Has Season Four been good to Rarity?

[hawkflame 3,315]

This has been the Year of Rarity, no doubt. Even in episodes where she's not the focus like Power Ponies, For Whom the Sweetie Belle Toils, or Filli Vanilli. And then of course there's Rarity Takes Manehattan, one of the best of the series. Even Simple Ways, which wasn't perfect, had the funniest Rarity performance ever.

[Whatevs 377]

Definitely. 

The only misstep I would say was Simple Ways as, imo, it ripped out all of her depth as a character and went with a predictable by-the-books plot when it could have been much more.

[Geek0zoid 1,468]

Oh, without a doubt. Season 4 has been Rarity's season, and it shows. Her fanbase has grown at a frightening rate, and it doesn't show many signs of slowing down from this point.

[DryGuy84 (Inactive) 927]

I personally think AJ, Rarity, and Pinkie have been excellent this season the latter two have moved up on my list of my favorite of the Mane 6.

 

1. Rarity (can't move up)

2. Pinkie (moved from 3rd to 2nd)

3. AJ (moved from 5th to 3rd)

4. Twilight (moved from 2nd to 4th)

5. Fluttershy (moved from 4th to 5th)

6. RD (stayed the same)

 

I still love Dashie, don't get me wrong. I just have trouble relating to a lot of her issues on a personal level like the other Mane 6 members.

[Celli 4,349]

Yeah, definitely. I'd even say better than season 1 and 2. 

 

This season has been EXCELLENT to Rares!

Seriously, they've gotten her characterization down to a T.

They desperately needed to make up ground for Season 3, given she had no episode and they seemed to struggle with her characterization at times, but they've more than made up with it for this season!

My marshmallow waifu is pleased with this as much as I am

 

 

 

 

I won't lie; I'm a bit worried about "Inspiration Manifestation" simply because Powell has a say so in the writing of it. She can't write worth a shit, and I want her ass gone. She needs to go watch the show or something, because she can't write this amazing cast she's been given to play around with at all nor can she write an episode I'd like to consider canon.

 

Overall, she sucks as a writer and I don't care what happens to her or her family; I want her to get fired.

 

Seriously, she's god-awful at her job and why she still has it is beyond me. 

Hell, how she even got it is beyond me.
 

Come on, ghostie, she's not a bad writer. 1 bad episode doesn't make hate a writer, (personally, I loved Rainbow Falls, and Just for sidekicks was a pretty decent Spike episode.) Or did you not like Sleepless in Ponyville?

[man dude man 555]

Rarity has been spectacular, you see more and more of her genroisty as you progress through the new episodes as well. Her episode with Sweetie was fucking adorable. Perfect 10/10. 

[ghostfacekiller39 23,879]

Yeah, definitely. I'd even say better than season 1 and 2. 

 

Come on, ghostie, she's not a bad writer. 1 bad episode doesn't make hate a writer, (personally, I loved Rainbow Falls, and Just for sidekicks was a pretty decent Spike episode.) Or did you not like Sleepless in Ponyville?

All 3 have been pretty putrid, two have garnered nothing but outright hate, and Sleepless in Ponyville is the single most overrated episode in the whole series and if you look past the Scootaloo/RD sisterly bond, there is little to no redeeming qualities about it whatsoever; unfortunately, the fandom was jaded by the *only* two high points of that episode and failed to see what a putrid episode it was otherwise.

Edited April 1, 2014 by ghostfacekiller39

[baba_booey 4,303]

This season has practically said "I'm sorry about Season 3" to Rarity.

 

In other words, yes.

[Celli 4,349]

All 3 have been pretty putrid, two have garnered nothing but outright hate, and Sleepless in Ponyville is the single most overrated episode in the whole series and if you look past the Scootaloo/RD sisterly bond, there is little to no redeeming qualities about it whatsoever; unfortunately, the fandom was jaded by the *only* two high points of that episode and failed to see what a putrid episode it was otherwise.

Really? I found all the other bits interesting. I understand RF, though I still disagree with the general consensus.

[DryGuy84 (Inactive) 927]

Definitely. 

The only misstep I would say was Simple Ways as, imo, it ripped out all of her depth as a character and went with a predictable by-the-books plot when it could have been much more.

 

Her depth wasn't taken away in the slightest in my opinion. Some of her personality traits were dialed up a bit though (drama queen, vanity, and fawning over guys specifically). 

 

And yea, Josh Haber is a pretty by-the-books writer, but just because something is by-the-book doesn't make it bad. Look at the movie "How to Train Your Dragon" for example, it's fantastic in mine and many other's opinions, but looking at its structure it's pretty formulaic. From the forbidden relationship, liar reveal, the disappointed parent, the disowning of Hiccup, and a big event that brings Stoic and Hiccup closer. So why did people like the movie so much? Well, it's actually pretty simple, it's the characters. Being cliché isn't bad if you have likeable, interesting, and/or funny characters to fall back on. 

 

So what was the real reason this outing rubbed some people the wrong way? Trenderhoof and a somewhat anti-climactic resolution. Trenderhoof isn't a strong enough character to fall back on to make the cliché work. Most people say the episode dragged during his introductory scene before picking the pace back up, and I agree. I also think that when the climax was getting good they went "Oh, mud happened" and it was over. 

 

Clichés are not inherently bad, even when they don't have many (if any) twists and turns. They just need a fairly strong foundation to build the cliché on, or at least that's my opinion on the matter.

Edited April 1, 2014 by DryColt84

[Megas 28,101]

All 3 have been pretty putrid, two have garnered nothing but outright hate, and Sleepless in Ponyville is the single most overrated episode in the whole series and if you look past the Scootaloo/RD sisterly bond, there is little to no redeeming qualities about it whatsoever; unfortunately, the fandom was jaded by the *only* two high points of that episode and failed to see what a putrid episode it was otherwise.

You're being unreasonably harsh. Even if you do find Sleepless overrated, there are still plenty of things to enjoy out of it(everyone was in character, I know you bring up Rarity, but I felt it was in character and justified since Sweetie Belle pretty much guilt tripped her, Luna's appearance was surprising and well done, there were a lot of funny moments here and there, and I don't even need to elaborate on Scoots/RD). I enjoyed Just for Sidekicks, I thought Spike was well written, even if he was kind of a jerk(though it's established that being greedy is a trait for him, and unlike a select few other episodes, I felt his jerkiness was handled well). And while I have no idea what the hell happened with Rainbow Falls, there still things I liked about it despite the glaring bullshit

[BayoUni2847 528]

I liked Rarity's singing in the Rarity Takes Manehattan episode but her and Applejack were awesome in Simple Ways.

[ghostfacekiller39 23,879]

You're being unreasonably harsh. Even if you do find Sleepless overrated, there are still plenty of things to enjoy out of it(everyone was in character, I know you bring up Rarity, but I felt it was in character and justified since Sweetie Belle pretty much guilt tripped her, Luna's appearance was surprising and well done, there were a lot of funny moments here and there, and I don't even need to elaborate on Scoots/RD). I enjoyed Just for Sidekicks, I thought Spike was well written, even if he was kind of a jerk(though it's established that being greedy is a trait for him, and unlike a select few other episodes, I felt his jerkiness was handled well). And while I have no idea what the hell happened with Rainbow Falls, there still things I liked about it despite the glaring bullshit

From earlier today:

 

Rarity's portrayal was the most glaring flaw in my eyes, but I found Rainbow to come across as OP with how flawless she seemed to be in that particular episode (not including the other episodes surrounding it, because she does have flaws), I found Sweetie Belle's lack of being able to sing AT ALL and having that annoying, painfully screechy voice that wasn't adorable pure usual conflicting with her past characterization of being able to actually sing pretty well, and the most irritating thing about that episode is how vastly overrated it is; simply put, the fandom is infatuated with Luna getting an appearance and Scootaloo's/RD's sister-like bond without actually being sisters, which, admittedly, was the only high points of that episode in my opinion (the latter failing to be recreated in "Flight to the Finish," but that's a bit off topic.)

 

All and all, past the two high points, I didn't really find much enjoyment in that episode, and the fandom's bitching about Rarity, Sweetie Belle, and all of that luggage certainly didn't help matters of improving my opinion.

 

Of course, I'll also say it's nowhere near as bad as "Sonic Rainboom." That episode made me feel bad to watch. At least I found SOME enjoyment in SiP.

 

---

 

Given that it appears SiP rode its way to a positive reception based on two simple things the fandom has always been infatuated with and had many other glaring flaws that bugged the piss out of me, I wouldn't rate it any higher than her other two episodes, which received (deservedly) horrid receptions. 

 

Now, given she's struggled SO much as a writer, I feel that she should not be on staff if she cannot do her job correctly; whilst there's still some hope, there isn't enough hope for me to feel any need for a *fourth* chance.

 

It all comes down to her not being able to do her job and damaging the show's overall quality.

Edited April 1, 2014 by ghostfacekiller39

[Whatevs 377]

Her depth wasn't taken away in the slightest in my opinion. Some of her personality traits were dialed up a bit though (drama queen, vanity, and fawning over guys specifically). 

 

And yea, Josh Haber is a pretty by-the-books writer, but just because something is by-the-book doesn't make it bad. Look at the movie "How to Train Your Dragon" for example, it's fantastic in mine and many other's opinions, but looking at its structure it's pretty formulaic. From the forbidden relationship, liar reveal, the disappointed parent, the disowning of Hiccup, and a big event that brings Stoic and Hiccup closer. So why did people like the movie so much? Well, it's actually pretty simple, it's the characters. Being cliché isn't bad if you have likeable, interesting, and/or funny characters to fall back on. 

 

So what was the real reason this outing rubbed some people the wrong way? Trenderhoof and a somewhat anti-climactic resolution. Trenderhoof isn't a strong enough character to fall back on to make the cliché work. Most people say the episode dragged during his introductory scene before picking the pace back up, and I agree. I also think that when the climax was getting good they went "Oh, mud happened" and it was over. 

 

Clichés are not inherently bad, even when they don't have many (if any) twists and turns. They just need a fairly strong foundation to build the cliché on, or at least that's my opinion on the matter.

I'm more referring to the shabbiness in which she dealt with the issue. As there was an entire episode about her feeling jealous but not reacting to it.

And I feel by dialing up certain traits of hers it did reduce her depth.

[DryGuy84 (Inactive) 927]

I'm more referring to the shabbiness in which she dealt with the issue. As there was an entire episode about her feeling jealous but not reacting to it.

And I feel by dialing up certain traits of hers it did reduce her depth.

 

I understand what you meant. I was just kind of attempting to clarify that your criticisms weren't really about it being cliché, but rather other problems that could be seen in the episode. People often think everything cliché has to be terrible, but I didn't really think you meant it like that. 

[Whatevs 377]

I understand what you meant. I was just kind of attempting to clarify that your criticisms weren't really about it being cliché, but rather other problems that could be seen in the episode. People often think everything cliché has to be terrible, but I didn't really think you meant it like that. 

I see. And I agree. The whole show is cliche really.

 

I just thought the episode could have been better by keeping Rarity's drama to its normal levels (when things are serious) and actually exploring the issue of changing for someone else maturely.

[Azureth 687]

 

From earlier today:

 

Rarity's portrayal was the most glaring flaw in my eyes, but I found Rainbow to come across as OP with how flawless she seemed to be in that particular episode (not including the other episodes surrounding it, because she does have flaws), I found Sweetie Belle's lack of being able to sing AT ALL and having that annoying, painfully screechy voice that wasn't adorable pure usual conflicting with her past characterization of being able to actually sing pretty well, and the most irritating thing about that episode is how vastly overrated it is; simply put, the fandom is infatuated with Luna getting an appearance and Scootaloo's/RD's sister-like bond without actually being sisters, which, admittedly, was the only high points of that episode in my opinion (the latter failing to be recreated in "Flight to the Finish," but that's a bit off topic.)

 

All and all, past the two high points, I didn't really find much enjoyment in that episode, and the fandom's bitching about Rarity, Sweetie Belle, and all of that luggage certainly didn't help matters of improving my opinion.

 

Of course, I'll also say it's nowhere near as bad as "Sonic Rainboom." That episode made me feel bad to watch. At least I found SOME enjoyment in SiP.

 

---

 

Given that it appears SiP rode its way to a positive reception based on two simple things the fandom has always been infatuated with and had many other glaring flaws that bugged the piss out of me, I wouldn't rate it any higher than her other two episodes, which received (deservedly) horrid receptions. 

 

Now, given she's struggled SO much as a writer, I feel that she should not be on staff if she cannot do her job correctly; whilst there's still some hope, there isn't enough hope for me to feel any need for a *fourth* chance.

 

It all comes down to her not being able to do her job and damaging the show's overall quality.

 

You didn't like SR? True it had some flaws, such as Pinkie saying she never saw a SR before despite it being what got her her cutie mark. But at least it showed some good aspects of Rarity. Such as how she is the one that convinced everyone to go cheer RD and goaded Twilight into looking for a flying spell. Not to mention when Twilight was looking for a test subject she was the only one to offer to be a test subject.

[ghostfacekiller39 23,879]

You didn't like SR? True it had some flaws, such as Pinkie saying she never saw a SR before despite it being what got her her cutie mark. But at least it showed some good aspects of Rarity. Such as how she is the one that convinced everyone to go cheer RD and goaded Twilight into looking for a flying spell. Not to mention when Twilight was looking for a test subject she was the only one to offer to be a test subject.

Of course she had all those high points, but no one seems to remember that; for good reason. They were overshadowed by her portrayal after that.

 

Of course, the problem between me and SR is that Rarity's flaws were played up too much for story convience, making her a bit of antagonist. I didn't want to watch that episode for the majority of it, and I fought myself from turning away several times.

 

We usually relate to our best ponies in some - or many - ways, and I'm far from being an exception to that*; that episode made me feel bad about myself to watch, and if an episode does that to me, I feel I have every right to dislike it and wish not to watch it again.

 

* - Pony Personality Test is spoilered below

 

 

 

[Radiance64 7,059]

She's been featured in 3 episodes now and will be featured in a 4th soon.

And in all of them so far she's been portrayed extremely well, even in episodes where she was just a side character so...

Omigosh yeah, it's certainly made up for season 3 if you ask me.

Edited April 2, 2014 by Radiance64

[Ianpiersonjdavis 514]

Yeah!

 

I mean I spoke with my best friend after the episode 'Rarity Takes Manehattan' aired (like we always do) and he said that he really enjoyed it, which shocked me because he DESPISES Rarity.

[Shanks 10,817]

It has been a significant improvement over season 3 without a doubt, out of her episodes aired this season there was only 1 I didn't like and of course getting to see a bit more of her relationship with Sweetie Belle is also welcome. 

[Motion Spark 7,811]

I'm sure this season has been good to her. Her screentime has been increazed a lot and I think she's the second pony with the most episodes this far, obviously I don't know why, Aplejack is getting way too many episodes this season (and last season too!) 

Too much RARIJACK it's delicious, and lastly, I'm not sure if this is true but she's been toned down a lot, she's a lot nicer and adorable, almost to Fluttershy levels. Same happened to RD if you ask me, she's been toned down quite a bit!

 

maybe those things were appealing to the fandom because this season increazed RARIJACK popularity a lot, like these 2 being the most 2 favorites ponies currently. If the season mentioned before had no effect on it, I've heard that R34 of Rarity is the best  :comeatus:

[Forlong 1,726]

Only Rainbow Falls truly shafted and belittled her character, so yeah.  She has been treated with absolute excellence this season.

[Nightmare_Shinigami 31]

Every Episode focusing on Rares or with her sharring the Spotlight with another one was awesome

 

Except for "Simple Ways" which is pretty much one of the worst Episode in the ENTIRE SERIES    (Rarity has some unexplained Crush on a Pony, who I wish NEVER EVEN EXISTED at all, ignores her Work on the Ponyfestival for SELFISH REASONS, acts like an Idiot (the Plowscene) and changes the Theme of the Festival into an unfunny Country-life caricature.

 

But the worst Part came from the Equestria Daily-Poll that came after the Episode... Which one would you like to have for the Rest of the Season (Country Rarity or Applejewel...

 

According to some Comment this was the ONLY Poll where Applejack won... So she only wins when she is the COMPLETE OPPOSITE of her Char?

 

Back to Topic:

 

This SEASON WAS AWESOME FOR BEST PONY

[Motion Spark 7,811]

Every Episode focusing on Rares or with her sharring the Spotlight with another one was awesome

 

Except for "Simple Ways" which is pretty much one of the worst Episode in the ENTIRE SERIES    (Rarity has some unexplained Crush on a Pony, who I wish NEVER EVEN EXISTED at all, ignores her Work on the Ponyfestival for SELFISH REASONS, acts like an Idiot (the Plowscene) and changes the Theme of the Festival into an unfunny Country-life caricature.

 

But the worst Part came from the Equestria Daily-Poll that came after the Episode... Which one would you like to have for the Rest of the Season (Country Rarity or Applejewel...

 

According to some Comment this was the ONLY Poll where Applejack won... So she only wins when she is the COMPLETE OPPOSITE of her Char?

 

Back to Topic:

 

This SEASON WAS AWESOME FOR BEST PONY

you hit the nail, Simple ways was a horrible episode, actually I rather say that it was bad written than an actually believable bad episode.