/* Goes to youtube to watch the new episode.*

/*Finishes the video, looks in the comments and see's arguements about wheather or not Fluttershy {Who wasn't even in this episode} is a bland and boring charector who should be removed from the show.*

whut

edited 22nd Dec '12 5:22:14 PM by marston

I honestly don't find it particularly weird that the show isn't examining the issue. I think it's less that they couldn't get away with dead parents, and more that it isn't something that they'd want to take the trouble to fit in the show. Basically, I don't think they'd address the death of Applejack's parents without making a whole episode out of it, and they likely would rather not have an episode about that on a show that's more aimed at teaching social skills. Not that there aren't lessons to be learned, but it's not the kind of thing the show usually tackles.

They're youtube comments; they can be safely ignored.

edited 22nd Dec '12 5:23:31 PM by JapaneseTeeth

I would just like to cite Mr. Hooper's death in Sesame Street. And that was a show whose function was mainly teaching little kids the ABC's.

It can be done, but it takes a lot of stones. And also a lot of care, but I don't doubt for a moment that the producers can do that if they dared to.

Dealing with mortality is a social skill. And like it or not, some of their target audience does have to deal with this sort of thing. Some might have lost a parent. Or both. Or have never known them in the first place. And I think it's doing those kids a disservice to imply that those issues aren't worth talking about.

edited 22nd Dec '12 5:29:44 PM by KylerThatch

The episode was cute.

But I am still waiting for a writer that can actually give Applejack and Fluttershy their own centric episodes without cut away shots to the other main characters, Pinkie Pie being random, or having other ponies pointing out their issues in relation to the current situation. It's like these two are not allowed to make mistakes and correct it themselves. I'm convinced that they are big girls and have a mind of their own, and the writers should let the audience know that.

Okay, I'll give you that. Sesame Street is a different kind of show, though. It isn't nearly as character or plot based as this one. But still, my point is that the reasoning for not bringing it up is less "getting away with it" and more that the writers don't feel like addressing it for whatever reason. I fully realize that dealing with mortality is a valuable skill, but it doesn't mean that the show writers would feel up to including it. They might, but really, who knows?

edited 22nd Dec '12 5:31:25 PM by JapaneseTeeth

How often do they have these family reunions again? I think I heard them say 100 moons, which could be old timey talk for 100 years, (this seems unlikely) or something else entirely.

Then the question becomes "Why not have them alive?" Surely parents who travel a lot and then came home for the big reunion would be fairly heartwarming and idealistic? Alas, it might be a moot point. Maybe the comics can explore it somehow?

Now that you mention it, I am having trouble thinking up of cartoon characters with dead parents/parental figures that aren't superhero cartoons. Is there just some sort of Double Standard with superheroes?

That was prompted by the actor's real death, which is a catalyst we don't have here. That's a good part if why they dealt with it that way.

I can get the writers not feeling up to the task. Admittedly, it's a pretty tall order.

I just keep hoping that someone decides to have the nerve to do it, because that kind of issue is very much a thing in the real world.

edited 22nd Dec '12 5:32:04 PM by KylerThatch

Some people have posited a moon is a lunar cycle, so about a month(Meaning the gap is about 8 years, someone worked out), other say it could mean a day, which would mean they have them three times a year, give or take. Personally I'm inclined towards month. Which would mean Moon is their term for month and they clearly don't have a concept of a year as a thing, which is... interesting.

EDIT: Nevermind about that bit about years, Celly talks about years all the time

edited 22nd Dec '12 5:32:40 PM by kegisak

I agree with JT that the issue isn't so much can they get away with it as whether or not they want to have a really sad episode. The tone of the show has generally been much more upbeat, suddenly having a dead parents episode would be quite a shift. That's not to say they couldn't do it well, but I won't be surprised if it never comes up.

Okay, this is a pretty neat Graffiti drawing IMO.

http://shinodage.deviantart.com/art/Ponies-Everywhere-Graffiti-344177390

8 years actually seems like a pretty big gap between reunions. My family has one every year. Granted, we all live within a state or two, and have access to cars. Maybe 100 moons is just an expression that means a really long time?

I don't know why I care so much. My parents are pretty damn alive, and they don't look anywhere close to kicking it. *knock on wood*

I've only ever had one in my lifetime for extended family. In terms of aunts and uncles we met several times a year because we all lived within a city of one another. With the exception of myself, now.

A reunion for my dysfunctional family is way out of the question. My father and mothers side don't mix, and my mothers side is full of deadbeat criminals and has split right down the middle.

edited 22nd Dec '12 5:40:17 PM by ApplelightLimited

Okay I just looked at the YMMV page for the episode and found a Creator's Pet entry for Babs Seed. She appeared in 2 episodes and already people calling her The Wesley ? Is this really the case? note

There a sub-entry stating the she's also a recurring character if it helps.

edited 22nd Dec '12 5:42:43 PM by MorningStar1337

My family has had a quite few reunions; my grandpa was one of eight children. Last one we had had a few hundred people.

When I think about it, I don't enjoy reunions at all. I feel like I have nothing in common with anyone except for bloodlines. I'm the guy that sits in the corner reading his book, waiting until we can finally go home.

Given that it's only been two episodes, no, I don't think that should be there.

edited 22nd Dec '12 5:44:48 PM by TheFreeman

Okay, no, that's not true at all. They just used her in a later episode where it was entirely logical to do so.

Never had a family reunion. Being Mexican and all, there would be too many damn people to keep track of.

@Morning:

I for one am chalking it up to Granny Smith's wacky-ness. I saw someone suggest on derpibooru that a lunar cycle in Equestria might actually be a week, shortening the last reunion down to about 2 years (lining up nicely with the pilot episode). The last reunion photo has AJ, Applebloom, Big Mac, and Braeburn appear to be no younger than they are now, though that might be because the art team didn't want to make teen models for AJ, Mac, and Braeburn plus a baby version of AB.

In short, don't worry too much about the timeline.

Should i remove the entry or wait until i get more opinions?

edited 22nd Dec '12 5:51:17 PM by MorningStar1337