Ponies: A look back.

[NoNameMcgee]

snip

thanks for the suggestions, I'll have to find some way of watching some of these online

 

[Berithil]

snip

thanks for the suggestions, I'll have to find some way of watching some of these online

YouTube has all the episodes in 1080p. That's how I watch it most of the time.

 

[Veylon]

I like the show, but a lot of the like does seem to be fueled by nostalgia. Older viewers remember enjoying the 90's cartoons as kids and FiM seems like it belongs very solidly among them.

It seems to use kind of the same charm the Muppets did. Yes, there are colorful ponies living in a pastel world decorated with flowers and hearts. And yet, everything they do is treated as though it's actually important and real. When they get dressed up to go to a ball, it's treated as an epic event that requires a musical number to properly demonstrate their overwrought expectations (which are subsequently dashed).

 

[jdogtwodolla]

I remember when the Fad hit the escapist forums. BEST Time the escapist ever had in my opinion. No matter if you liked the show or not, everyone was interacting with each other and playing off each others posts, generally having a good time. That's what I observed anyway, haven't really seen a big "community" coming together quite like that on here since then.

 

[BaronUberstein]

Tried watching it, as my roommate is obsessed with the damn show. Didn't see what was so special, it made me chuckle now and then, but it was mostly annoying.

What I find odd is how the bronies seem to spread into everything like a cancer. Gaming forums? Bronies. Casual conversation at the dinner table about modern politics? Bronies. DnD games? Bronies.

I propose we study this cancerous effect and find a way to apply it to something that would have a long term positive effect on society, such as rocket science. SPACE ISN'T GOING TO EXPLORE ITSELF PEOPLE.

 

[Mariakko]

I like it but I never really got into it because my bandwidth ran out when I was watching the 5th episode. I've been meaning to get back into watching it though. I find that the usage of ponies and the brony community are more entertaining than the show though. That recent thread that was completely derailed by Spiderman and Pony pictures has been the best use of ponies I've seen in a while. The ponies themselves are also very cute.

 

[Supertegwyn]

I have fallen head over heels for the ponies.
I've seen all episodes 3-5 times and almost memorized "Winter Wrap-up", "Art of the Dress" and Pinkamina Diane Pie's "Giggle at the Ghostly" song from the first double episode.
I have also 9 t-shirts that I bought from Redbubble.com (great site btw).

...And Pinkie Pie is my favorite pony FYI.

I've heard a lot of bad things about Red Bubble. Supposedly after an artist makes enough money the site takes over their account and hordes all the money for themselves.

I wouldn't use them if I were you.

OT: I dislike the show. Tried to watch a few episodes, but I just didn't like them.

 

[Patrick Buck]

Never watched it. Really don't want to. Just because I know I'll get addicted like the rest of you poor souls. And I don't want to be a bronie. I just about justify watching Adventure time, MLP? Nope.

 

[Luna]

Season 2 was pretty good. Better than season 1 in some regards, worse in others. There was more range between good and shitty compared to season 1.


I haven't spent any money on the show however, (and am confused by the mentality of people who do), and haven't followed it apart from watching all the episodes, and going on Equestria Daily for comics, (no time for fan fiction), and sometimes ponychan.

But what I want to talk about is this: Season 2 made life for ponies look more advanced and modern. You now have cranes, hospitals, damns, a printing press, a Priest, legitimate baby ponies, the more frequent use of trains, as well as a smaller regard for dangerous monsters affecting the ponies, though this is still apparent, etc

One of the reasons why I liked the show was how quaint life was, how it was simple and to a degree, old fashioned. I don't want to see the show become about 6 ponies that live in Ponytropilis and listen to music on their I ponies, where the children play hooves of War, and where elected politicians are more important than the monarchs.

I just want their lives to remain simple. Anybody else know this feel?

Well, honestly, I've been considering getting a couple pony t shirts. No toys here for me, but if I like something, I'm willing to spend a little money in support of what I like, as well as showing off my interests. In that regard, its no different than, say, Lord of the Rings or Doctor Who (using those examples because I've got a LOTR poster and a Doctor Who poster hanging in my room, as well as a map of middle earth).

But to answer your actual question, I have noticed that a little, but I've kinda shrugged it off and attributed it to the versatile nature of the world. Heck, in one of the earliest episodes we had pinkie flying some weird flying machine. But I honestly don't think they'll push the technology too far and complicate things. It is, after all, still a kids show. They'll still keep things fairly simple

Yeah. But that's Pinkie Pie just being Pinkie Pie. I wouldn't take it much further.

Season 2 was pretty good. Better than season 1 in some regards, worse in others. There was more range between good and shitty compared to season 1.

OMG WHUT NO WAY HOW CAN U SAY S2 IS BETTER DAN S1!?!?111

No, I'm glad to see someone finally taking season 2 into account for how good it was, and not looking at the negatives to how it compared to season 1
Totally agree, some episodes were above Season 1 standard, and some were below, many people just look at the ones below.

Maybe things aren't as gloomy as they seem. The combination of a thread saying where x is better than y with a negative undertone, (ie something has gotten worse rather than better), getting more discussion value, combined with people who say they don't like something because it makes them feel smarter probably make it look like more people think season 2 was far worse than season one, when in reality things are probably far more level.

 

[Aidinthel]

What I find odd is how the bronies seem to spread into everything like a cancer. Gaming forums? Bronies. Casual conversation at the dinner table about modern politics? Bronies. DnD games? Bronies.

Yes, it's almost like the show is popular or something, and people like to talk about things they enjoy.


Oh, new page. 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.

 

[DigitalAtlas]

Snipity, snipity, snip.

Yes, hi, um... did you say modern CN is shit? Because that just blew my mind.

Yes, Johnny Test sucks. Hard. However, the station mainly plays: The Looney Tunes Show, Thundercats, old Looney Tunes and Tom & Jerry, The Amazing World of Gumball (one of the best cartoons EVER), Adventure Time, Regular Show, MAD, and Ninja-go. Yes, they still have crap shows like "What's New Scooby Dew?" and Johnny Test, but I say they make up for that with just how many good shows they have and, of course, the return of Cartoon Planet which is a big push for animation.

 

[oppp7]

InB4thelock...
I'd voice more of my opinion about this selective thread-killing BS but I'd probably get wrath'd.

Anyways, watched the series, it seemed ok but not overly funny/plot smart (whatever that term is), not too into it (good characterization, and I know that can be a huge selling point for obsession over stuff, but this didn't have enough plot to speculate on), more of a Homestuck fanboy.

 

[Cranky]

This show is very engaging and fun for me, but its fandom, ehh not so much. (Looking at you, Tiarawhy. Damnit why do you do this.)

I do view parody vids of MLP and sometimes look at the drawfriends on EqD. The rest of the fandom is pretty crazy to me.

 

[Berithil]

Tried watching it, as my roommate is obsessed with the damn show. Didn't see what was so special, it made me chuckle now and then, but it was mostly annoying.

What I find odd is how the bronies seem to spread into everything like a cancer. Gaming forums? Bronies. Casual conversation at the dinner table about modern politics? Bronies. DnD games? Bronies.

I propose we study this cancerous effect and find a way to apply it to something that would have a long term positive effect on society, such as rocket science. SPACE ISN'T GOING TO EXPLORE ITSELF PEOPLE.

But cancer implies its something bad

But seriously, I know that bronies don't have the best track record as far as fanbases go, but there's no denying that, overall, they have done more good than harm. Just look at all those charities that they've helped raise money for.

Also I'm happy to see, for the most part, this thread hasn't devolved into a flame war. There have been a couple posts...but apart from that.

 

[Calbeck]

Fallout Equestria: New Pegas.

Scared, squirlboy? Good... that means your brain is working.

EXTRA POINTS FOR SERENDIPITY: This is Post #666.

 

[OneBrokePony]

But what I want to talk about is this: Season 2 made life for ponies look more advanced and modern. You now have cranes, hospitals, dams, a printing press, a Priest, legitimate baby ponies, the more frequent use of trains, as well as a smaller regard for dangerous monsters affecting the ponies, though this is still apparent, etc

One of the reasons why I liked the show was how quaint life was, how it was simple and to a degree, old fashioned. I don't want to see the show become about 6 ponies that live in Ponytropilis and listen to music on their I ponies, where the children play hooves of War, and where elected politicians are more important than the monarchs.

I just want their lives to remain simple. Anybody else know this feel?

I don't think their technology is getting too far along, but I do like that it is in general, with some exceptions (Vinyl Scratch's turntables, the arcade machine in the Hearts and Hooves ep), not very recent let alone current.
I know what you're talking about though. That their lives are rather simple and old-fashioned, and they live in a small town where everybody knows everybody is part of the appeal to me as well. I'm not sure season 2 made their lives more advanced, but it did show their world as being more complex than it had been. I always like it better when it's just about the relationships between the main characters.

 

[Luna]

But what I want to talk about is this: Season 2 made life for ponies look more advanced and modern. You now have cranes, hospitals, dams, a printing press, a Priest, legitimate baby ponies, the more frequent use of trains, as well as a smaller regard for dangerous monsters affecting the ponies, though this is still apparent, etc

One of the reasons why I liked the show was how quaint life was, how it was simple and to a degree, old fashioned. I don't want to see the show become about 6 ponies that live in Ponytropilis and listen to music on their I ponies, where the children play hooves of War, and where elected politicians are more important than the monarchs.

I just want their lives to remain simple. Anybody else know this feel?

I don't think their technology is getting too far along, but I do like that it is in general, with some exceptions (Vinyl Scratch's turntables, the arcade machine in the Hearts and Hooves ep), not very recent let alone current.
I know what you're talking about though. That their lives are rather simple and old-fashioned, and they live in a small town where everybody knows everybody is part of the appeal to me as well. I'm not sure season 2 made their lives more advanced, but it did show their world as being more complex than it had been. I always like it better when it's just about the relationships between the main characters.

I particularly agree with the bold. Episodes about the relationships between the main characters are usually good.

I also think every few episodes there should be an adventure that involves all of the mane six.

 

[Melon Hunter]

Fallout Equestria: New Pegas.

Scared, squirlboy? Good... that means your brain is working.

Spoiler

EXTRA POINTS FOR SERENDIPITY: This is Post #666.

Shameless self-plugging, Calbeck? How could you stoop so low?

I mean, it's not like I'd do the same thing... [http://www.equestriadaily.com/2012/04/story-deus-ex-equine-revolution.html]

Spoiler: *cough*

OT: So yeah, as you can probably tell, I'm pretty well invested in the show and its fanbase. And why not? The cartoon is a great piece of entertainment for me, the fanbase produces some stunning pieces of work and art, and I've even made a few friends through it along the way. Roll on summer; people tend to make more stuff in the show's absence, I've found.

 

[Amgeo]

Becoming a fan of the show hasn't really changed me all that much. I've always said that quality deserves praise regardless of social stigma, and that you should enjoy what you enjoy.
Note that MLP isn't the only quality cartoon around these days. You've got Avatar, which now has a pretty kick-ass sequel series. Young Justice is pretty good too, at least from what I've seen.


Friendship is Magic has given me interesting theories about how people work, which I'd like to share with you.

I think that I've identified why the "brony" has become so terrifyingly ubiquitous. In a word: Novelty.
I was born in '92, and like half of everyone on the Internet I grew up being told* that I shouldn't be "feminine," that ponies were feminine and that the My Little Pony franchise was doubly so. I was also told that the My Little Pony cartoons were dumb and unentertaining and just plain bad. As a teen, this was compounded by the notion that all cartoons are intended for children and that I should not enjoy them. You with me so far?
Now, reading through the posts here, I note that even a few people who don't like the show admit that it has its good points.
The show is well made.
We weren't expecting that.
People started talking about the show being good, which contradicts the social stigma attached to the franchise. This sort of thing provokes two responses: Dismissal or Curiosity. And if people become curious, they'll probably watch a few episodes, which means that they'll either not like it and forget it, or they'll like it.
I believe that positive emotional responses to the show are amplified by general dislike for the earlier incarnations of the franchise.

*"Told" here means that it was presented as a fact of reality without explanation, rather than explicitly stated.