Updates and Season Four's Direction · 2:32am Jan 29th, 2014
I realize I've kind of been MIA for a while. (life happens you guys) So to tide you over while waiting for a new chapter I figured I'd share a little insight of where I think season four is going. What you are about to read is part of my preliminary script for an upcoming video that I plan on uploading to my youtube channel within a couple days (provided that my mic doesn't completely die on me)
Guys, rainbows. They're a common visual element throughout the entirety of Friendship Is Magic. Not only are they used to symbolize the Elements of Harmony, but they also symbolize the show's central theme which is kind of in the friggin' subtitle. Provided we count Equestria Girls as canon, (blegh) we see the elements used a grand total of five times. The defeat of Nightmare Moon, Discord, and Sunset Shimmer, but also the release of Discord before his reformation and the return of the Elements to the Tree of Harmony. Yes, I count those as uses.
But where else do we see rainbows? We need to look no farther than one of our Mane 6. Rainbow Dash. Not her mane and tail silly, they aren’t used as a device; the sonic rainbooms! The original sonic rainboom was what first established the connection between the Mane 6 and the Elements. The sonic rainboom in none other than Sonic Rainboom showed the reconnection between Rainbow Dash and Rarity and also served as a method of growth for Rainbow Dash and Twilight. And finally, the sonic rainboom in A Canterlot Wedding showed both the connection of love between Shining Armor and Cadence, but also the reconnection between Twilight and her friends. But that's only the beginning of rainbows used as devices.
We also see rainbows in The Crystal Empire, and Games Ponies Play to show the spread of happiness and friendship throughout the land. Basically, what I'm getting at here is that rainbows in MLP are used as visual devices representing the spread of the show's main themes, happiness and friendship, but also the use of these themes in powering the Elements of Harmony. So believe me, when I saw rainbows used twice in season four, on objects no less, I was a little intrigued.
We see rainbows in Rarity Takes Manehatten both to lead her to her friends, and when she receives the spool of rainbow thread after showing extreme generosity. We also see rainbows in Rainbow Falls when Rainbow Dash receives the medal from Spitfire after showing extreme loyalty. The trend has been set, and given that the next episode is a Pinkie episode, this trend may be confirmed soon enough.
What does this mean for season 4? Remember that box that came from the Tree of Harmony? The one with 6 keys? 6 keys, 6 Elements, 6 friends. Could it be that the items the Mane 6 receive after showing the traits that earned them the Elements to begin with are, in fact, the keys to the box that was given to them by the very thing that made the Elements? I think so. The only question in my mind is what their tests and keys will end up being. They'll likely represent some other character trait of the pony in question. Given that Rarity's other character trait is fashion and design she received a spool of thread. Given that Rainbow's other trait is her competitiveness and athleticism she received a medal in a sporting event. It fits nicely with their other traits and I see no reason why the other keys won't do the same.
So yeah, I'm calling it right here and now: Twilight's key will be something studious, Pinkie's key will be something party or bakery related, Fluttershy's key will be something animal care related, and Applejack's key will be something family or farm related.
So that leaves one unsolved question: what in the name of all things pony related in in that box? My prediction? Something that allows the Mane 6 to channel the harmonious energy of the Tree of Harmony. The elements have been playing with these ponies' lives. From Dash's first sonic rainboom to the events on a certain Summer Sun Celebration, the Elements have been testing these ponies in order to shape them into worthy vessels of their power. So much that the presence of one single element and the spirits of the other 5 were enough to channel their energy (once again, only if we count Equestria Girls as canon. I really don't think the Elements are done with these ponies yet, not by a long shot.
So, yeah. If my mic manages to hold of dying completely the video will be out soon. The next chapter will be out as soon as I can manage to find some decent transitions and characters (that's right, new characters coming soon) specifically the schoolhouse foals and teachers.
I'm planning on buying the Yeti by Blue as my replacement for anyone who's curious.
Sounds interesting, I look forward to a new chapter as I enjoyed the first two!