Update · 1:47am Jun 3rd, 2018
At the end of Season 7, I was excited about what the next season would bring with the return of the Pillars of Ancient Equestria. Then I found out that the show was adding yet another group of new characters. Okay, this could still be interesting. The different species have world-building potential. And I like the new-new characters, but they're underdeveloped, at least from what I've seen so far. But I was far more interested in watching the Pillars get reacquainted with their surroundings. Hell, they should teach at the Friendship School – it's not like they have any current obligations, and most of them would make better teachers than most of the Mane Six (at least the way I write them).
I guess this is part of the reason I'm not as invested in this season as I have been in the last few seasons. I thought I liked the direction the show was going, but then it took a sharp 90 degree turn, and I'm not confident that the writers are giving the school aspect the attention it deserves. It's like they want to change things but they also want to play it safe (and use abandoned scripts from the first couple of seasons, apparently). Don't get me wrong, I'm still following fan reactions and watching some episodes, but I don't have cable, so it's hard for me to find good versions of many of the episodes, including "Marks for Effort." I used to be able to watch them on Youtube as they came out, but thanks to the leaks, Hasbro/DHX have policed their content more than ever. Not that I blame them.
It's a good thing that the fanfics I'm focusing my attention on - “So You Escaped From Limbo” and the sequel to “Earth Ponies Are Overpowered” - don't require any knowledge of S8. The “Earth Ponies Are Overpowered” continuity mostly ignores anything after S5, in fact.
I'm more than half finished with the final chapter to “Limbo,” and after that I promise I'll give priority to the “Overpowered” sequel. No more distractions. The only thing that might get in the way is work, but my work week has been cut from 56 hours to 50 hours, so we'll see.
Not enough focus on the school? Haven't watched MLP, so I don't know, but out of focus do you think is the school?
I know what you mean about them dumping the Pillars after showcasing them in both the last season AND the comics. I feel deprived of all the AMAZING stories we could have about them! BTW, PM me if you want an alternate source for the episodes. I know of one.
I think one of the Pillars is making an appearance this season, from what I heard, but that's hardly much expansion on their stories on the writer's part. I feel as let down as during the dry spell inbetween the appearances of King Sombra. Thank the Goddess we have FIMFic and all these wonderful writers to fill that empty void when our favorite pastel ponies are absent from the screens
There was nothing to suggest the Pillars would become regular characters. The two-parter even ended with them making plans to split up and explore the modern-day Equestria, not stay in Ponyville like Starlight did.
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I believe two of the Pillars are getting episodes this season.
Although I have ways of watching the show without cable or youtube, I don't. I didn't really like season six, to the point where I only watched about half of season seven. I ended up hating the season seven finale so much that I effectively gave up on the show. I haven't watched any of season eight and I hesitate to call myself a brony anymore. My account on this site is my last connection to the fandom.
My point? If you're still watching the show at all that's better than some of us, but if you're no longer enjoying it you shouldn't force yourself.
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I never expected the Pillars to be in every episode, but I did expect them to be referenced more than just busts in a school - especially since last season had an entire thematic arc building them up as characters.
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Yeah, I know you had issues with the S7 finale, but I still love it even though it's not perfect. And I thought the episode this season with Celestia and the play was really strong, but the others have ranged from okay to bad. I'm not even close to quitting the show/fandom, but at the same time, I'm not as worried about spoilers as I used to be - a sure sign that I'm beginning to lose interest.
Yeah, it's disappointing we haven't seen anything of the pillars yet.
Nice to hear there's going to be a sequel to Earth Ponies Are Overpowered. It's the story of yours I liked best, so I'm excited about reading more in that continuity!