Random thoughts about canon #3: The mystery of Prince Blueblood · 6:19pm Jan 11th, 2016
My previous argument regarding the nobility of Equestria leaves one interesting issue unresolved. It so happens that this issue is both very minor, and at the same time, has some rather far-reaching consequences for the interpretation of the rest of the canon.
Prince Blueblood has the honor of being one of the most universally hated characters for the entire fandom, the only one who can possibly compare to him is Flash Sentry. While the reasons to hate Flash Sentry appear to have nothing to do with his character, which essentially doesn’t exist, (he does or says very little if anything of note except blocking ships just by existing) every reason to hate Blueblood has to do with his reprehensible behavior on screen.
But I’m talking about canon research here, so maybe the question is best rephrased:
What exactly does Prince Blueblood’s behavior let us infer about Equestria?
Let’s make a list of everything notable that Blueblood does on screen:
- Rarity observes Blueblood at the opposite end of a room which he is leaving. It is not clear if Blueblood is actually looking directly at her from the shot as he moves, but the facial expression seems to suggest that. Excited, Rarity chases him and has to stop herself from rushing after him. They end up mostly alone in a rose garden area, that is, Rarity is the only pony that follows Blueblood out.
- Blueblood approaches Rarity as she is sniffing a rose, and introduces himself with no apparent prodding. Rarity’s facial expression suggests that she’s either feigning surprise or is actually surprised. The very first thing Blueblood subsequently does is taking for himself the rose Rarity is clearly expecting he will offer her.
- Rarity and Blueblood are shown in another grassy area, among numerous ponies sitting around on pillows. Rarity is expecting that the only pillow in evidence is for her, but Blueblood sits on it himself. It is not at all clear where the pillow originally comes from and why did Rarity not notice that there’s only one, because all other ponies in the shot are paired and each has a pillow.
- Rarity continues following Blueblood around anyway, and upon meeting a puddle of spilled drink – one that is trivially avoided, as it’s in the middle of a large room – he stops Rarity, and using veiled hints, solicits the use of her cloak to cover the puddle. Increasingly irritated, Rarity accepts. Notice that in the background, numerous tables covered in tablecloth are present.
- While Pinkie is singing, Rarity and Blueblood encounter a set of closed doors. Blueblood gestures for Rarity to open the door for him, Rarity does the same. This culminates with Blueblood making an offended face and angry Rarity finally opens the door herself, which results in her getting slammed by the door.
- Blueblood and Rarity approach Applejack’s apple treat stand. Rarity requests two treats – apparently both for herself and for Blueblood – and coughs, expecting him to pay. Blueblood coughs right back, and Rarity gives up, but the payment is waived due to Applejack. Rarity accuses Blueblood of being a jerk. Instead of answering he takes a bite, and makes a show of spitting the food out, only now taking stock of what exactly he has been offered and saying “my royal lips have touched common carnival fare”. It is notable that Blueblood has been staring directly at the stand the entire time before that.
- Rarity opens yet another door for Blueblood, and unfortunately it’s the door to the room with Pinkie in it, which results in a cake on a ballistic trajectory heading towards the two. Blueblood actually grabs Rarity and uses her to shield himself from the cake, even though ample opportunities to avoid the splash entirely are present. When Rarity finally blows up, his only response is “Stay back, I’ve just had myself groomed.” As he falls, he knocks down a statue, and is mysteriously absent from all subsequent shots, when Rainbow Dash attempts to save either him or the statue. Unless his absence is a storyboard error, basically the only way to disappear so quickly is to teleport away.
It need not be said again that Blueblood behaves like a complete and utter jerk, but didn’t that entire sequence feel a bit odd? There is also one interesting aspect of this entire episode that happens outside the Rarity/Blueblood exchange, which is also patently odd, and it’s Fluttershy’s little garden adventure. Fluttershy’s power to understand animals has never failed her before that episode or since, which suggests that at least something unusual is going on.
1. His cutie mark is not the same, but it’s better explained as an animator error than by supposing he has an identical twin.
These are not the only instances of Blueblood appearing on screen – he can be seen seated among the foreign dignitaries during Equestria games,1 and he is also present in Sweet and Elite, where he stands right next to Rarity as she christens an airship. Depending on which chronology theory you subscribe to, Sweet and Elite may have occurred earlier than the Gala, but how could have Rarity avoided getting in more direct contact with Blueblood in this case remains an open question. If “Sweet and Elite” happened after the Gala, however, it requires an explanation of how exactly could Rarity tolerate his presence.
A very commonly seen fanon take on this is that “Prince Blueblood is a typical representative of the unicorn noble class.” This has the numerous advantages from the writing standpoint, that is, it permits one to use that noble class as antagonists and hate them for all they’re worth. This is also, in my opinion, the weakest one, because it neither fits into the world particularly well, nor actually matches the evidence very well – see my previous post. There are no indications an actual noble class exists. There’s no doubt Blueblood himself exists, but that’s all we know for certain.
The other, less commonly seen fanon take is that “Prince Blueblood is a unique jerk, tolerated for one or another personal reason, or an exceedingly useful skill.” Works that take this standpoint typically use Blueblood for comic relief rather than as an antagonist, or use a trauma of one kind or another as an explanation for his behavior and go on to redeem him, but on the whole, this approach also doesn’t feel ideal, more like shuffling the problem under the carpet. It also appears to contradict his reputation, which Rarity gives as “the most eligible bachelor in Equestria.” Nevertheless, it works better, if only because it casts a far smaller shadow on the rest of the Equestrian social structure.
Other approaches deal with seeking a more elaborate explanation for the whole mess. These typically are variations on “Prince Blueblood deliberately maintains an image of a jerk to ward off social climbers and gold diggers,” whether in general, or in this particular instance only. This is actually more common than it would seem, but more often than not shows up in short oneshots that only concern themselves with Blueblood. This approach sort of works well, but only if you posit that this does not lead to gossip or that this gossip somehow avoids Rarity, who is generally seen as quite interested in it.
2. Which paints Blueblood not unlike Mr. Drawlight.
There are also some creative left field explanations, like those in “Prince Blueblood Wants His Wings Back” and “Blueblood’s Grand Scheme”,2 but other than their sporadic appearance, this is mostly it.
Not a very wide variety, to be honest.
3. In which fancy party setting it is at all acceptable to use your own clothing to mop up a spilled drink, let alone request anyone else to do it? There should be valets with mops at the ready just for this purpose.
It is interesting to note that every secondary hint in the whole Gala sequence seems to be meant to imply that Blueblood has been deliberately aiming at Rarity personally. He starts by luring her in and never letting up, soliciting further and further concessions – starting with her expectations of being treated like a lady and ending with basic pony dignity. In every instance shown, he insists on using a solution to a problem that specifically humiliates Rarity, even when others are obvious.3 Later incidents, like the spilled drink and in particular, Applejack’s stand, seem to suggest he’s explicitly fishing for excuses to humiliate her further, and he hangs out with Rarity for the entire evening, even though there’s little doubt he could have ditched her at any point if he only tried to tell her to leave openly.
Taking this into account, the “deliberately maintained image of a jerk” group of explanation would appear to be best supported by evidence seen, but at the same time, actually luring Rarity in at the beginning becomes the strongest argument against it. Luring a random mare in just to spend the evening trying to crush her goes far beyond “deliberately maintained image of a jerk.”
Which actually makes Blueblood one of the stronger arguments for the existence of Trollestria, since that becomes the only remaining single missing piece that explains everything. Unfortunately, since Trollestria can be used to literally explain everything, this is neither particularly acceptable nor useful.
4. Can you imagine Rarity unknowingly or accidentally insulting Blueblood’s steady girlfriend? I think I can.
One possible thread which I have so far not seen used in conjunction with Blueblood is the idea that “Sweet and Elite” actually occurs before the Gala, which makes it easy for Blueblood to have firsthoof knowledge of Rarity, even if they were never introduced. Whatever happened could possibly cause him to have a particular bone to pick with Rarity,4 and the whole Gala sequence becomes an elaborate evening of petty, but not necessarily completely unjustified revenge.
I can only conclude that there is no answer I can call completely satisfactory at this point. There’s an upcoming comic due for release in March 2016 which is supposed to feature Blueblood, and from the summary, seems to subscribe to the “unique jerk” class of explanations.
Unfortunately, I expect this will only muddle the issue further.
Maybe Blueblood was doing it all for a bet, and is actually a really nice bloke? Consider:
Prince Redtooth: Say, Bluey, looks like your rabbit came in last again.*
Prince Blueblood: I don't care what you say, Redtooth, you bounder! Fluffles the bunny is splendid racer. You just haven't given him a chance!
R: Why don't you put your money where your mouth is, son?
B: You know perfectly well I never gamble money, any more - not since that dreadful Cloudsdale fiasco.
R: Well, how about this? If he comes anywhere other than last place, I do whatever you say. If he comes last again - like we all know he will, right guys? [general laughter from assembled noblecolts] - you do what I say.
B: So be it!
One predictable loss later...
B: Hang it all!
R: Well, looks like you're in trouble, Bluey.
B: I'm ready for whatever punishment you wish to mete out. But I'll thank you not to call me 'Bluey', sir!
R: Sure thing, Bluey. Now, the Grand Galloping Gala's coming up, and let's face it, that's never any fun. I reckon you could provide us with some amusement.
B: Kindly get to the point.
R: Hold yer horses. I'm gonna point out some girl to you, and you're gonna lure her outside and make her life a misery, clear?
B: You... you cad! You're asking me to mistreat a lady!
R: You ain't chickening out, are ya?
B: A- A gentlecolt never backs out of a wager...
R: Good boy, Bluey. You've got to embarrass her for fifteen full minutes, then you can make yourself scarce.
B: You'll regret this, Redtooth. Mark my words, you'll regret it...
I have no idea where any of that came from. There's something dreadfully wrong with my mind.
*Rabbit racing is a very popular pastime in Canterlot this season.
3725187
It's a perfectly valid kind of event, and the dramatic potential of revealing this sort of thing as the reason for Blueblood's behavior would be huge. And the reason this hypothetical Redtooth would have for pointing at Rarity specifically would be an excellent plot thread of its own. (Fashion industry competitor seeking to get her scandalized?) I don't see at all why not. :)
I actually think I saw something eerily close to that when trawling FimFiction for Blueblood-related stories...
3725198 I had plans for featuring Blueblood in a story as a slightly more sympathetic side-character than we've seen - perhaps one who's just awkward around mares, or, hey, was just having a bad night. The problem is getting a decent feel for his personality - he appears to be little more than a walking stereotype of hollier-than-thou nobility.
3725203
And the only representative of nobility at all, see my previous post in this chain. The whole notion of nobility is a huge hole in the canon. And holes in canon are good for sticking things into the story through them. :)
Speaking of personality, though, from those clues we already have... Consider Tony Stark as of the first Iron Man movie. Obnoxious, annoying, and still incredibly popular because he is both brilliant and very influential, he does reprehensible things and still gets away with them. Now imagine he had a ridiculously bad day and a good reason to be as ungentlemanly as ponily possible. Considering the upcoming comic, the canon Blueblood is probably a skilled diplomat... well, who's to say he didn't spend the last few months in negotiations with dragons.
3725203
Well, what do you know...
3726559 Yep, I'm already a member. I'm also in the Fancy Pants fan club, 'cause Fancy Pants is a gentlecolt. I'm glad about that, because when he first appeared I assumed he would just be another snob, but it turned out he was a lovely bloke. Hurrah!
Well, damn, now I feel like a bastard for making Blueblood the bête noire of the Civil Service. For what it's worth, I subscribe to the fact that he isn't a typical example of the nobility[1], but is simply a bastard. His behavior is actually not thoughtlessness. He just gets his kicks by doing that sort of thing and picked on Rarity because from his point of view she's a social climber: a fair target.
[1] I really should write something about a nice member of the nobility[2]
[2] Technically, Spinning Top is a noblemare. And, of course, Dotted is ex officio a Lord, though he refuses that.
3793077
For what it's worth, Blueblood's behaviour was clearly at least meant to be a source of comedy, no matter what happens off screen, and Civil Service having a special division just to deal with him is funny. Unlike some author's depictions, where he is demanding Ponyville be razed to the ground for how Rarity spoiled his evening, because then it stops being funny and starts bordering on schizophrenic.
3793077 Amen.
3793766
What I don't get why even bother analyzing a spoiled brat like Blueblood? He's design shows him as a handsome devil, and he is probably on the really wealthy side.
He maybe no villain. But to me he is probably a rich idiot with an escort addiction and a dislike of country girls that he can spot from a mile away no matter how well dressed they are. Rarity may have been gold digging, but why go through the effort of humiliating her to just teach her a lesson on the follies of idealized romance? He could just as easily rejected her straight forwardly and save everypony the grief, and the cake.
To me he's just an annoying harmless idiot that needs to be cleaned-after in order to avoid international incidents. He's a tabloid star, and in essence ultimately harmless. Jackasses like him are a done in a dozen. So who really cares? Am I right?
3818077
Primarily because of the implications. Blueblood himself is of no significant consequence. But whether he is typical, an aberration, or socially mandated to act this way is very descriptive of the parts of Equestrian society that do not occur on screen. This is basically like studying exoplanets by observing the change in luminosity of the star they occlude -- we can't see the planet itself, and while the star isn't that interesting, we can use it as a stepping stone to figure out something about the planet. And I've been thinking a bit too much about celestial mechanics today, so even my metaphors are from astronomy...
One might say I'm taking this all too seriously, but I maintain that this is where the fun is.
Ponies in particular are notable among other pieces of fiction in that they break the rule of "indicated difference": The world depicted in the work of fiction is the same as ours unless otherwise indicated, including a certain "genre-mandated" body of differences. Ponies aren't like that, in lots of amusing ways, and throw you a curveball every time you try to reassemble the puzzle. Well, this is a type of puzzle I like.
I always wondered how similar Blueblood is supposed to be to Prince Harry. Supposedly that guy is a drunken lecher who doesn't always treat women the best, but he's considered handsome and popular, and actually does try to contribute in his own way (serving in Afghanistan).
3793077 3818100 I prefer the explanation that Blueblood recognized that Rarity was infatuated with him and was deliberately trying to break her illusion. Let's ignore #1 where he was supposedly looking right at her - maybe he was trying to remember whether he'd ever seen her before (maybe he had, at the party for Luna's Return?); maybe he wasn't looking at her at all, but she thought he was. With that, what's the first thing to happen? Rarity chases Blueblood out to the garden. Boom; he's not luring her in at all; he's reacting to her clearly-displayed interest.
(Of course, this's in clear contradiction to the one story I've written including Blueblood, where he actually is just as much of an insulting boor as he appears... but that's in a very AU Equestria which actually does have a decadent nobility.)
3725187 Those cads obviously cheated, getting Angel to bribe Fluffles into taking a dive.
I think my favorite Blueblood interpretation is The Rummy Business of Old Blooey, which portrays him as someone straight out of Jeeves & Wooster. IIRC, in thay fic Blueblood genuinely is a self-centered doofus, but he's usually harmless. His behavior at the Gala is really an overly elaborate scheme to wiggle out of a marriage engagement he had accidentally fallen into.
4295294
I know about that one, though I stumbled into it long after I wrote this post. :) It’s actually pretty close to being canon now, if you consider Friends Forever #26.
…that'd be one reason to hate him, though? I know I've heard it stated as one before.
4305894
It is unquestionably a reason to hate him. It just doesn’t have anything to do with his character. :) It has everything to do with the position this non-character occupies in the fictional universe, instead.
I would suggest that you link forward to your analysis of said comic, as it is out, but then I mis-remembered that one cannot edit blog posts. But, you can, sooooo…
4305916
There's near a hundred of these posts and they all need to be cross-linked with next-previous links too... I'll get to it eventually. :)