Fanfic Review: Different Strokes · 7:11pm Apr 30th, 2013
My first attempt of a fanfic review
I'll try to avoid spoilers but be aware that this review will contain some spoilers for the three first chapters or so.
Most MLP fanfic centers either on the mane6, supporting characters or background ponies and even the ones that focus on OC character usually includes at least one character from the earlier mentioned categories.
Different Strokes says "FUCK THAT SHIT!" and introduces a whole new cast of ponies to the board, you won't see a single familiar face in this entire fic!
Yeah sure, Twilight, Vinyl, Octavia and the Princesses are mentioned like once each in passing mention but they have litterally no impact whatsoever in the story, is never seen (yet at least) and has obviously no spoken parts.
Not crazy enough for you? Well then, how about a enterily new location?
That's right, Different Strokes takes place at a art college called Camden instead of any established location.
Well known locations are mentioned tough and actually have some role in the story, one of the two main characters, Gentle Strokes for example hails from Dodge Junction.
So, we have established what Different Stroke isn't, but what is it?
I guess a comedy with gay romance tossed in for good meassure would be a pretty apt description.
I think our dear author will disagree and toss around that and call it "a gay romance with some comedy tossed in for good meassure" but really, the humour really steals the show in this fic while the romance wich is the main story focus takes the backseat to some of the more stupid shit that keeps happening at this art college.
Yeah, I have taken quite the detour, I'm aware of that, but lets introduce the three most important characters!
Gentle Strokes
Gentle Strokes is a bitter alcoholic art student from Dodge Junction who spends his weekend in a bar close to Camden to escape from the sheer stupid that seemingly oozes from the college. He opens up after he meets the much carefree and (seemingly) happier Stormy. This being a gay romance, I'm sure you guys can figure out what this leads to.
Stormy
Stormy is the son of a rich bussiness pony from Manehatten (a bit cliche but I don't really mind) who are kind of the family's black sheep. Instead of going into finance like his brother or joining the royal guard like his cousin, Stormy decides to apply to Camden, much to his fathers annoyance.
Stormy's most notable traits is his "happy go luck" attitude around everypony else and the fact that he's slept with close to every gay colt on campus, wich is a feat by itself. All is not well in the life of our favorite pony manwhore tough as the constant one night stands and alcohol is starting to take its toll. There's something missing, he refuses to think it's the need of some actual love and attachment, but we all know what happens don't we?
Jagged Horn
This guy..this guy right here steals the entire show. Jagged Horn is Stormy's beyond retarded and stupid roommate who sniffs salt like it was air, drinks bourbon like it was water and eats (stolen) pain killers (and other medicine) like it was M&M candies. While he's for the most part just a comedic character who you laugh at (sometimes with). Much like Stormy, he's extremely sexually active, holding the record (or so it seems) on the numbers of mares laid by a single stallion in the school, a fact that Jagged Horn is very proud of. It should be noted that beneath the rowdy, stupid substance abusing freak of nature lives a pony that geniually cares for Stormy and always (tries) to stand up for his friend and speak well for him...when he's not pulling mean pranks on him that is.
Everything Else + What I Tought About It
Different Strokes centers about Gentle Strokes and Stormy's budding relationship and the parties (and frankly, high amounts of stupid) that follows.
While those two are supposed to be the main characters, it's secondary characters like Jagged Horn, White Mane (got his own spin off fic) and Mocha Roast that steals the show. Gentle Strokes and Stormy is responsible for the cute, fluffy stuff wich while being cute and fluffy lacks a little something I just can't put my finger on. Their romantic cuteness and interactions are enjoyable, don't get me wrong, but it just doesn't hold a candle to the humour that surrounds them.
Going into this fic, I honestly didn't expect a whole lot since the setting didn't intresst me at all and I quickly realized that some of the main themes in the fic (parties, alcohol and drugs) really didn't appeal to me at all. The fic is quite slow the first one and a half chapter as well as we spend most of the first chapter only seeing Gentle Strokes bad sides (being a sad, pessemistic drunk) and then have to trudge through half of the second chapter of Stormy being a massive asshole before we start to even somewhat like the main characters. Thank Celestia that Jagged Horn was around during chapter 2, at least he's funny when he's a major ass.
So I guess it says alot about Guy_Incognito's excellent writing when I say that I couldn't stop reading it after I was done with the second chapter.
Not only does he has a way with words that bears the mark of an unpolished gem of an author but he can also conjure up some scenarios and ideas that are so incredibly stupid that they simply become genius.
So if you like some cute gayness, drunk/high ponies doing stupid shit and a overall high level of retarded?
Then I recommend this fic!
It starts off slow but it becomes highly enjoyable about halfways through chapter 2 and it just keeps getting better.
Yes, even you there in the corner that for some reason I don't even know follow me that doesn't like gay ponies, even you might like it if you enjoy anything that has been mentioned.
Although, if you are like me and don't enjoy the setting and unlike me are unwilling to trudge through 1.5 slow, annoying chapters, then you really shouldn't bother with this one.
Now, Guy_Incognito, I only have one request:
Make it Mature and give me some god damn porn!
This might be the most retarded "review" any of you have ever read but eh, I had fun writing it.
Comment if you would like to see more of this shit!
You can of course also comment if you tought it was fucking retarded and want me to never do it again, but I can't promise I'll care :)
I don't know what I did to earn such a well worded and in depth review from you, Turai, but boy am I glad for whatever it was. This was a fantastically ego-boosting read and, to be fair, you really gave it your all and nailed all the pros and cons of the story.
I can't think of another review that was as lengthy and well rounded as yours was, I'm delighted.
P.S. I was a baby writer on the site and I figured a 'Teen' rating would be all encompassing for a story that has such a niche audience (M/M and O.C. are both like 'Poison' in terms of what the readers on this site really look for)
But, low and behold, in my spare time I've been working on a few quick little one shot clops about Stormy and Strokes that I'll publish eventually. For now, you should check out either The Casting Couch or the Spinoff There's Something About White Mane for all your Homo Sex Cloppy needs
Hehehe... Guy... You may wanna send him that one thing...
The piper pic
Or the other one...
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