[WARNING: SEASON NINE MATERIAL IS COVERED HERE] The Case of the Royal Retirement: A Question of Legitimacy · 11:47pm Mar 19th, 2019
Hello, followers.
As anyone who watched the Season 9 trailer can tell you, the big moment was Celestia and Luna allegedly announcing their retirement as rulers of Equestria, and passing the job over to the Mane Six.
As per the norm for the fandom, multiple theories have sprung up regarding this. When all the options are narrowed down, the choices are thus: A) the Princesses are not retiring, or B) they really are.
In the following post, I will break down the points for both options. I personally hope that they are not retiring, but that's just me.
But before we start, here is the trailer so you can reference the points I'm about to make.
Now that you're done crying your eyes out again, let's begin.
Evidence for a fake retirement:
1. That Look on Celestia's Face
I mean, come on...look at it. Does that really look like the face of somepony who is about to pass on the role that they have played for 1000+ years? That's more the look of "I really, really wanna say 'Gotcha', but then that would spoil whatever emotional gut punch that Hasbro is trying to build up."
2. That scene toward the end.
We already know that Sombra will return to menace the Crystal Empire. In one of the trailer's last shots, it looks like the Sisters return to aid in the fight in at least some capacity. So maybe the retirement is either faked, or maybe it's not permanent...
3. Simple Logic
I mean, c'mon. Think about how many jobs the Mane Six already have. Twilight's school, AJ's farm, Fluttershy's animal shelter, Pinkie at Sugarcube Corner, RD's WonderBolts stuff, Rarity's boutique...are they seriously gonna take ruling an entire country on top of all that?
Now for hard stuff...
Evidence for a real retirement:
1. Blame Faust
Apparently, Twilight succeeding Celestia was one of Lauren Faust's earliest ideas for the show. But honestly, we've had so much world-building and going different directions from the original that it happening now would be very awkward. That, and I just don't think it was one of her better ideas. Twilight's already powerful enough. She's fine where she is.
2. Possible hinting
Remember that gag at the end of "Horse Play" where Celestia says she's giving up her crown to go into theater? Maybe that was the writers dropping a hint about this early on, like Starlight's "Nine seasons" joke in "Road to Friendship".
So yeah. These are all the points I could think of for these two scenarios.
But before you go, I would like to share my two theories and how a fake-retirement scenario could play out.
First, Celestia and Luna might be aware of Sombra's return. By pretending to abdicate, they might be trying to trick him into thinking Equestria is at a weak point, thus luring him into lowering his guard so he can strike.
Secondly, they might actually be retiring...for like ten minutes. After a little while, they'll realize how boring retirement is, and that maybe it wasn't such a good idea. Kind of like Shining Armor and Cadance's scenes in "A Flurry of Emotions".
Anyway, that's all I got for now. Be sure to ring in with your own ideas.
This might be a test to see how Twilight would fare when the time comes when Celestia and Luna do step down. Celestia does things for a reason--to help Twilight.
Here's hoping the retirement is a fake when Season 9 starts airing next month
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Besides..... I agree with you on reasons 1 and 3: No one can be that excited for retirement and that the Mane 6 have their own jobs.
These are all great theories, really.
Of course, for me, I like to see where things go for myself and just wait until the big day comes. Coming up with theories isn’t my thing.
It’s like “Avengers: Endgame”. I often don’t like assuming things are going to happen before ever seeing it, such as a theory that Iron Man would die, which is something that my brother-in-law thinks apparently. I like to be surprised.
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That is my current prevailing theory. We may get an ending similar to "Celestial Advice" where both realize they're not yet ready, but know it will happen one day.
What I would also expect to happen is Celestia starts slowly passing her responsibilities to Twilight, thus easing her into the role.
We also are unsure as to the extent of their "retirement". Are they just stepping down as the two top princesses, thus switching places with Twilight and Cadance? or are they leaving Equestria entirely?
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Like you, I'm not going to take too much from the trailers. Too often, trailers are meant to hype and say nothing for the actual content.
I prefer that princesses are not retiring. I don't want the Mane 6 to be the ruler of Equestria because... do you know what happens in the season 4 finale, season 6 finale and MLP: The Movie? If a pony is a ruler, that means a ruler can be a target for evil beings.
5030508
It's all a mystery to exactly how this show will end. Probably best for this particular season, as I prefer to hold back the spoilers until the episodes do eventually air. It will be very exciting and saddening at the same time. If Celestia did really retire, would that lead to a potential plot hole for the series finale? My hope is that the last episode(s) is/are slightly longer than the 22-minute episodes we usually get, but I'm sure it will be exciting and an emotional end nonetheless.
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Rex is right though.
Good points. I'm still kinda stunned it's all ending...
5031652
Honestly, my hope is that we'll get more G4, and that it's only FiM that's coming to a close.
I'm still holding out for a spin-off about Celestia and Luna. That would be amazing.
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My original thought was that with Twi installed on the throne, the action would switch to a new Main 6 (either the young 6 or the CMC and three of their friends).
5030597
Chosen to be the new ruler of Equestria, where there's still villains around, is the worst idea in the long sad history of bad ideas. And I'm gonna be there when you learn that.
I think they fully intend to retire, its not unheard of for a royal to 'step down' and hand the reigns to there heir early if they belive they are either unfit to rule any longer or if they simply no longer have the will to do so
bellow deals with leaked season 9 episode details that have not yet aired stateside
and whats more if any of you have noticed leaked materials there are indications in an upcoming episode taht the princesses are geting a slight early taste of retirement via something thats either a vacation or something else