Fluttershy in Power Ponies *SPOILER*

[Commander_PonyShep 349]

My one concern with this week's upcoming episode is Fluttershy transforming into a Hulk-like monster as her super-power.  I understand that her anger issues were a part of her character, like in Best Night Ever and Putting Your Hoof Down, but Flutterhulk is just taking it too far.

 

Why couldn't she be given a nicer super-power that's closer to her character, like animal communication or Beast-Boy-style animal shapeshifting?  After all, Twilight, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie have powers that are closer to their personalities.  And, even though Rainbow and Rarity's super-powers have yet to be revealed, hopefully they'll be related to their personalities as well.

 

But Fluttershy becoming a giant monster, even though it detracts from and destroys her cuteness factor?  I'm not advocating for MLP G3, which was cuteness done wrong, by the way.  All I'm saying is that her power could've been adorable just like her, like animal communication, which is more in-character for her than Flutterhulk.

 

It's like Shadow the Hedgehog all over again, where they take all the cuteness and childhood innocence, and deliberately replace it with adolescent angst and hatred, just because "cuteness is no longer marketable"!

 

Plus, the whole "Angry Fluttershy" thing has gotten old and beaten to death.  Why can't we have cute Fluttershy, like old times?  I mean, us regular human-beings have no problem posting pictures of adorable animals with purposefully-misspelled captions on the Internet.  So why not Fluttershy with herself?

Edited December 20, 2013 by Commander_PonyShep

[Yellow Diamond 7,578]

I have the impression there is now some meta continuity with Fluttershy effectively being the Bruce Banner of the Mane Six -- hence the direct reference to The Incredible Hulk TV series in "Putting Your Hoof Down." I likewise suspect "Power Ponies" will amp up the cartoonish qualities of the Mane Six quite a bit, given the medium (i.e., comic books) it will apparently portray. I therefore have little problem with depicting Fluttershy as "Flutterhulk" purely for laughs. The joke has existed since "Best Night Ever," as you mentioned, so it isn't an egregious break with her character.

 

For the sake of discussion, though, I contend the Bruce Banner/Fluttershy analogy is not inherently awful even when done seriously. The interesting aspect of Banner's character is not The Hulk; the potential loss of control is essential to the tension, but that tension is dispelled once Banner transforms. The Avengers exploited the tension for what it was worth, and Mark Ruffalo masterfully portrayed a Bruce Banner who, although cognizant of his condition, seemed to be resolved to accept his misfortune (or terrible privilege, depending on your point of view) as something he could never completely escape. He wasn't a meager scientist who ran from every fight; rather, Banner came to recognize running provided only a false sense of safety and control.

 

I think "Putting Your Hoof" down tried to play with similar ideas but did not follow through entirely on them. A lot of the lesson from the episode seemed scattered, never coalescing in the idea that Fluttershy could indeed be assertive without being nasty. Yes, she tells Iron Will down when he demands payment for his assertiveness lessons -- but the threat he poses is relatively minor. Ultimately he's a showboat and a pushover -- but how much of that actually brought to light Fluttershy's persistent self-doubts. She comically veered between extremely passive and a monstrous bitch; and the setting (i.e., Ponyville) was inexplicably hostile. "Dragonshy" developed Fluttershy's response more adequately, I think, because her assertiveness emerged when her friends were threatened by a dragon, the very creature she feared most.

 

An episode more seriously touching on Fluttershy's temper might be in order. As far as "Power Ponies" is concerned, however, I again state that I don't mind Fluttershy hulking out simply because the setting will be ridiculous and over the top. Plus, Avengers references make my day.

[Scootalove 10,689]

I don't mind that Fluttershy hulking out will be a bad thing because, it reminds me of Putting Your Hoof Down on how Fluttershy acted when she chose not to be assertive thanks to Iron Will. So this will turn out to be a good idea.

[FNGRpony 658]

I love the show idea, but yeah flutter shy being the hulk is a bit silly.

again i want,

nay insist this episode be 100 percent canned ham.  I want it to be so cheasey it's awesome.

 

Im not sure how i feel about flutter hulk.  Yes it feels like an odd fit.

but lets be honest,

flutter shys cutness has already been lacking all season long,

so screw it.  it's dead, it's burried for now,

 FLUTTERS SMASH!

[ghostfacekiller39 23,869]

I think it was just for comedic effect. Honestly, the writers are really bad about playing character flaws up for laughs. That's one of my few complaints about the job they do.

[Winona the Dog 1,984]

So

 

Fluttershy is clearly one of those "Don't mess with the quiet ones" trope characters.

 

My point being is that she is accurately portrayed to have a monster inside her and Flutterhulk is just a form of that.

[Yellow Diamond 7,578]

I think it was just for comedic effect. Honestly, the writers are really bad about playing character flaws up for laughs. That's one of my few complaints about the job they do.

 

I dunno -- Twilight's flaws were seriously shown in "The Return to Harmony", "A Canterlot Wedding" (though her anxiety and suspicions ultimately had merit), and "The Crystal Empire." Sure, the portrayals weren't dominated by unremitting angst; but the stakes proved to be high in both episodes. It's grim and heartbreaking to consider Twilight devoid of her friends, as was the case when Discord managed to corrupt all of them. Much of the humor came from a character (i.e., Discord) who took pleasure in tormenting other creatures for fun. That's dark stuff, if you ask me.

 

Still, this is a children's show at heart, so the moral and its delivery have to retain some humor to connect with kids. Besides, character flaws (and life in general) can be (perversely) funny. Yet when Pinkie Pie had her breakdown in "Party of One", the laughs derived from the incident were of the awkward, don't-want-to-stare-but-can't-look-away variety. In sum, I think the writers often do a pretty good job.

 

Save for Dave Polsky.

[ghostfacekiller39 23,869]

I dunno -- Twilight's flaws were seriously shown in "The Return to Harmony", "A Canterlot Wedding" (though her anxiety and suspicions ultimately had merit), and "The Crystal Empire." Sure, the portrayals weren't dominated by unremitting angst; but the stakes proved to be high in both episodes. It's grim and heartbreaking to consider Twilight devoid of her friends, as was the case when Discord managed to corrupt all of them. Much of the humor came from a character (i.e., Discord) who took pleasure in tormenting other creatures for fun. That's dark stuff, if you ask me.

 

Still, this is a children's show at heart, so the moral and its delivery have to retain some humor to connect with kids. Besides, character flaws (and life in general) can be (perversely) funny. Yet when Pinkie Pie had her breakdown in "Party of One", the laughs derived from the incident were of the awkward, don't-want-to-stare-but-can't-look-away variety. In sum, I think the writers often do a pretty good job.

 

Save for Dave Polsky.

Dat last line though Earns a brohoof for that alone

 

Anyway, the first 3 episodes you mentioned were 2-parters (Which, especially those 3, are always much more in depth than the majority of their counterparts, if not all); not only that, but some of the darkest-themed episodes I've ever seen in any show aimed at the demographic My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic is targeting. They got scary and tense, even by standards seen in other TV shows aimed at older demographics. Had they played up flaws for humor, it would've taken away from the general atmosphere being felt in "Return of Harmony," "A Canterlot Wedding," and "The Crystal Empire," as those where much darker themed episodes, and if they were to try and play up the humor aspect, it wouldn't have come across as funny, it would've been awkward for the most part, especially in the scenes you provided as examples. 

 

Now, as for "A Party of One," Pinkie's social imbalance of being unable to handle being and feeling alone was actually played up for laughs for the majority of that episode; she basically stalked her friends, disguised inside of a hay bale that had a pair of Groucho Marx glasses slapped on the front. Until the end, where she had her psychological breakdown due to Spike's misunderstanding of what she asked him, I found it to be quite humorous; while her personification (ponification?) of inanimate objects blurred the line between humor and serious to me (I don't know what to take that as; hell, that may have been what they were aiming for.), for the most part, her over-the-top, classic cartoonish personality was in full bloom that episode; that does not take away from the fact that her flaws are also being portrayed in a serious light, but all of the ponies have moments like that; it just seems far more prevalent for the writers (especially in Polsky episodes, I'd like to point out; I grinned when I saw that line at the end ) to play up this sort of thing for humor.

 

Take Rarity in "Just For Sidekicks."

 

While I could not find an exact picture, I ask you to remember to ridiculously small size of the red jewel she gave him as payment, and how he went all googly eyed for a moment after receiving it. They not only played her desire to look good and her love of jewels up for laughs, but they didn't even use it in a manner befitting of her; she scoffed, gave him that jewel, and then he want all ga-ga.

 

THAT'S the sort of thing I'm talking about here; Rarity is by no means a greedy mare, and if you doubt that, I've got a huge list disproving that in my magazine, and the barrel's still hot. But, she can be vain, and she is somewhat histrionic in the sense that she wants to stand out by looking good, maybe even better than the next mare; yet, they play those things up for laughs, which, in turn, has given her somewhat of a bad rep amongst certain fans.

 

Now, the OP, I believe, is having that same fear; he comes across as a Fluttershy fan, and he doesn't want her to be the pony that's strong and brutish, a la "Putting Your Hoof Down." He doesn't want her to be misconstrued in that same sense, which is understandable; however, she has been known to have a temper at times, and he feels that they're overplaying that aspect of her, and that she's good-hearted and shy on the inside, not brutish and strong. He feels her superpower is OOC and is taking one of her flaws to the nth degree, much like I agree they take my best pony's flaws a bit too far when fighting for a few chuckles. He wants her to be more who she is on the inside, kind, and shy; rather than her anger outbursts being played up for laughs.

 

That's the best I could gather from this, at least

Edited December 21, 2013 by ~Sadistic ghostfk39~

[JonPear 209]

Why can't we have cute Fluttershy, like old times?

No! You want wimp Fluttershy! You want pushover Fluttershy! You want do-anything-to-her-and-she-won't-complain Fluttershy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLA1N2wY1mw

[dekutree64 713]

I wish I could agree with you, but this is one of the oldest pictures in my pony folder:

And it's just too hilarious to see it really happen

 

Plus this aspect of her personality was shown in her very first starring episode, Dragonshy. Even though I personally prefer pushover Fluttershy, the monster is a part of her. Making it her superpower is absolutely appropriate.

[Commander_PonyShep 349]

I wish I could agree with you, but this is one of the oldest pictures in my pony folder:

12860 - flutterage fluttershy parody The_Hulk.jpg

And it's just too hilarious to see it really happen

 

Plus this aspect of her personality was shown in her very first starring episode, Dragonshy. Even though I personally prefer pushover Fluttershy, the monster is a part of her. Making it her superpower is absolutely appropriate.

Still, Fluttershy is an animal specialist, not a rage-aholic like The Incredible Hulk.  She could've been given superpowers based on her love for animals, like animal telepathy or something.  I mean, we've had plenty of animal telepathy before, like Aquaman, for example, right?

[FNGRpony 658]

um....

another season 4 miss episode for flutter shy, i liked the part where she apologizes after hulking up,

but other than that,

she was my least favorite pony in this episode.

[FlutterDash4072 190]

Honestly Fluttershy's anger issues were something I've wanted to see explored since The Best Night Ever, and they haven't really done much of it.   And though I was looking forward to Flutterhulk in this episode, I ended up let down with the execution.

[Malinter 3,064]

Every brony has a hulk-like pony inside of them, its the part of us that gets pissed of at folks griefing us because we like the show. XD 

[FNGRpony 658]

Every brony has a hulk-like pony inside of them, its the part of us that gets pissed of at folks griefing us because we like the show. XD 

I'm alot morelike flutter shy when it comes to couping about being a bronie. lol quite and timid.

[Octavia's Melody 128]

Oh Celestia, is Flutterhulk going to be this weeks b-fest? 

 

I thought this fitted Fluttershy's persona very well. She's that passive character that's always being outspoken and pushed around, so it was nice to see her truly lash out for once.

 

 

Come on, that's awesome 

Edited December 21, 2013 by Octavia's Melody

[hawkflame 3,312]

 

Take Rarity in "Just For Sidekicks."

 

While I could not find an exact picture, I ask you to remember to ridiculously small size of the red jewel she gave him as payment, and how he went all googly eyed for a moment after receiving it. They not only played her desire to look good and her love of jewels up for laughs, but they didn't even use it in a manner befitting of her; she scoffed, gave him that jewel, and then he want all ga-ga.

 

For what it's worth, that tiny jewel bought a giant, industrial strength hair dryer.  My headcanon says that even though it was small, the *kind* of jewel it was was very rare. 

 

As far as Flutterrage goes, I don't think the OP has anything to worry about.  The reason why it's so funny is because it's so opposite her usual demeanor.

[FNGRpony 658]

 

Oh Celestia, is Flutterhulk going to be this weeks b-fest? 

 

I thought this fitted Fluttershy's persona very well. She's that passive character that's always being outspoken and pushed around, so it was nice to see her truly lash out for once.

 

 

Come on, that's awesome 

 

 

the last panel.... almost made me daw LOL.  it was the perversion of a daw.

flutter shy turns into shin snow flake.

 

Yes i'm gonna bitch lol.

[ghostfacekiller39 23,869]

For what it's worth, that tiny jewel bought a giant, industrial strength hair dryer.  My headcanon says that even though it was small, the *kind* of jewel it was was very rare. 

Actually, you're most likely correct; however, and as unfortunate as it is, the general non-Rarity fan of the series wouldn't think as far into that. Furthermore, Dave Polsky, the writer of that episode, has written the majority of the episodes that has led and been used as evidence to the "Rarity is Greedy" school of thought, by playing up her vanity for humor, as he did in this situation

 

That Asshole. :okiedokielokie:

 

So, in my thought, he wrote that without a sense of depth to the character or the diamond; Polsky wrote Rarity to give Spike such a small jewel, to have Spike get...erm, excited, over receiving such a small gift from her, which, in turn, was most likely used for comedic effect.

 

He wrote that scene to make Spike humorous, not Rarity, and he used her flaw of being vain at times at his disposal in order to do so.

 

Ergo, which is why I have an objective agreement with the OP as for disliking the why FlutterHulk was handled, but, I must admit, subjectively, I enjoyed it As a Rarity fan, I can relate to not being happy when my best pony's flaws are played up for laughs like a joke, which, in turn, has led some fans to think and say negative things about the unicorn I enjoy so much. I understand his fear of that, even though I believe FlutterHulk has gone over quite well with the fandom

 

Sorry, Saturday's are my show analysis days I get into it. The rest of the week, I just do whatever

 

Fricken' Polsky, setting off all this Rarity hate... :okiedokielokie:

[Sir.Flutter Hooves 2,953]

Making Fluttershy the hulk was perfect for two reasons:

 

1.) You would never expect her to be like this! It's just pure gold!

 

2.) What other super power do  you expect? This was just really good writing.

 

Oh, and she's just so dang cute as a hulk:

 

[Octavia's Melody 128]

Actually, you're most likely correct; however, and as unfortunate as it is, the general non-Rarity fan of the series wouldn't think as far into that. Furthermore, Dave Polsky, the writer of that episode, has written the majority of the episodes that has led and been used as evidence to the "Rarity is Greedy" school of thought, by playing up her vanity for humor, as he did in this situation

 

That Asshole. :okiedokielokie:

 

So, in my thought, he wrote that without a sense of depth to the character or the diamond; Polsky wrote Rarity to give Spike such a small jewel, to have Spike get...erm, excited, over receiving such a small gift from her, which, in turn, was most likely used for comedic effect.

 

He wrote that scene to make Spike humorous, not Rarity, and he used her flaw of being vain at times at his disposal in order to do so.

 

Ergo, which is why I have an objective agreement with the OP as for disliking the why FlutterHulk was handled, but, I must admit, subjectively, I enjoyed it As a Rarity fan, I can relate to not being happy when my best pony's flaws are played up for laughs like a joke, which, in turn, has led some fans to think and say negative things about the unicorn I enjoy so much. I understand his fear of that, even though I believe FlutterHulk has gone over quite well with the fandom

 

Sorry, Saturday's are my show analysis days I get into it. The rest of the week, I just do whatever

 

Fricken' Polsky, setting off all this Rarity hate... :okiedokielokie:

If it's any consolation, Rarity was actually one of my favorite things about this week's episode. Her outfit and powers were marvelous 

[ghostfacekiller39 23,869]

If it's any consolation, Rarity was actually one of my favorite things about this week's episode. Her outfit and powers were marvelous 

 

Rarity is always Marvelous, as well as fabulous, and just flat out amazing

 

Even in Polsky episodes :okiedokielokie:

 

(We're way off topic now...)

[Commander_PonyShep 349]

Making Fluttershy the hulk was perfect for two reasons:

 

1.) You would never expect her to be like this! It's just pure gold!

 

2.) What other super power do  you expect? This was just really good writing.

 

Oh, and she's just so dang cute as a hulk:

 

Actually, I thought it was a total perversion of Fluttershy's character.  It's one thing to make MLP G4 unlike MLP G3, but it's another to go too far with it, like they did with Flutterhulk.

 

If it's any consolation, Rarity was actually one of my favorite things about this week's episode. Her outfit and powers were marvelous 

You notice how Rarity not only shared the same powers as Green Lantern, but also became a villain just like him in the comics?

 

Seriously, for ten years, Hal Jordan turned into a genocidal villain named Parallax, just as Rarity became Nightmare Rarity for an entire four-issue story-arc in the comics.  Guess Fluttershy wasn't the only one who turned into a hideous monster and reduced to a joke as a result...

[hawkflame 3,312]

Actually, you're most likely correct; however, and as unfortunate as it is, the general non-Rarity fan of the series wouldn't think as far into that. Furthermore, Dave Polsky, the writer of that episode, has written the majority of the episodes that has led and been used as evidence to the "Rarity is Greedy" school of thought, by playing up her vanity for humor, as he did in this situation

 

Actually, just looking it up, that episode was written by Corey Powell, not Polsky.  Powell was also the one who wrote Sleepless in Ponyvi9lle, with Rarity as the super diva making her sister haul all the luggage...

 

Powell however did write Spike At Your Service, the episode that was supposed to be a Rarity ep but had to be changed because she wasn't coming across very well...

[ghostfacekiller39 23,869]

Actually, just looking it up, that episode was written by Corey Powell, not Polsky.  Powell was also the one who wrote Sleepless in Ponyvi9lle, with Rarity as the super diva making her sister haul all the luggage...

 

Powell however did write Spike At Your Service, the episode that was supposed to be a Rarity ep but had to be changed because she wasn't coming across very well...

Just for Sidekicks?

 

I looked it up as well.

 

Touche.

 

However, Polsky (and Powell, it seems) have a resume of writing episodes where she was portrayed in such a negative light for laughs.

 

So, yeahh, Polsky is still a culprit in my eyes. 

 

We should just have Charlotte Fullerton write Rarity. She's the only one who got her character down perfectly, in Suited for Success.