Character Evolution

[lonlybrony]

no the cmc does not change and never will

[elsporko]

In the 2nd season the CMC were explored more outside of the realm of crusading for cutie marks. We saw Sweetie Bell and Applejack doing more with family and the three of them had more episodes not focused on cutie marks. Its a new direction for the characters even if the characters themselves haven't changed much. Mostly we just saw more of them and different sides of them

[Discordia]

Hmm, this is an old thread. I guess I am bumping it.

The character that experienced the greatest growth in my opinion would be be Rarity (Pinkie Pie is a close second, but that is neither here nor there). This is a bit of a long post, I guess. But I have to explain my decision somehow, right?

At the start of the series, Rarity was displayed as prissy, dramatic, selfish and vain. She even seemed a bit catty and arrogant in Look Before You Sleep. I believed that her character was quite shallow. That is, until we arrived upon the Diamond Dog episode. It was then that you discover that she is not just pretty, but also intelligent and witty. This really caught my attention, as she did not seem to be an interesting pony prior to this. No, her "Art of the Dress" song hadn't won me over, but that whiny performance sure did (hehe, it still makes me chuckle).

Fast forward to S2, and we get Sisterhooves Social. This is where I found out that she is not only smart and beautiful, but she has quite a range of emotion. Here, she has been angry, regretful, jubilant, helpless and forgiving. Seeing her interact with her sister really showed how her big head can sometimes get in the way of her big heart, though the latter eventually outshines the prior. This thought is reinforced in Sweet and Elite. She has a pattern of recognizing she's in the wrong, taking the responsibility for her actions and then fixing them as best as she can.

Continue to watch, and we get episodes like The Secret to my Excess and Putting your Hoof Down. In these episodes, we see her warm heart glow even brighter. In TSTME, she appreciates the fire ruby that Spike had given to her, but what she truly cherishes is the display of generosity and kindness. She did not let the big dragon take it; not because of how pretty it was, but because of what it meant to her. Another display of thoughtfulness is when Spike believes that he is going to fall to his death with Rarity, he almost confesses his admiration for her. However, Rarity thought of him first and made sure he held on to his dignity (although she generally loves to be loved). In PYHD, we see that she tried to help Fluttershy long-term by giving her a shopping technique. When Fluttershy insults Pinkie, Rarity sticks up for her, and dis-encourages the obnoxious behavior. Even when she is insulted herself, she is hurt, but sets that feeling aside so she can be empathetic for Fluttershy. Then she tries to console her and try to detour Iron Will from entering her house (since he was after Fluttershy while she was in an emotional state). All of these things lead me to believe that she is a compassionate friend.

So in conclusion, what I originally thought to be a very self-absorbed character, beautifully blossomed into an intelligent, emotional, responsible, thoughtful and loving individual. I suppose looking back on all Rarity-featured episodes, I can see these character traits... But it was only when the series progressed had it become extremely apparent to me. I am so pleased to have a stereotypical "pretty girl" (or pretty pony, in this case) not end up being the antagonist or *****y sort. Instead, she is a wonderful role model. Not only does she teach children and adults alike not to judge a book by it's cover, but she also displays what it really means to be truly beautiful.

TL;DR-- Rarity seemed pretty darn shallow at the start. Selfish, vain, rude, ignorant, etc. As the series continued, her good intentions and compassion become more obvious. Her character development shows that Rarity is not only beautiful on the outside, but on the inside as well.

[weesh]

The evolution seems to be a difficult thing to track, since different writers seem to have different ideas about how much each pony has changed.

For instance, you are not considering the sacrifice Rarity made in the pilot, or in party of one, nor the wretchedly selfish attitude she had in "sweet and elite" or "MMMystery".

The best example of evolution is Angel Bunny, because there is a dramatic shift in his behavior before and after Fluttershy started standing up to him. But even then, there are a few small exceptions, and since we see less of him, there is less data available.

[Discordia]

the sacrifice Rarity made in the pilot

Yes. She indeed has been kind ever since the beginning. As I mentioned in my original post, her good traits have been by her side all along. I however, hadn't picked up on them until such traits were highlighted in specifics. I suppose when she slashed her tail in the pilot, it was a very kind deed. But when I first watched the series, that deed was soon over-ridden by her performance in Look Before You Sleep and Bridle Gossip, both in which she had been quite selfish. Because these episodes had occurred quite early in the series, I was given an impression that this kind of self-absorbent attitude was to be expected of her.

wretchedly selfish attitude she had in "sweet and elite" or "MMMystery".

Wonderful contrast to what I wrote above. Here, she is self-absorbant just like she was in other episodes, and yet I note how she takes responsibility and fixes the problem that she caused. Indeed, this is a reoccuring pattern of hers: mess something up by being selfish, make it all better by being considerate. Early in the series, I noticed her making the problem, and as the series continued, I noticed her fixing the problem. Again, both these behaviors has been present ever since the start. I suppose what I see as "development" on her behalf is actually "recognition" and "perspective" on mine. However, I do believe that my change in view is due to the show progression and not only my lack of observation.

I think this is how it goes for all characters, actually. When Lauren Faust pitched her idea to Hasbro, she had to compose a "bible" explaining everything there ever is to know about the show. This includes locations, characters, and imaginably their traits. Hasbro/the writers must follow this bible to compose episodes, and so the traits we discover later have actually existed all along. Perhaps there is no development after all; only a realization as to what each character is all about.

Pretty nice that it is all up to interpretation! But I guess that assumption is my own interpretation as well. I guess that is why I expect people to have different views than me, and also why I do not wish to change your opinion on the matter. To each their own, right?

Thanks for the different perspective!

[TotalEcplise]

Imo:

Twi->RD->Fluttershy->Pinkie->Rarity->AJ.

Twilight definitely still has a long way to go, though. They cant develop too much though, else they'll lose their personalities.

And people keep saying angel went from mean to nice, but angel has been on fluttershy's side from the beginning, starting with ticket master. He pushed her to try for something she really wanted. Yeah, hes a spoiled brat(to put it mildly) sometimes, but he's got his itty bitty rabbit heart in the right place sometimes.

c

I agree, but I don't agree. You can't over develop a character (out of their personality) unless the ordeal is just being handled by a bad writer. Character development really has little to do with personalities (relatively), it's more than that. It's hard to explain, but characters have pulled complete heel face turns without any change in personality. The mane 6 have had no changes in personality.

On Topic: I don't think twilight counts since most of the episodes are her learning friendship lessons and learning how to be a good pony. So excluding her I'd have to say Fluttershy>RD>Pinkie>Rarity>AJ

From what I can tell based on what we've seen. AJ can get background development, but her persona as is currently doesn't need much adjusting. Nearly all of her most notable qualities are positive. Rarity hasn't had enough episodes about her to flesh things out. Pinkie, oh pinkie. After Party of one she needs episodes equivalent to dragonshy, putting your hooves down, and hurricane fluttershy to go into her mindset.

PS Am I the only one who didn't think negatively about Rarity when I first was introduced to the character? I just thought she was acting Highbrow and meticulous. There are much worse things to be.

[weesh]

PS Am I the only one who didn't think negatively about Rarity when I first was introduced to the character? I just thought she was acting Highbrow and meticulous. There are much worse things to be.

No, I could give her the benefit of the doubt all the way until Sweet and Elite. She was terrible in that episode, but I enjoyed and appreciated her character before and after that episode.

[SonicRainb00m]

No, I could give her the benefit of the doubt all the way until Sweet and Elite. She was terrible in that episode, but I enjoyed and appreciated her character before and after that episode.

Yeah, I agree with that. I didn't really like Rarity in that episode, but other than that episode, I like her.

As for the most changed character, I don't think any of them have changed that much. They are all pretty much as they were at the beginning. Sure, they've been learning things during the entire span of the 2 seasons, but their personalities are the same.

But if I have to choose a most changed, I would have to say Fluttershy. She HAS gotten more assertive over the course of time. For least changed, I would have to say AJ, just because almost all of her traits are good as they are. There is nothing really to change with her.