Why was Discord forgiven so easily?

[ggg-2 3,553]

Yyyyyyyeah.....just something that really irked me about the season finale was that Discord was forgiven WAY too easily for helping Tirek grow so powerful. The question is, WHY? Yeah, yeah, "Friendship is Magic". But still, forgiveness is something that needs to be EARNED.

[Guest90210 3,568]

Logically it doesn't make sense. Discord was willing to literally enslave the entire population, including those who considered him a friend. His plan fails and he's forgiven just like that. In the real world, he would be cast out into prison for life, but since it's a cartoon about friendship, happiness & rainbows they forgive him, and he will never commit another crime that harsh again. You have to bend the rules and logic for shows to an extent I suppose.

Edited May 23, 2014 by Rivendare

[ReverseFaller 2,483]

Part of me still thinks Discord knew Rainbow Power was in the box. I mean, he gave Twilight all of the hints. Maybe he intentionally did everything he did so that Twilight would give up her powers, thus activating the Rainbow Powers.

 

Either that, or he was just forgiven because friendship is magic, and what not. It's not like he helped a brutal villain gain more power, or anything.  :comeatus:

[Jeric 46,852]

Forgiveness needing to be earned is a personal view, not an absolute. Even for those that do subscribe to the earn it concept, defining exactly what that means is not possible. It is different for everyone. Does Twilight consider showing true remorse as currency to earn her forgiveness? Based on the show's history and resolutions, I would say that is consistent with what we have seen. Remember it was first Twilight (and only Twilight) that had to make the initial choice.

 

Discord's flowers to Celestia and Fluttershy commenting on the throne was the writer's way of addressing the larger picture.

[ghostfacekiller39 23,860]

Probably because the mane 6 are all good-hearted and forgiving ponies, and they believed he was actually reformed this time, as opposed to last time, when only Fluttershy believed he was reformed.

 

They probably saw the slap in the face he got from Tirek's backstabbing him as a flooring experience - the way he reacted obviously showed remorse, and the mane 6 saw that he learned his lesson. None of them are the kind to hold grudges and were able to easily forgive him since he realized he was wrong.

 

This is a world of friendship and magic, you know

[Banul 3,831]

I think that part of the reason Discord betrayed them in the first place is because only Fluttershy showed him any kind of friendship. So I think they forgave him easily because they recognized that they hadn't been living up to the ideals of friendship themselves, except for Fluttershy, who forgave him because she is Fluttershy.

[Pastel 7,630]

What @ghostfacekiller39 says: Tirek betrayed him and the mane 6 clearly saw he learned his lesson, and that friendship is magic etc.

[Rainblow H. Ash 5,091]

I believe it was a combination of what ghostface and Banul said; not only did Discord see his trust and friendship in Tirek betrayed, but Twilight and her friends also realized that they had done nothing but treat Discord with contempt even after his reformation. Fluttershy was the only one who gave him the time of day beforehand.

[Metemponychosis 1,261]

Because that ending sucks.

Honestly, the only reason I can see for Twlight to even insist that Discord be freed as well is because she read the script.

 

They just wanted to shoehorn Discord in to the freaking episode and he ends up doing Twilight's job (figuring out the chest) and giving her the key, when Twilight's element never was really tested like Rarity's or Applejack's, Fluttershy's, Pinkie's and even Rainbow Dash's. Discord should be the Princess of Friendship.

[PrymeStriker 408]

Because Discord needed some proper character development. 

[LordDiscord 289]

If you ask me, the Mane 6 should be the ones earning forgiveness from Discord.  They did nothing since his reformation to give him any sense that they cared, only Fluttershy did this and with Discords limited knowledge on friendship, he could have easily mistook all of Fluttershy signs of ''friendship'' as just acts of kindness, which isn't what he wanted. Sense she showed him friendship was something he wanted, he obviously is going to expect them to treat him in the same manner they treat each other yet they didn't.  I am not trying to condone what Discord did, as that was obviously wrong but I am not going to sit there and believe that Discord should have to do so arbitrary feat, to earn their forgiveness, when had they treated him the same way they had treated each other then Tirek might not have actually convinced Discord, or at the very least would have to persuade him in a different way, like maybe attack his ego and call him ''weak'' or ''pathetic'' for standing up for ponies. So all in all I feel they are even, now hopefully they will actually treat him like a friend in Season 5 and we will see them greet Discord the same way they greet each other.  

Edited May 23, 2014 by LordDiscord

[Jeric 46,852]

Because that ending sucks.

Honestly, the only reason I can see for Twlight to even insist that Discord be freed as well is because she read the script.

 

They just wanted to shoehorn Discord in to the freaking episode and he ends up doing Twilight's job (figuring out the chest) and giving her the key, when Twilight's element never was really tested like Rarity's or Applejack's, Fluttershy's, Pinkie's and even Rainbow Dash's. Discord should be the Princess of Friendship.

Disagree. She relinquished her magic for friendship. Discord bemoans not having magic. Discord treated as a friend by Twilight. Not giving up her magic and sacrificing her friends would have meant she failed the test because ....

 

... FIM

 

Key earned and acquired.

[Metemponychosis 1,261]

Disagree. She relinquished her magic for friendship. Discord bemoans not having magic. Discord treated as a friend by Twilight. Not giving up her magic and sacrificing her friends would have meant she failed the test because ....

 

... FIM

 

Key earned and acquired.

When did Discord become her friend?

[Henny Penny Benny 936]

Forgiveness is not the same thing as trust. Personally, I think it's unreasonable to expect people to earn forgiveness, as we're all so fallible that we can't keep from failing each other. What should be earned is trust, but they showed that in the episode when Fluttershy in particular alluded to the fact that she would take a while to trust him again.

 

All forgiveness means is that they won't hold his betrayal over his head. And honestly, I think it made perfect sense for them to forgive him. Yes, he betrayed them, but when Tirek betrayed him, he genuinely saw how awful it was to be betrayed by someone he trusted. As he had said before, Fluttershy was the first friend he ever had, so he hadn't really learned the true value of friendship. Before he was betrayed, he genuinely didn't understand just how valuable it was to have ponies whom he could trust and who trusted him, but when he was betrayed, he realized that he had betrayed the only ponies who he had ever been able to trust.

 

When that happened, he genuinely acknowledged that he didn't deserve forgiveness, that what he had done was not something he could fix (although I don't recall the exact words), and the Mane 6 saw that genuine pain and knew he had truly learned something. True, he learned it as a direct result of betraying his only friends, but he learned it nonetheless.

 

That's why it made sense for them to forgive him, even though they probably still don't trust him.

Edited May 23, 2014 by Henny Penny Benny

[Discordian 6,015]

I wouldn't have called it easy. Ever since season 4 started he's been accused over and over again by everyone but Fluttershy. Fluttershy was literally the only reason he had to be kind to anyone and even that wasn't enough to stop the temptation Tirek offered him. It wasn't until he gained what he himself saw as true companionship from Tirek and had it taken away that he realized what he had done and what he had given up. Unlike everything that's happened so far it was completely visible that he meant what he felt. He always seemed to be toying around, which is part of why even Twilight didn't trust him the entire season.

 

What happened in the finale wasn't the entirety of the process. It was merely the climax of the season-long transformation. It most certain wasn't quick at all.

Edited May 23, 2014 by Discordian

[Jeric 46,852]

When did Discord become her friend?

It could have been the moment she said "All of my friends!" or anytime before that. But she did consider him a friend.

[Metemponychosis 1,261]

I think I want to be friends with the people in this thread so I can screw them and when stuff doesn't work out for me, I can show them how sorry I am and we'll all be friends again, no problem.

It could have been the moment she said "All of my friends!" or anytime before that. But she did consider him a friend.

That is not what I meant. When, in the whole show, can I we say "Hey... Discord is their friend?"

[Discordian 6,015]

I think I want to be friends with the people in this thread so I can screw them and when stuff doesn't work out for me, I can show them how sorry I am and we'll all be friends again, no problem.

Perhaps we're forgetting that it was Twilight's duty to understand friendship in all of it's ways? I'm sure Twilight understood that with someone like Discord it would take a great deal more effort to show him what friendship truly meant. The fact that he turned against them at all was a sure sign that she failed in that regard so she was correcting her mistakes, officially turning Discord.

 

It may be a little fantastical but that's the way the show works.

[Metemponychosis 1,261]

Perhaps we're forgetting that it was Twilight's duty to understand friendship in all of it's ways? I'm sure Twilight understood that with someone like Discord it would take a great deal more effort to show him what friendship truly meant. The fact that he turned against them at all was a sure sign that she failed in that regard so she was correcting her mistakes, officially turning Discord.

 

It may be a little fantastical but that's the way the show works.

Doesn't make sense to me.

In fact, it doesn't make sense since Keep Calm and Flutter On, but that is another story...

 

You earn trust by proving that you can be relied on and trust is an integral part of friendship. He just betrayed their trust in the most important task he has been given (as far as we know... Could have been the ONLY task he's been given). If that is how the show works, then it's not about friendship, it's about spoiling man-children. I can't see any reasons for Twilight to just decide that Discord needs to be freed other than he is now harmless and that she knew beforehand that he'd give her the last key. And to spite Tirek.

[Discordian 6,015]

Doesn't make sense to me.

In fact, it doesn't make sense since Keep Calm and Flutter On, but that is another story...

 

You earn trust by proving that you can be relied on and trust is an integral part of friendship. He just betrayed their trust in the most important task he has been given (as far as we know... Could have been the ONLY task he's been given). If that is how the show works, then it's not about friendship, it's about spoiling man-children. I can't see any reasons for Twilight to just decide that Discord needs to be freed other than he is now harmless and that she knew beforehand that he'd give her the last key. And to spite Tirek.

Even Discord admits that "friendship" is going a little far considering his final line in the finale. Twilight having done that in Discord's moment of vulnerability (the only one he's shown since the sealed him in the season 2 opening) was basically giving him her entire trust. Something she hadn't done the entire series. We still have yet to see what comes of it but she's giving Discord a real chance for once instead of the skeptical "we've got our eye on you" chance he had before.

[RockinRarity 1,605]

I think I want to be friends with the people in this thread so I can screw them and when stuff doesn't work out for me, I can show them how sorry I am and we'll all be friends again, no problem.

Since when did an understanding of forgiveness and a willingness to forgive people equal gullible doormat?

 

Discord showed ACTUAL REMORSE for his actions. They even made it obvious in the dialogue.

 

Discord: (genuinely sad) I'm sorry.

Fluttershy: I know

Edited May 27, 2014 by SCS
Removed abusive content

[Henny Penny Benny 936]

I think it's also worth noting that, at this point in the show, Discord's betrayal in the finale was an isolated incident. He'd caused his fair share of mischief and no doubt irritated the Mane 6 plenty times, but nothing on the level of the outright betrayal in the finale. It was one mistake, and although it was an egregious one, he did appear to genuinely recognize it as a mistake. It makes perfect sense for the ponies to give him a second chance to earn their trust.

 

Now, if it became a pattern, betrayal and apology and betrayal and apology, without any long-term growth or movement in the right direction, then it would make sense for them to give up on him and his friendship. But as it is, there is evidence of long-term growth.

Edited May 23, 2014 by Henny Penny Benny

[Metemponychosis 1,261]

Even Discord admits that "friendship" is going a little far considering his final line in the finale. Twilight having done that in Discord's moment of vulnerability (the only one he's shown since the sealed him in the season 2 opening) was basically giving him her entire trust. Something she hadn't done the entire series. We still have yet to see what comes of it but she's giving Discord a real chance for once instead of the skeptical "we've got our eye on you" chance he had before.

Real chance for once?

 

Let's see. Discord first appeared and he made ponies' lives miserable. The sisters hit him with the Elements of Harmony and he got turned to stone. Then he gets free, and what is it that he does? Exactly the same he was doing before. He gets turned to stone again. He is freed and turns to doing exactly that again. For the sake of this argument, I'll assume that the moral in Keep Calm and Flutter On is valid, and Discord did start to become Fluttershy's friend.

 

Every time he appears after that is to annoy somepony and he withholds the truth about those vines. Assuming that it made sense that the Mane Six had to give up the elements and Discord couldn't control the vines, and wasn't trying to get rid of the Elements. Then, Celestia trusts him to deal with Tirek, which he could have done effortlessly. It's the single most important thing anyone was supposed to do in the season. Instead, he just listens to Tirek and ignores the fact that he is betraying his "friend" Fluttershy and Celestia's trust to begin with. Why? Because he just wants to do more of what he did before. So Fluttershy's friendship go to Tartarus: Tirek's friendship lets him get away with the thing that got him in trouble in the first place.

 

How many chances does he need? It's not like he has proven that he is trying in anyway. And if this guy was anywhere near me he'd better expect me to keep an eye in him, because he's shown that he doesn't give a damn about trust and he better behave. To do any less is not being "friendly", it's being complacent. Giving trust to someone who haven't earned it not "trusting": it's being naive.

 

If there had been any effort to show that Discord was indeed trying to become a better individual throughout the season I could agree that he slipped and deserved yet another chance, and could be called a friend even after he enabled Tirek to destroy everything Twilight loves.

 

To be fair, he did bookmark the journal for Twilight (since she is so incompetent, and apparently never bothered to read their journal... some princess of friendship...), but it pales in comparison to what he did right after that and it wouldn't have mattered if Twilight didn't read the script to know that he is supposed to giver her the last key. I understand the message here, of course, but it's botched because it doesn't make any sense for the lack developing an actual friendship.

Edited May 27, 2014 by SCS
Removed abusive content.

[Henny Penny Benny 936]

Real chance for once?

 

Let's see. Discord first appeared and he made ponies' lives miserable. The sisters hit him with the Elements of Harmony and he got turned to stone. Then he gets free, and what is it that he does? Exactly the same he was doing before. He gets turned to stone again. He is freed and turns to doing exactly that again. For the sake of this argument, I'll assume that the moral in Keep Calm and Flutter On is valid, and Discord did start to become Fluttershy's friend.

 

Every time he appears after that is to annoy somepony and he withholds the truth about those vines. Assuming that it made sense that the Mane Six had to give up the elements and Discord couldn't control the vines, and wasn't trying to get rid of the Elements. Then, Celestia trusts him to deal with Tirek, which he could have done effortlessly. It's the single most important thing anyone was supposed to do in the season. Instead, he just listens to Tirek and ignores the fact that he is betraying his "friend" Fluttershy and Celestia's trust to begin with. Why? Because he just wants to do more of what he did before. So Fluttershy's friendship go to Tartarus: Tirek's friendship lets him get away with the thing that got him in trouble in the first place.

 

How many chances does he need? It's not like he has proven that he is trying in anyway. And if this guy was anywhere near me he'd better expect me to keep an eye in him, because he's shown that he doesn't give a damn about trust and he better behave. To do any less is not being "friendly", it's being complacent. Giving trust to someone who haven't earned it not "trusting": it's being naive.

 

If there had been any effort to show that Discord was indeed trying to become a better individual throughout the season I could agree that he slipped and deserved yet another chance, and could be called a friend even after he enabled Tirek to destroy everything Twilight loves.

 

To be fair, he did bookmark the journal for Twilight (since she is so incompetent, and apparently never bothered to read their journal... some princess of friendship...), but it pales in comparison to what he did right after that and it wouldn't have mattered if Twilight didn't read the script to know that he is supposed to giver her the last key. I understand the message here, of course, but it's botched because it doesn't make any sense for the lack developing an actual friendship.

 

But this is the only time he's actually betrayed somepony who trusted him, somepony who considered him a friend. Those other times, his actions were like nothing to him because no one trusted him to behave any differently. Even this time, at first, he didn't realize the weight of his betrayal because he had never had anyone to betray or be betrayed by before. But when he trusted Tirek and Tirek betrayed him, he realized for the first time in his life how horrible it was to be betrayed, and by extension how horrible it was to betray others.

[IridscentNionios 1,420]

The question is why was Discord so easily reformed? No compensation for the shit he did no emorse no apology. His reform wasnt about apologizing or making ammends it was about friendship. That is why i believe it wasn't a true reform. They just befriended him and left the rest to his consience.