Writing analysis and potential wall splat test. · 10:47pm Aug 5th, 2015
Warning! This post will contain open spoilers for Luna's Lacunae! Read ahead at your own risk!
So, I am tossing this idea at the wall to see if it sticks. I have this idea for Blueblood, and how to present him as a character, but I don't know if it is a good idea. Which is why I am tossing it at the wall in the open before I commit to it in a story.
Call me crazy, but I want to give Blueblood a fair chance. Why you ask? Why not I answer.
In Luna's Lacunae, Bloodblood, at least within the idea that I have, the story framework, etc, fell prey to the changelings long before the Canterlot Wedding. He fell early on, succumbing to mind control. This is the reason why he acted like such a prick. It messed with his mind, making him increasingly more and more awful, until he was almost unbearable, and Celestia started to believe that her beloved nephew had been spoiled to the point of being rotten.
After the events of Canterlot Wedding, when everything was revealed, and the various controlled minds in Canterlot were finally freed, Blueblood was mortified by what he had done. Disgusted with himself for being weak, ashamed of his own behaviour, unable to even look at his aunt after what he had done, Blueblood went over seas to rediscover himself, figure out who he was, get a change of scenery, and get his head screwed back on straight.
And now, all this time later, after having spent much time working through his own issues, he is coming home, not sure where he fits into the bigger picture anymore, but wanting to set things right.
Thing is, I don't know if this is a good idea. It's an idea, but it is debatable if this is a good idea, something worthy of working with.
If not, I'm still at a point in the story where I can scrap this and leave the story untouched, untainted by Blueblood.
Opinions, critique, logical examinations, etc, all welcome.
All I can say is, I like the idea. I'm all for redemption, even if all the character has done is be a jerk. Go for it, says I!
It's a unique spin that makes Blueblood less awful. I'm all for it.
3297904
Yes... but is it reasonable. I have some doubts.
That's an awesome idea.
The changeling queen probably got to him when he was on a trip and had a sleeping agent in the castle all along? What if it was mindcontrolled Blueblood who helped Chrysalis enter the castle and kidnap Cadance? Aside from his status, after acting like such a prick, which guard is going to question him more than they have to?
3297920
Yes, pretty much all of this. Cadance would see a pony she thought she knew and could trust. Somepony that could move around the castle and never once raise the worry of the guards.
3297916
That is the question, isn't it? If you have a place for Blueblood in the story, go for it. If it's just a neat idea that you'd have to crowbar in, file it away.
3297916
I have to say I do not know that, and I honestly do not want to coax you into something.
I do guess it would fit, and in his situation his and Luna's relationship would be interesting. He has lacunae too, after all, a gap in his life because of Chrysalis' mind control.
What I know for sure is that I'd love to see your take on him.
3297983
I think you hit on one of the big things: whether or not Blueblood would be cool as a character, what would he add to the story.
If he has this thematic-problem that he can relate and contrast with Luna, it definitely could.
3297983
3297994
They have gaps.
Blueblood, storywise, has been gone for a long time. Luna was gone for a year... and before that, 1000 years.
I like this idea!
Especially if we the reader got to see the story through the eyes of this Mysterious Pony walking through equestria on his way to Canterlot and see what we've been seeing from another perspective. Then the Illusion spell drops and we see it's Blueblood.
Doing something like getting his own food or working a small job to earn his sleeping quarters for the night to restore some of his equinity after being a cardboard cut out villain for so long.
That would also make the reveal more surprising for those of us NOT reading the spoilers because virtually no one thinks BB has any redeeming qualities.
It is a constant theme on your works: to be able to overcome your own failures and growth. To make peace with your own mistakes and become somepony better. I can see Blublood becoming something like a guide, or a example, for Luna to follow, in order to overcome her own faults.
But, to be honest, I did not like the way his failures happen. Mostly it is not his own fault, he was under control. So it was not REALLY something wrong with him to begin with.
Just something that I though: what if you link his failures to the Fae somehow. Betrayal (he was helping the Fae to keep Luna away), maybe something less harsh, like, he was trying to contact the Fae in order to get more power and, through this, the Fae was able to know more about Equs, and are planning to invade...something alike...
It works for me, though I suppose that's conditional on the execution. I think you can swing it, though.
I think that the best prsentation i have seen of blueblood is from a certain fanfic. it made him equally pompous but he was not without some redeeming qualities. he cared for his nation.
3298392
How does this help me?
3298392
3298398
Especially since... you didn't actually say what fanfic.
3298398 kinda forgot to give a name didn' i?
exit through canterlot.
3298093
I agree with you on this point. If it was all mind control it is excusable. This could be fixed by making it only an influence instead of straight mind control at first. Maybe BlueBlood could be used as a test case for the mass mind control? They only influence him at first to make sure they don't break the merchandise? Perhaps using a buried desire to be waited on... hoof and hoof and cranking it to eleven? It would add the mentality of " they used my desires against me, but they were still my desires".
3298561
That's actually kinda the angle I was thinking of. Blueblood, already spoiled by all accounts, grew a roaring sense of entitlement and his mild snobbery became extreme, choking out all of his good traits.
3298578
Well then this BlueBlood redemption story pleases me :D