MLP Deep Thought: Flash Sentry

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*Opens with Pony Kaizer, sitting at a desk in a dark room with only a single lit candle to keep him company as Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata plays. He is writing something.*

“…And it is with a heavy heart that I must depart this world. Cut down at the prime of my youth (If 25 can be consider the prime of one’s youth). In any matter, I leave this world pleased, knowing the various friends I have made will continue to grow and create new and wonderful content for all to enjoy. Though, how I wish I could partake in said content, I am not long for this world.  For with the writing and posting of this MLP Deep Thought, the brony fandom shall descend upon my home, and verily tear me apart.  However, I shall shed no tears as I leave this world, for in my hearts I know I have lived a long and fulfilling life.

Actually, now that I think about it; Twenty five really isn’t all that long. I mean, not when you compare it to other people. And fulfilling? What did I do that could be called fulfilling? I wrote a few anime parodies some years back. Made some headcanons, and now I make journals talking about certain aspects of a show about pastel colored ponies and the largely male fandom that spawned from said show. I wouldn’t really call that fulfilling…sad, maybe but not fulfilling.

What, where was I Oh right; my will. To my dear friend Sharingan-Shinobi I leave you all my non MLP related material…mostly because I’m positive you could a better job writing them than I could. Hell, you did do a better job.

To my other dear friend Author-Bat-Pegasus I leave all of my MLP related material to you and BravoKrofski. Because again, the both of you could do a better job than I.

And to the rest of my friends…I leave you with nothing. Mostly because I don’t think I have anything you’d want…sorry.

And for the rest of my possessions I wish for them to buried with me.  Mainly because I worked to damn hard for all that shit to go to waste! I’m taking it with me! Like the Pharaohs! Yeah, I’m comparing myself to Pharaohs! What of it!? *Clears throat* and with that, I bid Farewell to my lovely friends and watchers.”

Signed, Crimson Kaizer. *Deep sigh* Intro.

-Theme of Phantom R-

Greetings and Bienvenue, my lovely watchers. I am the Crimson Kaizer and welcome to another “MLP Deep Thought.”  Well…here we are. The big one. The one I've been avoid for the better half of two weeks.  Today, we are going talk about….Flash Sentry.

*Thousands upon thousands of boos while various items are flung at me. Including food, bricks, Twilight’s golden scepter, and Derpy Hoves*

Yeah, yeah! Cool your shit! I know that Flash Sentry is one of the least liked characters in the show!  And, to be honest, if I have joined the fandom at an earlier point, I’d probably hate him too (okay, maybe not) But the thing I do not understand is the sheer amount of hatred he receives.   So, in this DT, I will hear both sides of the argument, break them down, analyze both and give my thoughts.   I will try to be as unbiased and fair as much as possible.  Now, that being said I am going to lay down some ground rules for myself and anyone who decides to comment;

1. I will not insult anyone.

2. I will try my hardest to be fair about this.

3. I will refrain from bringing in my personal feeling into this.

4. I WILL NOT instigate any arguments or allow others to do so.

Now then…let’s get to the first complaint;

    1.       He is not developed.

(Side Note: I will mainly be talking about the show. I am aware on the comic and that certain characters are flesh out more in them)

I find it difficult to say this about someone who hasn’t really had a great deal of screen time, and has fewer lines than Time Turner and Bon Bon, but I will try.  Yes, I will admit that Flash Sentry is under developed. He has not been given much of a personality, and has not done much but, neither does a chunk of the secondary or the background cast. I have mentioned this before with Bulk and Mac being reduced to their catchphrases, but let’s look at some other Secondary Cast: Cheerilee hasn’t grown since season 1. Mayor Mare hasn’t grown since season 1. Hell, Celestia has barely grown any, and she is a major character.  It isn’t fair to say he has no development when so many others lack this as well. Could he use some growth? Of course.  Should he be so despised because of it? No.  By that logic, we should hate every character that lacks development; this would include the background cast as well.

 

    2.       Stole Twilight.

Not…A…Reason. Twilight does not belong to anyone (in the show or in the fandom) Therefore, he cannot steal her. For that matter, saying he “got in the way of my ship/ruined my headcanon” Is not a reason either. (Addendum; I do realize that a good majority of the fandom uses this mostly as a joke, but other members of the fandom do not. This is for said members.)

 

    3.       He is bland.

 

To call someone bland is to imply that they have no characteristics…which are partially true.  Flash doesn’t have much character. Keyword being “much”; He has shown to be a nice person, easy going, has a passion for music, a sense of morality and (as shown at the end of the first movie) isn't afraid to get a little goofy.  It’s not much, it still is character. It is fairly simple stuff, and give that he was not the main focus of either movie, what we got isn’t too bad.  Plus, this just sets it up so he can get a solid character in later season.

 

 

    4.       He was made to be a love interest/He has no reason to exist. 

 

*Seethes* Okay, as :iconmlp-silver-quill:pointed out in his video, artistically, yes. He was made to compliment to Twilight. One could interpret this as him being just to be a love interest…but, there is no solid proof of this from a story perceptive.  In fact, it may be the opposite. Examples people cite is the fact that Flash was shoe horned in during the scene were Luna was interrogating Twi. A friend of mine(This guy :iconcount-author: )  mentioned Flash was meant to represent the whole of the school, showing how much of an impact Twilight had on the school. If it had been the mane six, it probably wouldn’t have had a big impact. What Flash says really encompasses this; “What was I gonna do? Not prove your innocence? Wouldn't be much of a Canterlot Wondercolt, would I?"

 

 That, and even if he was made just to be a love interest…is that such a bad thing? Batwoman Katherine Kane and Lois Lane started out as this, and while most mainstream media sees her(Lois) as nothing but this, comic readers know how untrue this is(Hell, sometimes mainstream media gets it right. For better examples see Superman the animated series final few episodes and the movies “Superman Doomsday” and “Superman: Unbound”. As for Katherine Kane…she’s now an ass-kicking lesbian (ironic, I know), with a very well received solo comic.  Long story short, just because a character starts out as something, doesn't mean they will stay that way. (Another note: I do not believe any of the other mane six were made aware of Sunset's scheme. If it had been one of them who appeared with the photos, that would have been a plot hole)

 

 

    5.       He is a Gary Stu

For all two of you out there who don't know this, A Gary Stu is the male equal to a Mary Sue, e.i. a completely flawless character who never makes any mistakes and is loved by all, and solves everyone problems. Flash cannot be a Gary Stu due the fact that we do not know anything about him over then that he and Sunset used to be an item,  he drives a car, and various bits of his personality.  I’m going to go on a bit of a tangent here; The best example of a Gary Stu in fiction is Batman written by a lesser writer…or Frank Miller (So, a lesser writer).  In the hands of a lesser writer, Batman becomes the ultimate male power fantasy.  He makes no mistakes, is better than everyone, and no one seems to question him and everyone goes to him for help. I good example of this is Batman and Spawn where Batman beats up Spawn.

Yes…Batman, a mere mortal, beat up Spawn, a super powered demon from hell! Granted, Spawn did get some hits in. But the fact that Batman was still able to hurt him says a lot about Franks writing style when it comes to Bats. This term gets thrown a lot by people, especially against a character they dislike a great deal. If Flash showed any true signs of being a Gary Stu, then it would make sense to use the term. But he does not, so it loses any true meaning when used in relation to him. Another note, to certain members of the analysts community(you know who you are) who love to using this, please stop. You do not know what you mean.

 

    6.       He made Twilight cry.

This is not an argument. This is not nitpicking. This is straight up cherry picking. How is it when it comes to the topic of Flash Sentry, so many people use this as a reason to hate him…yet, they seem to forget that;

    A.      He was under the siren’s spell.

    B.      Photo Finish, Snap&Snails, and Trixie did far worse. (Trixie trapped them in a goddamn trap door).

    C.      For as cruel his words were, he had a point…Twilight really didn’t have any idea what she was doing.

 

Funny how everyone seems to forget these things, huh?  This is the single most Blatant example of cherry picking the fandom has displayed.  The other reasons at least have some type of logic behind them. This, however, does not.  As such, I refuse to acknowledge this as an argument.

 

Look, I’m not here to tell you who you can and can’t like. You have the freedom to like or dislike any character, episode, song, etc. But, we all must admit that the sheer amount of hatred generated around Flash is ridiculous. The negative reaction to him any time he shows up is absolutely terrible. People actually called “Three’s a Crowd” the worst episode of season for just because of Flash’s appearance in it….Yeah. So, why am I doing all this? Why did I spend several hours looking at all the arguments against Flash and tried my best to debunk them? 

IS it because I am a fan of Flash Sentry? Is it because I would like to see him treated better by the fandom? Yes to all of this, but there is another reason. The main reason I deiced to write this.

 

In the start of the New Year, one of my resolutions was to be known in the fandom as that guy who never shuts up about Flash Sentry. It was a joke, obviously. But, after I posted my last DT, I had a really nice conversation with one :iconh-stallionwolf:, and I felt like I might have changed his views on Flash a bit. If I can do that again, if I can get just one more person in this fandom to look at this character and go; “You know…maybe this guy isn't all that bad.”  If I can get someone to just give him a chance that would be enough for me.

 

I realize that this will be my most controversial Deep Thought.  I also realize that most might just see this as the rambling of a fanboy and ignore it completely or insult my option and/or my person. I don’t care.  I needed to get this out while coming off as calm (and trust me, the alternative was not pretty). Still, I implore anyone who decides to comment to follow the above stated rules. I want this to be a place where we can have an intelligent conversation, not an Internet shouting match.  I won’t be making another DT for bit. I want to focus on something else for a while.  With that being said, this is Crimson Kaizer saying keep trucking on, be fandom not fandumb, and…Give Flash a chance.

 

Peace. :peace:



© 2015 - 2024 Crimson-Kaizer
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Brony-Commentator's avatar
I know, I know, it's so damn long you don't feel like reading. Well, if you will be patient, please reply.

I believe the following to be the main reason Flash is hated.

Bronies and fans obviously love Twilight and everypony else in the Mane 6 (including Spike). And before Equestria Girls happened they would hope for many exciting adventures for her. Hell, some surely didn't mind for her to have a love interest. However, when Bronies were hoping for a love interest for her, they were hoping for somepony better than a typical, stereotypical, clicheic dreamy highschooler. They were simply pissed that Hasbro didn't scripted somepony better for Twilight. Somepony more realistic, you know, an actual living thing. Flash so far was scripted by Hasbro to have no faults. Hence the whole "Waifu Stealer" meme was born, because some Bronies felt some kind of jelousy knowing that their favorite Pony Princess fell in love with "a typical".

What's worse is that some who are also fond of the meme, or the idea of hating Flash, are people who (to put it as simple as possible) "do it because they thats what everyone does". Granted, not everone hates Flash. However, if all that some haters have to say about those who don't hate Flash is something like "They're out of their f*****g minds" or "People are just stupid", than that's the sign of overreacting with the issue. As far as I know, there are more than 350 people on Deviantart who don't hate the guy, and it does sounds like a personal statement to say that "They all just love him because they're retards". That's the point about some haters; many have understandable reasons, but some just forgot why they hate him and just do so, cause thy're affraid they'll be considered crazy.

Regardless, is Hasbro at all even aware of the hate this character recieves? Even better question; do they even CARE about the idea of Twilight's love interest? If the answer to both of those questions is "Yes", than the right thing to do in this case would be to completely re-write Flash from a Stereotype to an actual good character. That's what I think, because I personally love Flashlight, but I enjoy it much more when they're Ponies. I mean this is "My Little Pony", yet Twilight needs to fall in love with a human? A stranger from another dimension where she doesn't belong? Pony Flash needs the better scripting-treatment from Hasbro if Twilight needs to have a romantic relationship that would be approoved by Bronies more. That's another point I'm trying to make; making Pony Flash different from his Human counterpart so that the Flashlight shipping can be more accepted.

I don't hate Flash, but I can understand why some Bronies do. But maybe less will, if PONY Flash will be used instead, and if he will have a better personality and character development. Ones of an actual character. And that means he would need other purposes in the show than just a forced love interest. How about him being part of a "MALE 6"? (others maybe being Big Mac, Soarin, Shining Armor, etc.)

Those are just my opinions, I may not be right. But still, what do you think?