Diminishing Returns (Summary/Spoilers) · 7:26pm May 7th
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(Originally written March 30th 2024)
Was feeling rather motivated to read another one in the series so I read through it last night and earlier today. Have to say, the author of these really knows how to write these characters.
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/383493/diminishing-returns
Most people have the impression that Spoiled Rich is some evil self absorbed pony who wants more wealth than she can get. This simply isn't true. Look at her cutie mark. A wedding ring. It is logical to think that her job is planning weddings, and after the many years of not being able to find love herself, she is desperate - finding Filthy Rich like in "Diminishing" Returns. Golden Glitter isn't a good mother, something happened with her and Filthy Rich, of which Golden Glitter is clearly in the wrong. Diamond got hurt due to her negligence and at this rate, Spoiled is acting more like a mother than Golden ever did, but because Diamond is young and impressionable she is really attached to Golden Glitter.
Spoiled clearly doesn't know much about cooking, but she's trying her best, if she was an all self absorbed pony she'd just sit around all day and bark orders. But no, she's doing her best to try to learn within her skillset. She genuinely cares about Diamond's success but doesn't really seem to see the bigger picture about getting a playground for the foals. The Silver Standard is from Silver Spoon's perspective, but a long family line like that has lasted for as long as it did because of their ruthlessness, of which their reputation is probably deserved - such as Silver Shill not being allowed to marry someone he loved because of family traditions, and Spoiled fears that Silver is just like that, but also doesn't understand that Silver is just a filly. Spoiled sets extremely high standards for herself even when making something for the first time.
I have to say that this little universe has the best way of design and layout for these characters, if other stories are just like "Spoiled Rich, Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara are evil bad ponies!" then I won't even take the time to consider even reading them. There has to be nuance, and this really plays on that angle quite well. Filthy Rich doesn't seem to be able to set limits, which is what Spoiled does, because she cares. I have a soft spot for characters like this, even more so than the Mane 6 or actual plots in the show, because that is well treaded ground, this is something completely new and not looked into. I wouldn't say that Filthy Rich is a particularly good parent, but he cares, perhaps not to the point to where he knows what to do in certain situations. This story really shows that Spoiled and Filthy Rich aren't particularly good parents, as in - they are not that mentally equipped to handle parenting, but they still try.
Apparently I read this story a long time ago cause I left a like on it. I remember nothing about it so it was nice to get a refresher from your review. I do certainly enjoy the stories about DT and her family that give those characters some real depth.