MLP season 5.

[Worgen]

So Season 5 of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic just aired. It certainly makes it feel like this season will be more about exploring new places than the other seasons were and it was interesting how it really solidified how important cutie marks are in pony society. Also Pinkie had some fantastic jokes.

So what were your thoughts about the new season?

Also, keep in mind, if you don't like ponies, there is a wide forum out there for you to explore.

 

[Neverhoodian]

It's here! It's here! It's fina-lilly here!

It appears we may be in for a "road trip" season, where the mane six travel across the land completing quests of friendship. Like King Arthur and his knights, only with less swords and more rainbows.

I wasn't expecting biting social commentary with my magical talking ponies, yet here we are. The line "you can't have a nightmare if you never dream" sent a chill down my spine. I couldn't help but think of parallels between Starlight Glimmer's village and the "everyone gets a trophy" mindset that's cropped up in recent decades. You know, stuff like schools giving out awards to all students so everyone's a special snowflake and doesn't have to feel "left out." Nobody gets a chance to shine, to demonstrate what they're good at. In other words:

What I'm looking forward to most this season is episode 100:

Spoiler

Word on the street is that it's going to be all about background ponies.

 

[Silentpony_v1legacy]

Yeah it was an okay episode. Sorta predictable, sorta lackluster. But its always good to have more ponies.

 

[rcs619]

So Season 5 of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic just aired. It certainly makes it feel like this season will be more about exploring new places than the other seasons were and it was interesting how it really solidified how important cutie marks are in pony society. Also Pinkie had some fantastic jokes.

So what were your thoughts about the new season?

Also, keep in mind, if you don't like ponies, there is a wide forum out there for you to explore.

Putting down my prediction right here.

Starlight Glimmer is totally going to turn out to be Twilight's long-lost evil sister. Similar name, similar coloration, similar marks in her hair. Also, her whole deal seems to be an unhealthy fascination with (admittedly evil) magic. Twilight will be too dumb to see it until the very last moment, like she usually is, and maybe we get a neat magic-fight before the inevitable make-up (although, the series having a villain that isn't immediately taken out at the end of a season would be kind of cool, as an ongoing threat).

But yeah, the idea of some sort of crazy dystopian pony-cult was kind of amusing. I'll go out on a limb and assume that there was someone involved with that script who's seen "Equilibrium" because the premise was almost literally the same.

 

[Scarim Coral]

I admit that Starlight Glimmer somewhat intrigue me as a villain. It isn't the whole being good at manipulating, rather her whole motive is not clear yet. I cam assume she has a tragic past or possible a dark truma to believe that having a cutie mark is a sin (or may she could be an agent for a great evil).

It pretty obvious it is not the last we see of her which I hoped the next time we see her isn't at the end of the season. Still I getting a feeling that at the end of the season, she probably get a power up one way or another and will turned into a monster for it since right now I don't find her intimating especially when she had an outbust against the Princess (ohh I'm shaking at my book to see her not as powerful compared to a Princess, one of the most powerful being in Equestria).

As for the episode, it was alright which I guess I had over exposed myself from the preview clips and trailers. I awaits the future episodes to get a proper opinions toward it.

 

[Silentpony_v1legacy]

Starlight Glimmer is totally going to turn out to be Twilight's long-lost evil sister. Similar name, similar coloration, similar marks in her hair. Also, her whole deal seems to be an unhealthy fascination with (admittedly evil) magic. Twilight will be too dumb to see it until the very last moment, like she usually is, and maybe we get a neat magic-fight before the inevitable make-up (although, the series having a villain that isn't immediately taken out at the end of a season would be kind of cool, as an ongoing threat).

Yeah, but all the normal ponies villains have names like that. Trixie LulaMoon, Sunset Shimmer, Starlight Glimmer. They're all supposed to be similar to Twilight because they each represent a facet of Twilight's personality she had to get over and/or come to terms with to win.
Kinda' like how all of Batman's villains represent aspects of his personality? Its not coincidence, its written that way. Starlight Glimmer was supposed to be like Twilight; to show what could have happened if Twilight never went to PonyVille and just spent her time reading about friendship, not experiencing it.

I'd put my money on Sunset Shimmer returning to Equestria and becoming Twilight's first student, then in a year or so she'll get her own spin-off series.

 

[FPLOON]

Wait... Did this premiere have a song? I was too busy focusing at Pinkie's facial expressions to notice...

Anyway, it's an interesting start to seeing some kind of season-long villain that's almost a bit more grounded than the previous villains so far... With that said, I loved the 1984-esque moment during the second half, which lead to some [more] funny dialogue from Pinkie, mostly... Plus, who doesn't love a change in scenery once in a while?

I felt like (and don't take offense) that the series is being milked. No longer do they feel unique, or special. What made MLP grand was how they had a lot going in the given episodes with creativity and didn't hold back. Here, they're just going with whatever they have... and it feels like a writer's block. To put it simply, what made Discord's introduction in Season 1 episodes 1 & 2 so amazing was how much personality and attention they gave the antagonist. He was a REAL threat, but not trying to 'rawr destroy everything' trope. Instead, he had fun corrupting things and turning our heroes into the opposite of what they were. Also the execution is what makes it memorable. Here? It felt like they dished these out and tried hammering our heads with the message "Difference is ok, friendship is stronger that way!" ... .. Yes, we know.

*brony glasses intensifies* Uh, actually... It was episodes 1 & 2 of Season 2 of MLP:FiM that intorduced the villian Q Discord, which if I'm being honest, was more of an antagonist than a villain in the same vain as, say, Nightmare Moon in Season 1 or Queen Chrysalis in the Season 2 finale...

But seriously, this premiere felt more like a setup to a season-long arc as oppose to a "let's kicks this of with a bang or should I say with CHAOS... but, just for these particular episodes because we still be slice-of-life, yo" kind of premiere... And, with talk of a possible 6th season[footnote]"6 seasons and a movie!"[/footnote], we're seeing what the staff would do that, concept-wise, isn't trending so much familiar grounds that it feels like another "Season 2" all over again, for example... Then again, in referring to that last part about the lesson, it wasn't the main characters that were learning this lesson, though, so there's that...

 

[FPLOON]

*brony glasses intensifies* Uh, actually... It was episodes 1 & 2 of Season 2 of MLP:FiM.

You know what's sad? I realized my mistake way before you made your post- edited it, and felt I caught myself early enough to not be corrected. Sadly, you caught it and worked on such a huge post that you didn't get the chance to see my post was already fixed lol.

That happens often to me. People work on their posts, keeping my previous mistake kept there even after i've fixed it way before.
No worries, I deserved that humiliating reminder, that I should read my stuff before submitting 'post'... .. *sigh*

That's kinda why I added the "brony glasses intensifies" because I felt like you kinda knew that already... Then again, I did not refresh the page before posting the quote (like I would normally do) since I had a conflict with a door to take care of as soon as possible...

OT: Now that I think about it... our characters seemed rather, bland. Not putting up a fight, just going with being 'imprisoned' and the fact they kept making it clear they knew something was wrong with the town, but went along regardless and fell into their trap. Like... if you suspected something, you guys should of advised a plan from the start.

Well, not everything can be solved with that kind of mindset of "we're going to keep fighting til the day we di-I mean lose the power of friendship mentally"... Plus, it's kinda hard to "plan ahead" when everyone keeps staring at you like they should have been "one of us" yesterday... on top of the "never leaving" comment of a backhand from earlier...

Another thing is despite being held in that little house for 2-3 days ... it's still not going to convert them. The magic itself that made them have = cutie marks wasn't to strong seeing how they were able to resist being convinced so I never felt they were on the verge of switching sides, killing the suspicion overall. In other words, weak writing in my opinion.

The more I think about that, the more I think of how strong-willed the Mane 6 were in comparison to the other ponies... I mean, sure, the = spell didn't seem that strong in general, but considering how the other ponies weren't even fighting it because they were already fooled into the mindset of "this was the right thing to do for my cutie mark", they probably didn't even need to be put into that kind of situation... and the one that did end up joining them in said little house, which we'll call "Double D" because why not, it didn't take long for him to suck it up and literally beg for forgiveness because he lacked that strong will to begin with...

Overall, potential setup for potential season-long conflict hasn't fully got everyone on board just yet, I guess...

 

[jdogtwodolla]

It was pretty alright. I'm finding that Tara does not really do a long Twilight Speech very well. Her opening sounded poorly written (which may not be her fault) and her friendship speech to Starlight Glimmer at the end sounded emotionless. I not sure what they're doing with Dash. Her dialogue consisted of "Adventure Awesome Awesome Adventure" kinda a bit.

Yeah it was good.

 

[Ishal]

Mechanically and technically speaking I think it's the best two part opening we've had. No big Deus Ex laser like the other times before. No big plot holes from what I saw at a glance. So, for those overly concerned about such things, it was pretty good.

It was a slow burn, and I liked that. They're still trying new things. Which is good, and I have to say I liked the themes they were dealing with. It's straight Harrison Bergeron. No surprise, since one of the writers is a big Vonnegut fan.

I felt like (and don't take offense) that the series is being milked. No longer do they feel unique, or special. What made MLP grand was how they had a lot going in the given episodes with creativity and didn't hold back. Here, they're just going with whatever they have... and it feels like a writer's block. To put it simply, what made Discord's introduction in Season 2 episodes 1 & 2 so amazing was how much personality and attention they gave the antagonist. He was a REAL threat, but not trying to 'rawr destroy everything' trope. Instead, he had fun corrupting things and turning our heroes into the opposite of what they were. Also the execution is what makes it memorable. Here? It felt like they dished these out and tried hammering our heads with the message "Difference is ok, friendship is stronger that way!" ... .. Yes, we know.

I've never understood this "uniqueness" people attribute to the early seasons. I came in at the start of the third, so I didn't have the "magic" of my first exposure being the first episodes. I don't see them unique at all, in fact, I see them as rather... mediocre. Season 1 was the pilot season. It didn't even get started until around Suited For Success. It's suffered all the pains of a show coming into it's own. Writers not understanding the characters, trying to figure out what they should do. They screwed up morals, made the characters unlikable in many instances, and just didn't do a good job. Viewing the seasons back to back, it's impossible to not see the jump in quality between seasons as it progressed. And I love season 2, but even it still had some really bad clunkers.

I never saw Discord as a real threat. He's just a trickster villain, one of the all-powerful variety. They are among the most predictable of all villains. They put on a show, and leave themselves vulnerable while doing so. They can feel threatening, I suppose, but they're beaten nearly the same way in almost all media. If they aren't treated a certain way, they're walking disasters for the narrative. It hamstrings their effectiveness, honestly.

Eh, opinions.

 

[Lord Garnaat]

I quite enjoyed it. It was intriguing seeing a villain who wasn't some sort of calamitous demon or world-conquering threat, but rather a fairly ordinary sort that happens to have a powerful spell and a twisted ideology. The writing for Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Applejack was, I think, very very good, especially since those three are characters that some of the showrunners haven't really known what to do with in the past.

I think what I'm most excited about, however, is less what was in the episode itself, and more what it was building up for later. Talking about the "great mage Meadowbrook" and her powerful magical artifacts certainly has me interested - first of all, how cool is it that there's a character actually called a "mage" in MLP? And honestly, I'm very glad that Starlight Glimmer managed to escape: during the confrontation I was praying that would be the exact outcome, since I didn't think they had enough time for a satisfying defeat otherwise. This way, we have an established recurring villain, something that we haven't really had previously, and it gives us a chance to perhaps see more of Glimmer's backstory in the future. She was a good antagonist based on what we presented, but I would really like more of an exploration of her character as time goes on: what made her believe in her "sameness" ideology, and what made her take such extreme measures?

What I'm most curious about, however, is probably the biggest question of her character: does she truly, sincerely believe in the philosophy she's preaching? Or is it just a way to grab power? I hope that it's the former, just because a fanatic radical who's so far over the edge that she can't even recognize her own hypocrisy interests me more than your standard power-mad, cynical liar. She seemed sincere when she was berating everyone and claiming to be acting in their best interest after the reveal of her mark, so I have high hopes, but we'll see.

In short, a very good premiere to what I hope will be a great season. Looking forward to what comes next!

 

[SweetShark]

Ok.....because I stopped watching MLP until Season 3, can somebody tell me what happening?

 

[Kopikatsu]

What I'm most curious about, however, is probably the biggest question of her character: does she truly, sincerely believe in the philosophy she's preaching? Or is it just a way to grab power? I hope that it's the former, just because a fanatic radical who's so far over the edge that she can't even recognize her own hypocrisy interests me more than your standard power-mad, cynical liar. She seemed sincere when she was berating everyone and claiming to be acting in their best interest after the reveal of her mark, so I have high hopes, but we'll see.

I don't think it's hypocrisy. She admitted (and Twilight suspected) that the staff wasn't a real magical artifact. If she took her own cutie mark (if that's even possible), then she wouldn't be able to take anyone else's. The level of power she had as the town's founder and equivalent of mayor already put her above the others in regards of importance, and as the only one who wielded the staff, her magic didn't make her any more 'special' than that would have. But it's a job that someone has to do. I think she believes her own philosophy since she went the extra step in trying to hide her own cutie mark when she could've just kept her own and forcibly taken everyone else's cutie marks instead of convincing them that her way was better.

My theory'd be that Starlight Glimmer was a blank flank who was mocked for it, so she came to believe that cutie marks only led to suffering and heartache and her propaganda machine said as much. So she searched for a way to make everyone the same, and that ended up being her special talent.

But that leads to another point: If her special talent is taking away what makes other people special, does she have any choice but to be a villain within the context of the setting? She can either reject her talent (and make herself miserable), or take away the talents of others (And make them miserable).

 

[Scarim Coral]

Ok.....because I stopped watching MLP until Season 3, can somebody tell me what happening?

Ok this is the abridged version of season 4 which honestly you should give it a watched, it was MILES better compared to season 3

Spoiler: I am summing up the main theme in season 3 so I am not providing play by play on the episodes

The first two parter episodes start of with these mysterious vines that start attacking the ponies and it eventually reveal that the element of harmony came from a crystal tree deep within the everfree forest. In order to stop the tree from going haywire, the mane 6 have to give up their elements aka the necklances and tirara and return it to the tree.

With the tree restored, it sproted out a gem shape chest with six keyholes on it thus Twilight try to figure out what it all means.

Anyway this isn't brought up again until the final episode althought you did see her working on it in one or two episodes.

After that it seen the recurring theme to the episodes is playing against the mane 6 elements mainly 6/7 episodes about it (Also since this was when the Olympic was going on, so too did the ponies had one coming up dubbed "The Equestria Games".)-

Rarity- Her generosity was taken advantage of by the bad pony.

Rainbow Dash- Whese does her loyality lies when she has to choose between two groups?

Fluttershy- Her kindness can smother someponies too much.

Applejack- She had to tell the "hard truth".

Pinkie Pie- She come across and compete another party pony who was just as good as her if not better (yes this is possible)

Twlight- She had to choose between to give up her magic or two saved her friends (I mention this below).

Each of these episodes introduce a new character (well most) who where on the wrong side of the girls elements per say and by the end of it they had their life changed for the better thanks to them and they all given them an item as a remainder of their deeds which each items shine a rainbow.

The final two parter reveal a centeur villain named Tirek who goal is to take all ponies magics. He's pretty much the baddest villain so far in terms of explosion.

Pior to the battle, Twilight finally figure out what the keys where thanks to a hint from Discord as it turn out the items the mane 6 recived from those negate elements turn into a gem which Twilight is the only one who hasn't recieve one due to not having an event when her element is pinned against her.

Seriously Twilight battle him in a Dragon Ball Z like battle (I kid you not, this literally happened)! Tirek pulled out his gambit by holding the mane 6 and Discord hostage as he want Twilight magic and the other magics bestored to her by the other three Princesses.

Realising what she has to do, she gave up her magic willing and recuse her friend including Discord. Discord has betray them who is now truely remorse for his action and he handed the item he was given by Tirek (it was suppose to be a token of his friendship to him) to Twilight instead. This was the final key needed to open the chest.

The chest reveal a rainbow like energy which bestored the mane 6 new powers (pretty much the new "buy out toys") needed to overpowered and defeat Tirek once and for all.

Banish back to tartarus, everything is retore and the chest float into Ponyville grounds and emerge a tree shape crystal kingdom (think of it as the Fortress of Solitude for Superman) which inside the castle contain 6 throne for the mane 6 including a mini one for Spike next to Twiligt.

Twilight realise what her calling as a Princess as she is the Princess of Friendship!

Like I said, this is the abridged version so I had left out ALOT of informations so you should really just watched season 4!

My theory'd be that Starlight Glimmer was a blank flank who was mocked for it, so she came to believe that cutie marks only led to suffering and heartache and her propaganda machine said as much. So she searched for a way to make everyone the same, and that ended up being her special talent.

But that leads to another point: If her special talent is taking away what makes other people special, does she have any choice but to be a villain within the context of the setting? She can either reject her talent (and make herself miserable), or take away the talents of others (And make them miserable).

That's actually a good and interesting theroy!

It never occur to me that what if you're talent is being evil but you do not "want" to be evil per say (is that even possible? I just assume the ponies talent is suppose to benefit him or her for the better). I mean the whole cutie mark is pretty much your destiny calling in life which of course we as people can believed in destiny or reject it but do the ponies can do the same thing as we do?

I think that could be possible outcone for this season given how these days, making a U turn on a villain/ antagonist is popular these days in cartoon (Ice King from Adventure Time, Pacifica from Gravity Fall and Sunset Shimmer from the movies) since it provide deeper character development to the said villain/ antogonist

 

[Kopikatsu]

That's actually a good and interesting theroy!

It never occur to me that what if you're talent is being evil but you do not "want" to be evil per say (is that even possible? I just assume the ponies talent is suppose to benefit him or her for the better). I mean the whole cutie mark is pretty much your destiny calling in life which of course we as people can believed in destiny or reject it but do the ponies can do the same thing as we do?

I think that could be possible outcone for this season given how these days, making a U turn on a villain/ antagonist is popular these days in cartoon (Ice King from Adventure Time, Pacifica from Gravity Fall and Sunset Shimmer from the movies) since it provide deeper character development to the said villain/ antogonist

I wouldn't necessarily call her evil. Everyone seemed pretty happy with the town, and it didn't seem like she forced anyone but the Mane Six to get their marks removed. Only Sugarbell and her two friends showed any signs of discontentment.

But going the other way, how would you feel if whatever force guiding the world decided that you would be on the 'wrong' side before you were even born? If your one true purpose in life was only to serve as a footnote in someone else's, to help teach them a lesson they already knew by destroying what you devoted your entire life to?