starswirlthebearded

I'm assuming that Discord did not care to affect Spike. He was directly threatened by Twilight, and was playing games with her. He didn't need to affect her assistant, only her so that the elements of harmony would be rendered useless.

Either that or he was cocky and thought he could get away with not doing anything to Spike despite being so close to her and being able to help her.

She seems to be the master of sustainable rule.

She invited the mane 6 to the gala just to liven things up, she gets away from Canterlot on multiple occasions of no royal import, she never seemes stressed, and it seems that apart from the sun and moon thing, her primary activities are relational. I can only assume that she has help in the more administrative side of the job.

She was able to show up at dusk in lesson zero with little prior notice, so she likely isn't constantly confined by her duties.

Touche. Well played. Though lesson zero was her tending to get duties, specifically the looking after her protegee. Luna can't do that so celestia gets a pass with that one IMO.

The rest, I can only theorize against, we don't know enough, except for the gala thing.

*Sings* Gone are the days of the gift of Chocolate Rain, An o-casion-al va-ri-ety now never to come again,

"Chaotic" and "uncontroled" is a refuge for the sane! Some have to defy it, some think of it as pain!

An Alicorn's Desire, attempts to welcome Harmony

Triy te crete order and force responcibility

Over throw the king over claims of so-called Anarchy,

Now all are forced to labor 'neith celestia's Tyrany!

EDIT:

Though we all know when Celestia steps down, Twilight will become Queen...

I don't think she'll ever step down... now a vacation on the other hand... yeah twilight will rule then. I mean Celestia hasn't had a break in over 1000 years, I think she is long overdue.

This is an awesome thread. I admit to thinking, but writing off many of the same questions your wife has. I write them off because... well... Magical Ponies. Seriously logic does not exist... Everfree forest = unnatural for being self-sufficient. I try to not apply logic to this show... But it is still hilarious to read.

BTW, I honestly think that Princess Celestia plans a lot, but not to be mean spirited. She is Twilight's mentor. She probably designs a lot of the tasks to teach her. She isn't all knowing, but she knows more than she lets on, allowing Twilight to figure things out for herself and learn in the process.

There seems to be a recent influx of nerdponies. This is AWESOME!

Welcome to the herd brother.

Another whovian?! SCORE!

Welcome to Canterlot!

hi hi

Doesn't seem likely. Now I know this is just bringing science into a magical land, but from what I know of horned animals, when they use their horns in competition with each other, it generally doesn't cause serious physical harm.

This is true too. Tusks tend to be more for damage than horns are. We can assume Unicorn horns are the same as other horns in the animal kingdom.

Not sure how much good it would do... Most unicorn horns look to be dull. The only ponies with pointed horns are three ponies, Fleur, Luna and Celestia. And I'm sure Equestria has some law system in place. She'd become as angry as any leader, which is to say not very. Maybe disappointed that one of her subjects would do such a thing, but she'd let the law handle it. Now if it was Twilight doing the stabbing, yeah, I can see how she would get angry at her for doing something like that.

The opening gets me in the mood, because honestly I tend to watch violent, mystery related or otherwise not so happy shows (though I do watch some comedies like Louis, the Community and TBBT). So really, the opening as sugary as it is, kinda puts a smile on my face because really... MLP is like a drug for me, it makes me smile and feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

I have it on my PMP, do I listen to it often? Not really, it is probably my least played song as I tend to skip over it. But when I watch an episode, I tend to watch the opening as well. It is still a well written song too (compared to some other openings, especially some anime openings).

Twilight's science tech is quite complex. If it isn't powerd by electricity, then by magic (at least the one in "Feeling Pinkie Keen". Are there other suitable episodes?). That's already a bit more than I planned on. I don't know if I would let him invent anything of this caliber. But I guess you're right, have to watch some episodes on that^^

Don't be so sure, they don't have any portable technology that we have seen. Possibly because of a lack of portable power in a small form factor.

My suggestion to get started on gadgets is watch episodes that show twilight's science tech and mysterious mare do well, as those would give the best indication of modern technology in equestria. And then check with the mods on any other sort of concern.

Truth be told I've been playing devil's advocate for the past couple of posts. I don't believe death is possible within the scope of the show's intent. I still believe that it can be done in the right way, but mlp:fim would have to shift focus somewhat to make it work.

What they focus on is interpersonal lessons, and death is not so much unless they make it about how they treat their friends after, but that is a stretch tbh.

Back on topic, I really want them to make an episode where someone does something intentionally wrong for their own benefit that hurts one of their friends or multiple. Though that would likely be a rarity episode, so it might be better left to season 3.

I totally agree that TV shouldn't be raising kids to a point. We live in a time of media saturation. Kids will find out certain things from the media one way or another, if not direct then from another kid. So I believe that instead of fighting it parents should strive to work with it while making sure to differentiate between real and fake. This way kids learn properly and parents can direct their children's upbringing. But either way a lot of parents need to be more active.

Oh and Hasbro has oked death in one of their movies that was pretty traumatic for a lot of kids. I of course speak of the death of optimus prime. Then you have short circuit 2 and Bambi... death in kids media is not unheard of. There are plenty more too. As I said, it shouldn't completely teach them, so much as give them enough information so that parents can handle the rest, breaking the ice so to speak on one of the harder topics to discuss.

This, though, is the most important thing to teach kids in a passive way, and to constantly reinforce. A kid can be brought up to be nice to others, and no matter how good their parents are, you get that kid around other children his or her own age and for some reason sometimes all parenting goes out the window and they begin to make fun of others based on their appearance. And a young kid is not necessarily going to *get* it the first time unless it's presented in a way that's really close to their specific situation, and even then they might not. So I'd expect to see this more throughout the series. Plus, no parent will argue with this, unless said parent is like a KKK member or something.

Death is really something that should be left up to the parents, though. (In my opinion this is because NOBODY will ever be able to, on a television show aimed at very young children in ways they will understand, top how Sesame Street handled Mr. Hooper's death, and I think the writers are at an age that maybe they know that. ). I think they're afraid of parent outcry if said death isn't represented in the same way they would teach their children. I have little or no faith that there's a great population of parents that could fill a city who possess the stupidity to attempt to "ban" a TV show for presenting something totally normal in a way that they don't 100% agree with because they don't think their precious flowers need to know about real life. All you have to do is look at an ALA frequently challenged books list to know that.

Everything's really touchy when dealing with that demographic. Which is why most of the programming for it is abysmal.

The problem is death isn't dealt with until something or someone actually dies, and then it isn't dealt with until the parents are comfortable to reveal half the time or until the kid is old enough to realize it themselves. Death was thrown at me at a very young age, and truth be told it wasn't long till I figured it out that they were never coming back thanks to books. My mother was reluctant to discuss the implications, but luckily I was always reading above my reading level and a lot of books deal with death... So yeah. My mother nor father really helped me there, but media did. It can be done, and really will likely happen before the parents even mention it or can mention it. If not in this show, then on the news, or in school or in a book. They will be faced with it SOMETIME that the parents won't have control over whether they want to or not. Getting angry at a show probably won't happen, unless we are talking about really conservative parents. Really I think media is NEEDED to open the doors to allow it to be explained softly to kids. Do you really want to wait until the beloved pet or [insert family member here] dies to explain it? That just makes it harder imho.

I do agree that nothing can top Sesame Street though with Mr Hooper's death. That was just masterfully done.

Ginger Mint's suggestions are amazing though. (Though I don't think MMDW was about being wrong, but rather being modest despite being talented, basically the opposite of Boast Busters. You need a balance, you can't be too modest so that you won't show what you can do at the right moment, but you cannot become egotistical and brag about what you are able to do.) They seem to tackle a lot of similar morals in various ways to show that they aren't all black and white (which is a good thing). But I really think they need to diversify and show some different things, because there are a lot of good morals to go through that are fine with the show's demographic and not a touchy subject like death.

Jack Harkness is likely not coming back. Word on the street is that he doesn't like Matt Smith. He doesn't want to work with anyone except Tennant apparently.

Actually one of the lessons I'd like to see in the show is actually going to be in the show! The lesson being that just because you like to read doesn't mean you're a "nerd".

But I'd also like to see an episode dealing with boys who like "girly" things or girls who like "boy" things.

They have had several on girls that like boy things, pretty much every RD episode... And as much as I would like to see the reverse, it is a show intended for girls, so it wouldn't exactly hit home to their demographic.

I think they need to do an episode on the breach of trust or betrayal.

I think death might be outside the scope of the series, important as it is. I'm sure there might be some way to learn a lesson about loss, though.

I believe the bigger issue is how many more lessons can you cover -- specifically about friendship -- now that we are nearly 40 episodes deep into FiM, with another unreleased season and a half on Hasbro's desk?

A few of the episodes have sort of staggered on the take home lesson lately; the big standout for me was Sweet and Elite. Rarity spent most of the episode lying to her friends, and pretty much lucked out and got away with it because her friends were so understanding/awesome -- and she stayed by them in the end (which I suppose was the lesson, but I still felt like she should have had some sort of consequence for all the lying she did).

I think we might see more of the morale and less concrete lesson Celestia-letter-writing in future episodes, if the episode from last week (Family Appreciation) was any indication.

Well that is why they introduced the opportunity for the others to write letters. Each have their flaws, and learn something to write to Celestia. As for what happens when they exhaust all those lessons (I think they can probably pull it to 4 seasons ideally) They can easily switch focus and change the name while keeping the writing team and overall spirit of the show.

Hm, interesting thoughts... any idea on how they would be able to get those lessons into the show?

Yeah, agreed, it would feel pretty cheap if it were never mentioned again... which seems to be a theme for MLP... maybe they would have the grave in Fluttershy's lawn, and from time to time it would show her leaving a flower by the headstone, or sweeping up some leaves from the grave and 'talking' to them, just a brief thing to show that she's still thinking about the pet she lost...

Technically they have kinda touched on that first one, several times in different ways. Especially with RD and AJ and Rarity. They have shown that friendships aren't easy but can be achieved even with people whom are very different. Also they did address the conversation one, but not directly. In Over a Barrel. The conflict was escalated due to the failure of listening. And was resolved through compromise. The last one is hard.... An important lesson but hard to convey.

As for the death one, it has been thought that would be good for the parents of AJ, BM and AB. Could work in theory and never be talked of again.

This show likes to attract awesome people. Dumas, Pratchett and Douglass are awesome authors. I am currently reading Larsson's work (starting with Dragon Tattoo), and I enjoy it so far. Also, Les Miz is amazing (unfortunately the only thing I have read of Hugo)

I too loves the tea, I drink mostly green and white teas .

Welcome to Canterlot. I am Star Swirl. You may call me whatever you please , mainly because my name is a tad long.

Also, you should play portal, it is worth it.

First game ever was either Tetris on the original gameboy, or Hugo and the house of horrors (iirc) on the PC.

hi hi

From what I've noticed, it seems like Earth Ponies are more likely to use family names than other kinds of ponies. Maybe they all have them and don't use them regularly, but you've got the Pies, the Cakes, the Riches, the Oranges. Meanwhile, Unicorns at least at one point in history had a tradition of adding character traits after their name instead, like Starswirl the Bearded, or Clover the Clever.

Very interesting observation. I do recall the examiner referring to twilight as miss sparkle though, suggesting that as her familial name.

An interesting thought though... perhaps family names are used only to reference the family and not used in names. Let's face it Apple Jack Apple sounds awkward, but Apple Jack of the Apple family seems to fit better.

Wasps... I hate wasps. Even hornets don't bother me as much as wasps...

I used to be afraid of heights, and then I ,

took an arrow to the knee went skydiving. Being pushed out of a plane = best cure for fear of heights ever, especially around people whom you don't want to seem weak in front of.

Twilight Sparkle: Chess.

Rainbow Dash: Top fuel drag racing. Also, she participates in the Bonneville Speedweek. Either that, or Reno Air Races, Unlimited class, piloting a seriously souped-up North American P-51D Mustang.

Rarity: Cricket.

Fluttershy: Most likely something that involves animals. Which stay alive, of course, so no hunting.

Pinkie Pie: As already mentioned, figure skating.

Applejack: NASCAR.

Hm, how about some of the other ponies?

Apple Bloom: Kung Fu.

Scootaloo: Moto-cross.

Snails: Ice hockey, eh?

The Dude and his buddies: Bowling. Duh.

Ace: Tennis. Please, he is André Agassi.

Seafoam: Anything that involves swimming. Think Dean Wilson (Animalympics).

Archer: Well, archery.

Very good, I agree with almost everything.

Rainbow might also be interested in f1.

Rarity might also be interested in polo. Basically her sport has to be one of influential people would be interested in playing.

Fluttershy I disagree with though, because most sports involving animals exploit them, and she wouldn't do that. I personally think of any sport that would particularly suit her... The only sport involving animals that I could see is horse racing maybe, because the horses are better treated than most other animals used in sports, but she'd more likely be the trainer than the jockey.

There's a nendoroid of him coming out soon, but the problem is that he may be an exclusive: http://myfigurecollection.net/item/59190_shin_megami_tensei_shin_megami_tensei_persona_jack

Wow! Good for you! I'm afraid I have to admit I used a player's guide to get the True Demon Ending. That darn puzzle was what killed me, plus I didn't quite get the hang of the game right away. I was stupid and got attached to my demons when I needed to fuse for more powerful ones xD I think I ended up logging 90+ for that playthrough alone.

Neither did I, there is definitely l

A learning curve. I mean really... bufu and zio? The hell? I could list all of the confusing names but there are a few.

That was my first as well! I got it when I was 15, but the difficulty was the likes that I'd never seen, so it was way later that I beat it. Good times, though! Argh. I want to get back to playing Strange Journey as well. I even forgot what popped up that made me have to put it down.

I'm currently pretty happy because I snagged myself a vinyl Jack Frost figure. He's so cute!

I'm so jealous... I want a jack frost figure... and I managed to beat nocturne on my first go, but it took me probably 3 months of total game play (non cumulative of course, had to go back several times to fix screw ups or alignment). But man... when I beat it, I was not only hooked but felt more accomplished than I ever had before beating a game.