@Algebroot Neogears  

 
Bad news: It’s the other way around…and it’s not Grogar that was betrayed…

One thing I admire about season 9 so far is that they DO seem to be acknowledging how the school was a wasted idea. They’ve strayed away from it and have been focusing on the characters, development between character relationships, setting up the final battle with Grogar, and tying up loose ends.

@DerpyFast  
Same.

@Background Pony #476A  
I think we’re basically on the same page. I’m also super invested in the growth of the main characters, but I think as far as the initial setup goes, The Mane Six have maxed out their growth, and they’ve already pulled the trigger on the most important character beats. So it’s basically whatever obscure thing they can mine for side stories from here on out.
 
That investment in character growth is also why I’m a big fan of The Student Six, because there’s still room to grow there.

@DerpyFast  
They pay off once and never matter again in every one of those situations except the school which is now pointless, when previously everything was built on top of previous growth and lessons. The growth of the characters continued rather than just stopping for a new seasonal “arc” that ends up getting dropped as soon as the new one happens. Sorry that some people want the characters to continue to grow instead of just stagnate? There is no ‘argument’, it is simple fact that they used to focus on building characters up and now they just have some plot episodes that get dropped after a ‘pay off’ and the rest is unimportant repetitive slice of life comedy. It’s enjoyable repetitive slice of life comedy, but there’s no growth anymore.  
@Vivace  

 
Not at all, its seeing the writing as what it is. Literally the exact opposite. In fact, while I liked the growth focused writing better, I like the new seasons building the lore a lot. Neither is necessarily better or worse just different. Funny how acknowledging that is somehow wrong.

@DerpyFast  
It’s just seeing things as one wants to see them rather than as they are.

I think it is important to recognize that not all plot lines are ending with Season 9.  
Because just the television show, FiM, is ending.  
Hasbro has handed future G4 content off to Boulder Media. So, there is no deadline to resolve plots by.

@Background Pony #476A
 
I never understood this argument. They key episodes pay off in the Season 4 finale. The Starlight episodes and Thorax pay off in the Season 6 finale. The Pillars pay off in the Season 7 finale. The school played a part in at least 17 episodes of Season 8. As far as seasonal gimmicks go, it’s the most relevant and persistent since “Dear Princess Celestia”.

Well that’s cool.
 
Don’t misunderstand me, I’ve enjoyed each season. The atmosphere and writing style has simply changed to favor comedy over growth in many cases. I don’t/didn’t really expect them to handle the final villain element with much nuance. If you ask me, season 2 was very much the golden age of antagonist episodes (in so far as an animated “family series” in our modern day can offer). Though the overall stakes were raised in later seasons the villains themselves got less interesting in their motives.

@Skoon  
@Background Pony #20A0  
I’m predicting it would end with Grogar betraying his minions.

The show has always been geared towards episodic than having an extensive story arc. It just makes it easier for casual fans to watch.
 
That said it looks like season nine has an arc going for it while tying up the last few remaining loosed ends.
 
Will they show up again before the final two episodes? Will the dynamic between the villains as a team be expanded on before then (or new members added)?
 
|| Yes. There is an upcoming episode that seems to be focusing on them at least. ||

@Skoon  
Yeah, I’ve never disliked any of the seasons but the inconsistent writing and lack of real coherent storytelling will always be a big missed opportunity in my eyes. Sombra at least got some character in his episode this season, more than “crystalllllllsssssss” so there’s at least going to be some little nuggets in there.

@Skoon  
well, ep 8 will focus on legion of doom, so at least one major episode starring them before last two

@Background Pony #476A  
You are not wrong.
 
The writing has focused more and more on punchlines, gags, and unrelated stories since the older days. Example, Grogar and company are out there. Will they show up again before the final two episodes? Will the dynamic between the villains as a team be expanded on before then (or new members added)? Is their presence going to be felt throughout the season? Not at all likely.

If they hadn’t spent a whole season building up Starlight as a new main character just to drop her into the background, or a whole (half of a) season building up the Pillars before dumping them into the background of the background, or a whole season on a school that’s immediately irrelevant…
 
It’s almost like there hasn’t been any overarching story at all since around season 4.