We Need to Talk · 1:08am Dec 9th, 2015
About season five, the future, some other things. (No, I'm not breaking up with you.)
Now that season five has come to a close and the fandom has had a little time to cool off, I'd like to talk a little bit about the season as a whole and how that pertains to some thoughts I'm having about certain things to come.
Now that all the episodes have come out, it's safe to say this was actually a really good season in the end. Sure, we've had some hiccups along the way with poor quality episodes like Slice of Life, Make New Friends but Keep Discord, Bloom and Gloom, etc. but on the flip side we've had some really amazing episodes that really strike back to the core of what really makes the show so great, like Amending Fences, Castle Sweet Castle, and Rarity Investigates. Overall I'm happy with the content we got, but I wouldn't title this blog what I did if there wasn't some sort of caveat.
By now I doubt it's really any secret that Josh Haber isn't a particularly good writer. I gave him the benefit of the doubt with The Friendship Games since (I assume) Hasbro played a major part in cutting that movie up the way they wanted it. Now though, I can't really give him any slack. The season finale was disappointing, to put it lightly. It wasn't necessarily outright bad like The Friendship Games was, but it certianly wasn't up to par with the rest of the episodes in terms of writing quality. Starlight Glimmer's motivations were dull and contrived to say the least, the pacing was absolutely awful, her redemption just kinda happened after a short conversation, and overall the entire episode left me unsatisfied for what it built up.
I had a talk with a few friends about what I'd do better, but that's really not what I'm getting at here. I'm not going to outline my feelings on every specific episode (Though if you'd like to discuss it in the comments I'd be happy to do so). I say all this for an entirely different purpose, which is somewhat hard to explain to you guys.
Earlier in the season and around the time when The Friendship Games came out, I was somewhat distraught on my position in the fandom. To be completely honest, the first half of this season was almost entirely dull, uninspired, uninteresting episodes that I really wasn't interested in watching. I don't know how to properly explain it. They weren't outright bad, but they just weren't the kind of episode that I fell in love with this show over. That combined with the crippling dissappointment that was The Friendship Games, I was very disillusioned about what I was doing still watching this show. I came very close when the mid-season hiatus was over to just not even bothering in the first place. I'm sure this has to do with a big mix-up in the staff after that point, but that's not what I'm really getting at here.
The fact that, when I sat down and thought about it, I was completely ready to just leave the fandom behind was more than a bit concerning to me. At that point I didn't care enough for the people in the fandom or the content we were all centered around to really want to stick around it. I honestly thought I was going to just write a few more stories around here and just call it quits, since the show was going in a direction I really didn't care for, and some other concerns about furthering my writing career outside of ponies.
To put this to rest right now: I'm not leaving the fandom, not right now. I was just seriously thinking about it a few months ago.
So what I'm really trying to say is, I'm not going to be here forever. If the show ever does become a continuation of what it was during the first half of season five, I think I might lose interest completely and call it quits on this whole pone writing thing.
I'm not trying to cry out for attention, or get pissy and leave, taking down all of my stories without a word so no one could ever enjoy them again like a lot of authors around here end up doing, on reflection on my outlook from a few months ago, it was just bugging me. I felt like you guys deserved to know how I felt, and when I actually do leave, the reasons why.
On a somewhat different note, I've also been contemplating the future content I'll be producing for the site.
Lately I've had some trouble really getting into smut writing like I used to. Most of my ideas have been drawn away from sexual endeavors and more towards things I want to work to improve on, like adventure, horror, comedy, among other things. Not to say I don't still like writing smut, far from it, but I think that in the coming months I might change gears somewhat and focus work on longer stories with a bit more depth, kinda like Love of the Night, or Worn Leather (even though that one isn't really long). Despite the success of Worn Leather, I am in no way under the assumption that these stories are going to enjoy the same success as my smut stories do. I realize exactly what most of you followed me for, and I understand completely if you aren't interested in anything of any other persuasion I create. At the end of the day I write because I want to write, not because I want to appease the masses. I'd be lying if I said that seeing my notification feed fill up with follows, favorites, and comments wasn't gratifying, but in the end that isn't my main motivation.
So, yeah. Again, smut stories probably aren't going to stop completely, but they aren't entirely what I'm interested in writing right now for the most part.
Well that blog post was a bit somber. Have some qt Sunset Shimmer to brighten the mood.
Thanks for taking the time to listen.
Until next time.
Well, I'll be sticking around.
I really enjoy your stories, and "Worn Leather" actually ranks above your smut in terms of enjoyment.
Admittedly, I won't be touching your Horror stories (I'm so glad that's a genre tag now), but Adventure and Comedy sound fun!
You are literally the only person I have seen outside of /mlp/ who has good taste and dislikes that episode.
I know exactly how you feel; I, myself, haven't watched a single episode since the release of Friendship Games, nor do I have any desire to. It's as if the quality of the show has declined and the magic that once existed has faded quite drastically...
Can't speak for everyone, though *shrug*
Regardless, Holy, you're a talented author who produces some of the finest quality writing; I'll enjoy whatever your next story happens to be.
well I really like the way you make your characters so seeing a longer fic from you would be pretty awesome.
As for leaving the Fandom, A lot of the writers I follow left this site during the middle of this season for the same reason you gave lol. Glad you stuck around though.
I stopped watching after I watched Futterbat it just didn't get my attention anmore, there are much better tv shows out there
Love the Sunset images, 10/10 best waifu material of the show.
Agree broadly with your analysis, but Slice of Life was less about the show and more about the fandom so it gets a pass from me on the usual criteria.
The last season I personally watched was Season 3. I haven't even looked at 4 and 5 so I don't much to say.
The main reason I am still here is because of the stories I find. I enjoy reading, I stay to embark of many adventures, or watch romances blossom or fall, I stay to witness the awkward moments of a flustered character or the fall of a leading cast. If, you decide to write non-smut stories more often, I will wholly support you.
Consequently, if you decide to leave, I would like to believe that all of your active followers would support you.
I honestly feel like everyone hates Slice of Life JUST because things didn't go their way. I loved it. Make New Friends but Keep Discord was great too. An excellent moral for clingy people. Also, Bloom and Gloom was not all that terrible. In fact, I just feel like your lists need to be flipped. Keep in mind this MY opinion.
Nobody is sticking around forever. We are enjoying the ride as it comes. We have each other for a while. I am happy I got to read silly, silly words from someone who can deliver them well.
A good writer knows their own works and where it is heading.
You are a good writer.
I'm down to read your non-smut stories ^__^ It's sometimes a little discouraging how much attention sex garners, but understandable all the same. I think it's admirable that you're trying to expand your horizons rather than sticking to the tried-and-true, and I daresay it'll be rewarding.
I can't think too hard about FG or the S5 finale without getting irritated, but the latter half of season 5 had several very touching episodes.
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I really appreciate it, guys. It's nice to see some people who will enjoy something I create even if it's not the usual.
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I call them like I see them. Slice of Life was just a poorly paced mess of random encounters that added nothing meaningful other than fan pandering. The only scene out of that entire episode that was any good was the one between Celestia and Luna since it added a bit of depth to their relationship, otherwise it was honestly the worst episode of that entire season (and we even have an awful Spike episode to pick on, so that's saying something).
I love the sex but stories are the core of what I like from you.
Also Sunset is qt3.14
3604209 I respectfully disagree. Slice of Life was NEVER meant to contribute anything to the series as a whole. And you can't really call them out on pacing as they technically are not a serialized (if that's the correct term?), and is more sitcom like with small bits of continuity callbacks. It's not like an anime where you can have a story progress over a hundred or so episodes, especially for the target audience.
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It doesn't matter what you might imply it was meant to do; it doesn't affect my opinion of the episode. I judge episodes based on a certain criteria of narrative quality and personal enjoyment. I can completely judge this based on its poor pacing because it presented itself as a whole episode, not a disconnected series of shorts. It tried to be an episode connected by a main narrative to showcase the lives of Ponyville residents, which it did not do well at all. Every attempt at comedy fell flat, none of the characters were properly introduced or fleshed out, since it chopped their segments into tiny bits restricting such a possibility, and the entire episode was an absolute disaster of pacing since it constantly bounced from one segment to the next without having a meaningful connection or outcome to the overall plot.
You're definitely entitled to think differently, but based on the kinds of episodes I enjoy, and my standard of narrative quality that I hold all entertainment I watch/read to, this was the worst episode of season five.
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May I know your opinion on the episode The Mane Attraction? (Ep. 24)
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I thought it was really sweet, if a bit rushed. It was a nice episode about coming to terms with your own creative vision and overcoming obstacles you may not even perceive at first. I would've preferred it to be fleshed out in a little longer episode, with Rara more characterized, but i think it accomplished what it was going after in that regard anyway. I understand that time constraints are restricted somewhat. Lena Hall's performance as Coloratura was absolutely amazing, and I hope to see her again on the show someday. Overall I think it was a really good addition to the season and it's among one of my favorites. After all the great work Amy Rogers has given to the show over the years I think this was a quality episode for her to end her My Little Pony career on.
3604358 and yet, I still do not agree. And I did say this was my opinion, but I still feel that criticism is unwarranted. It never tried to be part of a larger narrative; it was a self contained episode meant to be nothing more than fan service. Literally. They are restricted by the amount of time they have and the sheer amount of characters to work with. There were quite a few scenes cut out and many things that needed to be shortened. In fact, the only reason they did this was because the Fandom literally asked for it. What did anyone expect from 20 to 30 minute timespan? A masterpiece? If so, that's too high an expectation.
Again, my opinion here, no need for hostility, but the episode should be accepted for what it was: a special episode made with no intent to have any impact on the overall arc of the season at all.
And on a side note, I rather enjoyed the comedic bits.
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I agree with your point, thank you for your opinion.
One of the downfalls of quite a few is probably time constraint. They have to cut out some characterisation or sometimes a good plot to keep within the time limit.
On another note, I have read your review on Friendship Games and although I do not bare as much hate as I've seen in your review (I agree with all the points but I cannot say I'm really angry when I watched it) I would have much preferred if they gave Sunset Shimmer her alternate scenes. I believe it was cut for time-related reasons...or do you think the plot would be terribly convoluted if this was added to the mix?
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None of that excuses its poor quality in my eyes. This episode should be held to the same standard as any other episode. Just because you say it's different doesn't deflect my criticism against it. I never said I didn't understand and accept that it was a pandering episode; I'm just stating that fact does not grant this episode any higher quality. Every other episode has to abide by the exact same time limit, and they all accomplish the narratives they set out to tell in their own relatively closed system. I held Slice of Life to no overall connection to the season as a whole, instead I held it to a connection within its own self-contained narrative. Slice of Life's overall connected aspect was the wedding; that is what I'm referring to when I said:
The comedy also consisted mainly of references and randomness that was poorly implemented to the point of incongruity, which did not help this episodes structure in the slightest. Compared to comedy used in other episodes of a higher quality, this style of humor is honestly so elementary the most it ever got out of me was a raised eyebrow at the fact that they expected this to be funny.
I'm not attacking your opinion, merely expressing my own as to why this is the worst episode of the season.
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Since you read the review, I won't have to explain my reasoning as to why the entire movie after Sunset loses the math portion needs to be thrown out. I think the movie would've been much better had they stuck to Sunset's side plot and fleshed her character out much more. The problem of time constraint rises again, but this was a straight to DVD movie, so I don't know how valid an excuse that actually is.
At any rate, they would've been better off had they focused more on one plot over the other. There's no doubt in my mind a talented writing team can accomplish both given enough screen time, since this was mostly just a side-plot after all. Considering their limit of an hour and fifteen minutes and the experience of the single writer working on it, I think it was a good decision to cut it out and focus on their main narrative, however flawed I think that may be. Not that it made the movie any better, but that side plot wouldn't have saved the movie. I would much rather see it fleshed out on its own.
Also I was so negative in that review because I was so disappointed in that movie as a whole. With the rise in quality with Rainbow Rocks it was an insult to have this follow it. As you can probably tell through fan content, this did little to stir the creative minds in our fandom the same way that Rainbow Rocks did, and it saddens me to see this arguable negligence of quality in a series that really could've shined otherwise. It was a sad step backwards in an otherwise promising series, and being a primarily humanized/eqg author and someone who enjoys EQG content, I have a massive stake in the quality of the product they give us. I saw it as kind of a kick in the teeth that they didn't care enough to put out a competent product, though I might have said a lot of this in my review already iirc.
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I know what it's like to have expectations crushed, so I can understand where you're coming from. On the bright side, the idea was there...perhaps the next EQG would focus on Sunset's desire for "proper" magic...though, given she finally understands magic in the EG universe, I don't have too much high hopes for that...
Thank you for your thoughts!
3604543 Again, other episodes have 6 to 10 characters to work with, whereas Slice of Life had way more to try and showcase. Thats something one MUST take into account.
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Making excuses for this episode is never going increase its quality. I don't care what arbitrary limitations you put on how I should adjust my expectations in relation to every other episode. This episode isn't going to suddenly shoot up in quality because I feel sorry for the hole it dug itself. Besides, your initial claim was that this episode was better than my preferred episodes, so making excuses for the quality seems kinda counter-intuitive to that, doesn't it?
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One can only hope Josh Haber doesn't end up writing the next Equestria Girls.
At any rate, I'm glad you asked! I'm happy to talk about it as long as you want to listen.
3604595 I never said it was "better", and these are not excuses, they are facts about what the writers had to work with. And I'm not trying to change your mind, but I am trying to get you to see that some of your critiques are based on things the writers can't control, and doesn't make much sense to criticize.
EDIT: Actually, let me retract that just a bit; the writers could've had control over which characters and how many to use, but wanted to badly to showcase the popular ones in one way or another. So in that aspect, you are correct in saying it is not well done. HOWEVER, I still stand by my "you can't blame the pacing" argument.
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I did not mince words when I stated that my latter list of episodes was the better of them. I don't really see any other interpretation in these words other than that you perceive this episode as better in comparison to my choices.
At this point you're trying to argue semantics. The fact of the matter is that these deflections of my criticisms are excuses. You're trying to excuse the quality of the product that we received with the factors that the writer (singular, since it was written only by M.A. Larson) had to work with. Excuses do not refute criticism. I don't think I'm unjust in any way by calling out the poor pacing of this episode, because it handled the narrative it set out to do poorly, and that's one of the reasons why. Excusing Larson from the quality because of what he had to (or wanted to) work with is not an argument against my problems with this episode, and doesn't refute it. If you could demonstrate somehow that the pacing works fine in the episode, and my problems are unfounded, then that is how you would provide evidence to combat my argument.
3604618 look, I could do this all night but I need some sleep. You can remain closed minded and holding things to way too high of a standard if you wish. But I'll leave in this note: pacing works in other episodes because the focal point is usually easily resolved or handled. We're always asking for more ambitious stories in the show, but when they give us that or what they can of that, we say it's crap.
If we hired the best writers in the Fandom to be on the writing team, the episodes that you say are subpar would not be very much better because they'd still be working under the same restrictions.
I guess I'm trying to say that 1. Don't look gift horses on the mouth. And 2. Stop holding the episodes up to standards that are reserved for more mature shows in terms of pacing.
With that I bid you farewell.
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Ah, and finally the insults come out in the open. I refuted every point you brought up with explained reasoning, yet you did not return the discussion and in the end resorted to throwing an accusation at me. I could make the same argument of close-mindedness on your case since you refuse to acknowledge most of my points and think that excuses are a good basis for a counterpoint, and resorted to insulting me. I could, but I'm not going to since I don't need to resort to insults to make my case.
You replacing the writers and imposing the same restrictions has already been refuted, since there all other episodes operate on the exact same time frame. If your reasoning of us asking too much of this show is true, then we wouldn't like any episode and this fandom would not have lasted as long as it did. The fact of the matter is that there are great episodes in this series. If you have to lower your standards to enjoy an episode, then that episode wasn't very good in the first place. It's not too much to ask for improvement across a show that's five years old at this point and in danger of stagnating. If I held every single episode to a ridiculously high standard achievable only by new york times bestsellers, then I wouldn't enjoy any of the episodes. Your sweeping generalization about my opinion of the show's standards are simply not true. The fact of the matter is that I don't do that, and the standard at which I enjoy every episode is completely reasonable. Slice of Life did not meet this reasonable standard at all. If you can back up your claims that the episode is better than do so in a civilized discussion, without throwing a baseless accusation at me.
3604630 insults? Kindly point put an insult i made. I made no such thing.
I've remained pretty calm but your last post is very haughty which is why I am responding again.
Now I'm going to be a bitch. It's a kids show. Kids have short attention spans. Pacing needs to cater to them. Its. A. Kids. Show. Say it with me. It's a kids show.
No matter how many adults are fans, it will always remain a kids show. The way you are criticizing this especially based on pacing as if it were aimed at us is pretentious and utterly stupid. If you take the show so seriously that you feel the need to keep things like this pointless argument going and then aggravating me on top of it because I disagree with your point, you are hopeless.
There, now I've insulted you. I look forward to your salty reply.
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Says the salt shaker.
OK seriously, think about this. In relation to the whole kids show thing, then explain the episode that were well paced.
I don't really care one way or another if someone dislikes an episode. I'm way too easily amused and entertained, so most of them have at least been good to me. And that's good enough FOR me.
But you are just sitting here and are now throwing insults because he dislikes it and has told you multiple times why he dislikes it, and you keep responding by beating a dead horse.
Throwing insults isn't going to help. You insulted him the first time by calling him closed-minded. He's a grown man watching a show about talking colored ponies, in a world where there's magic and pegasi, that was made for little girls. I don't think you can get much more open minded than that.
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And you have another "one" here. I don't hold personal hate to Josh Haber but like most writers, there is room for improvement. I guess I can understand it may be difficult to try pleasing both the target audience and the more mature fans of the show...but if some of the episodes can do it, I'm pretty sure there is something they can do to make it appealing to all. Also, maybe I'm a little too old for it but I don't see the original target audience appreciating this either...maybe just the "awesomeness" of the colours and transformations.
I definitely do want to listen, intellectual debates and hearing other's opinions is the fun part of reviewing over the episodes we have watched.
I commend you on keeping cool throughout the conversation with Griffin Productions. I'm glad not everybody resorts to insults when their opinion is shot at, more so with empty bullets.
Er, speaking of which, do you have a Rainbow Rocks review I could read? Evidently you liked it a lot (based off the FG review) but I can't seem to find it. Might be titled differently or hidden in a Sunset Shimmer Appreciation post...
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If you seriously can't argue your point without resorting to accusations like this, and can't even recognize that it's a baseless accusation, you seriously need to re-evaluate how you go about treating others. I'm going to ignore your continued use of insults to try to get your way, and address your main point.
Hiding behind the most used excuse of quality in this entire fandom is not a deflection of criticism. If THIS point was true, then every single episode would have zero regard for quality. Lauren Faust herself said she strives to make something that the entire family enjoyed, hiding behind "it's a kid's show" is not in any way refuting points I have made about the quality of the episode. Your argument is fundamentally flawed, since I'm here enjoying this show in the first place. You getting defensive about it when presented with actually reasoned explanations and throwing insults around like a child is something you should seriously realize is not helping you get your point across.
With this mindset you're trying to prevent any forward progress we can make in the improvement of not only our common ground of Friendship is Magic, but any medium of entertainment in general. Throwing around excuses instead of solutions is not going to make anything better. If you seriously think that any form of entertainment is above criticism and can't stand to be improved upon examination, you are the hopeless one.
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Hate is a strong word I don't throw around very often. I don't hate him for his lackluster work, I just don't expect anything of quality out of him by this point. Hopefully that changes, since he did write Castle Mane-ia iirc, one of my favorite episodes of season 4.
I don't actually have a review of Rainbow Rocks posted, but I do plan on writing one eventually just to explain my stance on the subject as well as a review of the original Equestria Girls.
I think season 5 was probably the best season of the show. Do I think some people are being too overly negative of the season? Yes. Are some of their criticisms justifiable though? Also yes. While I could go on a long tirade of why some episodes were good and why some episodes don't deserve as much hate this season (except Princess Spike), I don't have much time right now to talk about it, maybe later, but I do want to say that Slice of Life was good for what it was, a love letter to the fans. Also, even though I liked the episode I don't want them to do something like that again.
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Mm, perhaps I use it a little too loosely. I don't hate him either, and usually I don't hate people unless they do something serious, especially to people I care about or myself (I care for myself! Usually...) but definitely not over poor writing.
I look forward to the aforementioned reviews! They're always pretty fun to read, even when you get a negative vibe from it (kinda implying your FG review...)
I'm glad you're not disappearing. I really like your work, and reading it has been a blast, so knowing that I get to see more from you in the future is a good feeling.