Least we know Vorak is the real villain :P

“Pathetic Centaur who uses magic to compensate for the fact that deep down hes afraid that he’ll never be enough to please dear old dad…King Vorak “

and they’re still at the fair so this happened in front of a crowd… ouch

Not completely; but something similar. Tirek was not driven by his pride, but a need for recognition from his father, and it must be said in his defense that his ego is not very big. Anakin, on the other hand, was very proud, arrogant and self-absorbed - values that the Jedi master Yoda discovered and had first wanted to exclude him from the Jedi order. Tirek was very different from Anakin when they were the same age. Tirek becomes a rebel, but Anakin was a rebel from the beginning.
 
In my opinion, it is easier to reform Tirek than Anakin. Anakin is only forgiven and accepted despite all the crimes that surpass any Tirek who considered himself a warrior according to the centaur tradition had committed. This strengthened my belief in a schizophrenic worldview in the SW universe. MLP does not have this. Tirek has a father complex, low self-esteem and poor upbringing in his childhood by being scorned for his magical abilities.
 
He was a victim who ended up being a villain.

@Background Pony #4D5A  
So, Tirek is Anakin Skywalker? Pride and desire for recognition of his power from his superiors drove him to the dark side?

@Background Pony #84D7  
Instead of; the comic about how Vorak and Tirek related to each other has, however, been indirectly confirmed in the show, as Discord explained that Tirek will prove himself to his father, as anyone could see in the comic is a very demanding and strict father figure. The show and the comic show the same thing, a strained relationship between father and son, where the latter as seen with Sendak the elder will constantly prove himself and show that he is something in the eyes of his father.

@Background Pony #4D5A  
The show still heavily contradicted the comics.  
sombra reformed in the comics and different Banishment story for the Dazzlings

@asdtroi  
The comics are now canon, moreover we know from the Fiendship is Magic # 2 that Vorak sensed the worst about his son, recognizes the lust for power - and fears that Tirek will use his magical gifts against him. When Sendak the Elder taught the technique of how to absorb the magic of others, the distance had become so great that Scorpan was then preferred as the successor to the king. By then, Tirek had turned away in anger from his parents, he had chosen to seek out his grandparents who were not biased against his ability - and then get ambitions on how to learn to use the magic. What is ironic is that Vorak wanted a worthy successor who could live up to his expectations, and thus considered his son’s magical ability to be a serious drawback. Then, Tirek will disprove this by seeking out famous magicians like Sendak the Elder.
 
Tirek ended up being alone with only his brother who loves him, as his mother was too reserved to help him out, and his father would not ignore the magic in his son, as he was preoccupied with the obligations related to royalty and the right to power. Thus, Tirek was an easy prey for Sendak who found a strong student in the prince and thus taught him, but like Vorak he meant the prince is too young, undisciplined and headstrong. This led to Tirek proving himself against his teacher, which led to him being exposed and placed under house arrest by his father. It was this that really gave birth to the famous bully from MLP that we are so well acquainted with.
 
All of this stems from a desire for acceptance and recognition from his father, as soon as he was denied, he ended up being exactly what his father wanted to avoid. And as we have seen in Season 9, this is a painful wound in Tirek’s state of mind as he wants to prove himself, even if Vorak is either far away or dead after a thousand years. That’s why he stole magic, why he voluntarily fights with alicorns, why he thought being a bully would help him out; he just wants to prove himself - this testifies to low self-esteem.

@Background Pony #4D5A  
Combine that with Sandek’s influence if we assume that comics are canon to this and you’ve got one understandable heel turn.

It would not hurt so much to have a sword stabbed in the stomach.
 
Tirek wants his father’s recognition and thus made an effort to live up to expectations, but unfortunately his ability to use magic gets in the way, so the father thus fears what his son is capable of. He saw how Tirek cheats using magic - and chose not to point this out, instead he does not understand his son’s motive for cheating. Therefore, he made this remark to show that Tirek has a lot to learn, and that he needs to sharpen up. Without realizing that this is only creating distance between him and his son.
 
I think the centaurs can use magic, but minimally in comparison to others, and it can be linked to the ability to extract magic from the surroundings - which may explain the technique that was taught by a ruthless cenatur to the son thus confirming his father’s fears as his potential is so much greater. We do not know much about what kind of monarchy one has in The Nether lands, but it seemed to be meritocratic based on the king’s capacity and ability to justify his power, the search for power would be natural for a prince to find recognition and acceptance of his father. Unfortunately, Tirek’s ability to use more magic than usual got in his way, and it ended up that the demands would only grow as the distance between Vorax and Tirek grows.
 
Vorax fears the magic in his son which he thought weakens the prince’s ability to become a worthy successor, and thus only becomes more and more demanding - which leads to more and more abuse of magic, so that a vicious circle arises. Tirek until recently wanted recognition, even many years later when he intended to prove that his magic is stronger than anything else, and thus overcome any danger his father might demand. Discord knows that, and therefore risked his life when he explained it right in Tirek’s face, showing that he had witnessed this. Tirek seeks power, but not as his father wants - and this ended with Tirek starting to lose inhibitions, which only reinforces his father’s concerns.
 
A tragic story that explains how a bully who wants all the magic to be the strongest and to prove himself, arises. And so fitting in MLP`s doctrine of friendship, understanding and openness. If Vorax and Tirek did not have the royal dignity between them, they would be able to talk to each other …

his mother be very supportive but his father is not must, AJ and RD see the type of live Tirek live up too, Tirek do everything to make his father proud be ever time he not succeed, this is the reason push Tirek to become the villain he be today, thanks King Vorak to not be supportive to your son, why you not be supportive and even guild him to become a great Prince he need to be, not crush him like this!

You’re supposed to sandwich that criticism with praise muh dude

Considering that Vorak probably didn’t know about the magic he comes off as quite dickish here. Imagine if your parent said something like this after winning a competition as a kid.

@Background Pony #E609  
Oof, you’re right.  
At least he should be happy for him for the two other hit bulleyes.

He also cheated by using magic.

Ouch

At least Tirek’s mom was proud. There’s not enough art of her.
 
Speaking of which. 69th Queen Haydon tag. Nice.

Of course he saw it, but who’s gonna make a fuss about it!

Ouch, come on your highness at least he get the Blue ribbon.

“You are such a disappointment. Go to your room.”