C.Discord's Gilda & Dash Relationship Analysis

[NavelColt 22,881]

I encourage all who have not yet heard Eurobeat Brony's works yet, to give this work of his, as well as his other pony works, a listen.

Well, if you don't listen to this song below, this topic won't have nearly as much impact So please do so thnx~

 

 

You clipped my wings too close to the quick
You have taken me out
You plucked a bloodfeather out of my heart
Not even telling what that was about

I try to understand it
Where's the you that I used to know?
You know I try to be lionhearted
I can't, when you're letting me go

Guess I'll fly to another horizon
into another land, ready to find my future
Spread my wings out for departure
Into the softened crystal rain

Guess I'll fly in another direction
knowing the friend that you lost will be gone forever
Keep that in mind in the future
Around the next friend you betray

 

--

 

Some chronologically relevant pics:

 

 

 

Let me just preface this all by saying, I, like everyone else, agree with Dash's decision to end her friendship with Gilda. Gilda, incapable of maturing past her abusive, bully-esque personality, no longer had a place in Dash's now maturing life, around her new-found friends who did not behave in that same way. But, unlike most, I find their relationship fascinating, and the fact that we've seen no return of Gilda to be a waste of incredibly powerful potential for feels and back-story.

 

I'd have rather seen Gilda return than Trixie, and I still feel this way, despite having enjoyed Magic Duel very well.

 

Upon meeting Gilda at a younger age and until the events of Griffon the Brush Off, Rainbow Dash could easily be described as a less intense version of Gilda. Like her, she's very opinionated, very tomboyish, very brash and easily to anger, and generally a strong-willed individual. For all we know, she may have even had some of Gilda's bullyish behaviors, as a result from hanging out with her so much, in the old days *as one of the above artworks shows*. It's blatantly obvious that it was this fact that made the two such great friends, to start with. Seeing as Dash's days in flight camp were at a far younger age, the two of them have easily been friends for years.

 

This brings us to the events of Griffon the Brush Off. A character's decision to move past and end a friendship with a long-time best friend, in the name of having matured past them, is a very powerful theme. The fact that Dash is the Element of Loyalty, and that in this particular instance, her actions are seen as betrayal in Gilda's eyes of all things, makes it even more so. Gilda may be lower on the maturity scale than Dash, but that's no reason to pass the situation off, and her, entirely. Way too many people don't bother to take in Gilda's point of view, because they do just that. Thus, many don't even bother to consider just how feels-ridden the implications of Dash's actions were. I don't know about you, but even without my wall of text here, that theme is told perfectly in Eurobeat's song, above. If I were in Gilda's place, I'd be pissed and feel betrayed by Dash, too.

 

Just as Trixie had beef with Twilight over 'showing her up' with better magic, Gilda has somewhat of a personal grudge with Dash now, seeing as she was more or less betrayed. 'Betrayed' for perfectly good reasons, but to Gilda, it's all the same thing, because at the time, she could still see no other explanation.

 

So this brings us to the present, again. As we progress through seasons, and Dash learns lessons about maturing further through similar characters like Lightning Dust, my hopes for some kind of Return of Gilda episode with implications regarding Dash's decision become less and less likely, unfortunately. We may very never see her again, and would thus never know if she would return the same, and seek vengeance, or if she would return with a higher-level of maturity, capable of understanding Dash's actions, and try to re-establish herself into her old friends' life. But then again, perhaps that's a good thing as well. Leaving this legacy as is, as a very powerful theme that is wonderful to see in a show like this, is great in of itself.

 

All in all, I'd like people to take these things away from this topic:

• Right and wrong is a matter of perspective. Because Gilda's beliefs, maturity and behaviors are fundamentally different from Dash and the other ponies of Ponyville, Dash's 'loyalty' towards Pinkie Pie is practically a betrayal, to her. Loyalty is praised by its' 'friends', but hated by the opposition, in all things from war to relationships.
• Just because Gilda's point of view is not 'right', due to those beliefs and maturity level, does not make her feelings and thoughts any less real. While she may have passed off Dash and stormed out in the episode, I seriously doubt this rather quick end to her at least somewhat long-termed relationship with Dash didn't impact her later on, if only a little.
• All of these themes are powerful and worth thinking about, and I don't think this one in-particular gets nearly enough of that.

Like most of my analysis topics, rather than aiming to establish an opinionated stance and argue a point through and through, this topic's goal is more to put a boldface on things, and give everyone who may not have ever considered these things before, that chance :3 Feel free to post your thoughts, and that if you've never really thought about any of this, if it helped broaden your horizons and give your brain some food for thought. It's what I love to do :'3

 

I really enjoyed Gilda as an antagonist that early in the show, while characters' personalities and maturities were in the process of being shown and developed. I would have preffered her to return in the show than Trixie, because due to her history with Dash in her pre-mature years, there would have been spectacular opportunities for some good backstory for Dash's character.

 

Sorry, Fluttershy and Trixie fans.

Sincerely, ~Chaotic Discord~

[duidamasterXD 9,627]

If we see Gilda again, I might like for it to be a flashback with filly Dash. The episode seems to imply that they were once pretty close, and during their time apart Dash has grown up a bit and that Gilda has probably done the opposite. It makes me more and more curious how their friendship started and what they were like when they were young.

 

I think that if we see Gilda again in the show, in present time, she'll likely be even worse than the last time that we saw her. The fact that her behavior had likely worsened over the time she and Dash were apart, as well as her only acting up and doing the rotten things that fans loathe her for when Dash was absent or distracted (knowing she wouldn't approve), points to Dash possibly being a good influence on Gilda. Now that that's gone, who knows what she'll act like.

 

A while ago somebody floated the idea of her competing in the Equestria Games, and Dash eventually throwing the race and letting her win for some loyalty based reason, and I wouldn't mind that. Whether or not she ends up redeemed, she still feels like she has a good amount of potential.

Edited February 5, 2014 by DashForever

[Something Floaty 1,334]

I love your analysis of both the character of Gilda and the episode. I have similarly wondered if we would ever see her again, and it popped into my head when I first watched Equestria Girls. The way Sunset Shimmer went from being a student of Princess Celestia to 'the bad guy' and then was ultimately both defeated and redeemed, was almost exactly what I was hoping to see from Gilda, but perhaps on a smaller scale. I looked forward to her return, thinking that an episode in which she arrives in Ponyville to take some sort of revenge on Rainbow Dash and the rest of the Mane 6, before being taught the error of her ways and leaving with a slightly modified attitude, would be not only entertaining, but give me a sense of closure with the character. Since I watched all of the episodes in a row over the span of a couple days, I found out rather quickly that this wasn't going to happen. Once I caught up with the current episodes, I am forced to agree with you that the potential for another appearance of Gilda seems increasingly remote. 

 

Regardless of this, I was still pleased with both the character and her exit, and I agree (again!) that she must have had some reaction after her dramatic exit, when she realized that she had essentially ruined a long-lasting friendship due to her attitude. However, whether we see this eventually or not, it served it's purpose in that it added to the development of Rainbow Dash's maturity and loyalty to her friends, friends who are more accepting, kind, and loyal than Gilda.

[Singe 2,111]

An antagonist like Gilda shouldn't be there to just lose to Rainbow Dash.

Gilda should show up in the Equestria games in a different event and wins a Gold Medal beating the Ponyville team. Then when asked to give a few words, she talks about being the best by focusing on herself while dropping dead weight with a slight look at Rainbow Dash's direction.

 

Rainbow Dash tries to talk to Gilda, but gets brushed off. Some light trash talking about the other teams including RD's team in an interview. Goes into more about RD, getting soft and maybe gained some weight. Basically, Gilda gets under Rainbow Dash's skin. This leads to Rainbow Dash challenging Gilda to a race in which they use a special obstacle course. They fare equally for most of the course until Gilda reveals she's been toying with Rainbow Dash, in which she uses a new noncheating aerial trick to win the race. 

 

Gilda acts smug and superior rubbing it in a shocked Rainbow Dash face, then leaves. Rainbow Dash get comforted by her friends.

Edited February 5, 2014 by Singe

[Moonlight 7,288]

I personally wouldn't mind seeing more of Rainbow's past, especially since she's such an interesting character. Gilda would have worked perfectly in expanding on Rainbow's backstory, and it's a shame an episode like that hasn't happened yet. Personally, I believe that allowing Gilda to return and meet up with Dash, in probably a not-so-friendly encounter would allow for some good humor, pranks, and possibly feels.

 

Gilda's reaction to Rainbow getting upset with her is more than enough proof that the two probably had a rather strong friendship until then, and it wasn't surprising that Gilda was upset with it ending. I would have preferred her returning than Trixie as well since she's just more interesting to me, especially because of her possible backstory, friendship with Dash, and harsh attitude. Like said, I wouldn't mind a flashback episode, it'd certainly make for some interesting scenes. 

[True Rarity 1,240]

I actually think a comeback for Gilda might not be so bad. Maybe she'd come trying to renew her friendship with Dash, just to get revenge on Pinkie Pie. Maybe she would have to move away to a different country or something, and wanted to get back at Pinkie before she does.

[Singe 2,111]

Gilda doesn't need to get revenge on Pinkie Pie. The only reason she was hostile towards Pinkie Pie, was because she was forcing herself in on Rainbow Dash and Gilda time. It's that doesn't respect boundaries and takes no for an answer, aspect of Pinkie Pie.

 

Rainbow Dash made her choice and broke off ties with Gilda, first. It should be Gilda who moved on with new friends who are more to her tastes and accepted behavior. Don't need Gilda's world comes to a halt or crumbles because of Rainbow Dash.

 

The only thing left is their sort of rivalry in racing. Having them do one real race should be the end all of these two. They may not be friends, but they can respect each other's skills.