Another headcanon post · 7:40pm Apr 23rd, 2020
This time because I honestly can't think of a way to portray this in a story.
So way back in season one, Granny Smith was basically a (barely) walking old person joke. She was slow, she was senile, she had every malady known to ponykind. Thankfully, she eventually grew into a character in her own right, with actual lines and even episodes dedicated to her and her backstory.
But what if she actually was senile?
At first, anyway.
What if she'd basically given up on everything? Outlived her children, too old to work, eyes or mind getting too unfocused to do the businesswork of farming. Her grandkids had already taken over for her; she wasn't needed. She had simply been satisfied to put herself out to pasture, nevermind that old Smith fire that still lurked behind her eyes. And her family, bless them, still cared about her and loved her, but all they knew was that sometimes, a pony gets old, and there's just nothing you can do but watch them slowly slide away.
Until, that is, Twilight Sparkle moved to Ponyville. Now suddenly Equestria's regularly in danger. They have to fend off monsters from the Everfree more frequently than usual. New kinds of magic are being made, and her granddaughter's a national hero and protector.
What if all that excitement was actually just the stimulation her ailing brain needed? What if that gradual trend toward her being alert and rambunctious was actually her coming out of a somewhat self-imposed stupor? Not that she's 100% not senile, there is some degradation there because it's partially biological.
But what if Twilight Sparkle -- without ever knowing or meaning to, without possibly even Granny herself knowing it had happened -- gave Granny Smith something to live for?
You know, I think you're onto something. Sometimes, all any of need is a reason to pick up and get going again.
And then Twilight moved away because she was done with Ponyville. True story.
Sorry, sorry, I’ve been resisting hopping on that particular bandwagon for a while now, since Twilight moving on didn’t really bother me all that much at first, and the “once-a-month” thing didn’t either because that was only making sure that all six got together at least once a month, they could and certainly do get together in twos or threes on a more regular basis.
But then it occurred to me, or was pointed out to me, that Twilight only ever made two life decisions for herself: to become Celestia’s student, and to open a school and teach.
And Season 9 took that away from her by Celestia foisting the crown on her without even really asking if she wanted it. And Twilight just goes along because ultimately where Celestia’s will is concerned. Twilight is a doormat. Nevermind the life she’d built in Ponyville, nevermind that she’d finally decided to do something big on her own. Celestia said jump and Twilight asked how high.
Ugh.
Anyway, I don’t know how this would impact Granny Smith. I doubt it would do so directly, but that being said, what you pointed out makes a good deal of sense...and so adds just a bit more tinder onto my “Christ the ending of this series was awful” fire.
An interesting idea, but also slightly risky to work into a story. You'd have to be extra careful to show that it was a psychological rather than neurological thing, or risk causing offence to dementia sufferers and their families by implying that senility can be "cured" - or, worse, that sufferers just don't have enough motivation to stop being so senile and come back to us. (To be clear I'm not for a second suggesting you did this, or that you're unaware that IRL there is no cure for dementia (for anyone who doesn't know, the best we can currently do is medicate to temporarily arrest or slow the slide) - just that a writer would have to be careful not to give that impression.)
On the other hand, the idea of her having essentially voluntarily given up on life, simply enjoying the role of cantankerous old coot as a life choice, until Ponyville became the epicentre of Equestrian adventure and her farm and family began to play a prominent role in the excitement, and she decided to get more involved... That's intriguing.
However, the most compelling explanation I ever read for her coming out of her funk, getting sharper and more active as the show went on - and which isn't incompatible with your headcanon at all! - was summed up in three words; "Granny stopped drinking."
"So you see, based on previous clinical trials, we just need to put your grandfather in the general proximity of regular mortal peril."
"... I have several concerns with this."
"Don't worry, you'll be right there with him!"
"I have more concerns."
5248735
Turns out this sort of thing happens when you make "accepting destiny is good" a big theme in your story. Who knew?
I could definitely see that working, either as the focal point of a story told from her perspective (probably rehashing S1 canon events), or as a conversation between two characters like Granny Smith and Twilight slotted into a bigger story where this fits the theme. Good stuff either way
5248742
This is so way way way better than all the other old people stories on here that are just "character is old now, isn't that sad?"
5248735
This point and the whole "changelings can't be good if they still look scary" thing are my 2 biggest gripes about the entire series.
Seriously, Twilight built a life and Celestia just bulldozed it so she could go play shuffleboard with Luna and eat prune cake and then Twilight doesn't even have the strength of will to move the throne to Ponyville and her own castle (not that I like the castle)
I mean without a massive change like that it's going to take an entire generation to stop comparing her rule to Celestia's.
5248742
Being more physically active has protective effects against senility in real life. There is even some evidence that it may reverse some of the damage that has already been done.
Obviously it is far from a cure, but someone who is much less active than they could be could "perk up" a lot more.
And on the opposite side of things, not doing enough physical activity can lead to a decline, which is part of why physical health events can cause mental decline in people already suffering from cognitive issues.
5250661
Yeah, this is what I was getting at. :B I'm just not good at finding sources and stuff.