How do you feel about the Tree of Harmony?

[FNGRpony 658]

I loved the first two episodes and i've not heard anyone bitch about the tree "YET!"

And celestail leaves out important details all the time (i suspect that trollish nature is to cover for the writers lol).

 

I mean it's not like we're not coming back to it, we got six locks. 

I adored the episode but i mean, i don't know how i feel about the tree.

I mean it did get rid of the EOH.

 

So i guess it's a good thing,

[NavelColt 22,883]

 

In a lot of ways, it and Shining Armor are incredibly similar. Both are major new plot twists that came out of left field, but, are executed fairly if not very well. I honestly think it's pretty cool, in both appearance and usage in the story thus far. It not only gave us the opportunity to learn backstory scenes on two major villains and princesses and where the Elements of Harmony originally came from, but it also allowed the writers to shelve the Elements. This is a good thing, because as I'm sure many people will tell you, the Elements have been used a lot to defeat the baddies in the past three seasons (and movie). Certainly not all the time, but enough where it would get  real irritating real quick if they did it anymore in this season, at least immediately. The girls have matured in the past three seasons too, so shelving them, albeit even if it's only temporary, makes sense in-show as well.

 

So yeah, I like it. I also like how unnaturally natural (hololol) it looks, as if someone or something put it there as the source of life. I've now got a headcanon that, whatever god or being created Equestria and the known mlp world and universe, planted that tree as one of its' greatest core creations. Clearly, as we've seen, it's pretty much self-sustaining granted that the elements are maintained on its' branches, or are returned to it by the users when it needs them to be, so, it's quite interesting to think about.

[FNGRpony 658]

I noticed some things after you posted that pic.  Does that thing ever bloom?  Does it bear fruit?

 

cause you could open up all kinds of idea (not just fan fiction either).

Making a wand from the tree of harmoney's branch, 

what would happen if it was destroyed,

 

where does discord get those damn seeds from?

 

I mean people think he invented the poisen joke, I'd love to see his garden.

[Argumedies 1,749]

Keep Spike away from it or it will be turned into the tree of cake!!

 

For myself, I saw this as another crystalline structure much like that from the Crystal Empire and wonder of its significance in that role

 

And I've not heard/read anyone else who has made that connection as well.(understandably there was nothing to prove that as fact but its logical imho)

 

And if that is the case then it now ties ALL the main story issues, including crystal empire.

[Galen 1,354]

I have to agree with what Theorybrony and Digibrony said about the tree. While it is a new element in the MLP story, it isn't a bad one. If nothing else, it's a REALLY good one because it goes to show that the elements of harmony aren't just a thing that exist in the story for the sake of existing. There is actually a history behind their existence and why they were used by Celestia and Luna. It was never something that just existed, but something used in a time of desperation to defeat an enemy too powerful for them to deal with on their own at a great risk. It was definitely a nice touch, and as OP says, it's not the last we'll see of the tree considering the six locks, which further suggests there will be more continuity in this season compared to the previous ones. So much that I'm starting to think that the writers, while mainly still catering for the young girl audience, are also keeping in mind that the fandom is much larger than that without actually compromising what makes MLP as good as it is in the first place.

Edited November 24, 2013 by Freedan

[Lux Klonoa 18]

Um, why are people thinking this is the end for the Elements? With the box, it seems to be a little hasty to be jumping to that conclusion already.

 

Look, I'm just as tired of the Harmony Blaster being used over and over, but that doesn't mean they can't do differently with the Elements themselves. There's so many different ways they could use them, really, and I'd prefer that way instead of getting rid of them altogether and calling it a day.

 

Seriously, think about it.

[Troblems 5,623]

I like it. I also giggled about how many fanfic died when the episodes aired.

[Winona the Dog 1,984]

I also agree TheoryBrony and Digibrony.

 

The way the staff implemented the Tree of Harmony was to be blunt, brilliant. As far as we know it's provides the safety for Ponyville from the Everfree which I assume is a completely different entity and it's spawned the EoH.

 

It's really a rather complex subject and that's why I love it!

[ShadOBabe 19,058]

I don't know what details you're saying Celestia left out.

 

She left out the plunder seeds Discord planted?

She didn't know about them.

 

She left out where the keys are for the Harmony Box?

She doesn't know where they are.

 

She never told anyone where she and Luna got the Elements?

I guess that's leaving things out, but seriously, why would anybody really need to know before this point? The Tree seems important. Maybe it's a good idea to keep its location secret to keep it safe? What if it ends up in danger during the season? Or can it just protect itself? Celestia said it just contains the Everfree Forest.

[FoxyCryptid 4,330]

I like the idea. It's nice they're actually adding mythology and back story to the world because a lot of shows like this don't go this in depth with world building. I kinda hope they made a video game(maybe an RPG) that take advantage of all this at some point.   

[Wingnut 7,036]

I'm OK with the concept.    The Elements represent qualities that are innately timeless.  It's not really a surprise that they came from a natural and not a pony-made source. 

 

Next question:  Is the Tree of Harmony in Lauren Faust's series bible, or is this an addition? 

[Kyoshi Frost Wolf 42,207]

I have to say, I love the concept. It really came out of nowhere but that is a positive here. I didn't expect it. It is great for a few different reasons. One, it gives us backstory on the EOH obviously and that is cool that the writers gave us an explanation of their existence a bit. Two, It essentially got rid of the original Elements, for now at least. That was another surprise. The Elements were put back into the tree so, for now at least, they are essentially gone. This opens up many different possibilities to me. Three, the lockbox thingy. Even though we know little about it, my assumption is that it is some kind of replacement to the EOH since it sprouted from the same tree. Still, this gives us something to look forward to down the line and we can speculate and think about it. That is brilliant. A story arc like that is just an example of what I love about what the writers are doing. They are thinking forward and moving forward. Just fantastic in my opinion.

 

In conclusion, the tree is pretty neato to me.

[Malinter 3,065]

Well it nerfs the status of alicorn though I don mind the idea of an equestrian Yggdrasil.

 

I wonder if the tree is connected to princesses talents as it bears there cutie marks, it makes sort of sense in that the tree's function seems to revolve around balance and control. It controls the nature of the Everfree so many be it granted control over the nature of the sun and moon and in Twilight's case, Magic.

[hawkflame 3,315]

I think it's a fascinating new element to the show's mythology.  It fleshes out the Elements of Harmony but at the same time adds a million more questions, which is what I think good myth and worldbuilding does.  The design was great, and there's a lot of magic about it.  I think it's a great addition.

[Malinter 3,065]

I'm OK with the concept.    The Elements represent qualities that are innately timeless.  It's not really a surprise that they came from a natural and not a pony-made source. 

 

Next question:  Is the Tree of Harmony in Lauren Faust's series bible, or is this an addition? 

 

Well she did plan for the Everfree to be able to encroach and expand beyond its size. The tree itself though I'm not so sure.

[SCS 7,537]

I love it. I have always been fascinated by the story of Equestria in every respect - its inhabitants, its history, its genesis, and so on. I was hoping that more information about Equestria's past would be revealed in season 4, but I was not expecting it to happen in the opening episodes - I was pleasantly surprised. 

 

I have always wondered where the Elements of Harmony came from, so it's amazing to see their place of origination. However, the question is now raised: who planted the Tree of Harmony? I highly doubt Princess Celestia or Princess Luna created it due to their reaction upon finding the tree in the scene Twilight saw. Their reaction upon discovering it implies to me that they had discovered a mysterious, legendary and abstruse aspect of Equestria that they were just as awed by as anyone else would be.

 

I love the Tree of Harmony itself and its purpose - it is a wonderful new aspect to learn about Equestria that explains how plant life is kept in harmony.

 

I wonder if there are any other primeval aspects of Equestria such as the Tree of Harmony, the Elements of Harmony and the Crystal Heart that play essential roles in the core of all life.

[TailsIsNotAlone 3,697]

I like it a lot. The Elements had to come from somewhere, and the Tree not only shows us this but allows for the EOH to be taken away. That's the most interesting development. I wonder how the Mane 6 will do without them.

[Metemponychosis 1,263]

This show needs a creation myth. And a proper name for the world.

 

But I love the tree. It's very beautiful in it's presentation and in it's function.

[ghostfacekiller39 23,880]

I mean, I liked the idea In a way, it's made S4 already better (No EoH, new, season long plotline, etc.)

 

I'm not sure if it can be called a villain or not, though

Edited November 24, 2013 by ghostfacekiller39

[Swick (ded) 436]

I like it. I also giggled about how many fanfic died when the episodes aired.

It's not funny stop laughing.

[windy_prance 114]

I love the Tree of Harmony. It illustrates that Celestia and Luna are not the goddesses of Equestria. Their achievements were made possible by borrowing a power from forces beyond. This allows more world building for the writers beyond the old "Celestia-knew-what-was-going-to-happen-all-along".

 

Also Tree of Harmony's gift to Twilight will allow for story arcs for all the Mane Six in search for these keys. Hopefully with new locations. *crosses fingers for a trip to Saddle Arabia*

[Argumedies 1,749]

It's not funny stop laughing.

I laughed at this as well cause I new it was gonna happen

 

I know it ruined mine and I haven't even finished it yet so now I gotta rethink my head canon on things.

[Nature's Spell 526]

I'm also enthralled by the Tree of Harmony and its implications for the future of the show.

I have to wonder how it connects with the Crystal Heart. It struck me that we saw Cutie Marks for everypony but Cadence! The Sparkleboom also got me thinking. It was literally a twilight sparkle; she's the peacemaker that brought the sisters together and stands between them.

Edited November 25, 2013 by Nature Spell

[Commander Frost 731]

I loved the first two episodes and i've not heard anyone bitch about the tree "YET!"

And celestail leaves out important details all the time (i suspect that trollish nature is to cover for the writers lol).

 

I mean it's not like we're not coming back to it, we got six locks. 

I adored the episode but i mean, i don't know how i feel about the tree.

I mean it did get rid of the EOH.

 

So i guess it's a good thing,

I hate that tree it got rid of the elements. but I think that inside the box is the element of friendship or another key.

[FNGRpony 658]

Makes you wonder how many other important nuggets princess celestail is sitting on cause the writing staff hasn't thought of them yet.