Anon 06/15/2019 (Sat) 16:59:33 No.4270 del
>>4262
>I don't think it's the rural aspect in itself as much as it is bad writing. Think of it, Rarity was written to be stereotype rich pretty sassy lady of culture and she was given the element of generosity. Her expanding career ambitions have been often in conflict with her element and her role. There also has been side conflicts with obligations, social standing and secondary issues that aren't just that core gimmick. Apple Jack is written as a typical American rural stereotype, which is often just a vague mix of Texas, the south and Nashville country music with little distinction. She is played completely straight most of the time, sometimes having good moments. The rest of the Apple Family to varying degrees can also feel like hollow shells of this same thing. It's played completely straight. There isn't contrast or culture. Sweet Apple Acres is sometimes a source of conflict, but it certainly hasn't in the way of Raity's business. It hasn't grown, hasn't had many containing plot threads, or even been used to its full potential. It's just a set piece most of the time. You could improve it by either drawing deeper than the typical rural sterotype in culture and base in source for plot (How about drawing on some Cowboy and farming lore as a source of plot?) or, something I'd be think be easily done even with the same bland slate, have a little bit of contrast beyond the template of them being cookie cutter rural cowboy folk. Some character traits beyond it that are emphasized. Than you could go somewhere.

all of this text, I will have to make a huge effort to explain why AJ is a different case for me than the rest of the characters.

Unlike the praise that I have had for Trixie, Chrysalis, Celestia or minor characters that ended up shining more with more material about them; there will be time to explain why AJ, and not the rest of the apple family nor the farm itself, leads me to think that she is not all that interesting in the end and fortunately Going to Seed showed a little bit of herself.

Because yes, I am announcing that there will be controversial views about her soon and I will need to explain them properly just to show all the arguments for this vision.