[Cartoon] My Little Pony Talkback Thread

Despite the unfortunate implications I think the staff just wanted to do a western setting this time around. Also the bison didn't come off as that bad all things considered with them especially Little Strongheart (which admittedly has a stereotypical ring to it though also sounding like a Care Bear) open to compromise. Plus I think at the heart of the episode was a discussion of tradition versus progress, and the staff just used happened to use one of the most prevalent examples in American history (the settling of the West).

As for Zecora I think it is going to come out that she is just weird. I mean we get the implications that she came to Equestria for the sole purpose of living in the Everfree Forest, a place that is seemingly unique due to the Castle of the Elements of Harmony.

Also the entire world of FiM seems to operate on a shifting scale, I mean in this episode we had ponies living by pre-20th century standards compared to modern standards in Ponyville. My question is do Pegasus Ponies also control the weather out in Appleloosa?

Some people are always going to object to entertainment that appears to caricature an entire culture, even if the caricature is trying to be a positive one. I think that's not unreasonable, especially for a kid's show. I wouldn't drop the show over it or anything.

I kinda like the inconsistencies in MLP's world. It reminds us that this is a cartoony world where cartoony and exaggerated things will always happen. So no matter how much Equestria seems like it works like a real place, deep down it's little more than a daydream.

Blue Saint said:

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I just thought he(she?) had a good point, is all.

I agree on the unfortunate "othering" of races in MLP. Zecora made me a little uncomfortable although she was a pretty cool character just in principle.

I thought this episode was well-done if you must do an inevitable "settlers vs. Indians tension" episode (it was certainly better than Avatar). But that doesn't make it not a problem. It's not a huge, irredeemable, damn-the-show-forever problem, but it's one that's worth acknowledging and talking about.

Like Lynxara says, that sort of writing is so easy to slip into your work without thinking, so I don't think it's right to just dismiss the criticism, even if the tone it's spoken in is kind of unfortunate.

(One thing I don't get, though, is what's with the snarking about the tipis? They're nomadic plains-dwellers, wasn't that kind of the standard domicile for tribes of the area during the time period in question?)

Cirno said:

I just thought he(she?) had a good point, is all.

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How you present your point is important too, if you come off as self-entitled you go a long way to hurting anything you were trying to get across.

Also that post seemed a little shortsighted to me. The subject of ethnicity (I don't like term race) and animation is a long and expansive one. And in a historical prospective FiM is honestly one of the least offensive cartoons you can find that addresses (even in a somewhat indirect manner) that concept of ethnic differences. Could it be doing better, yes it could but it is leagues beyond others.

The thing is cartoons shouldn't be the battleground for these type of discussions in the first place. Like all art animation is product of the collective culture that the artists come from. If issues such as these are brought up in a cartoon instead of going after that wouldn't it make more sense to go after what is causing the issue in the greater culture. We just so happen to find it easier to deal matters of pop culture than anything. I mean look at the amount of people who vote for a reality show compared to those of a presidential election (would be no point in even entertaining midterm elections).

(finishes watching the latest episode)

Huh. Looks like Polsky can write an episode that isn't utterly terrible when he puts his mind to it. He also--I hate to say it--has probably the best Pinkie Pie on the writing staff. Now if only he'd stop trying to tackle morals outside of anyone's ken, let alone his.

Still! This episode satisfied me! Lots of laughs! Pinkeido strikes again! A complete satirical upturning of the whole Pocahontas/Dances with Wolves thing! Mane cast was believable! I was entertained by this episode of My Little Pony! Let's see what the Internet thinks--

(reads the Internet)

...you know what, Internet? **** you

Blue Saint said:

The thing is cartoons shouldn't be the battleground for these type of discussions in the first place. Like all art animation is product of the collective culture that the artists come from. If issues such as these are brought up in a cartoon instead of going after that wouldn't it make more sense to go after what is causing the issue in the greater culture. We just so happen to find it easier to deal matters of pop culture than anything. I mean look at the amount of people who vote for a reality show compared to those of a presidential election (would be no point in even entertaining midterm elections).

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Uggggggggggh. This time we agree. Seriously, every time I see someone trying to apply known human races to anyone in this show I actually get physically sick to my stomach. That LJ post made me queasy. I am queasy right now as I type this post.

Internet causes. Gah.

I mean really, Internet? This is what's poppin' in the streets now? You think the ponies are clearly all "white?" And you call Faust & Co. the shortsighted ones?

Oh my gosh, I'm close to raging. Screw this, I need to lie down

Yeah I don't get the snarking about the tipis. They're nomads, off course they won't live in houses!

Now we've seen Zebras and Buffalos... now I want to see deers or moose or reindeers! Use the basic earth pony look and strap some Antlers on 'em! Maybe a furry colar. That would be adorable!

I'm with Pixel: Screw you Internet!

I'm a little calmer now. It seems there's only a few fringe fans crazy enough to read into the show and this episode that deeply (and I use the adjective loosely). The rest are laughing at those people.

Thank goodness.

And YEAH I totally wanna see more animals! I believe we've already had cows, too! None of which had personality gimmicks! I guess that means they're "white," too. :laugh:

Pixelphile said:

I'm a little calmer now. It seems there's only a few fringe fans crazy enough to read into the show and this episode that deeply (and I use the adjective loosely). The rest are laughing at those people.

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Uh, okay. So should I proceed with fucking off, then? Since apparently I'm a fringe crazy fan?