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Basically, in the span of the 14 minutes of the video I learned absolutely nothing about Starlight, peoples opinion of Starlight or what can be done to fix Starlight. It was just a whole bunch of words strung together that ultimately lead nowhere.
Atleast for me.
I disagree with his belief that Starlight is an ENTJ. If you want to see what an ENTJ looks like, consider watching Fullmetal Alchemist. There’s a great character named Roy Mustang.
I like his “She’s the Sixth Ranger, and that’s why she’s OP” theory, but it still doesn’t change the fact that being stronger than Twilight, Element of Magic, cheapens her status as the Element of Magic. I also feel that it isn’t really necessary to Glimmer’s character at all.
Edited because: flullmetal
Ok.
I mean it this time.
Which is precisely what I want, actions that show her caring, not that she can take the lead. You can argue that that she saved everyone proves that she cares, and it probably does in a way, but like I said before, the focus is not there. All the focus during the narrative of “To Where And Back Again” was on whether Starlight was capable of the task or not, and so we have lots of scenes about her hesitating or being told by others that she can do this. Even her speech about “being better” at the end talks about stepping up to the challenge, not about being better by caring about others.
I want the focus on her doing stuff for others, without involving some world ending threats. Just show her that she can put others before herself or do something for someone else without any personal interest being involved. The only episode that did something like this was “No Second Prances”, and again, after that ep, I thought that hey, maybe I could like her. But that was the ONE good episode, very early in the season, and with each following one being a downgrade to that…
UGH! There’s just no convincing you is there? I mean, just because it wasn’t stated doesn’t mean it’s not there. Actions speak louder that words, ya know.
Edited
But there’s no focus on that - the “I want everyone I care for back” aspect, that is. There’s just the bad guy established, and then defeat it. With that little input, one could argue that she’s doing it simply because she doesn’t want to live under Chrysalis’ rule. Granted, I know that’s not the case but that’s because that’s obviously not what the show is gonna intend, but then what we have here is that the show is expecting me to assume that she cares even though it’s barely done any job at showing it. The ONLY one that Starlight is ever shown to care for is Trixie, who she outright hugs after saving from Chrysalis, but she doesn’t do anything of the sort with anyone else, and heck, even Discord shows a lot more concern for Fluttershy than Starlight ever does.
Showing that the hero cares is more than just having them defeat the bad guy.
But she did all that in the finale for completely selfless reasons. It was a need and want to not only save her friends, but all of Equestria. You’re just not seeing that. Or outright refusing to believe it, because really, why else would she jump into danger like that when the odds are against her and the other three? So really, it’s both the former and the latter.
Well, you tell me then. I made a comment intended as mere and simple constructive criticism in hopes that it would simply reach Silver Quill, just a small review for him. You’re the one who came along and began questioning everything I said, so I feel like that’s more of a question for yourself.
Had to go watch that part to see what you meant. And… well, I can’t speak for everyone else, but I can at least give you my reasons as to why that moment didn’t resonate with me. You can take it or leave it.
Basically speaking, the whole ending made Starlight’s narrative and arc be about whether she can step up to take control, which… I didn’t feel like it’s the right development for her. We all already knew she could take control, since we saw her do so as an antagonist, so whether she can do so as a protagonist is pretty easy to guess. But I never wanted to see Starlight step up to leadership. I already find it annoying that she’s always presented as extremely powerful just because the plot says so, so why I would I want the narrative to elevate her to be even more capable? No, all I wanted during Season 6 was for Starlight to show empathy and make connections, and the only episode that gave me that was “No Second Prances” (which, and this comes from someone with series issues with Starlight, I’d argue to be easily one of the best episodes of the season). It’s the one episode that made me root for her and have hopes for her development, but alas, everything else hardly left a mark at all, or was “Every Little Thing She Does” (and the least I speak about that episode, the better…)
Silver Quill certainly got one thing QUITE right about Starlight in his video. She’s in desperate need to be shown interacting and making friends with others like the ReMain 5.
Bottom line, I believe Starlight’s better self shouldn’t be measured on her capability for overcoming odds, but on her capacity for empathy, to show concern and wanting to do good for others for completely selfless reasons. But alas, the finale chose to focus mainly on the former rather than the later, which is why it fell flat for me. When the show decides to focus on Starlight showing more love rather than power, then she might win me over.
Ok, Ok fine. I won’t lose my head again. This whole discussion is completely subjective. But with that said, why even bother with this anymore?
I’ve had my say on the mater and contrary on what some might think, I don’t want to argue. But I will clarify: I was talking about the very end. When Starlight outright stated that she has changed and can handle anything. Not the whole thing with Chrysalis. And besides, it’s not Starlight’s fault Chrysalis is too evil and stubern to listen to reason and physical proof that she was wrong. But that’s just me.
Other than that, I’m cutting bait right now.
Okay, okay, let’s break this down a bit. Please know I don’t wanna get in a heated argument, so please let’s try to remain civil.
Now, yes, I gather that she’s afraid and anxious and all that, but so have others before and yet their interest in pushing through actually resonated, at least to me, far more sincere than with Starlight. Everytime she’s faced with something like this, in as much as she shows agency, it’s always for the sake of avoiding these things until someone drags her through the trials in one way or another, and the one time she did seem motivated to take on her Friendship Lessons was in “Every Little Thing she Does” and the least I say about that, the better.
Now, not trying to undersell her here since I know that there are people who connect with her, but I suspect that here, you might be confusing “most realistically flawed out character” with “the character I relate to the most.” I mean, granted, I gather that Starlight’s a pretty good display of people with anxiety issues, but so has Fluttershy been for many seasons too.
Admitedly, yes, I often can’t help comparing her to Sunset, who I personally find to be a far more compelling character in a dozen ways, but I think you might be overselling her talent here, or maybe more like, underselling the struggles she goes through. I’ll openly admit that it’s a shame that there seems to be a bunch of character development that was left missing and which we can only assume happened in between the first two EqG movies.
Now, see, this is the part I find extremely subjective. Sure, some people might need more time and help than others, but that also means that some need less. Because of this, connecting to Starlight’s struggle is gonna be a very subjective matter, and at least for me personally, well, it’s already dragging out way more than I’m comfortable with.
No, I didn’t forget, but while for a moment I was really into wherever that was going for, in the end, it felt like they could have removed that bit and it wouldn’t have made any difference. First, it’s not so much of a “I can be better than this moment” so much as as a “You can be better than this” that she’s telling to Chrysalis in relation to what she’s experienced before. The problems with this part is that, for one, it comes out of nearly nowhere and a bit too soon, with Starlight and Chrysalis having had nowhere near enough screentime together like to develop a connection, or even Starlight having had time to observe Chrysalis and realize she can see some part of her old self in her. And on top of coming out of nearly nowhere and too fast, too soon, it doesn’t ultimately amount to anything because she fails to redeem Chrysalis. So like I said, you could remove that part and it wouldn’t make any substancial difference. In retrospective, if what you said it’s true, well, it’s no wonder most people don’t commit that piece to memory.
This is why I said the has social anxiety. She avoided the lessons not because she didn’t want to do them. But because she was afraid. Afraid that she might screw up and others will think less of her. Again she overthinks and that leads to her “downfall”. She’s honestly the most realistically flawed out of all the characters, especially given her dark past. And I’m sorry she can’t be little miss perfect Sunset Shimmer (I know you had her in mind, don’t lie) who practically gained that “I can be better than this.” mentality almost immediately and Starlight had to slowly work her way up that level. But that’s the more realistic way. People who dig themselves in a deep hole slowly get themselves out. Even if it takes forever. And some of those people need help more than others.
Also she did have a moment like that. It was in the finale. Granted in the end, but it still happened. Did you forget? Or did you outright ignore it in favor of criticizing her for what she did a little while ago in “Every Little Thing She Does”? It wouldn’t surprise me either way, because that’s what damn near everyone is doing.
I’m afraid I can’t say I agree with all that. Yeah, forgiveness is a common element in MLP at this point, even the quick type, but even then, I feel like Starlight’s execution is by far the worst. At least Discord had a whole episode to redeem him, not just an episode’s last 5-8 minutes, give or take. And I’d argue that part of the reason for which her redemption never quite sells for me is precisely because “trying” is what it’s lacking, what with the way she avoids her friendship lessons like the plague (granted, Twilight’s idea of “Friendship lessons” is questionable at best, but Starlight outright avoiding them doesn’t win her any favors). The moment I can see a scene where Starlight’s attitude can be summed up with her basically going “No, I can be better than this.”, then I’ll be cheering up for her.
Edited
To be fair Discord’s been forgiven just as many times (as well as some other characters). At most, characters are just mildly annoyed by him. At least Starlight tries, and she’s prone to breakdowns and is quite hard on herself. I think that’s why her friends are not too hard on her. She already does enough damage to herself by overthinking and being a bit impulsive. So being tough on her would most likely exacerbate the problem, especially with her obviously having social anxiety. That’s why Twilight backed down after yelling at her and telling her that she wasn’t mad.
I’m actually surprised, Silver. Having followed you through the MBS show, I actually felt like you didn’t quite grasp most of the issues the fandom had with Starlight, but this video of you was quite more insightful than I expected. I feel like there’s more to be said about how she’s been easily forgiven more than once to the point it cheapens the concept, and the narrative often bending itself backwards for her sake, but nonetheless, it’s a very constructive video. Not sure if we’ll see that much more of Starlight, considering what we’ve seen of Season 07’s previews and the theories that has sparked, but for what’s worth, again, great video.
Welcome. It’s nice to see someone look at Starlight without going to one of the extremes, and looking at her flaws and virtues, especially with the recent drama.
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed. :)