Top Ten Stallions, Version 2 (Post Season 4) · 1:12am Aug 15th, 2014
Well, it took me a while to consider if I should make this list, but I figured enough of a change occurred to warrant this list. Here's the original list. Look over it and familarize yourself with it.
Season 4 didn't introduce a ton of stallions, we only got a few here and there. Let's see which ones, if any, made it onto the list, who stayed on, and who got knocked off.
10. Bulk Biceps a.k.a Roid Rage/Snowflake
Why he moved down: It was nice to see him again, even if his canon name isn't exactly the most original or creative. And he created a popular new ship called Flutterbulk. Unfortunately, the episode that canonized his name made it look like a bad flyer. And that wasn't the only problem of the episode. His inclusion in "Equestria Games" wasn't that good either, it seems like he just slowed down the Ponyville team. I do have one interesting headcanon for him though, based off a fanmade comic, I consider him to be Featherweight's older brother.
9. Thunderlane
Why he moved down: Thunderlane was apparently part of the Ponyville air sprinters team, and unfortunately was just used to drop the ball with exposition in "Rainbow Falls". He's still rather enjoyable in his other appearance, which is why he hasn't been removed. Not to mention, Rarilane is still a popular ship. One thing that should be mentioned, that wasn't him in "It Ain't Easy Being Breezies". It was a similar design, but it wasn't exactly the same.
8. Filthy Rich
Why he moved down: It was nice to see him pop up again as a background character in "Testing, Testing, 1, 2, 3", but we still know very little about him. He still doesn't have his own character tag yet, and his potrayal in fanfics vary heavily. Sometimes he's abusive in them, and sometimes he's blisfully unaware of Diamond Tiara's behavior. Other times, he's actively trying to teach Diamond Tiara a lesson. Recently, it's speculated that Suri Polomare might have been his wife, and that the two of them are now divorced.
7. Mr. Cake a.k.a Carrot Cake
Why he moved down: I don't really see what the point was of adding him to the opening if he and his wife weren't going to have increased appearances, or have bigger roles. The only episode where he had any spoken dialogue was his brief scene in "It Ain't Easy Being Breezies". I'm hopeful we'll at least see more of him in Season 5.
6. Braeburn
Why he moved down: Braeburn had a few cameos in Season 4 whenever Appleloosa popped up. Apparently, with the exception of Tirek's invasion in pursuit of Earth Pony magic, life in Appeloosa is rather peaceful. I would like to hear from him again, but he's not high on the list of characters that deserve more screen time.
5. Fancy Pants
Why he moved down: Haven't really seen him since his cameo in "Too Many Pinkie Pies". Much of his appeal still stands, though some people still constantly try to find ways to ship him with Rarity. But otherwise, there's not a lot to say about him. He's still good, but other characters easily outshine him.
4. Soarin
Why he stayed the same: If there's anything good "Rainbow Falls" had going for it, it's that we got to see more of Soarin. He's not just a goofball, he's a rather strong flyer. And The Wonderbolts ace in the hole. I do think he forgave Spitfire and Fleetfoot a bit too quickly for what they tried to do to him, but as I've stated before, my theory is that the events of "Rainbow Falls" were a secret test by The Wonderbolts to see how loyal Rainbow Dash really was. Of course, it seems like Soarin now has a weakness for more than just pies, but who can blame him?
3. Shining Armor
Why he moved down: This season, it seemed like poor Shining Armor was a throwaway character after the events of "Three's A Crowd" unintentionally implied that he couldn't keep his wife happy. There wasn't anything to imply this in his on-screen appearances in "Equestria Games" and "Twilight's Kingdom, Part 2", but the implications are still there. I'm sure I'm just looking too deeply into things, but the DHX staff should think through what they're writing a little more carefully, just make to sure they aren't unintentionally suggesting the wrong thing.
2. Big Macintosh
Why he moved down: What madness is this?! Why is the most obvious example of a male character on the show no longer number 1?! Is the world as we know it coming to an end?! No, please allow me to explain. Big Macintosh is still probably the first character you think of when you think of show canon stallions, and probably always will be. It wasn't any surprise when he got added to the title sequence. But recently his dialogue seems to have mostly been reduced to "Eeyup" and "Eenope". I know they already gave a believeable reason for it, but it still wouldn't hurt to have Big Macintosh speak normally every now and then. Also, in "Leap of Faith", he look really unnatural without that shoulder harness. And if "Pinkie Apple Pie" is anything to go by, he sinks like a rock. The question now is, WHO could replace him as the number 1 stallion of all time?
1. Cheese Sandwich
Why he was added: I don't think it comes as a surprise that Cheese Sandwich would appear on this list at some point. What probably is a surprise, is the fact that he's number 1. Well, Cheese Sandwich is the most complete one-shot character we've been introduced to so far. As I've said before, not only is he a ponyfied Weird Al to a T, but he's also a good rule 63 version of Pinkie Pie. Pretty much everything about him is impossible not to like. He looks great, sounds great, sings great, and even dances great. And he's a master of many talents outside of throwing parties. When you consider all of that, and the chemistry he shares with Pinkie Pie, it's hard not to think he deserves a spot among the best male characters this show has to offer. And in this case, everything I've said about him, is enough to warrant giving him the number 1 spot by a narrow marigin.
And there you have it. Quite a surprise, wouldn't you agree?
Nice list, though there was ONE thing (that you may or may not count, at least I count it...) you forgot about Mr Cake:
He had a brief singing part with his wife in the beginning of "Pinkie Pride" where they sung:
"She planned our first foal shower where we played all sorts of games, having so much fun as we choose Pound and Pumpkins names"
2372005 Well, it's pretty easy to forget that. Still, it doesn't really tell us much of anything that we didn't already know, except that they chose the names for their children before they were born.
2372559
Know, just wanted to point it put.
2372842 It really doesn't have anything to do with shiping potential. It's just that, Thunderlane's most recent appearance was a terrible one, whereas the last time we saw Fancy Pants was in a harmless cameo back in Season 3.