeds without losing any of his mischief.

That's why i think his character is intact. He even said "most of the time" upon stating his change of allegiance, which means he could give us something super crazy at any moment he wants. Heck, he could even use it as an excuse when he refuses to follow certain royal orders, just like an over-levelled pokemon.

Personally, i feel that most people's doubts about his character will shatter when we see him again as a prominent part of an episode.




On an entirely different note, i was very shocked indeed when Sunset Shimmer started crying and Twilight offered her a spot in her friend group.
I know they couldn't kill her off, but i at least expected a small time jump, and the sight of her sitting in the back of a police car.

Edited August 20, 2013 by Prince Dan

[DarligPegasi 315]

I understand why they keep redeeming the villains  but they really do need to stop. I mean in real life some people are just terrible people, who will never change.

 

When they redeemed Discord I was so freaking mad! Because he is basically the definition of chaos! Now what is he? Organized chaos? That doesn't even make sense!

 

Also I don't mind Trixie being redeemed but I don't think she was really. She's not evil but she's still a rude, insensitive and mean spirited person. I think she only apologized to Twilight because she recognized the fact that Twilight was more powerful than her. (Like a lower ranked wolf submitting to an Alpha)

 

I think the only redeeming that was necessary and actually made sense was Luna.

And now apparently she's going to become evil AGAIN.

 

[Luffyiscool 397]

he is basically the definition of chaos! Now what is he? Organized chaos? That doesn't even make sense!

As i mentioned above, chaos itself could be more subjective given the tone of the show.

Also, it doesn't define him. He has his own personality and shouldn't be judged as a character on his powers alone.

 

Regarding the whole chaos argument, the phrase "what is normal to the spider is chaos for the fly" comes to mind.

Chaos is undoubtedly happening, but it's on a smaller scale.

 

That's all they're asking him to do. Lower the scale of his deeds so he doesn't wreck the town.

He can still get up to mischief, and at times disobey royal orders (he did say he'd behave 'most of the time', and could easily use that as an excuse to stretch his power for a bit whenever he wants to.)

 

In short, taking the evil away doesn't necessarily take the chaos away.

Just because he isn't turning the town upside down, it doesn't mean that he can't use his power at all.

 

And again, don't let his power define his character. Who cares if he can't be in full throttle all the time if HE'S cool with it?

It's character development, pure and simple. Something changed emotionally, but his powers haven't.

Princess Celestia said she has USE for Discord's power. Don't you think we'll eventually see him in full glory when we get to see this 'use'?

 

Basically, have faith in Discord and look forward to his return.

I 100% honestly do not understand the backlash that happened after his redemption.

I simply didn't get it, and loved the episode for the development. You go, Discord. You go.

 

[DarligPegasi 315]

@,

 

Ehhh, well either way. I prefer Evil Discord to Somewhat Good Frenemy discord. Sure he can still be chaotic, but chaotic on a smaller scale is boring. xD

Edited August 21, 2013 by DarligPegasi

[Dsanders 5,747]

The redemption is very common amongst the villains, I agree with you on that! The only villains that were never shown to fully become redeemed was Sombra(who literally and basically exploded) and Chrysalis(who was blown away by the love explosion to the farthest corners of Equestria).

 

I personally think Discord's redemption was reasonably fair in my opinion. Considering how Fluttershy stuck by his side through the majority of the episode and actually defended him when nopony else would. I mean, let's face it, he's like the best example of a freakin troll!

 

He takes joy in acting rude and will annoy the hell out of everyone, just to piss them off. But Fluttershy didn't mind that at all and accepted him for how he was, which was something he, being the typical troll he was, never expected.

 

He wasn't even evil to begin with honestly, he just liked to piss everyone off and play his annoying games and goofy tactics!

 

Like some other poster said, he's still chaotic and most likely will still remain that way. Chaos is not evil, it's just randomness and out of order nonsense! He doesn't have to quit fulfilling that role, at least...I hope he doesn't, because that's I what love most about him!

 

Luna was also understandable. She was burdened so long in her Nightmare Moon state, that you just had to see her redemption eventually. It was bound to happen knowing how the show works and how the ponies eventually resolve everything. There is also a possibility though, that her redemption was not 100% legitimate, and that she may revert back to her Nightmare Moon form in season 4 due to her jealously and fear of Twilight over-topping her as Princess.

 

That's gonna be epic!

 

Babs Seeds and Trixie's redemption was also understandable to a extent, but arguably, it could of have been much more better and encompass a better plot line. 

 

Sunset Shimmer's redemption was just ridiculous!

 

Way too quick and way too cliche, and way too much of a drastic turn-around! I was quite disappointed with that scene. And I agree with one of the posters on here who said she should of been arrested and taken into a police car! lol! I would of loved to see that happen.

Edited August 21, 2013 by Sanderspie

[RrVPfX9cPtw59FpC 1,304]

I'd be fine with redemption, but only if it's done well. Discord's was great, Luna's was pretty good, Trixie's was explainable, and Babs Seed was never really a villain. The only one I don't think should have been redeemed was Sunset Shimmer. Statistically, they're doing it pretty well! I like it!

[Splashee 28,563]

Yes, almost too much. I think it doesn't teach our young how hard it is in life, to get a second chance

[ExplosionMare 18,062]

I think they could have made the redemptions less “quick”, where maybe a villain had to go and prove themselves before they could reform. It would at least be interesting if anything.

[Vefka 1,499]

On 10/2/2020 at 11:28 AM, ExplosionMare said:

I think they could have made the redemptions less “quick”, where maybe a villain had to go and prove themselves before they could reform. It would at least be interesting if anything.

Because of this reason I think Starlight's redemption was the only proper one in the show

[Splashee 28,563]

1 minute ago, Vefka said:

Because of this reason I think Starlight's redemption was the only proper one in the show

Except she was a complete psycho dictator because she lost one single friend as a child. Do you know how many times I have lost friends during my childhood? 

Oh you wait and see what happens to me ... No, already redeemed. It said so in my inbox (fooled you, I get error message in inbox )

[Cash In 22,301]

Redemptions are a dime a dozen in the show, but I don't mind them if they're satisfying. I guess by season 9, the writers had enough of them and stopped completely. Anyone, feel free to correct me if I'm forgetting something.

[Sepul-Coloratura 762]

If a redemption story isn’t handled well, then even one is too many.

There has been some good redemption stories and some bad ones. I think it got a little stale towards the end since the only option for villains is to neutralize them. It means that the heroes either has to blast the villain’s face with a laser, or convert them into good guys. The writers didn’t particularly come up with fresh ideas either. 

Edited October 9, 2020 by Sepul-Coloratura

[swu24 8]

On 8/19/2013 at 12:55 PM, ~StatesTheOblivious~ said:

 

Yeah...

 

 

But I think it's really difficult to not do so if you consider the show's premise. The redemption, that is. But it is not as well executed as it could be. And when the next villain will me reformed, I will start to consider it as one boring, recurring element of the show.

I WANT more villain episodes!!!!!!!!