aescuder said:
I enjoyed your insights immensely. I would have to agree with you, most especially with the above quote. As I mentioned earlier, this may also be the reason why MLP:FiM will never be able to fully explore the entire spectrum of human emotion, particularly that of intimacy and longing, in the development of the ponies. Ironic given the overtones of "love" in the show.
A real shame because the complex relationships created with Marcelline + Dad, Marcelline + Princess Bubblegum, Finn + Princess Bubblegum, Jake + Lady Rainicorn, Finn + Susan (i.e. longing for another human), etc, are the episodes I seem to enjoy the most.
Why thank you, I'm flattered. The complex relationships are indeed one of the things that make Adventure Time so worthwhile. In that regard, my favorite episode was "Go With Me," the one where Finn asks Marceline for advice on how to get Princess Bubblegum to go with him to a movie. Nevermind that their bonding in that episode was down-right adorable, but when it finally occurs to Finn to try and ask Marceline, she responds with outright
anger. The response of an emotionally well-adjusted girl, upon being "asked out" by a much younger boy, might have been to laugh and try and gently let him down. When she then tries to scare him away by shapeshifting into a hideous monster, she reveals all when she asks, "What do you think of me now?" It is thus apparent, I think, that she was angry that a human boy would ask her out when she considers herself, on some level, to be a horrible monster. Such is a brand of teenage vampire self-loathing that kicks the crap out of Edward Cullen. It's there, but it's well hidden by time, and Marceline can function as a person, instead of being all emo about it all the time. Good ol' Penn writes vampires
well.
Revolutionaryloser said:
I respect your opinion firstly but I don't agree on those two points. Regarding MLP being offensive it has already offended a lot of people in two significant occasions. Once in Feeling Pinkie Keen where they decided to defend Christianity and Over The Barrel where they set the record for worst handling of Colonialism ever. Both episodes written by Dave Polsky BTW.
I don't think Feeling Pinkie Keen was in defense of Christianity. Granted, it was one of the more awkwardly written episodes, but I think the moral was something more akin to, "Trust your friends. Do not assume that you are always right." There wasn't anything to tie it into any particular religion, either. Nor do I think that Over The Barrel was the worst handling of colonialism ever. Do recall that it showed the senselessness of warfare, and instead advocated peaceful compromise. A path was cut through the orchard for the buffalo to cross, and they were offered a share of the crops. That's not at all what happened in real life, but I think it's pretty clear this show isn't out to emulate real life. Perhaps you could elaborate on why you felt it was the worst handling ever?
All that is besides the point, however. Despite a few slip-ups, it is there intention to create a show that is not controversial. I recall that Lauren Faust once said in an interview that she was skirting a
very fine line by having Rainbow Dash call Twilight an "egghead" in the episode "Fall Weather Friends."
Revolutionaryloser said:
And as for the moralizing, they've pretty much subverted that theme. . . .
These ponies tend to learn their lesson without losing anything. I think that's all part of making the show "nice." The morals have far less impact when the stakes are less than low, as they turned out to be in that case. It seems the writers of that show are trying to "have their cake and eat it too." Adventure Time's not afraid to freak kids out.
Revolutionaryloser said:
In season 2 it became pretty clear that any pretentions of imparting moral guidelines went out the window. In fact, a lot of the morals are derisive, occasionally going as far as teaching you that you should always try to make a profit out of your kidnappers, it's OK to be the best at everything as long as you aren't smug about it, social outcasts should stick together, don't question Rarity's fashion sense and (ESPECIALLY) don't fuck with Fluttershy.
Let's see here...
"A Dog and Pony Show" was basically the "annoying hostage" stock plot re-worked into a feminist indulgence. If I recall correctly, the moral was basically, "Don't underestimate a lady."
There are a few episodes in which humility is the subject, but the message I'm getting is, "Be proud of your strengths, just don't be a braggart." A fine moral lesson.
I think you're drifting back and forth between seasons one and two, but no matter. "Call of the Cutie" imparts its moral by urging children not to assume that they will not be accepted. The very thing Applebloom felt made her an outcast earned her a place in a new power-trio. Moralizing yet again.
In "Suited for Success," the primary moral lesson was no doubt that you should not criticize a gift you are receiving, an instruction in elementary ettiquete. The subtext of "respect a professional's opinion" is a subtle gibe for the older audience. Such was one of Lauren Faust's stated goals.
That, and Fluttershy's entire character again plays into the distinctly feminist theme of "Don't enderestimate a lady." It is meant to inspire confidence in those shy children when they see a chronically shy individual exhibit moments of exceptional strength.
All told, I think it's pretty clear that they have
not abandoned their goal of moralizing.
