Only 13 episodes...should we be worried? · 1:20am Jan 25th, 2013
Before I start writing tonight, I just wanted to get something off my chest. It's not a complaint or even really a gripe, just a concern of sorts. I'm not here to discuss any episodes at length or really at all for that matter. I just noted how some mentioned there being a three week hype before "Keep Calm and Flutter On". So I decided to see which new episodes were being outlined. Well thanks to Google, I've confirmed a looming fear. For whatever reason, Hasbro is only doing 13 episodes this season. And the end of February is when episode 13 is set to air. That means seven months or more till season 4! And what if they only do 13 episodes for that season. This doesn't make sense. As far as I know the show and at least the fandom is as big as ever. And I understand Hasbro's profits form the show are up, so anyone heard why they aren't giving us the normal 26 episodes? Are they hitting bottom with ideas already?
Frankly I'm disappointed. I expected to see more Cadence, in fact more of the Princesses, and far more development amongst the main six, like seasons past. So I can't figure out why the sudden decline. And sadly, this is just my opinion, it looks like we got the best in the season opening. In fact if the episode guide on Wiki is correct the season finale isn't even a two-parter. Which is a surprising, following the build up in season 2. In fact I was hoping we might see more Chrysalis again. There are so many characters and endless possibilities, which leaves me to wonder if we should be concerned about the future of this show?
But now as some ponies might say...on the other hoof. While I'm a concerned about the show, I'm also not concerned about it, because we have an awesome fandom!! Plus, Am I the only one who isn't quite as obsessed about the show, but am really hooked on this site, the stories and the fandom as whole? I noticed that this season, I didn't rush to watch episodes of season three like I did last season. So maybe it's no big deal that the season is shorter. For the most part what season 3 has given us was great. It's just sad to think that it'll only be half as long this year.
But this whole idea lead me to a series of thoughts the other day and have me here to pose a very important question to all of you. If for whatever reason season 4 would end the series, would all of you just stop coming to FIM or stop writing and sharing stories? Or would you do like me...and keep going strong, and just re-watch old episodes to help fuel your inspiration, as well as reading and sharing stories?
I looked around my room the other day at the pony plushies and figures I have sitting around. I then asked myself..."What are you going to do if the show ends and the fandom dies?" Well, I thought about the other pony generations. I still have a fondness for them and the collectibles I got while they were popular. In fact I still look at G3 Minty and smile. So as far as I'm concerned, the show can come and the show can go. I'll support it either way, but if it were to go, I'm not leaving this fandom so easily. I love writing my pony stories and reading those of the rest of you, and I will continue to do so until the bitter end. Pardon my being a little melodramatic there, but I think you get my point. But what about the rest of you? Will you just swear off ponies if the show dies and the fandom starts going dark? Or do you want to help keep this alive as long as possible, just like I do?
I just wanted to share this with you and see what you think. I know I have no intention of just dropping these loveable ponies just like that. For a little over a year now, they have enriched my life, like no other fad or fandom ever has. So I'm not abandoning them, no way!
Besides, I certainly don't want to lose touch with all of you wonderful followers of my work! You guys really make my day! I love reading and sharing comments with all of you, just as I enjoy doing these blogs! =D So you have my continued thanks for all of your support!
Take care! And some more Celestia and Luna for all of you!
- Jaydex
Celestia and Luna are sad...there is no hope for them to get an episode mostly to themselves this season. They are at least glad they had some screen-time.
However...Luna and Celestia are happy that I won't be abandoning them!
...shit.
We've known about this for a few months now, to be fair, but still, production studios have their reasons. And you know, some seasons are shorter, and some longer, than others
No. I never found the show very engaging. This fandom, on the other hand, was instantly something amazing to me as a writer and researcher. I wouldn't care if the original show suddenly died violently this very instant because it doesn't exactly interest me, but this fandom is something I've become quite invested in.
I suppose I am disappointed that the season is short as well, but the quality has been nothing short of suburb -- the opening was underwhelming for me, and as honest, hardworking and adorable as AJ and Spike are as a pairing, "Spike at your Service" wasn't fantastic....the season otherwise has been practically flawless for me; all the nods to the fandom, so many things I wished for so long that came true.....some see it as fan-pandering, but I find that to be a bizarre response given you can never prove when such a thing is truly taking place, and frankly, nobody complains all that much anyway (nobody really complained when Derpy spoke).
While I wish this season could have gone longer, and the recent hiatus was frustrating (given that the script and vocal-work was probably done ages ago), the quality and developments that have taken place this season were so good that I'm not complaining too much; after all, Season 4 is presumably in the works and we'll have much to look forward too in a few months again
Like many shows that come and go, the fandom keeps them alive. And to note, MLP:FIM is easily duplicated in terms of animation and voice, I wouldn't be surprised that fan-created content surpasses the original show.
Nope. Not going to abandon the fandom.
This season just hasn't been as good as the first two is all. Plus they're totally about to Jump The Shark.
I just don't see anyway for them to actually pull of the 'Beard'.
What kinda looza stahps liken a show jist cauze da serize iz ovah?!
Personally I'm confused about that as well. Maybe Season four will be 39 episodes?
A brony can dream right?
As for the fandom, I still love the show, even if Season 3 doesn't feel as good as 2 to me. I would say that I'm brony for the show and the fandom just about equally.
And as far as when the series dies? It makes my heart hurt just thinking about it. I really hope that they keep FiM going as long as they can, and when they have to can it they'll just start right up with Gen. 5 and a whole new cast and team, hopefully in the same universe as FiM.
I really doubt that bronies are going anywhere, even if the show stopped right now.
We just love eachother, and our cause, too much.
Carry On
It's to fulfill their legal obligation under US law, and they could now cancel the show. However, Hasbro has renewed the licence, and they will make S4, and I would be suprised if they didn't continue to S6 at least. They are well aware of the franchises success; the worry should be that they run it into the ground.
Well that just sucks, and I want to see more of CMC well do, and what well become to Prince Blueblood, ect, ect.
We've known season three is only thirteen episodes since before it even started, but I don't mind if the fandom ends. I've made so many friends through it and we had a good run.
Besides, I think we will see a lot more Cadence in the series finale.
I remember reading an article about this on EQD a few days back and... while I am pretty sad about the season being cut halfway, I'm hopeful that it's going to end on an enourmous cliffhanger (Even though the title doesn't suggest so) or that they just decided to keep it short for a better reason we'll all see in the future.
It wasn't very exciting news for sure, but I keep my concerns in check until I see the last episode of this season.
In regards to the possibility of the show ending after season 4, It literally makes me sad to think about. I'm only a few months into this fandom and just adore what it's become, show or the community. To think that I merely came in at the wrong time and had only a year or so before it all died is very disheartening to me. Though, I think the fandom will certainly keep this show alive even after the series has ended. As accepting, open-minded and warm the community is, I can't think of them just abandoning what has been, to some and in my case, the most inspirational and life altering thing to ever happen to them (silly, eh?). The Brony / Pegasister community will stand as strong at the end as they would at it's peak. We're great people, we can handle it.
And I sure as hell won't stop visiting this site every damned day! This site is my favorite outlet to this fandom and community, that won't change because the show has ended. For certain!
Hell, Dragonball Z ended YEARS ago, and that show's fanbase is still going perfectly well in all kinds of manners! MLP will be no different!
... Right?
You are right, I was more hyped and willing to drop everything for season 2. But season three. . . . . I'm just going to say it, has been a bit of a disappointment. I mean sure Trixie returning and Discord coming back are awesome, but the excitement and creativity have kinda dried up. Its sad, I get its targeted at kids, but what about us Bronies. Kids really wont know the difference between a good plot line or an overall decrease in value, but Bronies and pegasisters have to be contributing to their overall income right? This feels like Spongebob all over again the fist two seasons AWESOME!!! but then creativity ran out and it got animated rather than drawn. I may be just ranting but seriously,
MORE LUNA, MORE CELESTIA, and MORE BACKGROUND PONIES.
they have a treasure trove of opportunity here and they just slacked off!!
Time to end on a good note, MORE PONIES!! Discord and Trixie returned (albeit not as good as it could have been) and season four has been announced. Even if they end it at season four (witch they wont. the power puff girls also made by and or collaboration with Laura Faust had 6 seasons) I plan to stay with the site for a long wile. Might slack off a little bit in college, but hey gotta learn. So keep your chins up and be proud to be a brony or pegasister,
the fandom will live on!!
Well, Jaydex, 13 episodes is the result of Lauren Faust not being director. :/
Even though I like the episodes, Lauren wouldn't have allowed Discord to be 'good' that easily and fast.
It was just too abrupt a change. Blleeerrrggg..
I will stay with the Fandom forever, or at least as long as I can.
As for the show running out of ideas. It just might be. They aren't allowed to read any fanfics, so can't draw inspiration from anything except art and maybe music. But also, if I remember right the show was to be made in such a way that none of the episodes connect (except the 4 two parts eps) so Hasbro could air the show in any order they wanted. Really, I can think of only 2 episodes that break that, Trixe's return, and Rainbow getting a pet shows Twi with her pet from the last season.
So already, unable to have the episodes connect and such, limits a lot of what they are allowed to do in 20 mins of air time. The newest episode with Discord shows that, the ending being so rushed. What's more, remember that this is a show for little girls, so there has to be lessons to teach them in each episode too. With... what, 63-ish episodes? With about 63 episodes, they covering a lot of lessons in each one, running out of ideas to teach isn't so unbelievable.
It's for legal matters.
For the most part it's only to make the specifications for a t.v. Show.
No biggie.
It's because the standard length of a thirty minute children's show is 65 episodes. Even so, there are rumors of a fourth season out there, but the only source I found is on the TvTropes episode guide.
I read that Hasbro's reason for doing this was because the sho became so popular, if that makes any sence. Also so that they could devide forcus onto new cartoons. Like Littlest(?) Pet Shop.
Well, to my disappointment, MLP is not the only one having this treatment as Green Lantern: TAS (which I like) is also having this 13-episode per season (2 which they call it the 'second' arc of season 1 but it take 6 months before the next are hit the air). I feel that its a foreshadow of things to come...
Where the hell have you been?! Everyone knew this back in October. And even if Hasbro quits, many bronies have been working on fan made episodes since August.
748648
I spend most of my time working for the "man" making sub-par boxes. And back in Oct everything was just rumors. I put little stock in rumors, unless there are some facts to back them up. Glad to hear about fan-made episodes!
748663 Yeah, but they've been in the making for months, so IDK if they'll ever come to be.
Quite frankly, I don't think Hasbro would be stupid enough to stop making new episodes. I don't say that just because I'm a brony and I love this fandom, but also because it means this gravy train would be over and done with. Why the hell would Hasbro allow a franchise that's going global and making them millions to end? Of course I realize that no show is able to last forever, but I think it's safe to say that the bronies will be just fine for now.
Well, I'll be brutally honest.
Before I became a brony, I watched episodes 1 and 2 of season 1. I was like "Ok, this is really cool and all, and I do in fact like the show. Hell, this is pretty good for a little girls show! But what's the big hype about?" Then, I was innocently browsing around youtube for some dubstep to listen to, and I came across some brony musicians. TheLivingTombstone to be specific. I heard his "Dubstep Dishwasher", and boy, was I impressed. I started seeing that this was more than just for the tv show, but to also contribute to it. Sure, not directly to the show, but it was still something impressive. Then I saw the fan animations, more music, such and such. I was getting drawn into it, but wasn't exactly ready to call myself a "brony". I was just admiring what the fandom was doing, and simply enjoyed watching the show. By the way, YES, there is a difference between WATCHING a show, and being a part of it's fanbase.
[Warning: Incoming mini-rant.] Just going to go off topic a bit here. This is for all of you that assume if a person likes Mlp, then they're a brony. STAHP IT!!! Seriously! I've seen that situation many times where a brony scares off a fellow admirer of the show by forcefully trying to pull them into the fandom! That's a bit too much, dudes. I'm sure many of you like to watch other cartoons like "Adventure Time" or "The Amazing World of Gumball" but WOULDN'T go as far as to produce fan music, or write fanfictions for it, and so on. That's called ENJOYING the show for what it is. [Mini-rant, complete.]
So yes. I was ENJOYING the show at that moment, and admiring the fandom for it's incredible actions aswell. As I kept on browsing through the songs of these brony musicians, I saw in the related section of the video, "[Dramatic Reading] My Little Dashie Part 1", read by micthemicrophone.
It wasn't the first time I heard that title. I kept on hearing alot of bronies saying that it was extremely sad, and that they cried like a filly, and etc... so I finally gave in, and clicked on the video.
At first, before I read it, I didn't know it was a fanfiction. I thought it was an actual story written by the creators of the show itself. As soon as I realized that it was written by a fan, I was instantly intrigued. Instead of hearing the reading, I decided that I had to read this myself, to see just how good it was...
...I cried.
I cried tears of true sadness and emotion. Tears for a character that came from a tv show for little girls. It was then that I became a brony. I realized that this wasn't just simply a tv show, but a chance to express yourself, and to show your talents without fear. This simple cartoon finally picked me up in it's extremely powerful wave of influence, and has been by far one of the most amazing moments of my life. This is certainly a highlight of my life that I will always look back at and remember every day in the future.
Notice I said "A highlight of my life that I will always look back at and remember every day in the future."...
Yes... that's right. I believe that once this show finally closes down, the fandom will last probably another year or so, and then finally fade away. Honestly, it makes me upset to think about it, but if you pay attention to alot of the stories on this website, the spine of the stories itself is based off of mostly from what happened in the cartoon. Yeah, there are plenty out there that are original, and absolutely fantastic, but once the people start closing this chapter of their books, and move on...
The number of bronies will slowly go down every day, leading up to the point where only a handful of people will support the fandom, and the stories, music, and so on will disappear. One by one it will go down, and.... well? We'd go back to our normal lives, left with a strange empty feeling inside...
The fandom can't live without the show.
It's like a motorcycle. It needs two wheels to move onwards. With only one wheel, you're going to scrape the motorcycle into a violent stop. But if you pay more careful attention to my analogy... what i'm also trying to say, is that the show can't live without us too.
I don't believe that Mlp will simply stop at 4 seasons. If Dora the Explorer can go on for this many years already, why can't My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic do the same? Dora never got the support that Mlp did, yet it lasted for so many years, and even now still runs on air. Mlp has not only support from the little girls that watch it, but us. We, the bronies, the exponentially growing fandom of more than millions of people, help hold the foundation for Mlp, and i'm not afraid to say that we hold up a damn good amount of the show too. Even if the little girls get over Mlp, there is still millions of other fans awaiting for the show to dish out more for them. The bronies.
I feel safe to say that... we're not going anywhere. Atleast, not for a very. Very. Long time.
~Vallis
Indeed
I would like to point out that at first, we only knew of 13 episodes of season 2. Then, partway through the season gap, they spilled the beans about the other 13.
Speculation has been running rampant for months now. EqD reported that in investor documents, there was a near-certain confirmation of S4 (thus meaning that unless something changes, we'll get over the dreaded 65-episode cutoff) so it's assumed that there will be more to come... but as for why they're sticking to 13 with weird airing schedules, I have no idea. We can only hope for the best.
No matter if the show declines rapidly and they make an alicorn prince OC the main character and marries alicorn princess Twilightm or the show ends at 65, or whatever, I'll still be around. Ponies are a permanent part of my life.
The season finale, if it can be called that, apart from not not being a 2-parter, doesn't even sound that big. Twilight writes her own magic to solve a problem she caused. It's Twilight. It seems like it shouldn't be too hard for her anyway.
I'm actually hoping that this might still be a 26 episode season, and they're simply withholding ANY information about the other 13 episodes so they can fool the fans and surprise them when episode 14 airs. That's what I hope anyway.
I can safely say that when the show ends (as all shows must), I'm definitely not leaving the fandom.
748718
Very entertaining. But regardless I didn't think about that. But in all honesty this blog was just to see how you all feel about the show and the fandom. I'm glad to see you all are as thrilled with it as I am! 
Good point Gordon. I remember that about S2 as well. And every time I see your avatar, I'm think of "Freeman's Mind", I love that fan series.
748731
Well said! They are a strong presence in my life as well!
As said before, pretty much everyone knew this season was only 13 episodes. I have seen other shows that do this kind of thing; have short seasons. Why they do this you ask? I have no idea.
If you want to see more Chrysalis, I'd recommend reading the comic books.
Some people do believe that season 4 will be the final season, but nothing official has been said. While I'm not ready for the show to end, I don't want it to become like The Simpsons or the Pokemon anime, meaning that it keeps going on for so long that it just starts sucking. I am hoping that before the show ends they make a movie or a video game out of FiM (not a mobile game, a video game on a console.)
I can tell you right now that I will NOT be leaving this fandom anytime soon. This fandom has what I haven't seen in other fandoms, talented and nice people. I'm hoping to one day contribute to the fandom as well, but that might be a while.
Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the whole "Derpy speaking" thing cause some friction in the fandom? Or was that just a bunch of soccer moms complaining?
748791 Personally, I watch fan videos more than the show.
I've already held off watching the show for like 4 weeks now, too busy reading.
748831
That would be Soccer moms. Hasbro gave in to the few complaints they got without even looking into the matter or protesting against the lame accusations thus attracting the ire of tens of thousands of angry bronies and Pegasisters.
Personally i am dissapointed with season 3. They could have done some of the episodes allot better and the first two could have been really great,instead they felt really weak. And pardon my french...but what the hell is it with all the Spike episodes? I mean seriously he is the most useless character and the most annoying (to me at least) And all their doing is making him the focus of attention instead of giving it to :The Princesses,Main Six,Background Ponies,CMC. The only good thing that came out of Season 3 was Sleepless in Ponyville and that was because they brought in a new female writer. Well that's enough ranting have some pony pics.
i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b444/Fang_Daemonstein/princesses_from_the_sky_by_inuhoshi_to_darkpen-d5jjwgq_zps48d6ba40.png
i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b444/Fang_Daemonstein/celly_n_derp_derp_by_sonicrainboom93-d5ji496_zpsc3741698.png
i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b444/Fang_Daemonstein/water_fight_by_silfoe-d59sl5n_zps3a872e03.jpg
i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b444/Fang_Daemonstein/good_morning_equestria_by_blitzpony-d58gk4o_zps1509147e.png
i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b444/Fang_Daemonstein/sleeping_luna_by_rom_art-d58owdx_zps0bcf7068.png
I'm sure I've made it known somewhere that my concern for the show is zip, zilch, nada etc. so none of this affects in any such way. It may have given me reason to feel happier than, well I can't remember when but in the end it's nothing too special to me.
748474 The age gap makes her and Spike way too unlikely for me.
748963 I feel completely the opposite, I enjoyed all of the third season EXCEPT Sleepless in Ponyville.
From the talk from interviews and tweets, I don't think that the show is going to end. Also some shows split the season in half like that, plus why would Hasbro get rid of their cash cow? Maybe the reason why season 3 is so short is because their planning to make a movie or something.....We can hope.
If the show does end, I'll be on this site forever and be one of the last ones to leave!
before I saw this show I didn't have many shows I enjoyed, before this came along everything pretty much sucked except maybe Avatar the last air bender and Adventure Time before that Powerpuff girls and Dexter's Lab and even KND but as those shows disappeared I resorted to old movies and cartoons like the three stooges and Godzilla.
I've always been a fan of Godzilla as you probably know.
If this show stops and no more seasons appear I'll miss it but I'll do what I've always done in these situations look back and remember the good times it brought me my friends and family because what else can we do but remember the good times.
I, for one, will continue on here, regardless. I find enjoyment in writing fan fictions relating to the show (even though I only have one so far), but it is helping me to open a creative side of myself that I have allowed to remain dormant for far too long. I just needed a push forward, and the show, (and subsequently this site) have allowed me to do just that. To be honest, perfecting my writing skills, and immersing readers in my story (so far) has made me a happier person. I can only hope to bring more stories (I accept ideas! Hint, Hint!) to the current followers I have, and future readers/followers I hope to touch (not like that, sicko!) with my writing. That is all. ArmedBony Out!
749243
I will fight the good fight with thee till the bitter end!
748791
Oh god do I love Freeman's Mind. I'll never forget ep 10 where "died" jumping over that pit trying to get to the ladder on the opposite side, only to lose his grip due the potato chip residue leftover on his fingers!
"Hooga-Chucka, Hooga-Chucka, Hooga-Chucka!"
748831
No, the fans were over-joyed if anything to finally hear her speak. It was the parents that were concerned over Hasbro allegedly poking fun at the mentally handicapped.
Technically, the fans were to blame since we gave her that name. But, oh well.
Is it possible for spinoff shows to be born if FIM does kick the bucket?
I don't really know what to think really.
Is it impossible to follow the trend of anime or would that be whoring the series?
Dang, I am just plain confused now.
Oh well, keep calm brony on.
I believe that they stated a while back that the MLP seasons will be varying in length from season to season. some longer some shorter depending on what is going to happen.
what makes you think that there will be a season 4? of course would be great, but how doe you know that, and are you sure?
I'm not leaving the fandom until I'M GODDAMMN STONE DEAD. Poniez4Lyf :3
With Faust gone from the show they might have been worried that the show would not carry itself as good as before. And changing things in the middle of a season with contracts etc would maybe be too hard. So being careful and only run 13 episodes might have been easier to manage and keep right preventing it from crashing under it's weight if something went wrong.
It does feel like they have done quite a few major story changes in season 3 already and we are a far cry from simpler but fun episodes like applebuck season and ticket master. Nowdays every other episode have to be epic and contain major development or events. And episodes that is not epic is lacking development and major character development according to reviews.
While some if the epic episodes are the bes IMHO it is not the most watched. Sweet and elite are probably the most watched for me.
I know that one day the show will end, but I will not stop to read this fanfictions. I found on them a sense of happiness that I did not feel in a very long time. I recently became a brony and i am proud of it. So I will be loyal to this site, to MLP and all its fandom until my final breath. This is the best thing that I had found in my life and I wont let it go, for Celestia's sake!!!! I hope that I am not the only one with the same though.
773738
I share your sentiment. In fact I wrote this blog to find out which among you share my desire to stay with the ponies...till the bitter end, and beyond! I have no intention of leaving this fandom! 
You are not alone!
BREAKING NEWS!
An additional 13 episodes have been confirmed, bringing the total to 26. Suck it haters.
799127
Aha, they did just like they did last season, and just as you predicted! I didn't think they'd cut the season so short. That just didn't jive, even given the technical reasons some were giving. And someone said that the episodes aren't related. I beg to differ. If that were the case, Cadence and Shining Armor wouldn't have been together as a newly weds in the season 3 pilot. Luna wouldn't have mentioned Twilight using the elements of Harmony on her, taking a way her dark powers in season 2 and all the Cutie Mark Crusader episodes are linked. And that's only three minor examples that the episodes to have a correlation with each other. So your last remark -
Makes me laugh!