How did this happen?

[terminotaur]

OK, so over the last number of months a small portion of the people I follow here, some art on FurAffinity, and some passed around links were referencing some new reboot of the My Little Pony franchise. Some of the mash-ups were pretty good, and a few of those that became interested were people whose taste in media I respected

Comments

[dronon]

It's ok. It really is. And don't worry, most of us don't like Rarity either. :)

[expandranon]

I don't get it either. I've watched a couple, and they seem okay, but not great. I suppose it can be considered amazing by modern kids' TV standards, though, but... I don't get it. Maybe I need to watch them all, like you did. Perhaps it takes a half dozen or so exposures before the mind control rays really start to sink in.

[terminotaur]

There are probably a few people could recommend, but but what I've heard this inexplicable "why do I find myself into this?" feeling is far from unique. Maybe subliminal messages hidden somewhere

[terminotaur]

In retrospect there is some sarcasm, but it seems relatively light

[expandranon]

This is a very thoughtful analysis, and the best I've seen so far. You may very well be on to something there. :)

[balloonpup]

Welcome to the herd. *giggle*

I think the Gneech said it pretty well in his own journal about this (http://the-gneech.livejournal.com/1958370.html) - it's a breath of fresh air. In his words: "Since the collapse of TV animation in the late ’90s, there’s been painfully little that wasn’t outright crap, and since it’s not crap, MLP shines like gold. "

I think that might be part of it, at least... and also, it seems like everyone I know that does watch it, finds something of themselves in there somewhere, or at least something to relate to.

[terminotaur]

I think I agree with some of what he says, and yet other parts of it I find rubbing me in what feels precisely the wrong way. (Yeah, I like it because the world is just filled with crap shows these days.... see comments I made in reply on thread to someone else about cynicism.).

There are bits that certainly strike me as shared experience. The last episode should be required viewing for anyone going to a con for the first time, and two other episodes deal with over-extending oneself, which is a common problem with me. I have pretty much been Fluttershy at times in my life (right down to the stare and the unexpected outbursts that make everyone stop).

I don't know.
I really should get an appropriate icon for this....

[balloonpup]

Well, I can see your point there. Perhaps I'd change it to say "because I've not really connected with any shows lately." rather than saying everything's crap.

I tend to agree on the last episode being required prior to one going to a con for the first time. It really does match up nicely... and I, too, can't help but see some of myself in Applejack in Applebuck season... especially lately *sways*

Icons are always fun *nod*

[werepanther]

Never watched it... but all i can give you is this.

And i dont know why. XD

[archteryx]

And then you get to the end, where Fluttershy goes absolutely bugfuck and EVERYTHING goes completely off the rails. ^.^ (There's certainly a bonus for anyone that knows anything about conventions OR the Blue Angels, in Rainbow Dash's frustrating encounters with the Wonderbolts).

There's alot of self-referential humor through the series, but the finale's where it all turns into something out of Monty Python, and you just don't SEE that any more in kid's shows.

In the meantime the Dark Griffon (who also's written his first fanfic in something like 25 years to this series) welcomes you to the Herd. ;>

[terminotaur]

"you are going to LOVE ME!!"

As I said to others, I think its a relative lack of cynicism in much of it that is the draw to me. Certainly there are some good references and some odd ones too (yea for Benny Hill-like chase scene). The last episode should be required viewing for anyone going to a con for the first time as it would certainly help to ground expectations. I'd also add physical comedy facial expressions ("Party of one" by far for that)

[archteryx]

Well, in the case of Rainbow Dash and the Wonderbolts, she'd made the critical mistake of not realizing they were still On Duty. They were goodwill liaisons, i.e., they were supposed to be available for the VIPs to schmooze with. Some fans thought they were deliberately snubbing Dash, but missed a part where two of them tried to chat her up -- and promptly got dragged off for photos.

The Real Life Thunderbirds and Blue Angels also do this fairly routinely, being public representatives of their branches of the military.

If she were smart, she'd have asked them for some time AFTER the whole mess was concluded, and considering that she HAD saved some of their lives? She'd probably have gotten it. But, rather like me and cons the last 20 years, live and learn!

Apropro of nothing, were one of those fanfic writers you mentioned me? I forgot if I gave you a link to mine or not.

[terminotaur]

To address your specific thing here, the same could be said for Celestia. Also, aside from duty or not we all have these experiences where people just get too busy and can't socialize.

and yes to the question. :)