General Opinions and Advice regarding Reviewers and Characterization

[Captain Brony (MG11) 218]

Gosh where do I start?

 

I guess i'll start off by saying I'm a frequent follower of the Crepuscular Bronies Discuss podcasts and I have to admit I couldnt finish the newest one (Daring Don't Discussion) after the first 15 minutes. Why? Because bronies and reviewers alike are still complaining about something (A complaint I personally believe is misplaced) and it completely grinds my gears: Being out of character and flanderization of a character.

 

Lets get one thing straight: I completely undersand why people dislike flanderization and characters being out of character. When it comes to continuity and character development these concerns are valid. Actions that defy who the character is for no particular reason either because of the writer or plot convenience makes the character feel unauthentic to the viewer. The character then no longer feels consistent which can irritate or cause a viewer to break out of immersion with the story.

 

Now before continuing I will cite some advice given by Joshscorcher: Consider the possibility that you're wrong.

 

Most claims of flanderization and instances of a character being out of character are reasonable. However for the MLP fandom I find that FiM gets hit harder for this than any other show i've watched (Most likely because of the variation of writers). It seems as though when a character acts a little too much like themselves BOOM! Flanderization. If the character acts slightly out of character in reaction to an event BOOM! Out of character. I find this behavior erratic and grossly misplaced to the point of nitpicking.

 

I'd like to ask reviewers and viewers out there to really think before judging. Characterization focuses around the developement and range of emotions that a character possesses in order to appeal to audiences on an empathetic level. Emotions and behavior that are quite varied due to the wide expanses that are the mind of a person. One of the main focuses of characterization is to determine how a character reacts to a variety of situations and stimuli. When a character acts a certain way consider the situation they are in. How would they react? What backstory or condition would alter their usual behavior and choices?

 

Where some see flanderization I often find a character's behavior reasonable.

Where some see someone as out of character i see them as being realistic.

 

Not all behaviors are concrete and often times we find ourselves feeling different than how we felt the previous day. Emotional inconsistency is a real thing amongst people. People's attitudes are affected by a spectrum of stimuli whether it is one's psychological state of mind, feelings of pain or comfort, as well as knowledge from past experiences. All contribute and have noticeable affects on one person.

 

Let's talk about Rainbow Dash in Daring Don't for an example:

It's critcized that RD expresses behavior that is too exaggerated whenever she acts like a fanatic. Some believe she is flanderized because she is expressing an exaggerated version of fangirl behavior for the sake of comedic effect and possible fan-pandering. Though it may seem like flanderizing what needs to be noted is that this kind of behavior exists. There are people in the real world that act like this. It's for that very reason that this scene was included because they are characterizing Rainbow Dash by putting her in a situation that would excite her as a fan. These very traits and scenarios appeal to a number of bronies as well as people of other fandoms. Which in support of my earlier statement helps the viewer empathize with her because she was characterized to appeal to us on that level of relatability in turn making her a realistic character. (Not to mention she has also fangirled like this before in several Wonderbolt episodes which makes her definitely in character)

 

I'm not saying FiM doesnt have a history of flanderization and characters being out of character but in my opinion it is accused of it way too often.

 

This is where I shall end. If you have any questions, comments, rebuttals, or criticisms please dont be afraid to share.

 

-This is the MechaG Captain Brony, signing off!

Edited December 18, 2013 by Captain Brony (MG11)

[SharpWit 2,718]

Dash seemed perfectly in character to me. If anyone was out of character it was daring do. I'm sure that with her being on missions and all, and her current concern over the rings, that her reaction made sense. But Twilight was there. A princess was there. One of your leaders is in the same room with you and you barely give any acknowledgement? Doesn't that seem odd? Yes, you gotta find the rings but a princess is in your house. And even if you don't know that she's a princess you can see she's an alicorn. Sure it doesn't interfere with the story but Daring Do ought to be a bit more observant in the grand scheme of things. Not complaining, just contemplating.

[Captain Brony (MG11) 218]

Dash seemed perfectly in character to me. If anyone was out of character it was daring do. I'm sure that with her being on missions and all, and her current concern over the rings, that her reaction made sense. But Twilight was there. A princess was there. One of your leaders is in the same room with you and you barely give any acknowledgement? Doesn't that seem odd? Yes, you gotta find the rings but a princess is in your house. And even if you don't know that she's a princess you can see she's an alicorn. Sure it doesn't interfere with the story but Daring Do ought to be a bit more observant in the grand scheme of things. Not complaining, just contemplating.

The problem with Daring Do's characterization is that she is initially a character we only know briefly. We don't know much of her inner workings and personality. So it is hard to assume how she'd act when meeting Twilight.

In addition to this the Writers may have avoided the Twilicorn Princess subject entirely due to possible fan backlash in the form of "she is on a pedestal and not equal to the rest of the mane 6." Plus this is RD's episode. Despite logic we don't want the spotlight taken from her and Daring Do.

[RockinRarity 1,605]

In addition to this the Writers may have avoided the Twilicorn Princess subject entirely due to possible fan backlash in the form of "she is on a pedestal and not equal to the rest of the mane 6."

Ugh. Don't get me started on why this line of logic is ridiculous. Of course she is not equal to the mane 6.

 

But that is OK! In fact it is commendable to be friends with people who are different from yourself, especially if they are "below" you. But ugh. I honestly think that the writers are trying to be safe from all criticism after the Twilacorn and EqG drama that they just don't want it anymore so they'll just give bronies what they want without challenging our beliefs.

 

I really need to address this more in-depth at some point. Equality is something that is bashed into our brains in society today despite being totally unachievable in fundamental ways. Every person is equal in dignity and we should all be treated well, but that doesn't mean that everything about us needs to be the same.

 

In regards to characterization, I also do not believe that RD was out of character. Her actions throughout the episode made sense to me. Even though she is the type of person to spring into action, did people not hear that Daring Do was practically scolding her for trying to help? RD didn't want to further upset her idol by springing into action the way she would if she were with her friends. RD was sad because she still felt that she shouldn't do anything to help because what little interaction she had in the previous battle got Daring Do captured. It crushed RD and made her feel emotions that we do not get to see her feeling that often.

 

And people are calling seeing a different side of someone out of character?

 

Are we going to start telling our close friends, family, classmates, coworkers, when they act differently from our vision of them that they are acting out of character? I mean maybe we can say to them that they are not acting like themselves, but we might actually be wrong. For example, I am not normally an angry person. But if you push all of my wrong buttons at the wrong time in the wrong way, something ugly may come out. Does this mean that I get to justify my behavior and tell people that that part of me is who I am? Well, only kind of... because while it is a part of me that I dislike and would like to change, I can't say that it is out of character when it does happen. It is as much a part of me as anything else.

 

While the average person may not be aware of the complexities of the human person, I feel like critiquers of characterization should know better.

[Captain Brony (MG11) 218]

Though it is a common annoyance to hear it from bronies I still think it's a legitimate concern. To have one character of your cast overshadow the others makes the other's accomplishments and status feel less significant in a way depending on the viewer. The mane 6 fans are all different and usually show allegiance to a particular few. Putting emphasis on one character too often and making them seem more important alienates fans who are fans of the other characters. It's similar to the concept of "Batman vs Superman." You cant have one win without alienating all the fans of the other in turn creating fan backlash and serious fan-on-fan hostility (sometimes even bullying).

 

However the writers of MLP are smarter than that. Yes it's important that Twilight has been given a new responsibility and power, but they know that the fans love all of these characters. They can be trusted to properly handle them. (Though many would disagree with me)

Edited December 11, 2013 by Captain Brony (MG11)

[Megas 27,783]

Dash seemed perfectly in character to me. If anyone was out of character it was daring do. I'm sure that with her being on missions and all, and her current concern over the rings, that her reaction made sense. But Twilight was there. A princess was there. One of your leaders is in the same room with you and you barely give any acknowledgement? Doesn't that seem odd? Yes, you gotta find the rings but a princess is in your house. And even if you don't know that she's a princess you can see she's an alicorn. Sure it doesn't interfere with the story but Daring Do ought to be a bit more observant in the grand scheme of things. Not complaining, just contemplating.

It's hard to criticize about what's hardly there. This seems no different than the complaints about Spitfire being "out of character" in Wonderbolts Academy. Both have had minimal appearances in the past that didn't have that much exposure. Granted, it's harder to argue this for Daring since she's had more than Spitfire before WA, but this episode still felt like it more established Daring's character than making her OoC. It's also worth noting seeing Daring in the book compared to real life could possibly feel different on top of that we don't know much about Daring's adventures(other than Rainbow and Twilight liking them a lot)

Edited December 11, 2013 by Junpei Iori

[RockinRarity 1,605]

Though it is a common annoyance to hear it from bronies I still think it's a legitimate concern. To have one character of your cast overshadow the others makes the other's accomplishments and status feel less significant in a way depending on the viewer. The mane 6 fans are all different and usually show allegiance to a particular few. Putting emphasis on one character too often and making them seem more important alienates fans who are fans of the other characters. It's similar to the concept of "Batman vs Superman." You cant have one win without alienating all the fans of the other in turn creating fan backlash and serious fan-on-fan hostility (sometimes even bullying).

 

However the writers of MLP are smarter than that. Yes it's important that Twilight has been given a new responsibility and power, but they know that the fans love all of these characters. They can be trusted to properly handle them. (Though many would disagree with me)

I do understand the concern that people have about giving too much attention to Twilight. But that to me is a separate (though related) issue. The issue of equality I think has people concerned because the idea of being different or more important than other people is bad, and that everyone needs to be treated on an equal level in a perfect world. In the United States there are movements dedicated to the spread of equality and it bothers people when they see others who are obviously not equal to themselves, or to the rest of the characters, in this case.

 

This is why even if the writers handle Twilight's interactions with her friends perfectly (which I think the writers can achieve, at least for the most part), there will still be fans who are unhappy because it is grounded in their minds that because Twilight is on a higher level than the rest of the mane cast, it is bad for the show.

[Captain Brony (MG11) 218]

I do understand the concern that people have about giving too much attention to Twilight. But that to me is a separate (though related) issue. The issue of equality I think has people concerned because the idea of being different or more important than other people is bad, and that everyone needs to be treated on an equal level in a perfect world. In the United States there are movements dedicated to the spread of equality and it bothers people when they see others who are obviously not equal to themselves, or to the rest of the characters, in this case.

 

This is why even if the writers handle Twilight's interactions with her friends perfectly (which I think the writers can achieve, at least for the most part), there will still be fans who are unhappy because it is grounded in their minds that because Twilight is on a higher level than the rest of the mane cast, it is bad for the show.

So wait is this about MLP character balancing or American Society? If the latter I feel it's innapropriate to discuss it here.

 

As much as my own feelings on equality make me want to agree with you as far as realism in FiM is concerned I'm forced to disagree with you on the character aspect. It's the cost of having multiple important characters that makes it necessary to show that equality needs to be emphasized. Being different and better is not bad, but is bad for a show and it's fanbase. People idolize these characters and feel inspired by them. Fans admire their insides and outsides to the point of loving them. To have that character get pushed down in significance is discouraging to many viewers. Sure anyone can be like me and love them no matter what happens but not everyone is that flexible. Some may feel like their love for that character is being invalidated because another character leaves them in the dust. Even if they did put emphasis on Twilight I don't see the fan reactions getting any better. Bronies are a fandom and act as any fandom will. They will continue to argue and push to have other characters rise up or push Twilight down. Either way the best we can do is believe that the show will do well as it is or even more than well. As for those who continue to doubt we do our duty and spread legitimate arguments that prove those doubters wrong and give the fandom hope.

[Scootalove 10,689]

Characterization is something that writers are not able to do well, but if you ask me Rainbow Dash was in character in Daring Don't. I think that Rainbow Dash's character wasn't being flanderized in the episode because, I would actually expect Dash to be putting Daring Do on a pedestal and, she didn't want to spring into action since she wouldn't want to anger her idol.