So This is Love: A Twisted Tale (Review)

Hello everybody, this is George Harvey (aka The Autistic Blogger). I’d like to apologise for the slight delay in uploading this post. I’m busy working on a major project for my 6th Anniversary – which, admittedly, was two months ago. I don’t know how long it’ll take me to finish and post. But trust me when I say it’ll be worth the wait. In the meantime here’s a review of something I’ve gotten into reading lately. This post will also be made available on Autistic Blogger Creates (https://autisticbloggercreates.wordpress.com/blog/), which I pray I’ll adding more content to soon.

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One of the oldest and most efficient tools a writer has is the ‘What If…?’ scenario. When coming up with ideas for a story, we usually ask ourselves how things would turn out if specific circumstances occurred. For example, what if an alien came to Earth and needed a boy’s help to get home? What if dinosaurs came back to life in the modern day? What if Peter Pan eventually did grow up? These questions – along with the directorial skills of Steven Spielberg – lead to such cinematic classics as E.T. (1982), Jurassic Park (1993) and Hook (1991). The same can be applied to novels. And in the mid-2010s, a group of devoted authors took the ‘What If…?’ concept and used it to craft a series of Twisted Tales based on the animated Walt Disney films. Including this one, released in 2015: So This is Love. 

It’s the tale of Cinderella, who, after a magical evening of attending the royal ball, is locked in her room by her evil stepmother. Unfortunately (unlike the movie), no one comes to her rescue, and she misses her chance to try on the glass slipper. Later on, when Lady Tremaine’s cruelty reaches new highs, Cinderella escapes her home and gets a job in the palace as a seamstress. But with no way of proving she’s the missing princess, she considers forgetting about the prince and looking for a new path to happiness, especially as she now doubts if his love for her was even real. 

One thing I appreciate about this story is it doesn’t waste time rehashing the movie. The first chapter begins with Cinderella arriving at the ball, there are some additional scenes and dialogue between her and the prince, and the new plot starts partway through the second chapter. The author knows her audience is keen to experience her fresh take on the story, so she only focuses on the most pivotal scenes from the film. As for the twist itself, it’s implemented so seamlessly you’d think it was always meant to be part of the narrative. The mice just don’t show up with the key. It’s so simple yet makes all the difference in how the story plays out. The author is passionate about the original movie, but she understands her readers want more than nostalgia. 

It’s not just the plot that’s been twisted, however. As the series is intended for older audiences, it only makes sense to give the story a more mature tone. One way it does that is by adding in many darker elements to reflect the time period. These include war, poverty, executions, and even slave trading. Things don’t get as gruesome as the Brothers Grimm version – although the author does sneak in a clever reference to it: “a girl might cut off her toes simply to fit the glass slipper” (Ch.14, p.168). Another way it reinforces the tone is by removing the comic reliefs. The mice are referenced sporadically throughout the story (e.g. Ch.2, p.19), but it’s clear they don’t play any role here. It’s even possible they don’t talk in this version, and Cinderella only imagined they could. It’s more believable that way and changes our perception of the Disney film. 

Speaking of believability, I give the author credit that she tries to makes sense of everything she’s writing. She even goes so far as patching up minor issues with the original fairytale. One of the most prominent examples is how many characters, including Cinderella herself, question the logic of love-at-first-sight. They think she was just emotionally drawn to the first kind person she’d met in years. Or maybe the prince is just “in love with the idea of her” (Ch.19, p.214). Other potential issues are covered as well, such as the fairy godmother’s magic. She explains how her powers are limited, which is why she could only give Cinderella until midnight at the ball and why she can’t fix her current state of affairs (Ch.5, pp.47-8). 

Perhaps most definitively, though, Cinderella expresses why she’s never left her stepfamily until now (Ch.2, p.22). The reality is most people who experience cruel upbringings tend to fear running away. True, she wouldn’t have to deal with her stepmother’s torment anymore. But then what? She doesn’t know anyone or anything outside her family home; she would have no way of supporting herself or keeping a roof over her head. Plus, this isn’t exactly a time when helping the poor and homeless was considered a priority. She’d most likely either starve to death or be forced to return. So for anyone who claims Cinderella not leaving sooner is a plot-hole, this realistic approach to the story proves, conclusively, that it’s not.

However, this isn’t to say there aren’t any drawbacks to all this realism. For example, I’ve yet to mention the story has a second plot: one that involves a conspiracy to remove the king and prince from power. As such, there’s lots of political speak regarding things like taxes, alliances, and giving support to the commoners. I’ll admit it’s all well-researched on the author’s part. But it does draw on and on to the point of feeling generic – as if they couldn’t think of a better way to pad out the narrative. 

Additionally, the author decided to give the king, prince, fairy godmother, and grand duke proper names. Which is perfectly reasonable, but it also feels unnecessary. Not to mention names like George, Charles and Philip will only make readers think of the British royal family. 

Regardless, the author seems determined to give every character a background. Because, let’s face it, as charming as they were in the movie, you could describe most of their personalities as one-dimensional. Fortunately, the author adds just enough to their characters to make them feel like real people.

Starting with Cinderella, she’s more forward-thinking here. She doesn’t just endure terrible treatment and wait for her dreams to come true; she stands up for herself when the situation calls for it (e.g. Ch.4). Plus, she plans to build a better life for herself when all hope seems lost with the prince (e.g. Ch.10. p.113). Seeing her take these actions, and make the most of her situation, presents her as more of an inspiring protagonist. 

Another fleshed-out character is the fairy godmother. Her backstory reveals she’s the victim of a terrible law that’s put her life in danger (Ch.19, pp.221-3). She was once close friends with Cinderella’s grandmother – and even became her daughter’s godmother – but was forced to run away. It’s mainly due to her absence that Cinderella suffered for many years, and she’s never forgiven herself. Seeing this kind-hearted, whimsical fairy so vulnerable and grief-stricken makes her more human to us. 

As for the prince – who had practically no character in the movie – he’s arguably made the best improvement of all. Unlike the rest of his family, he’s experienced life outside the palace and witnessed first-hand the terrible state his people are in. This knowledge motivates him to be more involved with the council and fix the problems so many have turned a blind eye towards. Admittedly, it sounds cliched. But at least it gives us a reason to respect him. Additionally, the narrative occasionally switches to his perspective, which strengthens his personality by showing us the different relationships with his father, the grand duke and the “mystery maiden” (Ch.10, p.119). In the latter case, we’re shown why Cinderella is so important to him and reassures us he loves the person she is, not the spectacle she was (e.g. Ch.10, p.120). 

Even Lady Tremaine has depth added to her character. In one of the earlier chapters, we hear all about her troubled life before marrying Cinderella’s father. And how some poor choice of words ignited her immediate hatred of the girl (Ch.4, pp.37-41). It doesn’t redeem her character in any way, but it does give us a better understanding of her mindset. She felt a need to be hard on Cinderella for reasons other than lack of blood relation. 

There is, however, one character whose additional depth feels more harmful to them. Without spoiling who it is, this person is given a more villainous role in the story – not unlike King Stefan in Disney’s Maleficent (2014). I can understand the plot needing something extra to keep readers engaged. But considering how good-natured this person was in the film, the idea of them having sinister motives feels too forced. The story does follow the movie’s continuity until Chapter 2, after all.  

Honestly, it would’ve made better sense to create a new character for the villain role. Considering the author introduces new ones to advance the plot. Some of the more notable additions include Louisa and Madame Irmina (Cinderella’s new friend and boss, respectively). But the one who stands out the most is the king’s sister, Duchess Genevieve. Initially, she seems like another obstacle for Cinderella to overcome. She’s notoriously hard to please and generally makes life miserable for her servants (e.g. Ch.8, p.88). But after a while, she warms up to Cinderella and becomes more sympathetic when hearing about her past. She even manages to afford her some privileges (Ch.11). Also, like the prince, her personality is strengthened by her various relationships with other people. Whether it’s being scornful of her brother, hateful towards the grand duke, or having views of her own about her nephew’s “mystery maiden“, she’s a strong-minded woman who never hesitates to challenge somebody in authority. Her presence does take some getting used to, but she’s an integral part of the story and the middle ground between many characters. 

In conclusion, So This is Love reimagines Disney’s Cinderella in a way that’s both respectful of the film and its audience. It may not be the first attempt at retelling the classic, and there might be some inspirations taken from A Twist in Time (2007) and Cinderella (2017). But with the way it treats its readers like adults, giving them a realistic world, with fleshed-out characters and motivations, it’s an engaging read that makes you question if they’ll be a happy ending. If you grew up with the original Disney film and want to fall in love with these characters again, this book is highly recommended – along with the rest of Twisted Tales. 

That’s all I have to say for this review. So until next time, stay tuned. 

Ref: Elizabeth Lim, So This is Love (Sywell, UK, Autumn Publishing, 2020).

Image courtesy of https://books.disney.com/book/so-this-is-love/

My Little Pony: Rock Solid Autism (Part 2)

(Continued from Part 1: https://georgeharvey2015.wordpress.com/2019/02/01/my-little-pony-rock-solid-autism-part-1/)

Spying on Maud and Starlight’s kite-flying, Pinkie worries the two of them aren’t bonding quickly enough. And that Maud could still choose to live in Ghastly Gorge rather than Ponyville. She decides to intervene. Under the pretence of delivering a pizza, she asks them how things are going and suggests now might be a good time to start talking about each other’s feelings. This makes Maud and Starlight rather uncomfortable, as Maud isn’t good with feelings and Starlight worries it could bring up her evil past again.

Being Aspergic myself, I’ve often dealt with this scenario. People ask me how I’m feeling in everyday situations, like just after work or meeting with friends. Sometimes I don’t really know how I feel. I’m just the same relaxed way I always am, with little to no change. Even when my mood is different, there has to be something significant to it. Or I feel it’s not worth mentioning. For example, maybe my day was eventful because I discovered a fake £20 note. Or a new colleague started at work that afternoon. If it were just a regular day, I’d describe it as one. Even so, people still expect me to give long, detailed answers every time. Which is why I often say things like “I’m good” or “fine” to end the conversation. It might seem rude or unengaging, but it’s because I genuinely have nothing more to say on the subject – and I don’t want to be pushed into giving details that aren’t there. In this case, Pinkie is pressuring Maud and Starlight to become closer friends when they’re only just starting to know each other.

In a cunning move, Maud finds a way to ditch her sister so she and Starlight can spend more time alone together. She then takes Starlight to the Ponyville gem cave, where she explains why she finds rocks so fascinating. Each one has its own unique story to tell if you look closely enough. For instance, the line-markings on her pet rock, Boulder, tells Maud he’s over 2000-years-old. Another reason she likes rocks is “they don’t exclude you if you’re…different, from other ponies.”

Exclusion is a serious matter for people with Autism. It can affect their self-esteem and how they choose to interact with others. It can also harm their self-confidence. As I mentioned before (Part 1), Maud is one of the few ponies the Mane 6 couldn’t make friends with initially. They didn’t exclude her from their activities, but they also couldn’t work around her limited interests. Her obsession with rocks just wasn’t something they were used to dealing with. Other ponies have likely felt the same way, but worse; not wanting to get involved with Maud because they can’t grasp her unusual personality. It’s a setback she’s probably faced for years.

However, it’s not always other people’s fault. I’ll admit, when I was younger, I may have put up social barriers myself. When I first learned I had Autism, I started feeling a lot more self-conscious – like there was something about me that alienated me from other people. I would often sit by myself, watching others socialise and think about joining in with them. However, I never did so in the end. Because I was worried they wouldn’t be interested in what I had to say. Fear of rejection might be why Maud has never tried making friends before now.

Fortunately, Starlight isn’t the sort of pony to turn a blind-eye so quickly. After hearing what Maud has to say about rocks, she sees they’re “beautiful and strong, but they don’t judge you or make you feel less than in any way.” Rocks are a nice hobby to have if you don’t want anyone dwelling on your past. It’s at this point she says, “I think I’m starting to like rocks, too.” And then something incredible happens: Maud smiles!

Now, I’m not saying Autistic people never smile – that would be unfair. And this isn’t even the first time Maud has smiled onscreen. However, you need to understand how significant something like this is for her. Keep in mind, Maud rarely shows any emotion. Even when talking about her interests, she maintains a neutral expression and talks as if they’re no big deal. For her to show happiness so openly, it almost feels out of character for her. So whenever she does smile, you know you’ve done something special. And this is a special moment. Not only has she found somepony to share her love of rocks with (outside her family), but she also likes Starlight’s kite-flying hobby, and Starlight likes her for not judging who she used to be. For the first time since Pinkie suggested it, Maud believes a friendship with this pony could actually work out.

As they continue exploring the cave, Starlight finds a wall made of hallow granite. Breaking through it, they make an impressive discovery: a vast underground cavern, full of crystals, with a large waterfall and stream running through it. Maud admits she’s never seen anything like it – which is “highly unusual, for [her].” It’s definitely a sight to behold. But then Pinkie shows up. She satirises the moment by taking a picture and saying how she can’t wait for the two of them to be “old, and eating pistachios together, and telling their grand-foals about this.”

Again, Pinkie is overstepping her boundaries here. She doesn’t realise Maud and Starlight are bonding organically, and they don’t need her trying to speed up the process. In fact; Pinkie is so desperate that she sets off an explosion in the cave, trapping them all inside. She hopes it will give them time to bond. But Maud uses Boulder to break through the sandstone ceiling. Starlight is so impressed that she even compliments Boulder on his actions as though he’s alive – showing how much she understands Maud’s mindset towards him.

Free from the cave, Pinkie tries to keep an eye on Maud and Starlight again. But Starlight finds another way to ditch her, which makes Maud smile – thus making her the first pony to achieve this feat twice in one episode.

Later on, as Maud and Pinkie are going to bed, Pinkie says she’ll be there every step of the way to help make Starlight Maud’s new best friend. She’s even made plans for the next 17 days! However, it’s clear that Maud is becoming frustrated with Pinkie’s actions. She can’t bond with Starlight properly because her sister keeps interfering. And it’s starting to feel like she’s doing this because she has to, not because she wants to. Unfortunately, Maud struggles to tell her sister this because she’s not good with words. And with Pinkie too overexcited to listen anyway, she eventually just gives up.

This is another familiar scenario for me. Sometimes I do want to make conversation with people. But getting my words out can be a challenge. Everybody is so focused on talking to each other that they don’t always notice when I’m trying to speak. And chances to make myself heard (e.g. pauses in speech) are few and far between. I suppose it often comes down to people’s expectations of me. Since they know I don’t talk much anyway, they just assume I won’t have anything to say throughout. But that’s not necessarily true. I might want to comment on something, but it’s tricky getting my words in edgewise. As Maud does with Pinkie.

Maud’s other problem is finding the right way to express herself. She wants to tell Pinkie she needs to stop helping so much, but she’s isn’t much of a talker. As such, she can’t find the words or tone of voice to make her understand. In recent years, I’ve noticed something similar with my own speech. Whenever I try explaining things without thinking, my thoughts often get jumbled up in my head. I start tripping over my words, repeating myself or even stopping and starting over again – which is really embarrassing. The same can be said for my writing skills. For years, I just wanted to get things done as quickly as possible. But because I never structured my paragraphs, ideas would continuously change, and I’d spend more time editing my pieces than actually finishing them. Consequently, they’d take me forever to complete and they rarely turned out how I wanted.

For Autistic people, getting their points across can sometimes take planning and pre-thought. Which is why they often prefer writing down their feelings as opposed to speaking them. So that’s what Maud does. The next morning she leaves Pinkie a goodbye note, thanking her for her efforts. Not wanting to hurt her feelings, though, she doesn’t mention the trouble her sister caused. Instead, she claims her decision needs to be rock-based, and that she probably won’t have time for friends. Which is crushing to hear, as we know how much she really wants to be friends with Starlight. With her note delivered, Maud departs for Ghastly Gorge.

Distraught over her sister leaving, Pinkie goes to Starlight to tell her what’s happened. Interestingly, she takes the news better than her – almost as if she were expecting Maud to make this decision based on what would be most comfortable for her. Pinkie then asks why the two of them couldn’t just be friends, causing Starlight to realise how ignorant she is. She tells Pinkie she does like Maud. “She’s weird [but] in a good way. She sees the world in a totally different way than any pony [she’s] ever met. She accepts her for who [she is], she taught [her] that a rock is never just a rock, and she can make anything funny.” They never had to say it, but they “got” each other. Pinkie was just getting in the way too much.

Everything Starlight says here is right on the money. Particularly the part about Maud seeing the world differently. What many people mistake for strangeness in Autistic people is actually their habit of noticing what others tend not to. It might seem trivial to focus on things like the markings on a rock. Yet it’s this attention to detail that makes Autistic people such experts in unique fields. Without Satoshi Tariji’s love of bug-collecting as a boy, Pokemon would never have existed. If Einstien hadn’t been obsessed with numbers, he wouldn’t have become a famous scientist. And if Maud weren’t so fascinated by rocks and their properties, she wouldn’t have become a professor. Just because something seems irrelevant, doesn’t mean expertise on it won’t be considered valuable one day.

Realising her mistakes, Pinkie goes to Ghastly Gorge to find her sister. She arrives just in time to save Maud from being eaten by a Giant Mountain Eel – yes, this world has those. A fact Maud is almost oblivious to, as she’s autistically distracted by an emerald jasper.

As they escape, Maud claims Pinkie “didn’t need to come. [She’s] having a great time on her own [and] even made a new friend.” This, however, is a flat-out lie. Before Pinkie showed up, Maud was miserably gathering rock samples with only Boulder around for company. Although she was doing what she loved, the isolation was clearly getting to her and making her depressed. It just goes to show no matter what you strive for in life, it’s important to have somebody to share it with. Otherwise, it can all feel meaningless.

Maud continues by saying she “[doesn’t] belong in Ponyville. It only proves [she’s] better off all by herself, like she always has been.” But Pinkie tells her not to think like that. Everything was her fault. She forced Maud into making friends her way, but her way isn’t Maud’s way. She didn’t even realise what her sister was going through.

This might be the most important lesson to take from this episode. I said before (in Part 1) that Pinkie wanted Maud to live near her so they could spend more time together. But also so she could look after her. Pinkie cares very deeply for Maud and understands her condition better than any pony. However, she thought her Autism would prevent her from making friends on her own or living independently. Hence why she tried taking charge of the process and putting extra work into it. However, this only succeeded in stressing Maud out. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to help somebody. As long as you support them in a way that’s comfortable for them.

I know just how Maud feels. Back when I was looking for a new job, I would be asked on a daily basis what positions I’d applied for. Or what I’d done to improve my CV. It got to the point where I felt like I was being pressured to devote all my spare time to this task, which made me hate it even more. I actually started hating the people who were asking me, too. They didn’t understand I needed to go at my own pace. That way, I could feel I was doing this for my own sake – not their’s.

Pinkie shamefully admits she underestimated Maud and didn’t take her feelings into account. Maud understands she did it out of love. And after reconciling, she agrees to give Ponyville another chance. With Pinkie promising to give her some space.

Back in Ponyville, Maud is seen flying a homemade kite alongside Starlight – the latter’s hobby having rubbed off on her. They’ve officially decided to become friends, but agree they don’t have to talk about feelings if they don’t want to. Maud then shows Starlight her new home: the carven they discovered, with added furnishing. Pinkie appears one more time to say how happy she is that Maud has moved to Ponyville. But then she swiftly exits, remembering her promise.

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And that was Rock Solid Friendship. Quite possibly one of the best-written stories Hasbro has produced. There was just so much this episode got right about Autism; Maud’s unusual interests, her difficulty speaking, her struggles with independence, her insensitivity, her literal way of thinking, her imagination, her desire to make friends, feeling pressured, wanting to be understood, getting distracted, and so much more. Add in the relatable situations, and Pinkie less-than-helpful actions, and it paints a clear picture of what life with Autism can feel like.

The best part is, Maud’s journey didn’t end with this episode. Towards the conclusion of Season 7 (Uncommon Bond), we were given an update on her relationship with Starlight. Although they still don’t talk about anything personal, they’re happy being in each other’s company. And Maud is well-acquainted with Starlight’s other friends, Sunburst and Trixie. So, all in all, their friendship has remained healthy. Also, Maud continues moving forward in life. In Season 8 (Maud Couple), it’s revealed she actually has a boyfriend: Mud Briar. He’s just as Autistic as she is and they share much in common. He’s a very literal pony, has specific interests, rarely shows any emotion, and even has a pet stick (Twiggy) – just as Maud has Boulder. His personality can be a bit annoying at times, especially when he’s always saying “technically” and correcting others. But it’s clear he and Maud are perfect for each other. Plus, he makes her smile more than any other pony in the series.

In conclusion, Rock Solid Friendship is another example of why this series is so beloved. My Little Pony still has a stigma against it, given how girly it used to be. But if people took the time to watch Friendship is Magic, they’d realise how far the brand has evolved and why its fanbase extends across all ages and genders. If you’re looking for a piece of media that perfectly represents Autism and the people involved with it, then this is definitely for you. Rock Solid Friendship will inspire those who have the condition and enlighten those who wish to learn from it.

And that’s all I have to say for this review. I’m glad I posted it when I did. Because in less than a week, the final season of Friendship is Magic will begin (April 6th, 2019). It’s sad to see the show end. But its legacy will live on through the lessons it’s taught and the people who’ve been inspired by them.

If you have any questions, then please leave me a comment – I’ll be more than happy to answer them. And if you enjoyed this review, please check out the episode itself, and join me for the end of an era this year. Until next time, stay tuned.

(Image courtesy of: http://www.mylittlepony.it/2017/05/05/rock-solid-friendship-commenti-dal-blog/)

Equestria Girls: Magical Movie Night Review

(Review begins where text is all italic.)

Hello everybody, this is George Harvey, aka the Autistic Blogger. Some of you may remember earlier this year I posted a random review of a random DVD (Sword Art Online II: Part 4). Today, I’m posting another one, for similar reasons.

Below is my analysis of Dance-, Movie– and Mirror-Magic; the three Equestria Girls specials that were released this past summer. For those of you who don’t know, Equestria Girls is a spin-off brand of My Little Pony, where all the characters are re-imagined as humans. I’ve reviewed each of the movies before, so it made sense to write one on the specials, too – especially as they were said to be the beginning of a series. While I am happy with the finished piece, posting it here feels bittersweet for me. Let me explain.

Usually, when I write a review, I submit it to Amazon.co.uk. There, people can read my analysis and let me know whether it’s helpful or not. This time, though, I wasn’t able to do that. Because, for whatever reason, these specials aren’t available on DVD outside of America. I’ve checked the US version of the site. But apparently, you need to spend at least $50 to post a review there – which would be costly to me. So, with very few options, I posted the review here just to get it online.

However, I would’ve done the same even without the uploading problem.

You see, much like my SAO analysis, I was worried nobody would find this review on Amazon – it’s easy to miss on such a vast site. The thought of that happening was too unbearable, considering how long I’d slaved away over it. I’m not exaggerating either. You wouldn’t believe what I’ve suffered through just to get this done. To give you an idea, let’s look back at my SAO review. When I uploaded that piece, I discussed beforehand how difficult writing was for me sometimes. How my Autism affects my thought process and makes me a perfectionist, which cause me to edit for weeks on end. Since then, I’m afraid to say very little has improved. In fact, it’s worse than before. I began writing this review around early July. It’s now New Year’s Eve! You can do the math for yourself.

To be fair, I haven’t spent every waking moment of my life working on this piece. There have been days, even weeks, where I’ve taken breaks to focus on more important things; like work, drama and online courses. These projects have kept me motivated, and I haven’t stressed over the review as much as I usually do. However, given it’s still taken me this long to finish, I’m honestly having concerns about my future. My dream is to become a children’s author one day. If I can’t write a review within three weeks, what chance do I have finishing a book? It doesn’t seem likely, does it?

With all this in mind, I’ve decided it’s well and truly, seriously time for me to sort out my writing problems. And I think I know how.

I’ve always said my biggest regret was not taking A-Levels in English. If I had, perhaps writing wouldn’t be so complicated now, and I’d have a firmer grasp of its rules. It also would’ve made University a lot easier.

I think what I need to do is go back to the basics. If I can refresh my memory and learn to be confident in my abilities, then it’ll help me avoid the problems I keep encountering. In theory, this should also stop me second-guessing myself, and I can finish things quicker and more professionally. To help me do this, I’ve purchased some GCSE revision guides on Language and Literature. Plus, I still have my old college textbooks and computer programs such as Grammarly. It’s going to be a challenge, but I’m determined to make 2018 my best writing year yet.

I think that’s enough rambling now.

I understand this review may not appeal to everyone. But I do hope you’ll take time to read it and appreciate all the effort that’s put in. This piece could be the last time I write something of this length and quality. It’ll be interesting to see if anything has improved within in a year’s time.

Happy New Year, and enjoy the review. (Be warned: it’s quite long.)

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If there’s one word I can use to describe Equestria Girls lately, it’s independent. Back when Hasbro first commissioned this brand, it was intended to be a loose tie-in with their Friendship is Magic series. Specifically, it featured Twilight Sparkle visiting the human world and protecting it from various magical threats. It also featured other ponies from the show as high school students, creating a unique blend of fantasy and teenage drama. While this concept was successful, there was only so much it could achieve as an extension of the show – especially as the high school clichés gave it limited creative potential. Fortunately, Hasbro had a solution. In 2015, their movies began focusing solely on their human characters and had little to no connection with the series. They even created their own version of Twilight (Sci-Twi) and pushed her into the lead role alongside Sunset Shimmer, a former antagonist. These changes, along with the new magic girl aspects, gave the brand its own identity, allowing it to appeal to a broader audience.
With its newfound popularity, Hasbro wanted to try making Equestria Girls into its own TV series. All they needed was the right opportunity to present one. That opportunity came in 2017. Due to the release of My Little Pony: The Movie, the studio decided not to make a fifth Equestria Girls film. Instead, they produced three half-hour specials that would air on TV as backdoor pilots. If they were successful, it would assure them that releasing two series a year would be worth their time and money.
So now that Sunset and the gang have episode-length adventures are they good enough to warrant a full series? Let’s take a look.
The first special, Dance Magic, takes place sometime after the fourth film. With Camp Everfree still needing repairs, the Hu-Mane Seven are trying to raise money for it. Unfortunately, they’ve only gathered half the funds, and the deadline is next week. That’s when Rarity has an idea. If they can win Canterlot Mall’s Chance to Prance competition, they’ll earn prize money worth more than double what they need. Everyone likes the idea. But it soon becomes apparent they aren’t the best dancers. Plus, some old rivals return from Crystal Prep. And when they steal Rarity’s video concept, she wishes she hadn’t spent the pre-earned money on costumes.
First of all, I love how this story focuses on someone other than Twilight or Sunset for a change. One of the core issues with the Hu-Mane Seven, lately, has been their limited screen time. This has led to them having diminished film roles and almost flanderized personalities. Fortunately, that’s the advantage of shorter stories: they provide individual character development, without tediously dragging out the plot. In this case, the spotlight is on Rarity.
For the most part, Rarity is still her typical fashion-obsessed self, who’s more concerned with appearance than practicality. But we also get to see her creative side and just how passionate she is towards her work. She’s so devoted that she won’t be satisfied unless she’s perfected every detail – even if it means cancelling rehearsals to fix torn clothes. It’s this determination that brings out the best in her character and makes her an ideal director. Additionally, she adopts some of pony-Rarity’s quirks for good measure (e.g. her fainting couch, her running mascara, and eating ice cream when she’s miserable). Most importantly, though, she keeps her other self’s generosity, which plays a significant role in the climax.
Another interesting note is that this story features the return of the Shadow Bolts (Sugarcoat, Sour Sweet, Lemon Zest and Sunny Flare). I actually made a mistake in my Friendship Games review when I said these girls didn’t have individual personalities. In fact, they’re supposed to represent darker versions of the Hu-Mane Seven. Sugarcoat is honest (like Applejack), but she’s also harsh with her words and never sugarcoats anything. Sour Sweet is nice (like Fluttershy), but she’s prone to mood swings and often follows her compliments with sour remarks. In Dance Magic, they retain these traits, along with their highly competitive nature. Which I found unusual at first; until I realised it was done for realism. You see, too often in My Little Pony, villains are reformed after a single good deed. Which isn’t entirely plausible. The best-reformed characters are those who’re given time to reflect on their actions and then progressively make amends for them. That’s how Sunset became the brand’s most well-developed character. The Shadow Bolts are similar in a way; it’s revealed they had good intentions for winning, but they lost sight of them in the heat of competition. It takes Rarity to show them that.
Aside from the video itself, which is lyrically appealing – despite containing a rap number – there’s nothing else to say except Dance Magic delivers. It may not be anything epic or magical, but it’s a solid example of a character-focused story, which every good series needs.
The second special, Movie Magic, sees the girls visiting a film studio. One of its directors is an alumnus of Camp Everfree and has graciously invited them to the set of Daring Do. Unfortunately, production of the feature is in turmoil; costumes have been lost, set pieces are falling apart, the lead actress is threatening to quit. And when some valuable props are stolen, the Hu-Mane Seven begin to suspect there’s sabotage at work. Now they have to find the culprit and save the film before it’s cancelled.
If I can be honest, this feels like the weakest of the three specials to me. I do give it credit for being the most like a TV episode, but there’s a constant sense that it’s trying to be something it’s not. Let me explain. Going by the set-up, you can tell the writer took a lot of inspiration from the classic Scooby Doo cartoons. You’ve got the group of teenagers who stumble across a mystery, a talking dog who’s obsessed with finding food, comical yet pointless chase scenes, a girl in glasses who explains the villain’s scheme after they’ve caught them, the list goes on. It’s not a bad idea. But having a more comedic tone does affect the story’s quality. Some scenes try so hard to be funny that they abandon all sense of logic and realism. Consequently, the tension feels downplayed and it’s hard to take anything seriously. Even the villain’s motives are board-line ridiculous. It works fine for a Scooby Doo cartoon. But because Equestria Girls also teaches important morals, their stories need to balance out humour with serious moments, or they won’t get these messages across. On top of that, the mystery itself isn’t that engaging. Why? Because it’s too obvious who the culprit is! I won’t give away any spoilers. But if you pay attention to all the not-so-subtle hints, and realise there are only two potential suspects, you can work things out within the first 10mins. It doesn’t help either that the characters blatantly try to mislead us.
Overall, Movie Magic isn’t on par with episodes like Rarity Investigates or MMMystery on the Friendship Express. But that doesn’t mean it’s all bad. In fact, there were quite a few elements it handled quite well. For one thing, all the Hu-Mane Seven share the same amount of screen time. And while their intelligence is questionable at times, they do stay perfectly in character throughout. Twilight and Rainbow Dash are especially memorable because they’re portrayed as fan-girls – something that’s been shown numerous times in the series, but never in Equestria Girls. It’s also good to see the girls using their geode powers for the first time since Legend of Everfree (e.g. Rainbow Dash’s super speed and Twilight’s telekinesis). However, certain flaws with these abilities do get addressed as well. Namely how they’re overpowered and could resolve problems too easily. Because of this, limitations had to be established, such as the girls needing to wear their geodes to use them. It’s a bit dull to hear the old we forgot to bring them excuse, but just having the powers adds some much-needed fantasy to an otherwise standard comedic mystery.
Another aspect worth mentioning is two of the new characters they introduce. The first is Juniper Montage. She’s the director’s niece and production assistant, who’s also a big Daring Do fan. She plays a more prominent role in the third story – so I won’t go into details here. But the plot does well to establish her character and sets everything up perfectly for her appearance later on. The other new face is Chestnut Magnifico, who – I have to say – I don’t particularly like as Daring Do. I get that she’s an actress and not the real thing, but it bothers me she’s even associated with the character. In the series, Daring Do is a wise-cracking tomboy, who’s a mixture of Rainbow Dash and Indiana Jones. Chestnut Magnifico is a generic movie diva, who’s loud, obnoxious and always in a bad mood. Even when filming, she barely looks or sounds anything like her counterpart. If the writer wanted to reinvent a fan-favourite character for Equestria Girls, they only succeeded in tarnishing it.
Perhaps the best part of Movie Magic though, is its pop-culture references. Taking place in a film studio, there are various nods to movies like Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, directors Steven Spielberg and Ron Howard, and even episodes of Friendship is Magic, One of my personal favourites is when the girls end up on a superhero set, dressed as the Power Ponies (Season 4) – with Sunset Shimmer hilariously typecast as the Mane-iac.
So all in all, there are parts of Movie Magic that do work. It’s just a shame that most of them aren’t well-presented.
And then you have the third special, Mirror Magic. I have just one thing to say: Sunset Shimmer meets Starlight Glimmer! This is the scenario fans have been dreaming about for ages. I don’t know what it is about 2017, but it seems to be the year of wish fulfilment for the fandom. There’s this, My Little Pony: The Movie, and the majority of episodes in Season 7. But anyway, let me explain how this meeting of two worlds came to be.
While spending time at Canterlot Mall, Sunset Shimmer tries to write a message to Princess Twilight. Only for her magic journal to suddenly run out of pages. Just then, she gets a reply from her mentor, asking her to come to her castle. That’s right, Sunset Shimmer goes back to Equestria! And, we see her in pony-form for the first time in years! Anyway, upon arrival, she’s greeted by Starlight, who gives her a new journal as Twilight and her friends were unexpectedly called away. Sunset can’t help feeling a bit disappointed. Just as she’s about to leave, however, Starlight becomes curious of the human world and asks if she can see it for herself. Sunset agrees, as long as they keep a low profile. That’s right, Starlight Glimmer in the human world! Meanwhile, an old adversary has returned and imprisons the Hu-Mane Seven. And when Sunset is caught too, it’s up to Starlight to save the day.
Admittedly, when I first heard there was going to be a Starlight in this special, I wasn’t too keen on the idea. I was concerned a human version would overshadow Sunset, and the latter would lose significance as a brand-exclusive character. The individual brands work so well, in my opinion, because they have two different ponies as their seventh lead. Fortunately, Sunset wasn’t undermined. Because, rather than creating their own version of Starlight, the writer merely borrows the one from the series. Knowing this, we’re assured she’ll return to Equestria and Sunset will remain the face of Equestria Girls.
However, I’m not saying Starlight’s inclusion here was a bad thing. In fact, by the end of it, I was hoping she’d become a semi-recurring character. This is mainly due to her relationship with Sunset. The chemistry between these two is just perfect; they’re charming together, they have similar backgrounds, and they’re able to help with each other’s problems. Starlight offers Sunset advice on the rogue magic that’s loose in her world, while she gives Starlight a chance prove herself as Twilight’s pupil. Additionally, they’re both incredibly funny characters. In one scene, Sunset forgets to walk on all fours and use magic in Equestria. Then, Starlight behaves like a pony in the human world. It’s definitely a treat seeing them play off each other, and it never feels like one is upstaging the other.
Of course, Starlight and Sunset aren’t the only stars. As mentioned before, this story also features Juniper Montage. Following on from Movie Magic, she’s now a theatre usher and has developed a hatred towards the Hu-Mane Seven. One day, while slacking off, she finds a mirror infected with Equestrian magic. It seems harmless at first, showing her reflection as a famous movie star. But then she discovers it can also banish people she hates to a mirror-dimension. Eventually, she’s so overcome by its power that she transforms into a giant, delusional monster – one only Starlight can subdue.
I have to say, regarding Equestria Girls villains, Juniper might be my favourite character to date. She’s a perfect example of how the brand can create its own characters, rather than relying on those from the series. True, she comes off as being a spoiled brat. But thanks to Movie Magic we understand why. Like any girl her age, Juniper had strong ambitions for the future. She dreamed of becoming an actress and was fortunate enough to have an uncle in the film industry. If she’d bided her time as his assistant, it could’ve led to many great opportunities for her. Now, because of a mistake she made, she’s lost that dream position and ended up in a job she feels is beneath her. On top of that, she’s constantly reminded of her enemies’ success, which only causes her to lash out. With this in mind, it’s natural that she’d become infatuated with the mirror’s reflection and allow herself to be corrupted. I’m not saying this justifies her actions, but the narrative does make us feel sorry for her. Deep down, all she really wants is friendship.
I suppose my only complaint about Mirror Magic is the runtime. Given Starlight’s presence and the depth of Juniper’s character, the story really could’ve been expanded into a full-length movie. It’s especially troubling for Juniper since it makes her development feel rushed and forced. If they’d held back on her return, she could’ve become a recurring villain for the brand. Now it seems she’ll just fade into obscurity like Diamond Tiara did. Nonetheless, the special is of movie-quality standards, and many agree it’s the best of the three.
So how well do these stories hold up collectively? As backdoor pilots, I’d say very well. Although each of them varies in focus and quality, they all share a common desire to present Equestria Girls as a plausible series. They have on-screen credits, similar to Friendship is Magic and theirs; an original – albeit short – opening theme, and even individually designed title cards. They also do a good job tying-in with each other, as well as the movies. Dance Magic refers to the Friendship Games and Legend of Everfree; Movie Magic features a character seen briefly at the end of the fourth film (i.e. the director); and, Mirror Magic has both Juniper Montage and the Dance Magic music video.
In conclusion, there’s no reason Hasbro shouldn’t make Equestria Girls into a full-length series. The fandom wants it, they’re capable of doing it, and the brand has proven countless times it can support itself with fleshed-out characters, evocative storylines and limited MLP nostalgia. The best part is, a series seems closer now than ever before (in 2017). Not long after these specials aired, Hasbro released the Summertime Shorts. These segments continued the Hu-Mane Seven‘s adventures, but also expanded their universe; showing us some of their hobbies, where they lived and even where they worked – that’s right, they have jobs this world! The shorts were so popular that within weeks Hasbro announced they’d be releasing a digital series on YouTube. This, unfortunately, turned out to be more shorts, but their quality and world-building remained. Plus, extended episodes could be on the horizon, given that a fifth film is rumoured to be in the works.
If you love Equestria Girls, and want to experience the brand in series-form, then these specials are an absolute must-watch for you. If you’re not a fan, but you still want to get into them, then I’d recommend at least watching Legend of Everfree first. Once you’ve seen where a series started taking shape, you’ll be eager as a brony to see more.
That’s all I have to say for now. So until next time, stay tuned.

*

If you have any questions, please leave me a comment – I’ll be happy to answer them. And, until next time, stay tuned.

(Image courtesy of: https://mylittlepony.hasbro.com/en-us/characters/meet/equestriagirls)

My Little Pony: Lesson Zero and Autism (Part 2)

(Continued from Part 1: https://georgeharvey2015.wordpress.com/2016/10/22/my-little-pony-lesson-zero-and-autism-part-1/)

From here onwards, the episode focuses on Twilight trying to cope with the stress of potentially missing her deadline. Many people go through this situation, of course. But it’s important to note how Twilight is reacting. And why. Because she thinks very highly of Celestia, she feels it’s necessary to push herself – if she’s not perfect, it’s not meeting her tutor’s standards. I had this same problem in university. Because I took Creative Writing at Greenwich, one of London’s top colleges, every assignment felt like it had to be precise or else I’d fail my course. This goes back to what I said before about problems feeling bigger than they actually are. No one expects perfection – not even royalty. But if you’re used to being a model pupil, it’s easy to stress over small details and imagine all the negative outcomes.

Thinking she’ll be sent back to magic kindergarten if she fails, Twilight decides to find a friendship problem and solve it by the end of the day. Unfortunately, she doesn’t have much luck. Every time she runs into one of her friends they look like they’re in trouble. But it turns out to be a misunderstanding, leaving her crushed.

Yes, Twilight is actually hoping her friends are suffering so she’ll have something to fix and write about. When you’re stressing over a deadline, it’s hard to concern yourself with anything else.

With no friendship problems in sight, Twilight curls up on a park bench trying to comfort herself. However, the pressure is clearly getting her. She’s stroking her tail, her mane is frazzled, she starts crying and arguing with herself (Gollum-style.) She even has hallucinations of younger ponies (fillies) laughing at her.

You might think this behaviour is a bit exaggerated or comical. But I can tell you, from personal experience, that it’s realistic. There were times in university when I’d curl up in fear. Or I’d cry and talk to my reflection. Sometimes I even had nervous twitches that made me throw up in the morning. The point is, stress can cause you to act the way Twilight does. And I’m glad Meghan McCarthy and the animators gave us such an accurate portrayal here.

Spike tells Twilight she needs to calm down because he’s worried about her. He suggests they go to the picnic so she can relax. But Twilight sees this as another chance to find a friendship problem.

Again, this is realistic behaviour from Twilight. When you have short deadlines, it feels like you can’t afford to take breaks. If you do, you’ll just have less time to finish your tasks, which makes the situation more stressful.

Arriving at the picnic, Twilight tells her friends she desperately needs their help. They seem eager to lend a hoof until she explains she’s late for an assignment. At which point, they brush off the problem and go back to their picnic. Twilight insists her whole life depends on this. But her friends just say she’s getting all worked up over nothing – some even laugh and call her a drama queen. This infuriates Twilight, and she runs off in frustration.

This is a very pivotal moment in the episode. Not only does it affect everything that happens afterwards, but it ultimately leads us to the moral of the story.

Also, this situation is something I feel very personal about.

To be fair, Twilight’s friends aren’t being hurtful on purpose – they do show regret after she runs off. But if I were in her position, I’d be mad too. There have been times when I’ve gone to people for help, and all they’ve done is tell me my problems aren’t worth stressing over. I  do understand why they say this. But it doesn’t do anything to help me, and I almost hate them for it.

It’s the same with Twilight.

Yes, she is overreacting – that much is obvious. But she wouldn’t be panicking if she didn’t feel she had a reason to. Her friends don’t see what’s so stressful because they’re not the ones with the problem. So they think the obvious solution is to stop worrying about it. But this is the worst thing you can say to somebody in Twilight’s predicament.

People do prefer not to feel negative emotions. But they can’t stop feeling how they are just because someone tells them to. If you were punched in the face, you wouldn’t forgive the person who did it just because they said it was a joke. You wouldn’t immediately cheer up if you were told your mother died. And you wouldn’t stop worrying about something just because another person said they would. Telling someone they’re overreacting, without offering a proper solution to their problem, just makes that person think you’re being insensitive. Or worse, poking fun at their misery. This is the sort of thing that ruins relationships.

Twilight’s friends don’t realise the severity of their actions – or lack of them. And it’s what leads us to the episode’s climax.

We cut back to Twilight, who’s watching the sun set from her bedroom. By this point, her mind has officially snapped, and she’s descending into madness.

Seriously, go on YouTube, type Crazy Twilight Sparkle and click the first video that comes up. This scene alone proves why My Little Pony isn’t just for girls anymore.

With seemingly no other option, Twilight decides if she can’t find a friendship problem, she’ll make one.

I’ve been through this scenario once too often; the pressure of meeting a deadline can be so overwhelming you resort to taking shortcuts. The stress means you can’t think straight and you’re so focused on finishing the task you don’t care if it’s done well or not.

Twilight goes outside, with a sadistic grin on her face (see image link below), and comes across Applebloom, Sweetiebelle and Scootaloo (the Cutie Mark Crusaders). She shows the fillies her Smarty Pants doll and gives it to them, hoping they’ll fight over it. When they don’t, she casts a “Want It/Need It” spell, which forces them to fight. Twilight tries to teach the girls about sharing but quickly realises the spell is too powerful. Then more ponies fall under her spell until nearly everyone in Ponyville is fighting over the doll. Twilight finds her friends and admits she messed up, just as the sun sets over the horizon.

By the way, I should mention the sun has been setting in a rather unique way. Along with a ‘ticking’ windmill, it’s been jolting across the sky like the hours on a clock face. I love how the animators did this because it emphasises how Twilight is feeling about her time pressure.

Just when it looks like things can’t get any worse, a voice cries out “TWILIGHT SPARKLE!” It’s Princess Celestia. She casts a spell which removes the enchantment from the doll, returning every pony to normal. She then approaches Twilight and says to meet her in the library. Believing she knows what this means, Twilight says a sad goodbye to her friends and walks away – it’s only then they realise how big Twilight’s problem might’ve been.

However, it turns out Celestia isn’t mad. She tells Twilight she’s a wonderful student, and she doesn’t need to get a letter from her every week to know that.

This is further proof that Twilight set the letter deadline herself. She was just pushing herself, unnecessarily, to impress her teacher.

Suddenly, Twilight’s friends burst in and beg Celestia not to punish her. They insist it was their fault for what happened because they didn’t take Twilight’s feelings seriously before. If they did, they could’ve done more to help her, and she wouldn’t have caused all the chaos.

I’m so glad Megan McCarthy included this scene. The episode could’ve ended with Twilight learning her lesson, and that would’ve been enough. But she makes it clear that Twilight wasn’t the only pony at fault. Her friends share equal blame for not taking the right course of action. To quote a line from an old Sonic Underground episode: “You’re part of the problem if you’re not helping solve them.”

Celestia seems impressed that every pony has learnt from the day’s experience. So she makes a deal with them. She’ll forget the fiasco if, from now on, all six of them write her letters on their lessons of friendship – when, and only when, they discover them.

This solution is perfect for two reasons: A) it takes some much-needed pressure off of Twilight, and B) it solves a problem many critics had with the first season. You see, because Twilight was the only pony who could write Celestia letters, she had to be shoehorned into every single episode – even when she wasn’t the primary focus. With this new set-up, however, the writers could keep the spotlight on other characters, without squeezing Twilight in if they didn’t need her.

Before Celestia leaves, Twilight finds out it was Spike who told her she was in trouble and needed some guidance.

I love how Spike was written in this episode. He’s the only character (other than Celestia) who did the right thing. Twilight was too busy panicking to contact the one pony who could’ve assured her nothing was wrong. So, like a true friend, he did it for her. It’s better to express your fears to the person you’re answering to rather than worrying about what they might say or think.

The episode ends with everyone working together to write Celestia a letter. Twilight has learnt not to let her fears get the better of her, or let a small problem turn into something bigger. Her friends have learnt it’s important to listen to others, and consider their feelings when they come to you with a problem. Spike tries writing how great he is and how he didn’t need to learn a lesson but realises he should cross it out. Everyone laughs as the screen fades to black.

*

Overall, Lesson Zero is one of my favourite Friendship is Magic episodes. There have been better ones since it aired like Magical Mystery Cure (S3, Ep13), Slice of Life (S5, Ep9) and Crusaders of the Lost Mark (S5, Ep18). But I enjoy how relatable it is.

I don’t think I would’ve done anything differently to Twilight in this episode. In fact, one of the lessons it teaches has had a profound impact on my writing.

When I first started this blog, I tried to write something for it every week. Unfortunately, this proved too stressful because I had other things going on in my life. And I couldn’t always come up with ideas. So I decided to take Princess Celestia’s advice. Now, like Twilight and her friends, I only write when there’s a significant topic I want to discuss, and when I’m able to devote enough time and effort to it. This has allowed me to produce much better content, with the quality and high standards that my readers deserve.

I could tell you more about what Lesson Zero has done for my life. But I can’t do it justice just by talking about it. If you have Autism, or you care for somebody with the condition, then I would seriously recommend giving this episode a watch. Who’s knows, you might like it so much you end up becoming a brony/pegasister yourself, and watch all six seasons of Friendship is Magic – plus the four Equestria Girls movies.

That’s all I have to say for now. I’m sorry it’s taken me forever to finish this post – it’ll probably be a while before there’s another one – but I try to make sure I have the right blend of quality and quantity in my work. If you have any questions, please leave me a comment. I’ll be happy to answer them. And, as always, stay tuned.

(Image courtesy of http://www.brony.com/brony-facts-faq/my-little-pony-cast/)

(Twilight’s sadistic grin: http://orig11.deviantart.net/8150/f/2012/193/1/9/twilight_sparkle___crazy_by_pyschedelicskooma-d56ymme.png)

Into my ‘Creative’ Autisitc Mind

This week I decided to post something that’s a little bit different: a fan fiction. It’s not like my usual posts, I know. But I think it is important to showcase another aspect of my Autistic mind.
Ever since primary school, I’ve always loved remembering my favourite TV shows, movies, games, etc. Sometimes there are characters, scenes or lines of dialogue in them that are so funny, or interesting, I just keep playing them over and over again in my head. Sometimes I’m so excited by these thoughts I can’t contain them and my Autism causes me to act out scenes, pretend to be characters, speak dialogue, etc. It’s fine when I’m alone, but there have been cases when I’ve said or done things at inappropriate times and people have given me the odd look. This still continues today.
However, I don’t just remember things. Sometimes I like to be creative with my thoughts. For instance, if I think two or more of my interests are similar – or could work well together – I imagine what it’d be like if certain characters from one story/scenario played out roles in another. I keep wondering: what if Pokemon characters were to play Quidditch or Dodgeball? What if Jeremy Kyle was James Bond. What if WWE wrestlers took part in game shows like ‘Family Fortunes’ or ‘Deal or No Deal’. This way of thinking has allowed me to come up with many creative ideas and it’s one of the things that made me want to become a fiction writer.
To give you an idea of the kinds of things I come up with, I’ve taken a script excerpt from the movie ‘A Few Good Men’ (http://www.imsdb.com/scripts/A-Few-Good-Men.html) and reworked it to star characters from the ‘Professor Layton vs Phoenix Wright’ video game. Since the most iconic scene in ‘A Few Good Men’ takes place in a courtroom, and Phoenix Wright’s character is a defence attorney, the two things work together, and I imagined how it would be if the scene were played out by the video game characters – with a few elements changed here and there.
For those of you who aren’t familiar with ‘A Few Good Men’ or ‘Professor Layton vs Phoenix Wright’ follow the links I’ve provided to the Wikipedia pages below. Also, if you want to get an idea of the scene I’m reimagining here, you can view the original scene, and WWE’s parody of it, on YouTube; just type in ‘A Few Good Men courtroom scene’ or ‘Wrestlemania 21 A Few Good Men’ – I won’t post the videos here in case of legal reasons.
I’d like to take this opportunity to say that I don’t own the movie ‘A Few Good Men’, it’s characters, it’s script, or any of the characters/plots from any of the ‘Professor Layton’ or ‘Phoenix Wright’ video games. All copyrights belong to their respected owners. As I don’t make profit from this blog, I’m using what I’ve written here as ‘Fair Use’ – no unlawful conduct or copyright infringement is intended. This piece is merely to give an insight into the creative aspect of an autistic mind.
With that being said, here is my fan fiction:

SCENE: Nick “Phoenix” Wright is in Labyrinthia’s courtroom with his assistant, Maya Fey; Captain of the Knights’ Guard, Barnham; High Inquisitor Darklaw and the Judge. Barnham has taken the stand and is being questioned by Phoenix, who suspects Barnham of unlawfully ordering his knights to execute Espella Cantabella – a girl who was suspected of being a witch, but hadn’t stood trial for the accusation.

PHOENIX
I have just one more question
Barnham. If Espella Cantabella was
proven innocent of her alleged crime of
witchcraft, and the judge gave specific
orders that she wasn’t to be touched –
orders which you repeated to your
men, and your orders are always followed
– then why was she executed at her home
for being the Great Witch Bazella?

BARNHAM sits silently looking lost.

BARNHAM
Espella Cantabella was proven innocent
of a crime that involved witchcraft. I didn’t
say that was proof she wasn’t a witch or
Bezella at all.

PHOENIX
That’s not what you said. You
said she was innocent of a crime
which, if she was proven guilty
of, would’ve resulted in her
immediate death.

BARNHAM
That is correct, but —

PHOENIX
You said, she “was proven innocent”.
You didn’t say she was proven “guilty”
of being Bazella.

BARNHAM
I recall what I —

PHOENIX
I can have my assistant, Miss Fey read
back your —

BARNHAM
I know what I said. I do not have to have it
read back to me like some sort of child —

PHOENIX
Why was Espella put to death?
(beat)
Why did your knights execute her for
a crime she hadn’t stood trial for?

BARNHAM
Look sometimes men take matters into their
own hands.

PHOENIX
No. No sir! You made it clear
moments ago that your men never take
matters into their own hands! Either
they follow orders or people die. So
your men shouldn’t have been anywhere
near Espella after her name was cleared,
should they have, sir?

INQUISITOR DARKLAW
Your Honor, I must ask for a recess —

PHOENIX
I’d like an answer to the question,
Judge.

JUDGE
The Court will wait for an answer.

PHOENIX
If Espella didn’t stand trial for being
Bazella, then why was she executed
for it?

BARNHAM says nothing.

PHOENIX
Your knights killed her, didn’t they?
Because that’s what you told them
to do.

INQUISITOR DARKLAW
Objection!

MAYA
Nick.

PHOENIX plows through the objections of INQUISITOR DARKLAW and the admonishments of MAYA.

PHOENIX
Because the possibility of any person being
a witch in this town sends you into a panic.

INQUISITOR DARKLAW
Your Honor —

MAYA
Nick, calm down.

PHOENIX
And in that panic, you decided a trial was a
waste of time —

INQUISITOR DARKLAW
Judge —

PHOENIX
And you sent your knights to murder a
girl who, up to that point, had been proven
innocent!

INQUISITOR DARKLAW
Damn it, Phoenix!!

PHOENIX
Innocent until proven guilty – which she was
NOT! Barnham, did you order Espella’s death?

JUDGE
You don’t have to answer that question.

BARNHAM
No I’ll answer it!
(beat)
You want answers?

PHOENIX
I feel I’m entitled to them.

BARNHAM
You want answers?!

PHOENIX
I want the truth!

BARNHAM
You can’t handle the truth!
Son, we live in a town that is
threatened by witchcraft. And
witches must be eradicated to
protect the peace and safety of
those we hold most dear. Who’s
going to rid us of them? You, Sir
Blue Knight? Your assistant, Miss
Fey? I have a far greater responsibility
as Captain of the Knights’ Guard than
you can possibly begin to fathom.
You weep for Espella Cantabella and
you curse my men. You have that luxury.
You have the luxury of not knowing what
I know. I understand Miss Espella was
much-loved by the people of Labyrinthia.
But I accept that her death, while tragic,
probably saved lives. And my existence,
while grotesque and incomprehensible
to you, saves lives.
(beat)
You don’t want the truth. Because
deep down, in places you don’t talk
about in your bakery, you want me as
Captain of the Knights’ Guard. You need
me as your Captain.
(boasting)
We use words like honor, code,
loyalty and objection… We knights use
these words as the backbone to a life
spent defending our town. You use them
as a catchphrase.
(beat)
I have neither the time nor the
inclination to explain myself to a lowly
attorney, who rises and sleeps under
the blanket of the safety I provide,
and then questions the very manner in
which I provide it! I’d rather you said
thank you, Sir Blue Knight, and went about
your baking. Otherwise wield a sword and
stand at a post. Either way, I do not give a
damn what you feel you are entitled to!

PHOENIX
(quietly)
Did you order Espella’s death?

BARNHAM
I did what I had to do —

PHOENIX
(pointing his finger viciously)
Did you order Espella’s death?!

BARNHAM slams his fist.

BARNHAM
You’re goddamn right I did!

I hope you enjoyed this unique post. I will try to have something better uploaded next week. Please feel free to look at the other material I’ve posted on this blog, leave me a comment if you have any questions – I’ll be happy to answer them – and, as always, keep an eye out for the next post. Stay tuned.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_few_good_men

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Professor_Layton_vs._Phoenix_Wright:_Ace_Attorney

(Image courtesy of UK IGN: http://uk.ign.com/articles/2014/03/21/professor-layton-vs-phoenix-wright-ace-attorney-review)