S04E13: Simple Ways

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Re: S04E13: Simple Ways

Postby Wylie (?) » Wed Feb 05, 2014 9:34 pm

Don't get me wrong, I'm not pre-hating the episode, I'm just not as excited for this one as I was for past few. I'm perfectly happy to have this one pleasantly surprise me.
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Postby Tears (?) » Wed Feb 05, 2014 9:40 pm

How does this episode thread work with the no shipping rule anyway. Are we... already in violation :wat:

My Little Pony Season Four Episode 13, "Simple Ways" will be stricken from the record :twonk:
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Postby Mechanical Ape (?) » Wed Feb 05, 2014 9:42 pm

:vogue: "Teach me, Applejack, of your kind's simple ways."
:eyebrow: "... go suck a lemon."

:anticipation: :granny: :eeyup: "Rarity, nopony can teach ya how to be an Apple. You just gotta be an Apple!"
:party: "That sounds fun! I wish I were an Apple!"
:facehoof: "I flew 300 miles just to give you this facehoof, Pinkie."

Wylie wrote:Gotta admit, my hype levels are at a season-4 low for Shipping: The Episode.


Well, I think Rarity's rather ... idealized view of romance barely qualifies as the kind of shipping I'd be concerned about. Her two other crushes were a snob who got cake shook all over him and a rock, so I'm not expecting much in the way of true drama.
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Postby The Doctor (?) » Wed Feb 05, 2014 10:02 pm

I don't know why people are so afraid of a possible romance plot for one of the mane 6. Other than a joke in Best Night Ever and a really, really weak attempt in EQG it's never been done.

:excellent: And the wild rage and charges of waifu stealing will be glorious.
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Postby Verus (?) » Wed Feb 05, 2014 10:04 pm

SlateSlabrock wrote:I am still baffled by that guy's name. "Trenderhoof." If it weren't for the romance angle, I'd wonder if he wasn't a pony at all.


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Postby Fizzbuzz (?) » Wed Feb 05, 2014 10:10 pm

Wayoshi wrote:Trenderhoof getting actually enamored by AJ just feels so wrong. I am calling it being entirely a misunderstanding by Rarity, Trenderhoof just wants to write about AJ for some reason.

Why does it feel wrong? Do you just feel like romance has absolutely no place in FiM? sure, it's overplayed and overdone in other shows, but I'm sure this show can do it well. I would be worried if Trenderhoof himself seemed to be the focus of the episode, but instead it seems to be more about a one-sided rivalry between Rarity and Applejack.
The Doctor wrote:I don't know why people are so afraid of a possible romance plot for one of the mane 6. Other than a joke in Best Night Ever and a really, really weak attempt in EQG it's never been done.

:excellent: And the wild rage and charges of waifu stealing will be glorious.

Given that Trenderhoof is being introduced in this episode, I just think a serious love story with him would be incredibly boring, in much the same way that Brad was boring. If there were any eligible bachelors whom we already knew then I wouldn't mind something with one of them.
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Postby The Doctor (?) » Wed Feb 05, 2014 10:19 pm

Fizzbuzz wrote:Why does it feel wrong? Do you just feel like romance has absolutely no place in FiM? sure, it's overplayed and overdone in other shows, but I'm sure this show can do it well. I would be worried if Trenderhoof himself seemed to be the focus of the episode, but instead it seems to be more about a one-sided rivalry between Rarity and Applejack.
Given that Trenderhoof is being introduced in this episode, I just think a serious love story with him would be incredibly boring, in much the same way that Brad was boring. If there were any eligible bachelors whom we already knew then I wouldn't mind something with one of them.


This is his introduction. And more stallions will be introduced this season in preparation for season 5.

My Little Pony: The Young and the Restless.
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Postby Wayoshi (?) » Wed Feb 05, 2014 10:44 pm

A character needs to be well-developed before having / being a love interest. :pinkieshrug:
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Postby Frosthawk (?) » Wed Feb 05, 2014 11:20 pm

Wayoshi wrote:A character needs to be well-developed before having / being a love interest. :pinkieshrug:


Why, necessarily?
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Postby The Doctor (?) » Wed Feb 05, 2014 11:43 pm

Wayoshi wrote:A character needs to be well-developed before having / being a love interest. :pinkieshrug:


What if this is his introduction, and the start of a longer story?
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Postby Fizzbuzz (?) » Wed Feb 05, 2014 11:50 pm

Frosthawk wrote:
Why, necessarily?

So that we'll care about him or her, too. An important part of a love story is that we, the audience, have at least some attachment to everyone involved, so that we'll share in their feelings.

In the spoiler thread I had posted that none of the interesting, non-Spike male characters were available for relationships with any of the Mane Six, but after some thinking today I take that back. After the events of Rainbow Falls, I feel like Soarin' has gotten to be known well enough to where a future episode could reasonably use him like that. (And depending on how you see that thing at the end of ACW, Rainbow Dash might already like him, so there's that as well.)
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What if this is his introduction, and the start of a longer story?

I'd be okay with this so long as this episode didn't try to take things too quickly.
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Postby The Doctor (?) » Thu Feb 06, 2014 12:00 am

Frosthawk wrote:
Why, necessarily?


This is why Canterlot Wedding fell flat with the love plotline. We didn't know who either of these characters were, or cared that they were getting married. If not for Chryslais saving the episode, I think it would have been remembered as a giant dud.
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Postby Tears (?) » Thu Feb 06, 2014 12:19 am

MochaBean wrote:Rarity -> Trenderhoof -> Applejack -> Apples -> Soil & Water -> The Sweet Embrace of Oblivion and Non-Being

It's a love vector.


There's something about that howling void :allears:
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Postby SlateSlabrock (?) » Thu Feb 06, 2014 12:23 am

Tears wrote:How does this episode thread work with the no shipping rule anyway. Are we... already in violation :wat:

It's not shipping if it's canon.
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Postby Angel Beat (?) » Thu Feb 06, 2014 12:46 am

This episode is going to be so hammy, I love it already. :awesomedash:
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Postby The Doctor (?) » Thu Feb 06, 2014 12:50 am

SlateSlabrock wrote:It's not shipping if it's canon.


Canon just means the ship has sailed. :gotcha:
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Postby die Fledermaus (?) » Thu Feb 06, 2014 1:08 am

Wayoshi wrote:A character needs to be well-developed before having / being a love interest. :pinkieshrug:


Where are we getting 'love interest'? It sounds like he comes through, Rarity has a crush on him, he thinks AJ is cute, humor ensues.
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Postby MochaBean (?) » Thu Feb 06, 2014 1:13 am

Tears wrote:
There's something about that howling void :allears:

It's just so, so dreamy. :allears:
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Postby Frosthawk (?) » Thu Feb 06, 2014 2:05 am

Fizzbuzz wrote:So that we'll care about him or her, too. An important part of a love story is that we, the audience, have at least some attachment to everyone involved, so that we'll share in their feelings.


With the synopsis of this episode, I was given to understand that Trenderhoof (not Tenderhoof, by the way? Does this dude work for Twitter or something?) is mostly just a plot device in order for Rarity to go absolutely nutso throughout the entire episode in hilarious ways. I really don't think the intention was ever to really "care" about her feelings for Trenderhoof, nor for Trenderhoof himself, and especially not for his feelings towards AJ. So basically I think this whole discussion is kind of pedantic. That's just my initial gut feeling though, if the episode does try to play it straight then yes, it could fall flat. But I don't think it's going to try to play it straight like it did with ACW. Sounds like a pure comedy episode.

I mean, sitcoms introduce new love interest characters all the time out of the blue, and we're never supposed to care about them. They're just catalysts for hijinks, and it works. Why should this be any different?
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Postby Fizzbuzz (?) » Thu Feb 06, 2014 2:11 am

Frosthawk wrote:
With the synopsis of this episode, I was given to understand that Trenderhoof (not Tenderhoof, by the way? Does this dude work for Twitter or somejting?) is mostly just a plot device in order for Rarity to go absolutely nutso throughout the entire episode in hilarious ways. I really don't think the intention was ever to really "care" about her feeling for Trenderhoof, nor for Trenderhoof himself, so I think this whole discussion is kind of pedantic. That's just my initial gut feeling though, if the episode does try to play it straight then yes, it could fall flat. But I don't think it's going to try to play it straight like it did with ACW. Sounds like a pure comedy episode.

That's what I feel, too, and it's why I'm still optimistic about this episode. Indirect romance like this (or ACW; Cadance and Shining Armor were heavily related to Twilight, and the episode made more of a deal about Twilight being separated from them than about how they fell in love and such) still feels to me like the best way to run any sort of love story using any of the Mane Six.
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Postby Veradox (?) » Thu Feb 06, 2014 2:52 am

Eh, I don't know why, but this is the first episode of this season that I have low expectations for. I don't know why, since there hasn't been a single bad Rarity episode, and the only thing that comes close would be Rarity Takes Manehattan. Maybe it's because I'm not ready for canonical relationships in the show yet, who really knows? I guess I'll have to wait and see this Saturday.
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Postby HuffyTheMagicDragon (?) » Thu Feb 06, 2014 2:56 am

I seriously doubt this will be any more of a serious "canonical relationship" or "romance" than Rarity's little infatuation with Prince Blueblood back in Season 1. :pinkieshrug:
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Postby Veradox (?) » Thu Feb 06, 2014 3:48 am

HuffyTheMagicDragon wrote:I seriously doubt this will be any more of a serious "canonical relationship" or "romance" than Rarity's little infatuation with Prince Blueblood back in Season 1. :pinkieshrug:


I'd really like to think that, however, because of the whole FlashLight ordeal, I can't help but feel the show is going to begin having canon relationships, and as we've seen with Flash and Twi, it doesn't work out very well.
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Postby SoundMonkey44 (?) » Thu Feb 06, 2014 4:15 am

Veradox wrote:
I'd really like to think that, however, because of the whole FlashLight ordeal, I can't help but feel the show is going to begin having canon relationships, and as we've seen with Flash and Twi, it doesn't work out very well.



Flash & Twy were never a couple. Only cannon couples are the married ones. Anything else has been one sided, like spikes crush on Rarity.

Although if there were legit couples in the show the most obvious would be Pinkie & Cheese &/or Dash & Soarin.

As for this episode it does seem more like Rarity being jealous a pony she admires is infatuated in some pony else. And since Tenderhoof writes books his infatuation with AJ migh not be as romance oriented as some may think.

But yeah, have to wait & see.
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Postby Fizzbuzz (?) » Thu Feb 06, 2014 4:16 am

Veradox wrote:
I'd really like to think that, however, because of the whole FlashLight ordeal, I can't help but feel the show is going to begin having canon relationships, and as we've seen with Flash and Twi, it doesn't work out very well.

EqG was basically the worst-case scenario. Brad was a completely fresh character being squeezed into a world and story that was almost completely new, and they were putting him with Twilight Sparkle, someone who still tends to be introverted and socially awkward (i.e. the total opposite of someone like Rarity). By comparison, this episode is starring Rarity and seems to be using her attraction to Trenderhoof as an event in the story instead of the story itself, so I expect it'll avoid EqG's troubles in that regard.
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Postby Veradox (?) » Thu Feb 06, 2014 4:43 am

Fizzbuzz wrote:EqG was basically the worst-case scenario. Brad was a completely fresh character being squeezed into a world and story that was almost completely new, and they were putting him with Twilight Sparkle, someone who still tends to be introverted and socially awkward (i.e. the total opposite of someone like Rarity). By comparison, this episode is starring Rarity and seems to be using her attraction to Trenderhoof as an event in the story instead of the story itself, so I expect it'll avoid EqG's troubles in that regard.


Good point, still a bit reluctant about this episode, though. Ugh, I need to stop doubting the writers, have I not learned my lesson from alicorn Twilight?
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Postby Perpetual Lurker (?) » Thu Feb 06, 2014 5:10 am

Nah, EQG wasn't worst-case scenario, considering that Flash Sentry was super-minor, and the most that ever happened was a lot of blushing and some awkward dancing. :pinkieshrug:
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Postby everyponytothelimit (?) » Thu Feb 06, 2014 5:21 am

Fizzbuzz wrote:EqG was basically the worst-case scenario. Brad was a completely fresh character being squeezed into a world and story that was almost completely new, and they were putting him with Twilight Sparkle, someone who still tends to be introverted and socially awkward (i.e. the total opposite of someone like Rarity). By comparison, this episode is starring Rarity and seems to be using her attraction to Trenderhoof as an event in the story instead of the story itself, so I expect it'll avoid EqG's troubles in that regard.


Hello, long time lurker, gonna use my first post in basically the worst way, but anyway I think that the Twilight/Flash stuff was such a bad romance that it circled around to being a good lesson for young girls. Their relationship was basically "yeah he's/she's pretty cute" with not much else going on, but that's totally normal for middle/high school, but Twilight consistently prioritized her friends/getting the crown and going home ahead of him, which is a really good message for girls that not everything revolves around boys/dating. Like having crushes is normal and good, but don't drop the really important stuff for them.

Same with Rarity and Blueblood. Rarity wanted a romance and that desire was portrayed positively, but she dropped Blueblood like he was hot when it was clear he was shit. Another good message I think.

This episode will probably follow the same pattern, that wanting a relationship is normal but you shouldn't attempt to be someone else to do so, at least on Rarity's end. I don't know about Applejack since we don't know why exactly Trenderhoof's interested in her or her feelings about him, but I really can't imagine this being the start of a long term arc or anything.

...

oh no I posted about ponies, what have I done :gonkity:
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Postby drunkill (?) » Thu Feb 06, 2014 5:44 am

Haha, I've been waiting for you to post, Mr. Fhqwhgads :smirk:

This could be a very fun episode if Rarity tries to ditch her image and impress Trenderhoof. I'm hoping that he isn't even trying to take that much interest in AppleJack and is instead just interested in how she dresses/acts or something like that, trying to be trendy.
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Postby The Doctor (?) » Thu Feb 06, 2014 5:50 am

drunkill wrote:Haha, I've been waiting for you to post, Mr. Fhqwhgads :smirk:

This could be a very fun episode if Rarity tries to ditch her image and impress Trenderhoof. I'm hoping that he isn't even trying to take that much interest in AppleJack and is instead just interested in how she dresses/acts or something like that, trying to be trendy.


If one of my predictions comes true, I want it to be that he wears a fedora and gives it to Aj at the end as her key. :evil:
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Postby drunkill (?) » Thu Feb 06, 2014 5:54 am

I wouldn't be surprised if he gave AJ/Rarity a copy of his book which ends up being about how great Ponyville is.

Eagerly awaiting a clip of this episode just to get a judge on the character if anything.
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Postby Kitsune (?) » Thu Feb 06, 2014 5:55 am

Welcome, everyponytothelimit! :party: Sure, you technically joined a while ago, and your first post wasn't in the Newbie thread, but this is your first post and it's adjacent to the Newbie thread, so it totally counts. :twiright:

You should post more, that's a nice post :allears:
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Postby MochaBean (?) » Thu Feb 06, 2014 5:59 am

everyponytothelimit wrote:First Post
everyponytothelimit wrote:Joined: Oct 17, 2011

Yowza, now that's some power lurkin'. :starity:

Welcome to the discussion, EPTTL! :party:
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Postby Just Scuds (?) » Thu Feb 06, 2014 6:14 am

Fizzbuzz wrote:So that we'll care about him or her, too. An important part of a love story is that we, the audience, have at least some attachment to everyone involved, so that we'll share in their feelings.


It could be completely one sided on both Rarity and Trenderhoof's accounts thus ... COMEDY! :party:
Rarity is head over heels for a guy, who ignores her. AJ is the subject of said guy's affections, whom she politely bears and doesn't return.


e:
I really feel like I'm missing out not having seen EqG, but I'm scared it's going to be a visit to the dentist:
:excite: Hope your insurance is all paid up cause I found three cavities!
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Postby The Doctor (?) » Thu Feb 06, 2014 6:43 am

Scuderia Ferrarity wrote:
It could be completely one sided on both Rarity and Trenderhoof's accounts thus ... COMEDY! :party:
Rarity is head over heels for a guy, who ignores her. AJ is the subject of said guy's affections, whom she politely bears and doesn't return.


e:
I really feel like I'm missing out not having seen EqG, but I'm scared it's going to be a visit to the dentist:
:excite: Hope your insurance is all paid up cause I found three cavities!


I think the worse expectations you have going into EQG the better because it end up not being that bad. It's worse than any episode of the series and clearly lacked the enthusiasm from the cast and crew you get in the show, but in the end it could have been much much worse.
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Postby Octavia (?) » Thu Feb 06, 2014 7:15 am

I'm not too worried about the romance aspect for a number of reasons. First, the writers handled it really well in Best Night Ever and Hearts & Hooves Day, so I trust them. Second, I think AJ is not going to be interested in Trenderhoof at all. And third, Rarity is going to learn the lesson that you shouldn't try to change who you are to please a potential romantic partner. It's not going to be a typical hamfisted love interest that is crammed into so many other cartoons that target girls.

Also, I am super excited to see Rarity act like AJ. Tabitha is going to have a field day. :wat:
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Postby The Doctor (?) » Thu Feb 06, 2014 7:23 am

Well, in BNE and HHD the romance was played out as a joke rather than anything resembling a relationship. Outside of EQG the show has only two romantic couples. Cadance and Shining armor, and Carror and Cup Cake. Well, three if you subscribe to the theory that a Fancy Pants and Fleur were based on Errol Flynn and his French model wife...
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Postby londonarbuckle (?) » Thu Feb 06, 2014 7:32 am

Oh, hey

londonarbuckle, yesterday wrote:Five other people joined the same day I did, and they have all of one post between them.

However, two of them still visit regularly! I even recognized them from the Who's Online bar!

Hi, everyponytothelimit and Zork! :shenanigans:


I have the power! :amazing:
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Postby ROBOT B9 (?) » Thu Feb 06, 2014 7:36 am

I feel that the "relationship" is probably only going to last for this one episode. It'll be used as a springboard for the plot and some great jokes but that will be the extent of it.
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Postby SlateSlabrock (?) » Thu Feb 06, 2014 7:44 am

Personally, I don't see any reason to get all worked up over a summary, even one that's obviously teasing us this much. The writers don't generally aim for the terrible worst-case scenarios we fear from these short summaries, and overthinking things inevitably leads to grumbling about how they were too close to what you thought or too far from the elaborate anti-cliche you constructed in your head.
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