Ugh, writing ideas · 7:55pm Oct 7th, 2018
Much as I've said the problem with S8 is that it hasn't been inspiring me, the last two episodes, for all that I liked neither one, kind of have. And I wanna talk about stuff, dammit! D:
Okay, so... let's say you didn't like the kirin episode. :B I know, I know, that pretty much only applies to me, but, for the sake of argument, let's say you were gonna tear it down and rebuild it from the ground-up, completely anew.
What story elements do you think would be necessary to retain in order for it to be recognizable as that episode?
I mean, the kirin are a given. Can't have a kirin episode without 'em.
And, let's say we'll keep the Cutie Map setup -- it's a handy narrative tool to get ponies places -- along with AJ and Fluttershy as our intrepid duo.
Starting from that pool of elements -- Applejack and Fluttershy investigate a friendship problem dealing with kirin -- what is the bare minimum you would keep?
Note: not asking for plot ideas, this is about scaffolding to build a plot around.
If it's AJ and Fluttershy being sent, then it's presumably going to be an honesty and kindness problem, that builds on what each of them has learned about their element. Fluttershy learned, from the breezies and Philomena, that kindness needs to be used wisely lest it do inadvertent harm. Applejack learned, from her experience as Rarity's fashion judge, that there's a line between honesty and cruelty that you need to be aware of. So an episode featuring them would ideally build on those lessons to raise questions of when it's right to be honest, and when it's right to be kind.
Twilight's flanks don't lie remark should have been the clue to solving the Kirin's friendship issues.
Send Starlight to teach the Kirin to bottle up their anger to avoid becoming Niriks.
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And now I regret not having seen anything S8 yet.
I loved both episodes. I'd say the bare minimum I'd keep is what you already said, animals helping, awesome Fluttershy, and Fluttershy nd Aj being in conflict.
You'll want to keep the remote location and/or voluntary exile in order to explain why no one's seen kirin for so long... unless you have another option in mind.
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I was juggling concepts in my head last week. Never landed on anything concrete, which I think is why I'm posting this.
The conflict between magical censorship vs. learning to control your temper is probably the most fundamental aspect of the episode. Honestly, the biggest issue, for me, is that Autumn Blaze's solution isn't one: Nothing indicates that the Kirin won't go out of control and
destroy the planet with nuclear warfareburn their village down.I would say that you would need to keep the backstory of the episode, meaning that Autumn is exiled and AJ and FLuttershy are sent to solve the Friendship problem. Beyond that, go nuts.
The pony/kirin butts are a must have to keep it recognizable.
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"Oh, it's been so long since I've interacted with another creature!" shouted Autumn Blaze in her singularly irritating fashion. "I haven't had anykirin to show my butt to!" And she shoved her plot in Applejack's face.
"Uh," said AJ, literally cheek-to-cheek with the magical deer horse thing. "What?"
She did not, however, say stop.
Add something that makes the kirin something other than ponies that just happen to catch fire sometimes so they actually have justification as a separate race of beings.
Other than that I liked the general concept of the kirin being silent to avoid bad/traumatic things, but the episode... didn't handle it as well as it should have. Like usual.
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Go on...
Setting, kirin/nirik, cast seems about right, plus some friendship problem. I think you'd need to scrap what the problem actually is, or at least how it develops between AJ and Fluttershy since it's not like AJ loves and daily deals with someone who communicates 90% with "eeup" and "nope" already.
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Wait, what? This is literally their thing?
I NEED TO SEE THIS EPISODE
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It's not that funny. :B
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Maybe you need a scene where they've just finished explaining how the kirin took away their ability to speak in order to prevent getting angry at others and making them burst into flames, and suddenly a kirin runs by on fire. Fluttershy asks how that happened if everyone's voice got taken away, and Autumn Molotov shrugs, and says sometimes kirin get really angry at themselves.