Top Ten Stallions, Version 5 · 3:57am Nov 5th, 2017
Season 7 really ramped it up with the strong male characters, at least among the stallions. Part of that probably had to do with the fact that we met two fathers of the mane six (Bow Hothoof and Bright Macintosh), and another got a big role in an episode, and another stallion with family relations was made an important part of an episode. And it doesn't seem like there were any Zephyr Breeze or Sky Stinger characters to drag down the list. You know the drill by now about these lists, it's the result of my opinion so please respect it. Here's the fourth version. Let's see who's on the list, and who isn't.
10. Soarin
Why he moved down: Poor Soarin, it's a really hard fall from grace for someone who once came within striking distance of the top spot two seasons ago. The problem is, Soarin didn't really get much to make a name for himself this season. He was only present for two episodes, both of which had Rainbow Dash as a major character, and even then his roles didn't amount to much. About the only major change he saw, is that some are saying SoarinDash is dead now that Rainbow Dash doesn't like pies at all. But honestly, pies was more of a reason to ship with Soarin with Applejack than Rainbow Dash, so I don't see the ship as dead and buried. I just have to wonder why anyone thinks Soarin and Applejack would get into a relationship, just because Applejack sold him an apple pie at the gala. That scene doesn't scream ship fuel to me, and if pies are really such an important part of Soarin's character than wouldn't that be a motivator to pair him up with Pinkie Pie, who actually makes pies all the time? Pinkie Pie and Soarin seem to be closer in personality.
9. Starswirl The Bearded
Why he was added: Come on, you didn't really think a character the show had been teasing us with information about for years, wasn't going to be on the list when he finally made his grand debut in the series proper? It was inevitable that Starswirl would appear on the list somewhere, with or without his fellow stallion pillars. Really, the only thing to explain is why he's so low on the list. As understandable as it was, given what we knew of him and the time he was initially around, he was still kind of a jerk. Yes, he realized his mistake and apologized, but it seems he may have had an unintended negative effect on the pillars in that his aggressive "No questions asked" leadership policy denied them a chance to patch things up with Stygian before he turned to darkness.
8. Shining Armor
Why he moved down: Oh how the mighty have fallen. Shining Armor rose all the way to the top last season, particularly because of his role in "The Crystalling" and "The Times They Are A Changeling", even though they still at times handicapped him with parenting jokes or making him the one not convinced a changeling could ever be nice at all. But he made up for it that same season by demonstrating why he was Captain of the Royal Guard and that he takes his position seriously. This season though, his biggest role was just making him a butt monkey in "Once Upon a Zepplin". The airsick jokes got old after the first time they attempted it, and all it did was just raise the question of why Shining Armor was added at all if they were just going to make jokes at his expense. Writing him out of the episode to watch Flurry Heart probably would've worked out for the better, even if some fans would've complained. I suppose his small role in "A Flurry of Emotions" wasn't bad, his and Cadence's B plot was the saving grace of the episode, but a small role that handled him well can't make up for a large role in which he wasn't.
7. Night Light
Why he was added: Sure, he's not a newcomer in terms of actual character, but when it comes to what his character is "Once Upon a Zepplin" really helped Night Light to stand out and attract attention. Basically, it seems he's where Twilight got her OCD from, since like her has a love of organization. But at the same time he's supportive of his wife's thrill seeking nature, as much as he may joke about how she never truly wants to relax. That right there is the sign of a healthy relationship. It's a tad bit of a bummer that Andrew Francis didn't reprise the role, but the new voice actor did a splendid job. If there's one thing to find fault with though, unlike his wife, Night Light didn't seem to be aware his own daughter was crying after she missed the Northern Stars. Definitely a case of "Failed a spot check".
6. Cheese Sandwich
Why he moved down: This is the first major drop in the rankings for Cheese, and it's largely because he's absent from the show. Slight spoilers for the movie: He had a small cameo in it, but it was non-speaking and only for one scene. It'd be nice to bring him back, especially seeing as Weird Al hasn't rescinded his offer to come back and record again, even if he seems to now be busy with Milo Murphy's Law, the spiritual successor to Phineas and Ferb (it's done by the same people and I've heard good things about it). I'm still a sucker for CheesePie, but any screen time for Cheese would be nice. The role was made for Weird Al, but it gives him a chance to show off a bit of his range.
5. Grand Pear
Why he was added: Quite the tragic figure if you really think about it. His feud with Granny Smith, cost him his daughter and because he was so angry he not only cut ties with her for marrying an Apple, but also never kept in touch and never saw his daughter alive again. By the time he realized his mistake and moved back to Ponyville to try and patch things up, two of his grandkids are already fully grown adults who never knew he existed, and the third, though still a child, was unaware he was her grandfather as well. He seems to have gained a better outlook on life now, if his cameo in "It Isn't the Mane Thing About You" is any indication, as he now serves customers alongside Granny Smith. It'd be nice if William Shanter could return to reprise the role in the future, but he's getting kind of long in the tooth so I don't know if he'd be up to guest starring again, unlike Weird Al or John De Lancie who are readily available.
4. Thunderlane
Why he returned: Thunderlane was only present on the first Top Ten Stallions list, after which he dropped off. But oh boy did he come back in a big way! Though he was shown briefly as a Wonderbolt during "Parental Glideance", Thunderlane appeared in flight suit and everything in "Marks and Recreation". At first he seemed ignorant of his brother Rumble's ambitions (and his voice certainly didn't help), but once it was revealed that he knew all about Rumble's cutie mark concerns and had been hoping for the camp to steer him straight (probably should've been more clear about what he wanted, kids aren't exactly skilled at picking up on subtlety) there was just no way to deny he was making a name for himself. His part in the resolution was both written well, and very touching, he really was the only one who could get through to Rumble and make him see what the Cutie Mark Crusaders already knew but didn't know to convey. Supposedly, Thunderlane's voice actor, Trevor Devall, moved to Los Angeles recently, but he was still able to record his lines in spite of this. I don't know if it was just a temporary stay, or if Trevor is permantely residing in LA from now on.
3. Star Tracker
Why he was added: Sure, he's a bit of a stalker fanboy, and at times he can be a little creepy, but he really does mean well. The episode doesn't try to potray him as an example of an entire fandom, in fact it shows that he has respect and is willing to listen when he senses Twilight and her family would like their privacy. Heck, him standing up to Iron Will more than makes up for some of the stuff he put Twilight through. And I can't deny it, he's adorable (when he's not invading Twilight's personal space that is). Besides, I don't think he knew that the raffle contest prize was getting to be an honorary member of Twilight's family, that's more on Iron Will for exploiting his patrons without their knowledge or consent. Haven't seen a lot of stuff shipping him and Twilight, but I think he makes for a better love interest at the moment than Flash Sentry, by a good deal I might add.
2. Sunburst
Why he moved up: The last three episodes of the season really did a lot to make Sunburst stand out and become his own character. Heck, "Uncommon Bond" was very much his episode just as it was Starlight's. But he and Twilight interact really well too, as "Shadow Play" made clear. And his magical abilities seem to have come a long way if he was able to help Starswirl and the pillars open up a portal, and assist Twilight and Starlight with another. Now if only they'd bothered to explain his absence from "A Flurry of Emotions". I know he doesn't reside in Ponyville, but surely he could come down and watch Flurry Heart on short notice if he didn't have prior engagements. Oh, and Sunburst was also more or less involved with the Legends of Magic series, mostly just so the series wouldn't be simply telling stories about the pillars that establish them prior to the finale.
1. Big Macintosh
Why he returned to the top: After spending all of last season being just a "Eeyup"/"Eenope" character, Big Macintosh returned to speaking more frequently and getting some attention on his own. His performance and role in "Hard to Say Anything" alone would've justified bumping him back up to the top spot. It's nice to see that he can talk normally, even when it seems like that only happens when he's really distraught. But "The Perfect Pear" also gave him some non focus speaking time, most noticeably when he comes back briefly to talk to Burnt Oak. That little interaction there speaks volumes. As for his relationship with Sugar Belle, well actually it's not their chemistry that bothers me as I feel like "Hard to Say Anything" did give them some stuff to work with, it's the distance. I just don't see either partner willing to uproot and leave their home town to be with the other, and neither do I think either is looking for a long distance relationship. I think they'll date for a while out of curiosity, but ultimately it won't work out and they'll just agree to be friends and keep in touch.
And there you have it. Come back tomorrow, when we'll update the list of the Top Ten Mares.
I'm sad that Pharynx didn't make it on this list.
I agree, soarin had Really a Bad Time
4717540 He's not really a stallion, so he couldn't have made the list anyway. That's part of the reason why Discord and Spike aren't on the list either.
Here's my personal top 5:
1. Cheese Sandwich
2. Bright Mac
3. Bow Hothoof
4. Soarin
5. Sunburst