The episodes are supposed to be viewable in any order. I don't think the creators give much thought to pacing the episode schedule

There should have still been an episode about each of the mane six before the halfway point.

Yeah, there's only really an issues if you watch the episodes in production order. But still, I wish that they would vary the focus characters a bit more rather than clumping the episodes.

@J Teeth: Yeah, as others have said, these episodes are meant to be watchable in any order so the writers probably don't care about the passing from episode to episode. It works in their favor because that is one less thing they have to plan and worry about.

That still doesn't answer the issue of the lack of Fluttershy episodes or why we had to wait until ep. 14 for Applejack to get one.

Is it me, or does a lot more happen in an episode of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood than in an episode of Friendship Is Magic? They're the same length too.

Compare "Daydream" and "The Return of Harmony, part 2." "Daydream" doesn't really suffer from any pacing problems, but some have noticed pacing problems in ROH. And a lot more seems to happen in the "Daydream" episode.

edited 26th Jan '12 5:28:19 PM by ApplejackPony

^Well, Brotherhood is a sequential story with a designated end goal, not to mention that it's a shonen series that tackles some pretty heavy stuff. Meanwhile, ponies just poni poni.

edited 26th Jan '12 5:29:15 PM by RedSavant

*shrug* it may just be that none of the writers had really good ideas for episodes for them. For all we know there might be a dozen Fluttershy/Applejack episode ideas that were rejected for whatever reason.

edited 26th Jan '12 5:29:05 PM by Mio

We have ten episodes left...that's more than enough for three FS episodes and some more Twi...and maybe Scoots too!

Somehow, I sincerely doubt they've paced themselves well enough for that. I think we can all jsut accept that Shy's and AJ been left in the dust. If we only get one Applejack episode this season I'm going to be pissed.

edited 26th Jan '12 5:31:24 PM by MyLittleRaptor

You do know this Saturday's episode is about Applejack, right?

edited 26th Jan '12 5:32:22 PM by Bluespade

Except for the fact that she's had three episodes of focus and supporting roles in most other episodes this season. AJ is not the one being mistreated this season.

@Applejack: That's comparing apples and oranges; they're completely different types of show. FMA is a sequential story, so it assumes familiarity with earlier episodes and caries plot points and characterization from episode to episode. MLP basically has to make every episode self contained, which requires more time spent per episode on setting up the scenes and plot. Not to mention that MLP is slice-of-life, which by definition is going to be a bit slower paced.

And yeah, Applejack has been doing really well this season; so far she's the only pony who's been in every episode.

edited 26th Jan '12 5:35:25 PM by JapaneseTeeth

So, wow, I missed a lot today. In general upkeep, I'm not changing my bet for Hearts and Hooves.

As for the topic at hand, I'm not too worried about character balance in episodes for two reasons. First, they've been pretty good about giving every character the necessary spotlight moments, even if they aren't the focus. Second, this is the fandom that can extrapolate a complex personality from nothing, so even if a character gets less development, they'll be analyzed enough that their character will still end up rounded out in our minds, despite our complaints to the contrary .

edited 26th Jan '12 5:35:06 PM by PerpetualLurker

Frankly, I quit looking to see what episode was next because the lack of Shy and AJ kept disappointing me. Yeah, yeah, we need at least one Shy episode, which is probably all we're going to get.

I hesitate to say slower paced is the definition of "Slice Of life" People can lead pretty exciting lives

We're having 2 AJ eps in a row

edited 26th Jan '12 5:35:57 PM by gingerninja666

How did you miss the sheer amount of AJ Disscussion here?

Because I'm new and wasn't here to see it.

It's possible that episode 19 is called Putting Your Hoof Down...and it might be about FS.

Prehaps she grows a backbone?

I think she and Spike are just doing Hookers and Blow in the meantime.

Yeah, thats my idea for everyone who's offscreen, Hookers and Blow.

@Applelight

The Return of Flutterbitch

Please, please, please let this be the case! I might actually start liking her more if she actually made more use of her spine. We know she has one after all!

edited 26th Jan '12 5:39:42 PM by Drenius

We shall see. I do hope we get some more Fluttershy. After Pinkie and Twilight, she's my 3rd favorite pony now. Flutterbutter. Flutterbutt. Flutty. Fluttz. Fwuddershy. Fwundershy. FLOOTERSHAI.

So many nicknames I have for her. yay.

edited 26th Jan '12 5:40:20 PM by ApplejackPony

Did I miss a summary update?

Good evening/morning, guys. I vaguely remember a pony named Fluttershy. Whatever happened to her?

The new episode synopsis makes my original bet sound even more like the right one.

Also, the Fridge page is showing up as black text on a dark-blue background, for some reason. Is it just my ancient computer acting weird again?