Are people expecting too much from season 4?

[Music Chart Fan 819]

@, 

 

I'm not sure that I've seen all that many people saying that they're disappointed in Season 4. It seems like I've seen just as many, if not more, people saying that they've enjoyed Season 4, and moreover, making a point of telling others not to "lose faith" and even to "stop being so negative" or "just enjoy it" or whatnot.

 

If we look at the Season 4 episode polls, every episode has over 70%, and most often 80+%, of voters saying they liked or loved the episode, while less than 10% of voters say they disliked or hated each episode. Those results could suggest that the episodes of Season 4 are satisfying most of the voters, despite disappointments they might have (although I do admit that the episode polls don't tell the whole story, since I, and probably other forum members, haven't voted in them). Furthermore, as far as I can remember, the majority, if not more, of posts in any single episode topic have been positive.

 

I don't know if I'm one of the people you had in mind as being disappointed. I've made posts in all of the episode topics making criticisms and pointing out inconsistencies, character actions that I didn't like or thought didn't make sense, etc., but I wouldn't necessary say that the episodes in Season 4 have disappointed me or not met my expectations, per se. I expect every episode to have its flaws that I'll notice, and I also hope that the episodes will have at least a few good moments, which most do (although they may be few and far between). So, in that respect, the episodes of Season 4 have been mostly meeting my expectations.

 

I have been told (and it may be true) that I have overly high or misplaced expectations about things like continuity with (my perception of) previous world-building, consistency between the world of Equestria and our world, characters always doing things that make sense, etc. But, ultimately, I don't think my expectations in that regard have changed all that much over time, and the episodes in Season 4, for the most part, haven't been much worse at meeting those expectations than previous episodes.

 

One thing that could have an influence on me and others, however, is that as the number of episodes of the show increases, there's an increased risk of simply retreading plot lines and morals which have already been covered, and having characters conveniently forget lessons they've already learned for the sake of making or advancing the plot of a new episode. Also, with more episodes of the show, there is ever more prior world-building, characterization, etc. for the creators to try to stay consistent with.

 

Finally, this might be a little off-topic, but I noticed that you said you're somewhat of an analyst yourself, and I would consider myself an analyst also (which can be seen by the lengthy posts I've made). What is it that you analyze about the show? Also, you say that this season has been amazing and that you've liked all the episodes but one. Has your analysis of an episode ever caused you to dislike it more, and significantly so? I'm just curious, since there have been many episodes which I could see how people might like on the surface, but my discovery and analysis of inconsistencies, questionable character actions, etc. lead me to dislike the episode more.

[Gay Bird 421]

It's really part of the writing. The show has lost it's, for lack of a better word, realness. Obviously magical colored horses aren't real, but in earlier seasons (as a whole) you could believe they were. The way the dialogue is said, written, and paced now is a bit off, and kinda takes me out of it. That's just what I've noticed.

[DryGuy84 (Inactive) 927]

@, 

 

I'm not sure that I've seen all that many people saying that they're disappointed in Season 4. It seems like I've seen just as many, if not more, people saying that they've enjoyed Season 4, and moreover, making a point of telling others not to "lose faith" and even to "stop being so negative" or "just enjoy it" or whatnot.

 

If we look at the Season 4 episode polls, every episode has over 70%, and most often 80+%, of voters saying they liked or loved the episode, while less than 10% of voters say they disliked or hated each episode. Those results could suggest that the episodes of Season 4 are satisfying most of the voters, despite disappointments they might have (although I do admit that the episode polls don't tell the whole story, since I, and probably other forum members, haven't voted in them). Furthermore, as far as I can remember, the majority, if not more, of posts in any single episode topic have been positive.

 

I don't know if I'm one of the people you had in mind as being disappointed. I've made posts in all of the episode topics making criticisms and pointing out inconsistencies, character actions that I didn't like or thought didn't make sense, etc., but I wouldn't necessary say that the episodes in Season 4 have disappointed me or not met my expectations, per se. I expect every episode to have its flaws that I'll notice, and I also hope that the episodes will have at least a few good moments, which most do (although they may be few and far between). So, in that respect, the episodes of Season 4 have been mostly meeting my expectations.

 

I have been told (and it may be true) that I have overly high or misplaced expectations about things like continuity with (my perception of) previous world-building, consistency between the world of Equestria and our world, characters always doing things that make sense, etc. But, ultimately, I don't think my expectations in that regard have changed all that much over time, and the episodes in Season 4, for the most part, haven't been much worse at meeting those expectations than previous episodes.

 

One thing that could have an influence on me and others, however, is that as the number of episodes of the show increases, there's an increased risk of simply retreading plot lines and morals which have already been covered, and having characters conveniently forget lessons they've already learned for the sake of making or advancing the plot of a new episode. Also, with more episodes of the show, there is ever more prior world-building, characterization, etc. for the creators to try to stay consistent with.

 

Finally, this might be a little off-topic, but I noticed that you said you're somewhat of an analyst yourself, and I would consider myself an analyst also (which can be seen by the lengthy posts I've made). What is it that you analyze about the show? Also, you say that this season has been amazing and that you've liked all the episodes but one. Has your analysis of an episode ever caused you to dislike it more, and significantly so? I'm just curious, since there have been many episodes which I could see how people might like on the surface, but my discovery and analysis of inconsistencies, questionable character actions, etc. lead me to dislike the episode more.

 

I didn't have you in mind when writing my post at all. 

 

Also, I analyze the characters and episodes, but my rating system for episodes is a bit odd since it isn't clearly defined, it's based mainly on how I feel the episode tackles the task it is trying to accomplish, if it does it poorly I will not like it. My views on the episodes are usually similar to that of the popular reviewer Mr. Enter, but a bit more easygoing, and accepting of inconsistencies. I also have more flexible interpretations of the characters than most people, but will "draw a line" with complete 180's with a character. With that said a few examples of episodes that I started to enjoy less upon analysis are as follows:

 

Keep Calm and Flutter On

One Bad Apple

Apple Family Reunion

The Show Stoppers

The Cutie Pox

Princess Twilight Sparkle

Power Ponies

 

 

Conversely I had the opposite also be true with my enjoyment increasing about the following episodes:

 

Magical Mystery Cure

Over a Barrel

Pinkie Pride

Pinkie Apple Pie

Suited for Success

 

 

Unfortunately, the former happens more often the latter. My rule to myself is that I do not and will not fault an episode based on missed opportunities or wonky pacing alone, and the episodes I truly don't like in the series have to make me cringe or bore me. I don't hate any MLP episodes, because none have made me physically angry (though some have come close, looking at you Dragon Quest, Mare-Do Well, and One Bad Apple  :okiedokielokie: ).

 

I know this isn't a super-intricate response, but you can see my character analysis of Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon on the forums, and I will be attempting to analyze the following episodes this season starting with MLP S4 E13 this week on the main thread as long as college doesn't get in the way. 

It's really part of the writing. The show has lost it's, for lack of a better word, realness. Obviously magical colored horses aren't real, but in earlier seasons (as a whole) you could believe they were. The way the dialogue is said, written, and paced now is a bit off, and kinda takes me out of it. That's just what I've noticed.

 

I haven't really noticed that this season personally, but the show as a whole is more fantasy-based than ever before.

Edited February 4, 2014 by DryColt84

[joecal97 340]

Guys, this whole thing is just opinion, some people think that season 4 is amazing, some don't.

As far as I'm concerned, as long as there are ponies, I'm happy

[Everleaf 541]

Well i don't think it's going downhill more uphill for me since the new writer plus their is still season 5 to come (yes there is going to be a season 5) but sometimes bronies should not over react like every show it has it's ups and downs why not respect it for how it is?

[DryGuy84 (Inactive) 927]

Guys, this whole thing is just opinion, some people think that season 4 is amazing, some don't.

As far as I'm concerned, as long as there are ponies, I'm happy

 

Exactly, but I wanted other peoples interpretations on why they may dislike season 4. The topic title was basically me asking this in a manner that implies that novelty possibly has worn off as well. In hindsight it was probably a poor way to word a question this way, so......yea, my bad.

[joecal97 340]

Exactly, but I wanted other peoples interpretations on why they may dislike season 4. The topic title was basically me asking this in a manner that implies that novelty possibly has worn off as well. In hindsight it was probably a poor way to word a question this way, so......yea, my bad.

I dint mean that as a correction

I was just reminding people that ponies are better than no ponies, they should not complain, because it could be worse.

[Mywas 687]

Well i don't think it's going downhill more uphill for me since the new writer plus their is still season 5 to come (yes there is going to be a season 5) but sometimes bronies should not over react like every show it has it's ups and downs why not respect it for how it is?

Reminds me of how Star Wars fans spend HOURS nit picking the prequels just to look smart

[DryGuy84 (Inactive) 927]

I want everyone to note that if I come across as condescending or angry it is unintentional. I will try not to let this happen, but I already feel as if some of my posts come across this way. I tend to be direct, but if my tone comes across as rude or nasty feel free to confront me on it. I actually am a really laid-back guy who enjoys differing views and opinions, so I don't want anyone's opinion to feel inferior to my own. 

I dint mean that as a correction
I was just reminding people that ponies are better than no ponies, they should not complain, because it could be worse.

 

Also, I often get carried away in my passion for the things I love. Sorry, joecal97. 

[joecal97 340]

I want everyone to note that if I come across as condescending or angry it is unintentional. I will try not to let this happen, but I already feel as if some of my posts come across this way. I tend to be direct, but if my tone comes across as rude or nasty feel free to confront me on it. I actually am a really laid-back guy who enjoys differing views and opinions, so I don't want anyone's opinion to feel inferior to my own.

 

 

Also, I often get carried away in my passion for the things I love. Sorry, joecal97.

Stop being so apologetic !

I didn't take any offence or anything, I think we are both misunderstanding each other here

As far as this topic, some episodes were ok, some were great, but it's all ponies, so I'm happy

[Koelath 445]

This is my second season watching as it happened, and people overreacted to Twilacorn (which I support) and Equestria Girls (which I thought was meh). I have never seen so many people disappointed with the episodes as they come out as I have this season, though. It's a bit jarring considering that not much has changed in terms of the dynamic of the show, but I think the show is taking on a different tone because it seems they've had some restrictions lifted. 

 

For example this season has had: the implied death of Angel Bunny (though the audience knew it wasn't him), fantasy violence in several episodes, an episode pertaining to disabilities (something the staff stated was originally not allowed), a ponified F-Bomb in "Congratu-pony-lations fillies!", and some cartoon violence in "Daring Don't."

Where was the episode pertaining to disabilities? The closest thing was Soarin's injury in Rainbow Falls but a temporary injury is not a disability. Unless you mean the Scootaloo episode in which case that being a disability (as opposed to just a currently-undeveloped skill) is nothing but speculation. That's not a disability episode, it's a "I'm behind my peers and upset about it!" episode.

 

And are you saying this fantasy cartoon contains "fantasy" and "cartoon" violence? Dang...I could've sworn all that violence was totally live-action and non-fictional.

 

 

To the topic: Honestly, I see the most hate piled onto season three moreso than four and it was mostly due to ridiculous levels of pointless fanservice. Most complaints I've seen for season four have been imagined problems of continuity and vague cries of "It was terrible!" (and variations thereof) that hold no valid worth in a discussion. And those are far overshadowed by positive feedback...So I wouldn't say expectations are too high. Maybe for the people expecting perfect continuity out of an episodic series...

[FNGRpony 658]

I've liked season 4.  I don't have a problem with it.

[Music Chart Fan 819]

Also, I analyze the characters and episodes, but my rating system for episodes is a bit odd since it isn't clearly defined, it's based mainly on how I feel the episode tackles the task it is trying to accomplish, if it does it poorly I will not like it. My views on the episodes are usually similar to that of the popular reviewer Mr. Enter, but a bit more easygoing, and accepting of inconsistencies. I also have more flexible interpretations of the characters than most people, but will "draw a line" with complete 180's with a character.

 

Interesting. I mostly analyze and write about smaller details and specific character actions that I notice within each single episode, while I know there are others who do more big picture and literary-style analysis of episode structure, theming, characterization, etc., including across a season or even the whole show.

 

I feel like I wouldn't be able to give quantitative ratings to episodes or to rank episodes according to how "good" I thought they were. For me, there would be too many things to try to judge, assign weights to, and add together, and I feel like a lot of episodes wouldn't have much meaningful difference in what I thought of them overall.

 

Unfortunately, the former happens more often the latter. My rule to myself is that I do not and will not fault an episode based on missed opportunities or wonky pacing alone, and the episodes I truly don't like in the series have to make me cringe or bore me. I don't hate any MLP episodes, because none have made me physically angry (though some have come close, looking at you Dragon Quest, Mare-Do Well, and One Bad Apple).

 

Yeah, "hate" is a strong word, and ultimately it's pretty difficult for me to get too "worked up" about an episode. For me, two episodes that provoked some of the most frustration, annoyance, and even anger were "The Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000" and "Feeling Pinkie Keen". I could write quite an essay on everything that I found wrong and didn't like in those episodes. I'm with you that the latter two episodes you mentioned were also frustrating and annoying.

 

As far as I'm concerned, as long as there are ponies, I'm happy.

 

I was just reminding people that ponies are better than no ponies, they should not complain, because it could be worse.

 

As far as this topic, some episodes were ok, some were great, but it's all ponies, so I'm happy.

 

Just because "it could be worse" shouldn't in itself revoke the ability to criticize or complain about the show. I would think that people can be dissatisfied with episodes or certain aspects of them while still realizing that "ponies are better than no ponies". On the face of them, your statements seem to indicate that you have lower expectations of the show and are satisfied just by having episodes to watch, but I don't see what's wrong with others having higher expectations or thresholds for enjoyment of episodes.

[Mywas 687]

Interesting. I mostly analyze and write about smaller details and specific character actions that I notice within each single episode, while I know there are others who do more big picture and literary-style analysis of episode structure, theming, characterization, etc., including across a season or even the whole show.

 

I feel like I wouldn't be able to give quantitative ratings to episodes or to rank episodes according to how "good" I thought they were. For me, there would be too many things to try to judge, assign weights to, and add together, and I feel like a lot of episodes wouldn't have much meaningful difference in what I thought of them overall.

 

 

Yeah, "hate" is a strong word, and ultimately it's pretty difficult for me to get too "worked up" about an episode. For me, two episodes that provoked some of the most frustration, annoyance, and even anger were "The Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000" and "Feeling Pinkie Keen". I could write quite an essay on everything that I found wrong and didn't like in those episodes. I'm with you that the latter two episodes you mentioned were also frustrating and annoying.

 

 

 

 

Just because "it could be worse" shouldn't in itself revoke the ability to criticize or complain about the show. I would think that people can be dissatisfied with episodes or certain aspects of them while still realizing that "ponies are better than no ponies". On the face of them, your statements seem to indicate that you have lower expectations of the show and are satisfied just by having episodes to watch, but I don't see what's wrong with others having higher expectations or thresholds for enjoyment of episodes.

It doesn't help that the analyzers of the show shove their opinions upon the throats of everyone or even insult those who disagree woth them

[joecal97 340]

Interesting. I mostly analyze and write about smaller details and specific character actions that I notice within each single episode, while I know there are others who do more big picture and literary-style analysis of episode structure, theming, characterization, etc., including across a season or even the whole show.

 

I feel like I wouldn't be able to give quantitative ratings to episodes or to rank episodes according to how "good" I thought they were. For me, there would be too many things to try to judge, assign weights to, and add together, and I feel like a lot of episodes wouldn't have much meaningful difference in what I thought of them overall.

 

 

Yeah, "hate" is a strong word, and ultimately it's pretty difficult for me to get too "worked up" about an episode. For me, two episodes that provoked some of the most frustration, annoyance, and even anger were "The Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000" and "Feeling Pinkie Keen". I could write quite an essay on everything that I found wrong and didn't like in those episodes. I'm with you that the latter two episodes you mentioned were also frustrating and annoying.

 

 

 

 

Just because "it could be worse" shouldn't in itself revoke the ability to criticize or complain about the show. I would think that people can be dissatisfied with episodes or certain aspects of them while still realizing that "ponies are better than no ponies". On the face of them, your statements seem to indicate that you have lower expectations of the show and are satisfied just by having episodes to watch, but I don't see what's wrong with others having higher expectations or thresholds for enjoyment of episodes.

Never said you can't analyze, or have your own opinion

All I was saying is that it's better than season 3 being the end IN MY OPINION. I'm just happy there are still ponies to watch every Saturday

[SBaby 660]

I've got to be honest.  I really haven't had many problems with Season 4.  We've seen the mane 6 go beyond having to rely on the Elements of Harmony (which is something I've wanted for a long time, even if it does end up only being a gateway to another upgrade), we've seen new characters introduced, as well as a ton of great development for a lot of the cast.

 

To paraphrase Linkara, if I had to sum up this season in one word, it would be 'change'.  We've seen a ton of character development for the mane 6, individual situations changing with the addition of a few new locales and supporting characters that could potentially show up again (Coco in particular seems pretty likely to be seen again at some point, since she's working for Rarity now), the status quo had more of a chance to be shaken up, and the loss of the Elements of Harmony guarantees that people will tune in to see how they overcome potential new adversaries.  On top of that, it's pretty obvious that there will be more change coming later in the season too (after all, that MacGuffin Box isn't just there for decoration).

 

So yeah.  Overall, I can't really think of any immediate downsides to this season, other than an occasional one-off episode being slightly weaker than the others, but that's been rare this season, and even then they're still pretty good.

Edited February 5, 2014 by SBaby

[True Rarity 1,240]

I actually think FiM has been getting better. Ever since the writers discovered that there have been more than little kids watching their show, they've dropped little hints and references for us, such as Dr. Whooves and Slendermane. I don't think the show could get better if the fandom tried to write it themselves.

[Metemponychosis 1,259]

Personally I think that the one problem Season 4 has is that it's disregarding Twilight's "ascension". They made a HUGE deal about it in MMC and until now, it has amounted to nothing. Every single thing Twilight has done, she could have done as a unicorn.

 

What's the point of making her a princess if:

1- We don't know the point of being a princess: the princesses rule. Well, Twilight doesn't and other ponies could do it much the same way as far as we know. Why do princesses exist other than to look pretty? And this is coming from a guy that is a HUGE fan of the Princesses (all of them, even if I keep gushing over Celestia) and is okay with the concept of Twilight being a princess (if it was being well done).

 

2- Ponies ignore that Twilight is a princess unless the episode's plot calls for her to be acknowledged as a princess. I think this only happened in the first two episodes.

 

A personal complaint of mine, too, is the removal of the Elements of Harmony. I hope that they'll do something nice with this but I can see they changing one "solution to all problems" for another of the same, when I don't think that removing the Elements was necessarily a good thing as they, just like EVERYTHING in this show's mythology, are underdeveloped. And because of this, Twilight's friends are just "the princess' friends". The only reason they are relevant to the show is because they were established as main characters BEFORE, when Twilight needed them. But it's still the middle of the season... I may be complaining ahead of time.

 

Other than that, this season IS better. They are exploring more animation, effects, themes and in general the episodes have been well received. It's just not all fitting very well together, because there are so many things that don't belong in the middle, like an useless princess, with a meaningless title.

 

What pisses me off is that I knew it'd be like this: either ponies would acknowledge that Twilight is a princess and the show's dynamic would change or ponies would just ignore it and things would progress "as normal", but with an alicorn stinking out in the middle. It's even worse than before, when ponies would ignore the fact that the bearers of the Elements saved their hides multiple times... This sort of thing ruins narrative coherence, but it was easy to ignore before, but now it's harder because Twilight can't remove her wings and put them away from the audience.

[DryGuy84 (Inactive) 927]

Where was the episode pertaining to disabilities? The closest thing was Soarin's injury in Rainbow Falls but a temporary injury is not a disability. Unless you mean the Scootaloo episode in which case that being a disability (as opposed to just a currently-undeveloped skill) is nothing but speculation. That's not a disability episode, it's a "I'm behind my peers and upset about it!" episode.

 

And are you saying this fantasy cartoon contains "fantasy" and "cartoon" violence? Dang...I could've sworn all that violence was totally live-action and non-fictional.

 

 

To the topic: Honestly, I see the most hate piled onto season three moreso than four and it was mostly due to ridiculous levels of pointless fanservice. Most complaints I've seen for season four have been imagined problems of continuity and vague cries of "It was terrible!" (and variations thereof) that hold no valid worth in a discussion. And those are far overshadowed by positive feedback...So I wouldn't say expectations are too high. Maybe for the people expecting perfect continuity out of an episodic series...

 

You're right, I shouldn't jump to conclusions about Scoots flying ability, and I meant "Fantasy and Cartoon Violence" are now checked off in this season's ratings (they weren't before despite 'A Canterlot Wedding' *shrugs*). Sorry that wasn't made clear. 

[Nature's Spell 526]

@Moonlightavenger is right about Twilight and I really don't understand what the hold up is. It provides so many new things to explore, but this season seems more inconsistent, so I keep waiting and hopping. Meghan said her status would be important so I'll believe her.

[Treble Bolt 1,122]

I think that a lot of the reasoning behind people not much liking S3 & S4 is due to 2  1/2 reasons.

1. Alicorn Twilight- the lack of the BIGGEST plot outcome of the show thus far....and yet nothing has been consistently built upon it. The show for the most part treats Twilight the same.

2. Season 1&2 were beginning/influx of the brony fandom. Most fans here became a part of this during the first 2 seasons. Season 3 was too short, and thus not loved. Alicorn Twilight became an issue that was highly debated and its outcome still is isn't concluded. Season 4, due it's normal season length (as compared to S3), and the fact that Alicorn Twilight stays, made a lot of people believe we'd get something fresh and new and because of reason 1 and the fact that the fandom has NOT added many people from S3 and S4 ALONE, it's been deduced that this season so far is a failure due to the said expectations.

2.5 The series is getting 'old'....now I do not mean that in a bad way at all. If Season 3&4 were to be like S1&2 a lot of people would fall off the bandwagon because the show would have gotten stale. However, they did shake things up a bit, making S3&4 feel different (S4 most notably thus far). Why is this a problem with high expectations. Simple: A majority of the Brony Fandom wants S1&2 AS S4. Most have grown too comfortable, S1&2 are familiar territory with S3 completing an entire overarching story arc. That arc is done, a new one has begun, with new challenges, new faces, and (supposed to be) new character dynamics. Some of the old has stayed, and the most prominent of the old has hurt S4 thus far (Twilight being treated like everyone else).  People are just too comfortable, and throw in game changers like EQG and Princess Twilight and obviously you'll have a shaken fandom.

 

Personally, Season 4 does have a different tone to it overall, but why shouldn't it?!?! It's a different, new arc in the Mane 6's lives, of course it's going to feel different. Now, there are some questionable content (Daring Do and Flutterbat) but these "issues" are things of a different world that has not been explored in depth to the point where we can cry fowl over these issues. But I digress...

Edited February 5, 2014 by Treble Bolt

[Music Chart Fan 819]

All I was saying is that it's better than season 3 being the end IN MY OPINION.

 

Sure, but that's a pretty low bar to clear. If you posed that sentiment to the forums, I daresay that nearly everyone on the forums would agree with it. I don't think many, if any, critics of Season 4 episodes (myself included) have been arguing that Season 4 is so bad that it would be better if it were never made. But hey, if you want to be optimistic (and maybe less cynical than I am), you can take comfort in the notion that almost everyone probably agrees that Season 4 isn't that bad.

[joecal97 340]

Sure, but that's a pretty low bar to clear. If you posed that sentiment to the forums, I daresay that nearly everyone on the forums would agree with it. I don't think many, if any, critics of Season 4 episodes (myself included) have been arguing that Season 4 is so bad that it would be better if it were never made. But hey, if you want to be optimistic (and maybe less cynical than I am), you can take comfort in the notion that almost everyone probably agrees that Season 4 isn't that bad.

Ok then, I'll come off the neutral fence and make my opinions known;

This season has had some good episodes, and some 'meh' episodes.

Pinkie pride and daring don't I thought were great

I thought that castle mania and princess twilight sparkle were just out of character for the mane 6

The rest didn't stand out as brilliant, or bad, they were just good enough.

MAY I STRESS, THIS IS JUST MY PERSONAL OPINION, AND IS NOT HERE TO BE CORRECTED OR ARGUED AGAINST, IT IS SIMPLY MY THOUGHTS!

I still retain my original statement that as long as they are there, they can't be made so bad I won't watch the show, and I'm glad there is a season 4 and 5, no matter what.

[NavelColt 22,879]

Meghan said from the getgo during the S3-S4 interval that S4 would be taking liberties and going places the first three seasons didn't go. We're just barely reaching the half-way point, and this is already incredibly obvious. Easter eggs and other visual nods and jokes galore, slightly darker themes on occasion, story, character and setting expansion out the wazoo, not to mention the on-going story of the oh-so mystical box of strangeness.

 

Amidst the crowd of hipsters and analysts who despise the thrown pandas and direction the show is going, I'm finding S4 to have a higher ratio of episodes that I've loved, than any of the past three seasons. That is to say, I've liked or loved most episodes so far this season, with very few I was indifferent about, or ones that I even didn't like. Same cannot be said for previous seasons. I had episodes I was indifferent about quite frequently.

 

I honestly feel like at least some of the constant criticism and negativity that's been going on since the beginning of season three comes from an invisible separation of belief on where the show is, where it's going and how that's okay or not okay. A separation coming from a list of reasons, Lauren being fully off the show's staff being one, the fandom entering growth pains being another. If a loved episode from season one or two were to hypothetically be a part of season four instead of season one or two, I feel like that'd recieve the same noticeable amount of dislike that many episodes are getting these days.

 

In other words, people are all critics these days, as a result from a fandom growing rapidly out of control, as well as natural changes in show-staff and show progression, and I thus seriously doubt it's all the writers' faults, and the content they put out, like a whole lot of today's negative nancies would have you start to believe.

 

Getting a bit back more to the core topic though, I dunno. I was expecting to enjoy S4 on some level, as I do for every season, and I had of course, a small list of things I wanted to see happen. So far, I've enjoyed myself plenty, and some of those things I've wanted to see have already been scratched off the list. I've limited complaints. As far as what other people were expecting, hell if I know. 'Ermerhrgawerd, I hurp Twilert dern't abandn her frends fur prncessdurm' and alike fears were the only real 'expectations' I recall seeing, and I'm pretty damn sure that DHX and its' wonderful staff have taken many of those initial fears and pile-driven them headlong into the ground.

 

Ya know, they like always do :3

[DryGuy84 (Inactive) 927]

I didn't have you in mind when writing my post at all. 

 

Also, I analyze the characters and episodes, but my rating system for episodes is a bit odd since it isn't clearly defined, it's based mainly on how I feel the episode tackles the task it is trying to accomplish, if it does it poorly I will not like it. My views on the episodes are usually similar to that of the popular reviewer Mr. Enter, but a bit more easygoing, and accepting of inconsistencies. I also have more flexible interpretations of the characters than most people, but will "draw a line" with complete 180's with a character. With that said a few examples of episodes that I started to enjoy less upon analysis are as follows:

 

Keep Calm and Flutter On

One Bad Apple

Apple Family Reunion

The Show Stoppers

The Cutie Pox

Princess Twilight Sparkle

Power Ponies

 

 

Conversely I had the opposite also be true with my enjoyment increasing about the following episodes:

 

Magical Mystery Cure

Over a Barrel

Pinkie Pride

Pinkie Apple Pie

Suited for Success

 

 

Unfortunately, the former happens more often the latter. My rule to myself is that I do not and will not fault an episode based on missed opportunities or wonky pacing alone, and the episodes I truly don't like in the series have to make me cringe or bore me. I don't hate any MLP episodes, because none have made me physically angry (though some have come close, looking at you Dragon Quest, Mare-Do Well, and One Bad Apple  :okiedokielokie: ).

 

I know this isn't a super-intricate response, but you can see my character analysis of Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon on the forums, and I will be attempting to analyze the following episodes this season starting with MLP S4 E13 this week on the main thread as long as college doesn't get in the way. 

 

I haven't really noticed that this season personally, but the show as a whole is more fantasy-based than ever before.

 

I actually have to backpedal a bit here, analyzing doesn't really lower my enjoyment of an episode much for me. All of the episodes I mentioned in the "liked less" category were barely affected, because I either still like them or still don't really like them, the same feeling I got on my first viewings. In the "liked more" category the jump was much more noticeable. I just wanted to clear that up.