Problems Applejack could have that would give her more character

[ponies4fun 9]

Applejack needs some more fleshing in. As a character there isn't anything that stands out from her. A pony with an issue always invokes a good episode. Applejack had two flaws so far. She can become overcompetitive and she can be too proud. Here's some ideas to introduce more issues she would have to deal with.

 

-Applejack has shown a sign of xenophobia. She seemed to be the most spooked about Zecora. Maybe there can be an episode that capitalizes on that and her overcoming it.

 

-Keeping a promise. Though I know this is closer to Spike's personality, from the episode where she didn't win any blue ribbons she was unable to face the others. It was mainly because she was ashamed of herself but she could also be those kinds of people that have to keep their promises to the end.

 

-Must always provide for her family and others. Self-sacrificial. Sometimes this can be a problem, at many times she must be able to care for herself that way she can care for others more.

 

-Third idea could cause her to also thinks it's best that Applebloom works hard and Applejack sets expectations high for Applebloom (Applejack does act like a strict bigger sister to Applebloom). It's possible that Applejack would become overly protective of Applebloom that Applebloom can either A ). Become too dependent on Applejack's coddling and be unable to handle difficult situations B ). Become really irritated about her big sister's constant nagging and run into trouble when she runs off.

 

-Along with her xenophobia maybe she has a weakness for ghosts and magic. She is after an earth pony that doesn't deal with the supernatural.

 

-Maybe she has a fear of riding boats. I know that's a bit of a stretch but maybe she has to try and overcome it to save someone.

 

-Since Applejack is not a very refined pony, maybe there will be a problem with that. She might come across high class ponies that run Apple Businesses that would triumph Apple Acre and Applejack has to get refined to get "in" the system. Rarity could co-pilot this episode helping AJ.

Edited October 22, 2013 by ponies4fun

[Malinter 3,064]

Tbh, any pony would be spooked by Zecora. Just has the everfree does everything without pony assistance. Zecora does magic without a horn.

Edited October 22, 2013 by Malinter

[FNGRpony 658]

I like the character flaws on the show,

and yeah apple jack is kinda missing the more fun mental defects you see in the others.

That's why you don't really see a evil counter part of her in the fan fiction like you get

pinkie manie

little miss rarity

Twilight the tyrant

Flutter rage

um rainbow......... okay that one needs work to LOL (seeing as how rainbow factory didn't set up a believable path from rainbow dash now to crazy rainbow dash).

 

Apple jack the Xenio file?  works for me.

[Malinter 3,064]

I like the character flaws on the show,

and yeah apple jack is kinda missing the more fun mental defects you see in the others.

 

That's why you don't really see a evil counter part of her in the fan fiction like you get

pinkie manie

little miss rarity

Twilight the tyrant

Flutter rage

um rainbow......... okay that one needs work to LOL (seeing as how rainbow factory didn't set up a believable path from rainbow dash now to crazy rainbow dash).

 

Apple jack the Xenio file?  works for me.

 

I've heard of Cowardly Rainbow Dash, basically its her only she lets her fears of failure get the best of her. Kinda like how she was freaking out in Sonic Rainboom, only permanent.

[Pomfritter 165]

Or maybe an episode that reveals more about her parents, which could introduce new character flaws that Applejack may have, since she never mentions them, she could be afraid to face the past.

[Sugar Cube 4,843]

I like some of these ideas for future episodes and character growth for AJ. In fact I was thinking very heavily about those last two points you brought up.

 

However, I don't think she's only displayed two flaws thus far. Her pride is the main one, which is the primary source of her stubbornness. Applejack is a bit of a perfectionist (Apple Family Reunion) and she doesn't know how to deal with failure (The Last Roundup).

 

Also, I don't think Xenophobia is in any way plausible because it's too similar to racism, which is the last stereotype AJ needs to be associated with. >.> And tbh, she didn't seem any more fearful of Zecora than the others. She was more afraid of Pinkie Pie's ridiculous song than anything.

Edited October 22, 2013 by Sugar Cube

[Scootalove 10,689]

I totally agree. For a character to be more developed, they need to have problems and flaws that could lead to them to forgetting about the past or try to solve their problems on their own to find out who they are.

[Malinter 3,064]

AJ doesn't need flaws because she HAD flaws. m

 

Maybe when her folks were alive she wasn't as dependable, more laid back like RD, as she took it for granted her folks would live longer than they did. we already now she originally didn't want to be a farm pony though its a shame that happened after her parents death, would have been interesting if she made that decision while they were alive..

Edited October 22, 2013 by Malinter

[ChoroChii 284]

I like that last idea you presented.

 

I would also like to see an episode where she has a fear of something but refuses to admit to it. 

[Pomfritter 165]

It is also interesting to look at how she does have a flaw that is very counteractive. She represents the element of honesty, but has lied on numerous occasions, usually with good intentions. But even though she has these good intentions, it is clear that she could use her honest nature to her advantage by lying and having the others believe her because of her nature.

[Shanks 10,816]

Actually I think it was Pinkie Pie that was the most freaked out about Zecora, but aside from her Applejack was indeed the most freaked out. To be fair to Applejack though much of this had to do with her being a protective big sister to Applebloom, sure the fear was by no mean rational but if this wasn't a factor she still would have been freaked out but not as much. Xenophobia is not unique to Applejack nor should it be, it reeks far too close to the narrow minded hillbilly stereotype which I am pleased that they have avoided with Applejack so far. I think as I have said before going into her past especially about her parents would really blow her reputation as the "boring one", but it is unlikely though is fortunately not the only way to do it. Applejack has a lot in common with Twilight Sparkle if you think about it, they both have a fear of failure, both are perfectionists though for different reasons and both are fairly diligent and mature. Applejack has fewer obvious flaws but there are several subtle ones that play into the more obvious ones that could be explored. 

 

Her pride and stubbornness have been explored many times but there are many different ways and reasons to be stubborn including Applejack. Applejack was very stubborn by insisting that Applebloom go nowhere near Zecora, which could hint at potentially overprotective. Applejack having high standards is a given and while she seems to be able to balance that with letting Applebloom be a kid it is still possible for her to go overboard in with that in some ways.

[Pomfritter 165]

Actually I think it was Pinkie Pie that was the most freaked out about Zecora, but aside from her Applejack was indeed the most freaked out. To be fair to Applejack though much of this had to do with her being a protective big sister to Applebloom, sure the fear was by no mean rational but if this wasn't a factor she still would have been freaked out but not as much. Xenophobia is not unique to Applejack nor should it be, it reeks far too close to the narrow minded hillbilly stereotype which I am pleased that they have avoided with Applejack so far. I think as I have said before going into her past especially about her parents would really blow her reputation as the "boring one", but it is unlikely though is fortunately not the only way to do it. Applejack has a lot in common with Twilight Sparkle if you think about it, they both have a fear of failure, both are perfectionists though for different reasons and both are fairly diligent and mature. Applejack has fewer obvious flaws but there are several subtle ones that play into the more obvious ones that could be explored. 

 

Her pride and stubbornness have been explored many times but there are many different ways and reasons to be stubborn including Applejack. Applejack was very stubborn by insisting that Applebloom go nowhere near Zecora, which could hint at potentially overprotective. Applejack having high standards is a given and while she seems to be able to balance that with letting Applebloom be a kid it is still possible for her to go overboard in with that in some ways.

 

I suppose a good reason for Applejack seeming so scared is because of Applebloom, but it still doesn't constitute the act of trying to make Applebloom scared of something for irrational reasons. An important thing to note about that episode is how all the ponies were acting prejudiced towards Zecora because she is a zebra. The only one who didn't was Twilight, because she did not understand how some creatures are judged based on appearances because of her lack of social development. This would be an interesting topic to explore with all of the ponies, but Applejack seems to have a larger, more irrational fear of things she doesn't understand.

[FNGRpony 658]

I've heard of Cowardly Rainbow Dash, basically its her only she lets her fears of failure get the best of her. Kinda like how she was freaking out in Sonic Rainboom, only permanent.

 

Yeah but even if that was rainbow dash the main five would still hang out with her.

 

i mean she'd be flutter shy 2.0?  Minus the animals.

[Stellafera 3,836]

Must always provide for her family and others. Self-sacrificial. Sometimes this can be a problem, at many times she must be able to care for herself that way she can care for others more.

 

I feel like she already got this one down, actually. The Last Roundup was all about how she puts an overly heavy burden of responsibility upon herself, and I tend to interpret Applebuck Season as part of it too (rather than just stubbornness). 

 

I'm wary about the idea of adding new traits to AJ's character (especially xenophobia) that aren't already there, but most of this just sounds like exploring stuff traits Applejack already has. And... well... yeah! The more episodes AJ gets, the more we get to explore the facets of her flaws. 

 

I remember I had an Applejack (with Rarity as a secondary character) episode idea about the Mane 6 going to a painting workshop and Applejack getting frustrated because she can't paint worth horseapples. She tries and tries and asks the best artist Rarity for help, but can't come close to anyone else there who seem to do it so easily. Near the end of the episode, she breaks down and quits after somepony comments in a group criticism session that "I think the artist could've tried harder". Of course, Rarity gets everyone to write praises for her artwork and shows it to Applejack and Applejack returns to painting with renewed confidence, but the important part is the conflict.

 

A new circumstance for her? Perhaps, but the reason why she gets so upset about it stems right from already established traits; Applejack holds herself to extremely high standards, overworks herself, and feels like a failure when she can't live up to that. Applejack can gain more "character" by putting her into new situations that she deals with using her personality traits, not by changing her into somepony she's not.

 

Applejack has plenty of material as far as I'm concerned, and all it takes is for the writers to come up with inventive ways for her to grow.

[Pomfritter 165]

I feel like she already got this one down, actually. The Last Roundup was all about how she puts an overly heavy burden of responsibility upon herself, and I tend to interpret Applebuck Season as part of it too (rather than just stubbornness). 

 

I'm wary about the idea of adding new traits to AJ's character (especially xenophobia) that aren't already there, but most of this just sounds like exploring stuff traits Applejack already has. And... well... yeah! The more episodes AJ gets, the more we get to explore the facets of her flaws. 

 

I remember I had an Applejack (with Rarity as a secondary character) episode idea about the Mane 6 going to a painting workshop and Applejack getting frustrated because she can't paint worth horseapples. She tries and tries and asks the best artist Rarity for help, but can't come close to anyone else there who seem to do it so easily. Near the end of the episode, she breaks down and quits after somepony comments in a group criticism session that "I think the artist could've tried harder". Of course, Rarity gets everyone to write praises for her artwork and shows it to Applejack and Applejack returns to painting with renewed confidence, but the important part is the conflict.

 

A new circumstance for her? Perhaps, but the reason why she gets so upset about it stems right from already established traits; Applejack holds herself to extremely high standards, overworks herself, and feels like a failure when she can't live up to that. Applejack can gain more "character" by putting her into new situations that she deals with using her personality traits, not by changing her into somepony she's not.

 

Applejack has plenty of material as far as I'm concerned, and all it takes is for the writers to come up with inventive ways for her to grow.

 

I agree with this. Adding new characteristics to characters now is a little difficult and would seem odd. The new circumstances would be feasible, especially if the past of the Mane 6 is addressed in S4. 

[galaxysquid 2,122]

For me, Applejack is probably my favorite out the mane 6. This is mainly because of how adorable she can be.

 

But Applejack does need more to her than what she already is in the show.

 

I'd like to see more of Appljack's past. Like, Where are her mother and father? Does she have any other closer family (Like another sibling) that we don't know about? Maybe she could have a fear of an animal, another pony, place, or maybe a fear of boats like you said. That sounds like it would be an interesting story. I also like the idea of her being over protective of her sister, and maybe Applebloom runs away and Applejack has to find her.

 

I really would like to see more of Aj. Hopefully some of that happens in season 4!

[LittleRawr 679]

I especially like the last one, it sounds as if it could be an episode.

 

Being self-sacrificial and overprotective suit her, and make sense.

 

However, Applejack being​ xenophobic is a little bit of a stretch for a kid's show.

[Noazark 67]

Any of those ideas would undoubtedly make Applejack a more interesting character, I fully agree with you man. Especially the one about self-sacrifice, I would want to watch an episode dealing with that matter.

[pinkiefan1287 610]

Some of these episode ideas would be good, but some I don't see working out well.

 

Applejack seems fine with Zecora as they have a better understanding of her. It would just be odd that AJ hates her, even thou she has help her out twice in the show.

 

The provide for family is one she is always doing. Whether it's on screen or not. AJ is always working for her family.

 

AJ overprotective side was also already looked at in, Bridle Gossip. Seeing as AB ditched AJ and ran off to Zecoras.

 

The fear of magic one doesn't make much sense, seeing as the live in a world of magic. The Sun and Moon are moved by magic. Even the Zap-apples are made from some kinda of magic. So the fear of magic one just seems weak.

 

Still I do like the concurring your own fears episode and the acting more refined episode works well for her.

[Carolina 212]

From the episode "Look Before You Sleep," I got the impression that Applejack isn't one to focus on details. This can be both a good quality (as in looking at the big picture!), but it can also be a negative, too. Perhaps there can be an episode focusing on this aspect of her character.

[FNGRpony 658]

From the episode "Look Before You Sleep," I got the impression that Applejack isn't one to focus on details. This can be both a good quality (as in looking at the big picture!), but it can also be a negative, too. Perhaps there can be an episode focusing on this aspect of her character.

 

Oh now that's a nifty idea.

But the problem with apple jack missing details would imply she'd have to be in a position of authority for that to "really matter."

 

I'm not objecting to that idea either.

 

Imagine if you will twilight has to skip town for 1 episode (or 2).

a major task comes up,

 

one of the remaining five gets put in charge.  that just so happens to be AJ because she's ms Dependable.

but ultimately misses all the little nitt picking details miss OCD twilight catches constantly.

 

Hell i don't like it,

I bucking love it!