Starlight Glimmer: An Analysis · 1:11pm Jun 5th, 2015
This is an essay I wrote shortly after the premiere; it still contains most of my thoughts about Starlight Glimmer, so I thought it would be worth posting. Worth noting is that this was originally posted on another website; I've edited it to take account of that, but apologies if some context has been lost.
Starlight is possibly the most fascinating villain in MLP. She's another "dark reflection" of Twilight, like Trixie or Sunset, which did have me a little concerned that the trope might be wearing itself out, but I think they did enough with her to make it fascinating instead.
Like Sunset, the narrative draws attention to the similarities between Twilight and Starlight. Again, their names are suspiciously similar. I've had a theory for a while that Cheese Sandwich- with his celebrity voice and apperance, "tragic" backstory and powers that surpass Pinkie's- is intended as a commentary on fan OC's. That theory might also provide some basis for analysing Starlight; considering how much of Starlight's dialogue and philosophy is based on "Everypony is equal", it might be worth considering whether the creators are commenting on a context where the people who make the show (canon) and the fans (fanon) are "equal" and it's difficult to tell which is which- maybe especially apt given the upcoming hundredth episode, featuring the background ponies the fans have created.
Besides that, though, the show goes to lengths to point out their similarities. Starlight's goal (and her boast to show she's right) is that she created harmony within the town- and after four seasons (and with the Princess of Freindship as a mane character) 'Harmony' has been established as a good thing, the thing Twilight and co are trying to get. Seeing it appropriated by Starlight makes the similarities between Twilights mission and her own more apparent. Not to mention the moment at the end when, with Starlight cornered, Twilight herself draws attention to the fact that they are similar characters.
I once described Sunset Shimmer as "pony Darth Vader"; Starlight is MLP's version of Amon, from Legend of Korra. The two share similar goals (with equal signs being pretty obvious comparisons to benders being equalised), but there are other cues which kind of make the comparison unavoidable for me. Just as Amon covered his bloodbending with mystical powers granted by the spirits, Starlight covers her cutie mark by claiming it was the magic of a staff that did it. Just as Equalised benders become apathetic, losing some of their color and the light in their eyes, the townsfolk go in the opposite direction, with forced smiles and cheer. Like Amon, Starlight is defeated thanks to her followers discovering her deception.
And, like Amon, there is enough ambiguity and doubt about Starlight's motives and intentions that fans can argue over her character for days. She kept her own cutie mark, and when she extracted the mane six's, she made special reference to their talents; there is just enough room there that I thought the finale was going to reveal Starlight was hoarding the cutie marks for her own benefit, stealing other ponies special talents so that she could get ahead. The fact that she doesn't go that route gives her message a hint of legitamacy. yes, she lied to her followers about having her own cutie mark- but as she says, everything else she said was true, and she needed her magic to be able to cast the spell in the first place.It makes a fascinatingly layered character- which almost makes me dread her return, since by peeling back those layers, since the writers will have to assign more meaning to her actions.
On the other hand, if they continue to present her as ambiguously as they do, forget best villian; Starlight Glimmer could end up as the shows best character.
Anyway, aside from Pony!Amon and Evil!Twilight, there was another feeling I got from Starlight- that of a twisted Cherrilee. Part of that was the actress- I thought their voices were simialr, but apparently they are different actresses, so whatever- but her role also fits that paradigm. Like Cherilee, she presents herself as a teacher, and just as Cherrilee's first appearance had her discussing the importance of cutie marks, Starlights is about discussing the importance of equal signs. There's even a few lines in the 'In Our Town' song that fit that vibe. There is a military aspect to it (with everyone marching), but Starlights cheerfulness, and her line about how "Now Everypony wins!" reminds me of school events, where winners recieve medal- and everyone else gets a medal just for competing. "Everybody is a winner!". Starlight can come across as an overbearing teacher, or a soccer mom, or a member of the moral police, making sure that nobody feels left out - by erasing everyone else accomplishments.
(Which might be added to by her line about "looking to see we're all here", like a parent on a field trip.)
It's kind of an interesting subject. I always liked the line in the Incredibles, when Dash responds to his mom's insistence that everyone is special by saying that means that "Nobody is". MLP takes place in a world where your special talent the thing that makes you special and unique- is on display to everyone. But we've seen the results of that; some cutie marks are, objectively "more powerful" than others (Twilights affinity for magic vs Trixies stage shows, for instance- or being able to Hula Hoop real good). Starlight wants to make everyone equal by taking away the things that make people unique. In pony-terms, that means there being no differences between Earth Ponies, Unicorns or Pegasi; no cutie marks, no differing mane styles, no differing dance moves. In the real world, that means saying that one person has nothing different about them than anyone else- which is a pretty slippery slope that leads towards erasing different cultures and experiences entirely, and assimilating cultures, which is not a good thing.
The reason I say it's interesting is that it's a contrast to something in the Rainbow Rocks film. In their opening song, the Dazzlings sow discord and anarchy amongst the student body- and their lines are telling.
"Why pretend we're all the same/When some of us shine brighter"... "It doesn't matter who you hurt/If you're just proving you're the best".
Starlight is advancing a policy where everyone is the same, and there are no differences between ponies; the Sirens inspire conflict by encouraging everyone to be different and assert cultural dominance. And both sides are wrong and opposed by Twilight Sparkle and co.
(Of course, the Dazzlings don't care about cultural stuff, and are only trying to cause conflict- but given they talk about the best at singing, while singing and are known as the Sirens, it's pretty clear that they are the best in that field, at least in their minds. Whereas Starlight doesn't equalise herself, but acts as if she has; she directs the town, but that's more because she's their founder, rather than using her position and power to coerce them.)
Anyway, it's a neat contrast to me, since it makes a pretty interesting message. Rather than being "all the same" or equal, it presents the third option; everypony (and thus, everyone) is different. But their also equal. We all have different talents and skills, but that doesn't make one person (or pony) better than another- and trying to deny or take away from the things that make someone special is wrong. It's a message the show has presented before - like with Trixies first appearance, or 'Flight to the Flag' - but this episode reiterates that important theme.
And, on another point- was I the only one who got a "This is Halloween" vibe from the song? The Equal Sign town kind of fits the whole "Nightmare before Christmas" Halloweentown pitch by having a place where it's one holiday. The music itself was okay - a little atonal, but I think that's intentional to emphasis there is something wrong with it- but there was just something about the beat of it that seemed odd to me.
Interesting concept to say the least. I did enjoy reading this I must admit, I found the theory interesting. And wow, another comparison to Amon, speaking of which I REALLY need to watch Legend of Kora don't I?... Eh, once I'm done reading Scott Snyder's Batman run and get some more writing done. Anywho, really good topic to read about! Analysis was quite well done, and I'm looking forward to seeing you're theory on how Dash and Fluttershy weren't really friends. With that said, am I the only one who thought the meeting and 'friendship' between Gilda and Rainbow Dash was kind of a rehash of Dash and Fluttershy? Sorta kinda?
3175429
... and, for that matter, Rainbow Dash's friendship with Scootaloo. Dashie tends to view herself as a Protector of the Weak.
3175429
3196407
Sorry; I've been meaning to get that post written up, but I want to rewatch all of season one, and then the major Flutterdash episodes of the following seasons. In brief though, my opinion is that it's possible for someone to protect others while not actually liking them (which is how I interpret Dash's actions in season one), and that a major sub-theme of the first season is about the Remane Five becoming friends with each other, rather than being ponies who have a common friend in Twilight.
(Which obviously is stuff I really need to elaborate on, and will whenever I make my post... but to me, Rainbow and Fluttershy becoming friends over the course of season one fits that theme more to me than them being lifelong friends does.)
3199397
I think that Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy were very close as fillies, drifted apart in adulthood, and then reconnected due to their adventures together. That's the way I wrote Dragonshyness, anyway.