Calling all pony fans.

[DigitalAtlas]

Soooo, I've just finally started watching Season 2 of My Little Pony today. I know right? Took me awhile. The episodes with Discord were fantastic, but I just finished off episode 3 and I'm feeling a tad.... worried, what with Lauren Faust being less and less involved. So, questions:

Does Rarity stay this over-dramatic as she was in episode S203? She was never over-dramatic, before. She was incredibly fussy and picky, and even over-reacted to things like dirt, but she was also sure to always be strong and noble. This character change just comes out of left-field and I was wondering if it was just for the episode or if it's her new character trait.

Does the show devolve? This is mainly worry as it just felt like in the last episode.... they got Twilight Sparkle and Rarity all kinds of wrong.

Do song numbers return this season? This show being half-musical and spontaneous with each musical piece is half the reason I watch!

Furthermore, are you considered a brony if you're just a young adult male and watch the show?

 

[Leemaster777]

Personally, I think that season 2 is actually BETTER than season 1 in alot of respects. Just keep at it.

And no, the characterizations of Rarity and Twilight in episode 3 are pretty much just limited to that episode. It was just for comedy, not a full-on character shift.

Plenty of new songs, and alot of them are even better than last season.

As for my definition of a brony... I'd say that if you're a fan of the show, and you like the fandom enough, I'd say that qualifies you as a brony... but only if you WANT to be. You don't HAVE to be considered a brony if you don't want to be.

 

[Naqel]

IMO while it had it's moments, Season two overall was weaker.

The plots became more predictable, characters had personality problems(not just in the freak-out episodes)... product placement went rampant...

The music is still good though, and the villains/antagonists as entertaining as ever.

 

[Loop Stricken]

product placement went rampant...

Wait, what?
What? Where? When? What?!

 

[Naqel]

product placement went rampant...

Wait, what?
What? Where? When? What?!

Just look at how many times the "Friendship Express" makes its appearance...

Or how about, I dunno... A TWO EPISODE WEDDING SPECIAL, DESIGNED TO SELL A PLAYSET WITH A NEW PINK PONY PRINCESS.

 

[hittite]

In order:
Yes and no. She stays something of a very large ham, but isn't so fussy about dirt and stuff. Really, she gets a lot of character development in the coming episodes (I loved her in Sisterhooves Social, but I had... problems with Sweet and Elite.)
Heck no.
One thousand times yes. (look up Smile Smile Smile right now.)
Of course.

 

[Loop Stricken]

product placement went rampant...

Wait, what?
What? Where? When? What?!

Just look at how many times the "Friendship Express" makes it appearance...

Or how about, I dunno... A TWO EPISODE WEDDING SPECIAL, DESIGNED TO SELL A PLAYSET WITH A NEW PINK PONY PRINCESS.

In which case the entire series is all about selling toys.
I assumed you had something above the baseline in mind.

 

[Naqel]

In which case the entire series is all about selling toys.

Yes, yes it is, but in season one, the inserts were gentle, unnoticable.

Season two dropped all pretense of being anything more than half hour commercials.

It went from "we have a gala episode, let's sell toys of that" to "we designed this character to sell toys, so let's give her a two part special".

 

[hittite]

In which case the entire series is all about selling toys.

Yes, yes it is, but in season one, the inserts were gentle, unnoticable.

Season two dropped all pretense of being anything more than half hour commercials.

It went from "we have a gala episode, let's sell toys of that" to "we designed this character to sell toys, so let's give her a two part special".

In that case, where the heck is my Iron Will action figure? Or my Cloudsdale playset? Or my freaking airship?

 

[Naqel]

In that case, where the heck is my Iron Will action figure? Or my Cloudsdale playset? Or my freaking airship?

While you may know one or two girls aged 6 to 12 that would want those toys, they're not the pink princess most of them desire.

You're out of the target demographic, and therefore out of luck.

 

[hittite]

You're out of the target demographic, and therefore out of luck.

I still think the Cloudsdale playset is a valid point. Especially the weather factory.

 

[Aidinthel]

It went from "we have a gala episode, let's sell toys of that" to "we designed this character to sell toys, so let's give her a two part special".

A two-part special that turns into an alien invasion halfway through, leading to an incredible fight scene, with three different songs. I'm sure not complaining.

Pony thread detected. Activating Escapist MLP user group link:
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/groups/view/MLP-Friendship-is-Magic
I recommend that anyone who joins uncheck the "Chat Notifications" option when prompted, as the group chat tends to be quite active.

 

[Aidinthel]

Furthermore, are you considered a brony if you're just a young adult male and watch the show?

The term is gender-neutral, and is generally used to refer to all fans outside the target demographic (young girls). Though I suppose even they could use the term if they really wanted to.

 

[Naqel]

I still think the Cloudsdale playset is a valid point. Especially the weather factory.

You can try bringing it up to Hasbro, but I don't think they like RD very much. Her tomboy personality dosen't sell well.

She dosen't get the advantage of easily marketable farm based playsets AJ has either.

It's a shame really, as she's just about the only pony to have no proper playset of her own, all she gets is a "tent" and some scooter.

 

[Blobpie]

Don't worry, season 2 is better than season 1

 

[gigastrike]

Don't be worried about S2E3. All of the characters are severely out of character in that one, but go back to normal immediately after.

 

[Rabid Toilet]

Season 2 starts out kind of weak after the Discord episodes, but it really starts picking up around the middle. Keep watching.

 

[JDLY]

Do song numbers return this season? This show being half-musical and spontaneous with each musical piece is half the reason I watch!

There's a little lack of them in the first half of the season, with only 3 out of the 9 in the whole season. But they make up for it with the overall quality.

 

[Random Fella]

It gets very good
Not a lot of songs at first, but they come around eventually don't you worry
The characters do change a bit, but I wouldn't say overly, and definitely not in a disappointing way.
Season 2 was good, different to season 1, yes, but that's the point of sequel seasons is it not?

as for the 'am I a brony' question
No, watching MLP doesn't make you a brony, I feel it's more how you react within the fanbase
I don't even consider myself one (Ridiculous, I know) many people would disagree with me, but I don't approve of many of the fanbase's work or fanon action.
Anyone who wants to be called a brony, is a brony, that's how I see it anyhow. Because it means they want to be a part of the group. (Not saying not calling yourself a brony doesn't, damn now I'm confusing myself)

 

[Berithil]

snip

Well, I had typed up a good response to this, but then my internet decided to derp and erased the whole thing as I was posting it, so screw that.

Points:
-rarity is the drama queen of the group. Even though she has some strong moments and still defies the cliche "girly girl who can't do anything to save her life" archetype, she still is the girliest of the bunch.

-the characters do change over the season, but that's mainly due to character development, and its nothing super drastic.

-The season doesn't have as many songs as the first one (especially the first half of the season) but it makes up for it in overall quality. However the finale does have 3 songs (5 if you count brief reprises)

-anyone outside the target demographic can be considered a brony, but it doesn't necessarily make you one.

Spoiler: heres a season 2 song if you want to listen to it. No spoilers

Smile smile smile