Saturday 26 September 2015

Fluttershy episodes: the best and the worst

Settle back, everyone, for this is a post made simply so that I have an excuse for talking about how brilliant Fluttershy is. Not that I need one, of course, since everyone knows that she's completely... hmm. "Fluttershy" is probably the only acceptable adjective here. The question of "What is a Fluttershy episode?" is one that I have answered with the same simplicity: it's one that I consider to be a Fluttershy episode. Here we go, then:

Three Good Episodes for Fluttershy

3. A Bird in the Hoof
If you think this is a controversial choice, thank your lucky stars that I didn't choose "Bats!" instead. :P But this episode makes the list because Charlotte Fullerton does something that far too many Fluttershy writers don't: she concentrates on facets of 'Shy's character other than her shyness. The whole mess is set up by her impulsiveness in taking Philomena, while we later see her depth of animal caretaking knowledge, her almost limitless patience and – yes! – her calmness under pressure. (Specifically, when the Royal Guards come calling.)

2. Filli Vanilli
My top two are very, very close, and on some days I might even put this episode ahead. Forget Pinkie Pie being irritating for a bit and think about the ending. If you can't feel happy at the sheer joyfulness experienced by Fluttershy, singing on stage in her Ponytones sweater, then you surely have no soul. There wasn't a single time in this ep that I thought, "That's not right for Fluttershy" – and that counts for a great deal.

1. Hurricane Fluttershy
I know, I know, the most predictable choice ever. I haven't really stopped raving about this Cindy Morrow episode since it first went out. It's probably not quite as much of an achievement as "Filli Vanilli", but it's the episode that I enjoy most – and as with my Ponyfic Roundup ratings, that's what counts here. There is no better exploration in the entire series of the fascinating friendship between 'Shy and Rainbow Dash.

And now for the bit you've all been waiting for:

Three Bad Episodes for Fluttershy

3. Putting Your Hoof Down
Who are you, and what have you done with the Charlotte Fullerton who wrote "A Bird in the Hoof"? More to the point, what have you done with Ponyville? Angel is written horribly, going beyond his usual grumpiness and into the realms of actual domestic violence. Fluttershy doesn't seem to know how to cope with anything, and it shows. I would actually like to see another episode with her interacting with Iron Will (yes, I know the comics have done it), just so the damage from this could be repaired. Thank goodness "Hurricane Fluttershy" was on the horizon by this point.

2. MMMystery on the Friendship Express
The recent "Rarity Investigates" shows how a Pony detective story can work. This episode shows how it can fall flat on its face – and its ludicrous characterisation of Fluttershy is among its worst features. With everything we know of her up to this point, it makes no sense whatsoever for her to have: a) taken a bite of the cake and b) used a disguise that requires her to shovel coal and that very clearly shows her mane. Gah.

1. Magic Duel
Larson! Popular writer he may be, but he's made a bit of a mess of Fluttershy on several occasions. Think of "Ponyville Confidential" and the floods of tears over those tail extensions. "Magic Duel" is the one that really annoys me, though, all the more so because so many people love it because OhmigoshTrixie! The scene in the library, Rainbow Dash totally ignoring her, that bunny costume, the general cowardliness... I don't like this ep all that much anyway, but Fluttershy's scenes make it that much the worse.

21 comments:

  1. Strange but true, I think I'd have to agree with all of those choices, particularly the choice of Hurricane Fluttershy as #1 in the favourites. Obviously it's about Fluttershy, (it is!!) but it's also (to me anyway) partly about why Fluttershy has so little confidence, particularly where flying is concerned. It gives a really good insight into her character. There's also the amazingly uplifting ending, where she finally gains that confidence because her friends need her. And the friendship with Rainbow Dash was put across so strongly in that episode.

    By contrast, there's Magic Duel... I watched that episode again a few days ago, just as a random choice, and although I liked it at the time, I can't help but feel *personally* that it's pretty overrated. Plus there's the problem of Fluttershy being very out of character. The cowardice you mentioned flies in the face of what she did in the Dragonshy episode and Hurricane Fluttershy. In both those episodes, she couldn't face letting her friends down and seeing them hurt, so she put aside her worries and nerves, and did what had to be done. Yet in Magic Duel, all that seems to be cast aside. They need her to help save the town and the inhabitants, and... she can't face it. If it had been a much earlier episode, maybe it would have worked but we know by then that Fluttershy *does* fight through her nerves and shows huge bravery if her friends are in danger.

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    1. Yeah, I just feel that Larson took a long time to get a handle on Fluttershy. Not sure why, as he's pretty good for the most part. Ah well, one of the eternal mysteries, I suppose!

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  2. Except Fluttershy was perfect in Magic Duel and Filli Vanilli was godawful. :D

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  3. Don't listen to Present Perfect. He's had head trauma.

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    1. He's probably stating his opinion, but probably still annoyed over Pinkie's behavior (which was only for ONE scene, and she did get her talking too).

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    2. Pinkie's behavior was endemic of and the ur-example of a systematic destruction of her character across season 4. (And 3.) But I wouldn't consider it a good Fluttershy episode because it's another of those "Fluttershy learns the same lesson" morals.

      And don't listen to juggernaught, he's known for hitting people in the head.

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    3. (O geez, looks like there's a comment war about to start, so I'll try to stop it)

      I disagree with you completely about Pinkie's character "destruction" in seasons 3/4. It more sounds like you don't like seasons 3 and 4 (that's how it comes off).

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    4. @Sailor Sedna: Don't worry, this isn't a real flame war. If you hang around these parts for longer, you'll get to realise that not every word said in these comments should be taken at face value! :P

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    5. And @Present Perfect: I rate things according to whether I enjoy them, same as for fic reviews. I can't even think about the finale of "Filli Vanilli" without getting a big stupid grin. Therefore it's a great episode. This logic is impeccable. :P

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    6. Alright, sorry again ^___^;

      I am new here, after all.

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    7. Well, that's honestly logic I cannot argue with. :B I can't hear the song without cringing, though, so that's why I think it's not so great. Also impeccable. :V

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    8. Yes. The difference being that yours is impeccably wrong. :D

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  4. I really like Fluttershy in Putting Your Hoof Down, mostly because it is one of those instances where she can show her personality when she isn't actively repressing her worst instincts (The Gala episode is another good example of that). Also, I like the idea that Angel tends to throw tantrums whenever he doesn't get what he wants. But I agree with everything else.

    Then again, Fluttershy is my least favourite of the Mane 6, so I am probably the wrong person to ask about this stuff.

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    1. Yeah, I'll admit that sometimes I do feel a bit better disposed towards "PYHD", partly for that reason. But this isn't one of those times. :P As for Angel, tantrums are one thing, but slapping 'Shy across the face is another. (Okay, Twilight's casual violence against Spike is on a much greater scale, but that's irrelevant here so I'm going to ignore it and pretend it doesn't exist.)

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  5. I just have one question I wanna ask, why did you put Magic Duel on here? That's not really a Fluttershy episode; it's more of a Twilight/Trixie one.

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    1. Because why not? Seriously, that's the reason. Please don't take every little thing here as being totally literal. I'm a writer, so I like playing with words! :D

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  6. >Think of "Ponyville Confidential" and the floods of tears over those tail extensions.
    I don’t remember where I originally saw it, but there's a fanon explanation for the tail extensions that I really liked: Fluttershy regularly donates her mane and tail to the Equestrian equivalent of Locks Of Love. Then she wears extensions until her hair grows back, because she doesn't want to attract attention for the sudden change.

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    1. That rings a bell here too – though, like you, I can't remember where I saw it! Argh.

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