Chrysalis wasn’t even sure they weren’t lying per her own admission, as Magic Man said, and the first thing she does is tell them about the hatching chamber and where, as if she trusted them. That doesn’t make any sense. It flies in the face of her apparently being willing to venture, but with some suspicion, and yet she’s making herself completely vulnerable at the first opportunity.
It doesn’t even feel internally consistent, even aside from this being Cliche “Le Ponies Attacked First” Poor Chrysalis Backstory #9001, where her canon character flaws have little to do with why she became a villain, which is not something even Luna or Starlight could say, for all their flaws in their presentations.
Edit 2: Yeah. Somebody pointed out to me recently the artists FimFiction last story and tirades. Oh boy…..
Oh boy, that just reminded me it existed. That run of the mill bad mouthpiece story that’s more about thinly-veiled ranting than giving the slightest crap about staying in-character. I didn’t know it was the same one doing this until today.
I don’t oppose Chrysalis being more sympathetic. But this is….I have to say….unrealistic?
I mean I still don’t think this comic depictions excuse what Chrysalis has done towards entire pony race. I mean if we has these “one group represents whole race” thing being this justified in real life, we likely would have several world wars happening already.
I still hold my idea. I think if the story revolves around pony systemic discrimination against changelings that culminates at a point, then it could be a better story and makes more sense IMHO. I mean there’s reason why Changelings shapeshifts to hide themselves, especially in “Times There are Changeling” episode. 😉
Edit: Discrimination as in being treated badly by Ponyville Citizens and royalty in general, turned into witchunts and stuff.
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Edit 2: Yeah. Somebody pointed out to me recently the artists FimFiction last story and tirades. Oh boy…..
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I like how this was set up in a way that still allows for Star Spark to return (he was about to cast a spell… maybe teleportation?).
Same with the other guys (no visible dead bodies/parts ANYWHERE).
@cdcdrr
It doesn’t have to, but I will be very, very, very, very, veeeery surprised it if didn’t. Pinkie is already crying in the corner. Until the ponies openly reject any blame for what became of Chrysalis, I stand by my expectations.
“Oh, I just wish I understood why. WHY I SHOULD CARE!!”
**~ Zapp Brannigan**
I mean… really, that’s it?
I’m sorry, but if you wanna you wanna go for a cliched, well-trodden sob story like this for Chrysalis, fair enough, that’s your prerogative, but for pete’s sake, you’ve gotta at least get me to care!
I felt nothing reading this. No sorrow, no sympathy for Chrysalis or an overwhelming desire to see her redeemed. Zilch. Nadda. Bupkiss! And it’s not even just the not-especially-expressive artwork here, although that is a problem too.
All this backstory amounts to is a script-flip. All it’s done is point at three 2D cardboard cutout bad guys and shrug, “they did it… feel bad for Chryssie now. See, Pinkie’s crying, why aren’t you?!!”
With Tirek and Cozy’s backstories, sure, they’re not the most inspiring either and do feel like they’re pointing the blame at one dimensional cutouts too, but you know what? At least I can kinda buy it. There’s still something there, if just lacking in execution.
This just feels hastily put together and rudimentary, like the author had some okay-not-great-but-okay ideas for the other two characters and thought “oh yeah, gotta do something for Chrysalis. What’s the canon favourite explanation again…?” Now that may not be the case, I wasn’t there when this was being drafted, but it’s sure how it feels.
Addendum: There was even a part after their initial meeting heavily implies Chrysalis was suspicious of them had something up her sleeve in case they betrayed her, but… no. Apparently, she trusted them completely and that was her downfall here. That’s not bait and switch, rather leaving a clue and not following up on it. It makes her character look inconsistent in her naivity.
@Background Pony #205D
Does it have to justify it? Twilight’s objective is to reform them, not justify what they did. Criminals who are released from prison do not come out suddenly justified, what they did was still wrong. All that happened, if the judicial system is any good, is that they have accepted the punishment and used their time to better themselves so they’ll be prepared to take that second chance. Nobody has to forgive them, it’s up to the perpetrator to seek it and prove themselves deserving. Even if in some cases, that never happens.
Twilight has not shown that she forgives Chrysalis. At best, she has shown empathy for the circumstances that led Chrysalis to reject peace and friendship. And you can have understanding for why someone turned evil and still hate what it’s turned them into. I’ll reserve judgement until the moment we actually see any of these three granted an undeserved forgiveness and blanket pardon.
@Harshie83
But remember, this is definitely not all a setup to have the ponies blame themselves for what happened to Chrysalis and therefore feel guilted into helping them! We were told this repeatedly by readers who think none of this is meant to justify anything! This is not, I repeat NOT pushing blame on several 2D cardboard cutout villains so Chrysalis looks better!