Season 7 Episode Discussion [Speculation, Discussion, Spoilers] (SPOILER YOUR LEAKS)

@Philweasel  
It was kind of a friendly “Thank you for helping us get this far” message

@EotD  
Mhm

@Jarkes  
Which episode was that?

@EotD  
But Larson did contribute with MMC.

@Background Pony #FA45  
Barely as his script went through massive rewriting by other people to where it was basically an in name only credit for the script

@EotD  
Yeah, it was originally a two part episode.

@Mike  
And it also involved Pandora’s Box if I remember correctly.

@Mike
 
Actually, I’ve heard a lot of conflicting reports on that. Some sources say that it was originally a two-part episode, but I remember Larson himself saying that it SHOULD have been a two-parter, but not necessarily that it originally WAS a two-parter.

@Anonycat  
It did, and it would have made Twilight actually feel like she earned her wings.
 
@Jarkes  
Well, he said he wanted to make it a two part episode and that was the first thing he asked Hasbro.

@Mike
 
But the script itself wasn’t initially a two-parter that was cut down to just one.

@Jarkes  

If memory serves, it was also supposed to be the end of series. Hasbro didn’t decide until later on to renew for an additional season, which (I believe) is what prompted some of the changes.
 
 
@Mike  

That’s still a bit ambiguous. I mean “didn’t really” leaves room for him to have worked on it a little or contributed ideas to it. It could even be that it was an idea someone else suggested that he thought could work into an interesting script, but after messing around with it a bit he decided he either didn’t care for the premise or just wasn’t happy with how it came together.
 
I mean if he doesn’t want credit for it, that’s fine, but it doesn’t mean he didn’t have some part in creating it.

You know, I really don’t like the idea of Starlight cannibalizing Spike’s roles, especially if it means that Spike receives no role in the episode himself. I mean, it’s basically saying that Starlight was needed here more than he was, and she honestly wasn’t. But I guess we simply needed more Twilight/Starlight interaction, because Heaven knows we haven’t seen enough of that dynamic…

@Spinny  
I’m really not so sure Starlight cannibalized Spike’s role here after thinking about it.  
Given how Spike did write some things in it then if it was a case of switching the roles it would of had a number of odd things in it, they would of ended up talking to Starlight about thing she wouldn’t of known or if Spike was in it then it would be odd they never say anything to him.  
They likely had to change to role beyond just who was in the spot, they had change how things happen.  
And really I see people point out more the part with going to say somthing to defend Rarity as a reason it was Spike, other then that I can see it being a change from anyone they all know and not just Spike.  
It just feels like it was changed too much to be sure it was Spike and not any other character they know.

Actully it kind of feels like, as it was, it could of even been that each scene with Starlight had one of the others in the mane 6 stepping in and not Spike.  
The only case where it felt like a 7th person was really needed was at the very end.

@Prof.NightJack  
Maybe because Spike has had very strong relationship with unicorns, alicorns and dragons. Not more ponies.

As mentioned, Spike had lessons too. That would have overstuffed the episode.

@Prof.NightJack  

I’m kind of in agreement with you on that. The fact that the most compelling evidence offered is (1) Starlight confronting two ponies over what they said about Rarity, and (2) Spike’s absence, seems a bit of a stretch. Especially considering that Starlight also stands up for Fluttershy and a few others as well.
 
Honestly I don’t think it matters either. There were no jarring “this was obviously supposed to be a different character” moments, and as long as it doesn’t feel out of place there doesn’t seem any good reason to obsess over it. Besides, this way I can headcanon Spike as off on a book signing tour in the Crystal Empire, because the ponies there would buy anything he’s had a hand in.

@Prof.NightJack
 
@Background Pony #2987
 
Not to mention Starlight using the copy spell and mentioning her “manifesto”.

They cut Spike out because he can’t use magic to make copies of the journal. He’d have to use a printing press like a fucking casual.

@Background Pony #2987  
@Jarkes  
Every time I see someone say how they think it was Spike’s role and point out the Rarity part and say nothing of the others I can only think “glade to know people think Spike doesn’t care about the others, just Rarity”

@Background Pony #2987  
It would be funny if the fans yelling to Spike why is Rarity his love interest, if there more interesting and younger ponies than her.

@Der_Fur_Shur  
Or, you know, Twilight could have done it.

@Prof.NightJack
 
Well, to be fair, they never really showed concern for him, so I wouldn’t blame him otherwise

@PonyPon  
Twilight was trotting to comfort Rarity.

@Littlecabbit  
To be fair, that’s BS reasoning to act like he wouldn’t care.