Thoughts on: Wonderbolts Canon [Show Spoiler] · 4:56pm Jan 18th, 2014
Thanks to episodes like Wonderbolts Academy and the fresh-in-my-mind Rainbow Falls, my impression of the Wonderbolts has changed significantly. I'm sure it's not just my own impression, and I won't lie that I'm going to miss my precious headcanon. Still, with what's been shown twice over, it's interesting to see their dynamic in play on more familiar terms with Rainbow Dash, rather than the hero-fangirl relationship in seasons one and two.
Here's what I know for sure now:
•Spitfire is the rightful leader of the entire team and all its outlets, and her word is law. She and her team have a military backdrop, which makes me believe that only those of greater influence (Canterlot nobility or royalty) can request anything of her.
•She does keep teammates close by, most notably Soarin' and Fleetfoot (who, by the way, seems to have a lisp). Soarin' is skilled but a bit of an airhead, getting distracted from his task-at-hand to revel in the praise of his admirers - a conflict already explored in Mare-do Well. However, Fleetfoot seems to have a similar mindset with Spitfire, in that they were able to exchange an idea with only a glance at each other. If the two are Spitfire's lieutenants, then I imagine that Fleetfoot is cunning and Soarin' is gutsy.
•However, Spitfire is able to recognize that Soarin' has flaws in his character, and that's why she jumps at the chance to replace him with Rainbow Dash. It's more than just a sprained wing. With how quickly Spitfire enacted the idea, I believe that she and Fleetfoot had been talking about him long before this accident. Perhaps as early as the Equestria Games' announcement, or earlier still. After all, only three Wonderbolts are present at the relay grounds. Why are the rest not there?
•Fleetfoot does have her flaws as well, what with playing Devil's Advocate and instigating Rainbow's decision to abandon her own team. But Spitfire doesn't recognize these flaws because they play into her long-term interests as well. Even though Spitfire is the leader of the team, Fleetfoot's cunning mind and close position make her capable of guiding Spitfire's decision to suit her best interests. Fleetfoot is a support to Spitfire, yes, but definitely the most important one I've seen.
•Yet when Rainbow Dash confronts Spitfire about the wrong decisions made, Spitfire is humbled (to an extent). First, during the academy, Spitfire dismisses the overzealous Lightning Dust when she hears how the trainee's actions were risking life and limb. She grants Dust's Lead Pony badge to Rainbow, allowing her to stay and continue her training - this time as a leader among leaders. And now in Rainbow Falls, when she's confronted again about her underhanded tactics, Spitfire is once again humbled by what she sees. She admits her mistake, allows Soarin' to fly as originally intended, and gives Rainbow Dash her own Lead Pony's badge as thanks.
All these things are shifting my headcanon around into a different, but no less interesting, fashion. Instead of having a tried-and-true organization that is the envy of pegasi the world over, we get to see how flawed it has become due to notoriety. Like Rainbow Dash often says about herself, the Wonderbolts have a reputation to maintain. And just like Rainbow Dash, they stoop to undesired decisions to keep that reputation in good standing. However, because Spitfire and her group have so much more influence, resources, and expectations, it's likely that they make these rather unpopular decisions more often than shown. After all, both Spitfire and Fleetfoot had the same thought, and all it took was a glance at each other (and simultaneous movements to put their aviators on) for them to pull it off to great effect. This clearly isn't something new to them. Those two flyers must have ideas like this a lot for it to be so second-nature.
But perhaps that's not fair. It could be that their thought process isn't based on the need to save face when Murphy's Law comes down, but rather on a desire to become better. To not just maintain their reputation, but to improve on it. After all, what's the fundamental goal of any athletic team or business group? To do better than before, not just be the best. The fact that Spitfire basically admits that Rainbow is a better flyer than Soarin' plays right into that universal mindset, and it doesn't help that Rainbow has made her fascination of the group clear since day one. And I ask, what team or group passes up an opportunity like that? Long-term goals like constantly striving to be better do not afford the luxury of accidents. Even in a land like Equestria, no leader of an organization would allow that chance to fly by.
Spitfire is leading the best aerial team in the world. Fleetfoot wants to see them get better, and subtly guides the direction of the team's leader as needed. Soarin' is powerful and skilled, but lacks that vision - he's there for short-term gains. So when his wing got hurt and he was caught by Rainbow Dash, Spitfire saw that opportunity and, together with Fleetfoot supporting her, took advantage of it. The method in which she went about it was wrong, of course. Lying to one of your most trusted subordinates is one of the worst betrayals in existence. But the desire to constantly improve is not wrong.
See, I've always thought the dynamic between Spitfire and Rainbow Dash is one of wizened veteran to an eager newbie. Pretty obvious, of course, but there's more to it now. Spitfire has had years of experience dealing with all sorts of trouble. Whether it's finances, corruption, internal affairs, national threats, or the ever-looming paparazzi, she's had to adapt in order to deal with everything and still make the Wonderbolts' name renowned. Rainbow Dash doesn't know any of that, so while she is malleable to the influence of Spitfire, she still has a strong foundation on which to make her own decisions. In this latest exchange between the two of them, I think Spitfire saw some of how she used to be in bygone days, before she had to make changes to her morals for the good of her team. Seeing that again in a loyal fan who has skill to back up her words is humbling to her, and offers a glimpse of how her team can still improve without making underhanded sacrifices.
I would think that if the two of them found themselves on a private train car during a long journey, they'd eventually come to blows over what is and isn't a right choice to make. Spitfire might say how it's impossible to continue striving without removing weak links when they appear, to which Rainbow would reply how a rope is stronger the more threads you have in it. Analogies of how they view the team, based on their own perspectives. Spitfire has forgotten that old innocent wonder and loyal foundation, whereas Rainbow Dash hasn't seen the expectations and drama that occurs behind closed doors. But neither of them are inherently wrong.
We now see how the Wonderbolts are constantly pampered and hounded, even when out of their official colors. They're not a solid truth as they were in seasons one and two. They are organic, and they make mistakes. However, their overall goals aren't bad - it's just some of the ways they go about reaching those goals are questionable. It makes for a changed but equally enticing dynamic between them and potential members, such as between Spitfire and Rainbow Dash. And as a result of these latest developments, I'm more inclined to respect stories that show Fleetfoot in a devious role. She's not necessarily a villain, but her conscious is by no means clear.
Hmm. These are some interesting turns of events. It might be worth trying out new oneshots.
~Leo
Well, finally came around to reading this. I swear, everything you said as well as everything that was actually in the show was pretty spot on with my headcanon. I loved that episode quite a bit, and it did little to change what I originally thought about the Bolts. I really want to see more stories with the Wonderbolts in them. Love your analysis of these!
~SolidFire
1735482 Many thanks. I seem to do better with analysis than story writing, a fact that actually kind of scares me. I'm planning on doing one covering an episode from my Top Five soon - Ponyville Confidential.