An idea for the pile... · 6:36pm Sep 25th, 2018
With season 8 mostly over and anything but impressive to me aside from a few isolated episodes--which almost invariably were standalone stories having nothing to do with the greater season arc--I'm starting to come back to a thought I had earlier when I ranted about season 8 a few months ago.
I said then my canon cuts off with the end of season 7, and unfortunately, there’s been little to dissuade me from that as the latest season has gone on. I’ve certainly enjoyed episodes like The Washouts or Fake it til you Make It (which I consider one of the all-time greats!), but I consider the bulk of season 8 to be a very subpar and unworthy entry in the MLP canon, especially coming on the heels of an excellent season 7 as it did. Nevertheless, I did at least enjoy the MLP movie that season 8 canonized even if I thought it completely contrary to existing canon, as well full of massive and gaping plot holes.
The idea of a fix-fic for the movie was suggested in both my earlier blog and the comments section, and the more I've thought about it, the more tempting it is. So... here's what I'm considering doing:
Before, I suggested that I'd explore what happened if the Storm King entered one of my verses, with the point being to show him getting completely curbstomped for it. But now...? I'm thinking differently. I believe what I'd like to do is write a true fix-fic: something that rewrites and enhances the story to correct and address all the violations of canon, plug all the plot holes, and explain how, exactly, the Storm King and Tempest Shadow was able to overcome the princesses, why the Royal Guard and ponies couldn't fight back, why Twilight didn't dare use her magic except minimally, and the whereabouts of the Pillars of Harmony during all this.
It would not take place in one of my verses so much as assume the events of them, like the great wars and pony warriors of the past. It would also end in a suitably epic battle that not just the ponies but the freed and the infuriated princesses themselves participate in. And at the very end... a different (but not unhappy) fate for Tempest Shadow, one that turns the idea of founding a school in the invasion's aftermath at least slightly on its head.
It's not like I don't have plenty on my writing plate and planned already, but I'm officially throwing this idea out there. Thoughts? Would folks read this? If so, it’d be something I’d consider writing starting next year, when I’ve got at least one of my two active stories finished.
I am one hundred and ten percent down for that. If and when you write it, I will read it.
I enjoyed this season a fair bit. Certainly not my least favorite season. Any series is gonna have a couple of seasons that don't stand up to some of the really standout ones, and I'm not really a fan of fix-fics. But still, you're a skilled author and the idea sounds so interesting that even I'm kind of intrigued. So yeah. I think I'll be interested.
As I've probably mentioned before, the second it was clear that Season 8 was going to focus on the School and School Kids, I would have been shocked if it was good. I am at least glad there have been a few good episodes despite this.
As for the story idea, I would certainly check it out. 'Fix Fics' are always tough to do well as you need to tread a very fine line when re-writing canon while attempting to stay close to it.
You seem to be biting off more than you can chew here. Honestly, I would just let go of your anger, and let go of your hate. Achieve serenity with the cosmos!
I don't think that Season 8 was THAT bad. However, if you have a fixfic in the works for the MLP movie, try it! Given what you did to flesh out Turnabout Storm (shipping nothwithstanding), I would certainly love to see what you do with the MLP movie. Do it!
4943720
I agree with this. Season 8 has indeed been pretty subpar (I'd say the second weakest season, right after Season 3), but doing a fix fic is hard as hell to do right. If you decide you will do it, tread carefully.
4943675
So noted!
4943706
Cool. That’s two, then...
4943720
You’re right; fix-fics are tough and tricky to pull off. I think I could do it; the only question is do I really want to with everything else I’ve got going on and several new stories already planned, including a third Unleash the Magic story and the next chapter in the Phoenixverse.
4943728
Yeah, probably. It’s just gauging interest; even if I decided to do it I wouldn’t be writing it before the middle of next year at the earliest.
4943896
Appreciate it! And yes, I guess writing this would basically be giving the movie the Turnabout Storm treatment, sans shipping.
4943922
Glad you agree. And definitely sage advice. It’ll be a while before it happens (if it does), so I have plenty of time to think about it.