Yeah, see, if the show actually allowed Starlight to be in a position to be mentored by Twilight Sparkle… but that doesn’t really happen. There was the Hearthswarming episode, even then some viewers were outraged because how dare Twilight push her views on poor Glimmer. Instead, we have Twilight being away so she can’t teach Starlight directly, or just making things worse by being overbearing and panicky. I want more episodes where Starlight’s presence helps others shine, where she helps them show the better side of themselves.
 
@Amethyst_Crystal  

 
Remember the ending of “Brotherhoof Social”? That was wonderful.

This pic… is just awesome! This is how I am when people complain to me! My girlfriend Chloe thinks she’s annoying and ugly, I think she’s adorable and sexy! My friend Skylar is going through hard times, her boyfriend left her! So I try to be there when I can. My friend Lizzy has been single for a while now, and I’m there to cheer her up and tell her the right man will come along! I love being there for people, it’s a good feeling to help somebody. :D

Glad this has encouraged so much discussion.
 
@Background Pony #9A18  
I’m under the impression that Starlight is a lot more cautious and careful in season 7 so far,  
including the controversial 10th episode.  
Which ‘character development steps’ did she skip? I’m just curious if you meant anything specific.  
@Spiritus Arcane  
I can see what you mean about ‘same mistakes’, but I think that’s why she’s finally trying to be more careful this new season.  
She seems to be more alert about her issues.  
@Josh103  
The show might still do a similar conversation.  
Not shying away from ‘hard talks’ between characters is something I like about it.  
@Background Pony #72B1  
Agree with you about that episode.  
@Background Pony #CCB8  
You make a very important point about Starlight and Magic.  
It’s like Twilight and Magic: neither pony is going to ever stop doing powerful magic.  
How and why and when they use that gift, is what matters.  
When they are giving in to their insecurities or ‘cheating’ for an easy way, they aren’t using magic wisely.  
When they use it to help or protect their friends, or to make a positive change, then it’s done right.

@Background Pony #D5C9  
pretty much.

@Background Pony #72B1  
>Implying the anti-Glimmers wouldn’t either ignore it completely or still try in some absolutely moronic way to spin it into a negative because even when the writers try to fix things it’s never enough to placate this godawful fandom.

@Spiritus Arcane  
I disagree with the magic cloud thing, but that’s besides the issue.
 
My main disagreement with your statement is on Starlight’s relationship with magic. You said Starlight is at her best when she can’t use magic? I disagree.
 
Starlight and magic is inseparable. The problem is not her casting dangerous magic–that’s secondary issue. The primary issue is her tendency to cheat. Starlight is at her best when she’s level headed–magic or not; like in S6 finale when she liberally used magic to protect Trixie, or when she’s practicing high-level magic with Twilight. Starlight is at her worst when she’s anxious and nervous, which leads her to cheating–magic or not, like when she snuck out of the dinner with Celestia to meet up with Trixie, without telling anyone. Ofc Twilight was upset! Starlight was being disrespectful to both Celestia AND Twilight! No magic was involved.
 
Everybody keeps pointing out Every Little Thing She Does as the proof that Starlight and magic should be separate. Well, when confronted, Starlight said this “I thought if I keep wowing you with magic you might just…not notice.” That’s a cheater mentality! Even if she doesn’t have magic, as long as she stays with that mentality, she will keep making major mistakes!
 
Once again, Starlight’s issue isn’t on using powerful spells to solve all her problems, Starlight’s issue is her cheating her way out of all her problems! That usually involves magic because that’s what she happens to be really good at.

@Background Pony #CCB8  
She didn’t get a huge buildup from not using magic, she was using magic to LITERALLY bottle her anger towards Trixie, which is the exact opposite of not using magic. I’m also not saying that she needs to stop using magic entirely, she needs to stop using magic, ESPECIALLY dangerous or questionable spells, to solve all her problems.
 
Heck, Starlight at her best seems to be when she’s not, or can’t use magic. Her friendship with Maud and her saving Equestria last season being prime examples.

Beware: Rant Ahead. Starlight Apologetic Mode Engaged. If you can’t stand reading bullshit opinions, I suggest you skip to Tl;dr.
 
Do you expect Maud to suddenly dislike rocks and start speaking with a more varied vocal tone? No. Is there any evidence to show, that we viewers are expected to believe that Starlight has changed when it comes to using magic? NO. From the get go, from Season 6, we are told directly that Starlight will use magic to solve her problems. The fact that in Season 7, Starlight gets a weird magic buildup because she’s been abstaining from using magic, is a sign that it’s NOT A GOOD IDEA to force Starlight to stop using magic!  
What do you think was the lesson to be learned in “Every Little Thing She Does”? If you think the lesson was for her to stop using magic, then you’re missing the point. The point was for Starlight to start making more friends, to open herself up to new possibilities through bonding activities! Guess what? She bonded nicely with Maud later on, no foul magic involved.  
In Season 6 finale? She finished the quest despite not using magic, not because. She totally would have used magic and started blasting laser beams if she could. The finale gave Starlight another set of non-magic skills, something she could use as options. The more skills Starlight has, the less reason she has to immediately jump to magic–but she will not hesitate on using them if she sees it to be the most optimum solution!
 
Guys! She did not swear a Batman-Style oath of “No Killing”. Starlight did NOT swear to never use magic. She merely swore to learn friendship. Unfortunately in her case, early in her reformation phase, anytime she uses magic to cheat, it subverts her friendship lessons! That’s why we, as viewers, have now internalized the opinion that Starlight shouldn’t ever use magic. Heck, Starlight herself starts to believe that opinion. But that’s not it! Magic is integral to Starlight’s character. Starlight saved Trixie by using an invisible spell and teleporting away in the S6 finale and in Rock Solid Friendship, Starlight would have gotten herself, Maud and Pinkie out of the cave using a spell. Would you yell at her for using magic to save her friends? NO! My point is: Starlight using magic, is not the central issue. The issue is: if Starlight is trying to weasel her way out of a situation by finding some sort of quick solution that only solves the problem in the short term.
 
Tl;dr Starlight is a passionate and opinionated character who will always use magic to solve her issues–that’s the whole point. I’m here to support her doing that, not reprimand her, as long as she’s doing it for good, and not for the purpose of cheating her way out of an issue.

@Background Pony #9A18  
She’s trying to; she spent two days with the Royal Sisters, observing them and consulting with Twilight Sparkle, then tried to get them to talk things out before panicking in the middle of their argument that she had started. Just because half the fandom views that as her gleefully jumping headlong into using magic to meddle with others doesn’t mean that’s how it was presented in the show.
 
@Josh103  
Something like this would be nice to see in the show; we’ve already seen her wrestling with self-doubt a couple of times, so it’d be good for the show to address it head on.
 
Of course, 99% of the anti-GlimGlam faction would howl in derision and outrage at such a scene; I mean, some would enjoy the fallout, but still…

This would be a good conversation in-show.
 
But I doubt they’d ever do that.

@Background Pony #B56C  
Problem is that she keeps making essentially the SAME mistake, and it’s starting to get old. Just like until recently it seemed every Fluttershy episode involved her learning to be assertive…again.

@Background Pony #9A18  
Still does? How? Man of her fans acknowledge her flaws snd that she makes mistakes. That’s why they love her.

@Background Pony #117A  
Be careful with that term although I agree her development lacks a bit because she skipped a few steps here and there and still does.

@Background Pony #9A18  
I really wish this were to appear in the show… but you know.  
Mary Sue is soooooo much easy to write than ACTUAL character development.

Solution: Think before you do something reckless, learn from your mistakes and try to not solve all your problems through magic.