007 Flashback: s01ep06 Boast Busters · 10:56pm Mar 30th, 2013
007 Flashback: s01ep06 Boast Busters
There is 50% chance that you’re reading this because you once read one of my Trixie-oriented stories, namely Edge of Reason (from which it all began, and which is now in a process of re-writing to raise overall quality of the fic), its direct sequel and the opening of a trilogy, Shadows of Canterlot, or currently being developed Arcane Equilibrium. You probably asked yourself at some point: why is this guy so into Trixie? Well, today, the day I watched Boast Busters for like, eleventh time, I’m making a blog post to find out.
I once said that I could probably write an essay on why I like Trixie. Below lies something that might one day be considered the basis of such a paper, but luckily-slash-hopefully it’s not boring enough to be called one now. Nevertheless, expect high amount of Trixie as I will attempt to catch the essence of what makes that mare so close to my heart.
Oh, and by the way – the 50% from my other stories are welcomed to join this adventure as well, but be warned! This is Trixieville, guys. Srs bsns.
Before I’ll irrevocably immerse myself in the pleasures of Trixieville, I’d like to take a quick look on another piece of Equestrian lore. Today’s Hitchhiker’s Guide features... space bears! More commonly known as the ursas, these siege engines of mass destruction can be found peacefully residing in the Everfree Forest. That’s right, the very same forest that every other non-pony creature lives – the ecosystem down there must be pretty messed up, between all those sea serpents, manticores and zebras.
The space bears are quite an interesting concept: their design is taken literally from the sky, and with the amount of stars and constellations up there, it is reasonable to expect that there are other similar beings in Equestria and beyond. Celestial lynx imprisoned in Tartarus for hunting lesser creatures? Sure thing! Celestial lions guarding an ancient treasure at the end of the world? You got it! Limiting only to the show itself, we can tell that they’d be powerful creatures not to be fooled around with, and it was even stated in the episode that no one can vanquish an ursa major. For Trixie’s own sake, I hope she was wrong.
Trixie: Ha! Once again, the Great and Powerful Trixie has proven herself to be the most amazing unicorn in all of Equestria. Huh, was there ever any doubt?
About two weeks ago I’ve complained about the lack of male characters in the show. I probably wouldn’t if it weren’t for Chris Savino that came with the concept of this third-person speaking mare instead of the original premise of a boastful boy unicorn. But how very different my life would be! I’m not saying that the character of Trixie shook the foundations of my worldview entirely, but thanks to that mare I took up writing fanfiction, learned how to use the GIMP software for the sake of creating covers, even made some simple pen-and-pencil drawings that I have hidden deep within my closet. And, most recently, Trixie’s ragdoll helped me gain experience in Garry’s Mod. So yeah, no more complaining about the lack of male characters – I shall, however creepy it might sound, embrace all the mares. If it was a stallion, with all those fireworks and fancy tricks... I probably wouldn’t give it a chance. And ‘giving a chance’ is something very important to my understanding of Trixie.
Trixie: Well, come on, show Trixie what you've got. Show us all.
There’s a face of Trixie on the top right filling the whole snapshot, because not having Trixie in the picture is essentially a waste of space. We all know that face from the episode – The Great and Powerful Trixie, a boastful unicorn that comes to Ponyville with her amazing one-mare show, but through the utmost stupidity of Snips and Snails has her career (and her wagon) ruined. But we all know that Trixie has many faces, thanks to the fandom. There was a poll on EQD on which is the best fanon Trixie, results of which are shown below.
The results aren’t unanimous, which is great because they really show how many different interpretations can arise around a single, one-time only character. But there is one thing in common for all of these takes: believing that there is actually more than meets the eye in that particular pony. Personally I voted on ‘nice and redeemed’, believing that there is a reason for Trixie’s obnoxious behavior, and subsequently refusing to qualify her as a villain. For all I know, she’s been wandering through Equestria alone and haven’t met a single pony to ‘give her a chance’. Haven’t had a single friend. Maybe that’s just me with sticking with those that everyone else had rejected (also irl), but Trixie definitely deserves some love, and I’m glad she’s getting it from the fandom, be that pinecones or recently popular tsundere Trixie.
Can you see it? ‘Giving a chance’ isn’t a lesson from Twilight Sparkle, or any other pony. ‘Giving a chance’ is something that we, bronies and pegasisters alike, did – through great art, music and stories! It proves that the fandom is full of good people, and if those people had applied their attitude in everyday life... well, perhaps there is still hope for this planet.
In the meantime, take a look on the middle right snapshot. Yes, the lack of Trixie there is disturbing, and yes, it’s kinda wasted space. I figured that for someone not really Trixiecentric tearing through this post might be quite a challenge, so have a checkpoint with Twilight and The Doors. Seriously, the scene is perfect: the idea, execution, faces, background music – great! Now, back to the best pony!
There are many Trixie-themed pieces out there, but I made an unwritten rule of mentioning three at once, so let’s keep to that. From the most popular... you know what, I can’t. Have ten of my favorite Trixie tracks! Because you can’t have too much Trixie.
Bad, Bad Girl by Haymaker
Live Again a.k.a. Trixie's Ballad by Metajoker/Fragmentd
Second Chances by Aviators
I Will Rise! by psychogoth
Trixie's Trix by Sim Gretina
Trixie The Pony Troll [VIP] by Alex S.
Guess Who's Back in Town by Flutter Bully
Magic [Feat. Lauren G.] by The Living Tombstone
Trixie by Forest Rain
Trixie by Lectro Dub
Trixie: Huh. You may have vanquished an ursa minor, but you will never have the amazing, show-stopping ability of the Great and Powerful Trixie!
After these words, Trixie disappeared from the show for a long time, but still resided in my heart, because... we’re very much alike, and that’s mainly why I like her as a character. Those people close to me may observe that I tend to brag and be astonishingly boastful from time to time, which feels Trixie and almost completes picture of me made of ponies. In other words, I may be Twilight Sparkle with her OCD by mind, but when it comes to my soul, it’s all Trixie inside. To be honest, I might have a slightly overgrown ego. To support this with another example: remember that scene from Iron Man 2 when Tony Stark reads a file on whether or not recommending him to the Avengers Initiative? That’s just about me:
Mr. Stark displays... textbook narcissism?
...
Agreed.
~Prane
Personally, I've always appreciated Trixie because she's the perfect OC. Everyone knows her character, she is (generally) well-liked, and there are enough holes in her back story for people to do whatever they want with her. You covered that in here. Therefore you must be awarded a bunny:
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