AMWDW: Camgoespony and the use of "Out of Character"

[@joshscorcher]

STRAWMAN TIME! Fan: That was out of character! Josh: Or, maybe you don't know the character as well as you think you do. Fan: But this contradicts a previous episode! Josh: The circumstances weren't exactly the same. Besides, it makes them more human and realistic to have moments of inconsistency. Fan: But I know the characters better than a professional writer who was trained and educated to write characters, has seen the show bible for MLP, and has discussions with the other writers for advice on best to do things! They clearly are in the wrong if I see something wrong! Josh: If you say so. I'll just leave you with this: If something someone says can be taken two ways, and one of those ways makes you sad or angry, whose fault is it for taking it the negative way instead of the positive way?

[@Camgoespony]

That's actually pretty spot on to the point I was making.

[@Tiyev]

Reminds me of the expectation that a character should to react to the same situation at a later point in time the same exact way as if they never change over time, that even throughout the day their thoughts and mood are somehow static. Heck, even something as simple as having a cup of coffee can cause someone to react to the exact same situation differently than they would have without their coffee. Or if a character forgets about a promise or resolution they made because they got distracted or caught up in something, are somehow inconsistent, when it happens all the time in real life. Some of these people just don't get it; characters acting inconsistently isn't necessarily unrealistic, because people act inconsistently in real life.

[@cannibalisticrequiem]

All of my yes to Josh's answer! I didn't think for a second that AJ was out of character in that episode. I thought she was reacting in a believable way that an older sibling that also doubles as mother figure to a younger sibling would react!

[@brentramsten249]

i cant wait until coal factories start making that argument. me: the smoke your pumping out is damaging the planet! coal factory: maybe we know the planet better than you. me: but we have scientists that contradict you. coal factory: our scientists say no, and they're better because they know the coal the most because we hired them me: but i know more about the environment than the scientists you specifically hired because the government/people told you that you had to. you are clearly wrong because more people agree with me than they do with you. they are clearly bad, if we see them being bad. coal factory:If you say so. I'll just leave you with this: If something someone says can be taken two ways, and one of those ways makes you sad or angry, whose fault is it for taking it the negative way instead of the positive way? heh heh heh,,,, oh wait.... they already do that...

[@yochlel2642]

what does 'strawman' mean after all? i legitely have no idea...

[@PieDislikerSwag]

Oh man, that couch on fire gag at the end was brilliant.

[@Camgoespony]

You can thank the artist for coming up with that gag.

[@primroan5354]

Dr. Wolf nailed it at 6:17 A lot of people have a hard time grasping that the show is written by multiple freelance writers who aren't part of a central staff. They don't see each other every day, and each of them may see a character differently. Thus, they may write them differently. I'd argue that there have been very few OOC moments in this show, and people need to embrace a wide range of reactions from the characters, depending on the situation. Of course, there is always a point that is too far, but it's not as common as people claim. This show started with Lauren, she created the characters and gave them their identities. But then other writers gave them great moments, such as Meghan's work with building the CMC, Dragonshy for Fluttershy, Sweet and Elite for Rarity, Party of One for Pinkie, and Lesson Zero for Twilight. She left her mark on those characters. And the animators arguably tell their own story with how they make the characters act. This show comes together from an army of different people. They're bound to act different sometimes, and as long as it's not stretched too far, it's perfectly acceptable. Pedantic complaining about it is tiresome, like it was with Pinkie in Filli Vanilli. These characters are three dimensional, the more you expect them to act in such strict, checklist manner, the more you turn them into caricatures. The art was great this time around. Kudos to the artist. Also, dat fire XD Cam, buddy, thrusters seem a bit antiquated. Surely you could use something like anti-gravity? It's more green... =P

[@barrettfenwick8028]

I see the term "OOC" as this season's "Mary Sue" in that, just as Camgoespony said, is being used incorrectly. I also agree that it's hard to nail down exactly what OOC is. Look at Asuna from Sword Art Online. She was either a Bad-Ass Juggernaut or a feeble damsel in distress seemingly based on plot convenience. Sometimes switching from one to the other in seconds... It seems so contrived, and makes it hard to see what her true character is. At the same time though, I've seen real people I know pull total personality 180's in a moment of strong emotion or reacting to a situation. And others still, who have grown into people so different from when I first met them that it's a wonder they were the same person. One of my best friends from public school changed so much when he got his first girlfriend, that he wound up loosing every other friend he had... myself included... People or Ponies, are not so black and white in how they behave. And even the most down to Earth individual can have moments of foolishness, passion, or even irrationality.

[@ProMonarchyGenius]

I think that the writers of Somepony Watching Me were watching Modern Spongebob Squarepants when they wrote the story for Somepony Watching Me. Poor Applebloom was like Squidward in that episode

[@Camgoespony]

Good talk, Doctor! I'll be trying to hang out in the comments section here as much as I can and participate in the discussion, so if any of you have any questions about what I was saying in the video, feel free to ask. Oh yeah, I'll pay for the couch. ^_^

[@Jaywhisker37]

Cam, I was checking your reviews and noticed you didn't have one on Filli Vanilli. So what did you think of it? Was pinkie's behavior bothersome to you?

[@Camgoespony]

***** Oh right, it will cost me an arm and a leg to pay for that. Luckily, mine are made from carbon-infused, polyalloy titanium, so they should fetch a pretty penny.

[@Camgoespony]

Jaywhisker37 I liked the episode. I can understand why some people were bothered by it (although some of the hate was just way too extreme), but it personally didn't bother me and I actually thought it was kinda funny.

[@Jaywhisker37]

Any reason why you didn't review it?

[@Camgoespony]

Jaywhisker37 I mostly just wanted to duck under all the drama that episode was causing. I'll probably go back at some point and review it.

[@DoodleDabble]

After reading through the comments, I feel the root of this problem is literary theory. Who gets to decide the rules of the MLP universe and what rules need to be followed? The rules have more context around them since a) there are multiple writers and b) there is already an established history for the characters. But at the core of it, what is a story's truth? How far does the grey area of interpretation and the unknown of the story's universe stretch? +Camgoespony and anypony else, explain your literary theory.

[@Camgoespony]

Very interesting question! I don't think I'm capable of explaining the entirety of my literary theory, but I'll try to summarize at least the relevant parts here. I think that the "truth" of a fictional universe is whatever the writer(s) write about it. So basically anything that you see in the canon of the show would "correct" (there's that word again). Although a big misunderstanding that I've seen a lot throughout these comments is that by saying that everything the writers do is "correct" that I am also saying that everything the writers do is "good." And that's simply not the case. It's entirely possible for the "truth" of the show to stupid, nonsensical, unrelatable, unlikeable and just all around bad. In which case, I have no issue with people calling out the show on writing a character that is any of the above things.

[@BlazeWriter]

The episode everyone uses the term out of character a lot was Pinkie in Filli Vanilli.

[@EstivalEquinox]

I really think you struck a valid point Doctor, having new writers over time really can cause the characters to have small changes based on how they happen to see them. But in our own reality, I know that the lessons I learn and experiences I find cause me to change bit by bit. I mean, I'm hardly the same person I was four years ago for example. So it doesn't strike me as unbelievable or impossible for characters to have both positive and negative traits that come out within the writing. I don't know... I'm usually so relaxed about this show, so though I'm open to hearing the faults other analysis point out, and can spot them myself, it doesn't really bother me. Too much to enjoy.

[@zacheryrancano2824]

I found Applejack's behavior in Somepony watch over me to be embarrassing. The episode was, for me, hard to watch. Whether or not it was out of character for her, well, I guess it showed a side of her that's usually not seen

[@waywardpony]

I was waiting for DR.Wolf and Camgoespony to team up like this. This was a lot of fun and quite insightful. My two Bits: Everybody's got their own take on the characters. They're written well enough that people can clearly see things they don't like/like in their actions and that helps shape the person's viewpoint. However, given the online popularity of MLP -- memes, fanfiction/fan projects, and even an unwillingness to suspend one's own disbelief -- I think it's possible MLP's characters may have (in certain circumstances) more expectations on them to act a certain way than with a few other cartoons with smaller portion of the unintended audience. The changing staff is something we also have to expect, plus the characters have evolved a bit to fit the aging demographic while still appealing to the original 5-10 it was supposed to. I think it's also possible that people would rather see certain problems with different characters and they express their disappointment by using this phrase. Certain characters mesh better with different situations and the resolution might seem less forced because of a different choice. I've heard a few people say Somepony to Watch Over Me might've been done better with Rarity & Sweetie Belle. I'd imagine also it's possible fewer people would be complaining if in Filli Vanilli Rainbow Dash's over-enthusiasm caused Fluttershy to panic instead of Pinkie and then Miss Pie's excitement and antics simply escalates her panic because it's just added noise (like having a massive panic attack at a carnival, it would be confusing, random, and strange). Even though Rainbow and Flutteryshy have both learned a similar lesson in Hurricane Fluttershy, one can still push another without consciously realizing it, contrasting Rarity's more accepting and understanding approach. Just a thought.

[@TopSecretYoshi]

You know, there have been so many mlp fanfics including characters that act out of character. And I think it happens in fanfics more often than the actual show itself. Which explains that the fans probably don't know the characters as well as they think.

[@TheAnimationAnalyst]

The problem with AJ in Somepony to Watch Over Me, and why I can't stand her characterization in that episode is the catalyst behind her overprotectiveness. All Apple Bloom did was spill soup on herself. That's it. Oh yeah, that *really* means she's incapable of taking care of herself. It just makes the conflict feel forced. Party of One had a well-paced story and properly set up Pinkie's 180. I'm all for adding or altering character traits, but the change of the character has to feel natural to me.

[@phano6385]

I think Applejack already had misgivings about leaving her there alone and only saw want she wanted to see without thinking. I'd need to watch the episode again though. Why did she have misgivings about leaving her there alone in the first place? This goes into head cannon territory so please take it as such, but I've talked to people who suggest that it may have something to do with when (if) AJ's parents were lost. But again, it's only a suggestion. I seem to recall Applejack being over protective in Bridle Gossip as well- could there be a connection?

[@TheAnimationAnalyst]

Phano I just feel like there should have been a better catalyst for AJ's behavior. If a knife had nearly fallen on Apple Bloom, which I'm positive they could get away with, then I would've found AJ's reaction more believable and less forced. Then my only major problem with the episode would be the botched up moral.

[@phano6385]

TheAnimationAnalyst I can see your point there; something much more dangerous would have definitely sold it for the audience, or at least those of us who can't relate to the situation. They way I see it though, is AJ was just looking for any excuse at all. I guess I don't remember the moral came across... So you may be right about that because of it!

[@phano6385]

***** That was exactly my point! Again, it's head cannon territory so not everyone will agree with it, which is fine, but I'm perfectly ok with imagining Applejack having flashbacks of when she was forced to raise Apple Bloom on her own. I guess Big Mac and Granny would have been around too, but it would still have been a great responsibility.

[@noob_jr_2sjrkc]

Stepping back from the catalyst, why would Applejack be overprotective? Because she's a mother figure to Applebloom. And just like a mother, she's reluctant to admit her independence. So the context of the episode is that it has come the moment for Applebloom to take care of herself. Applejack had a lot of time to exaggerate her worries and build up her insecurities, and she was clearly being irrational. At that moment, _anything_ that happened to Applebloom would serve to confirm her fears, and put her in overprotective mode. It was a catalyst because she was already acting irrationally, and that's quite realistic if you look at examples of people seeking confirmation when they're incapable of being rational. I'm not saying that's the best way to do it, a more dangerous accident could've worked better, but I find it acceptable.

[@arcanineryu]

Glad you guys liked my art everyone :3

[@DRWolf001]

Thank you kindly for contributing your talents here Arc.

[@MysticMindAnalysis]

I have to disagree with Cam on this one, since it feels like he is over-simplifying the issue. For me; When I say a character is out of character, it means that they are either being improperly developed, or their actions are completely contradicting something we have already established without a given reason. Applejack's behaviour in Somepony to Watch Over Me contradicted existing behaviour, since Applebloom spends so much time on her own with the CMCs, that there is no reason for AJ to be this level of paranoid. Even if we give her the benefit of the doubt, she gets so paranoid to the point where she is completely ignoring Applebloom to be protective of her on things that she would normally do just fine without supervision. The catalyst does not match the reaction, so AJ is out of character. Pinkie Pie, on the other hand, has not come accross a situation where she feels like she's being rejected by her friends before. We have a basis for her lonely life on the rock farm being very depressing and isolated. So we have basis to believe that she would break down so dramatically when the very foundation that she builds her happy persona on is removed. Saying that the writers cannot be wrong about the characters they write is like saying that there cannot be bad writing. It's a purist attitude that makes the writers immune from criticism. That displays foundational bias, which is almost as bad as having such high standards that it's impossible for the show to succede.

[@ElNeroDiablo]

I'd say part of Cam's problem is the use of the term "Out of Character" when "Uncharacteristic" is more appropriate. Yes, OOC is a meaning behind "uncharacteristic", but it's the SECOND meaning behind its root basis of "Not Characteristic", and keep in mind OOC has different meanings depending on the source usage and the person using it (here, it could be a synonym for"uncharacteristic" but to someone like myself as a RPer, it is used and reserved for when a Player/Person Behind The Keyboard is typing/speaking as themselves and not as the character they are otherwise playing).

[@Al1701]

I think another problem we're running into is the show now has almost a hundred episodes. The characters and general setting are practically set in stone at this point. The writers seem unwilling to shake up the norm (even Twilight changing species and being crowned a princess only matters when it's convenient for the plot), so when the characters have a new reaction, it seems forced now. Back in Season 1 there was more room to expand on the characters without an outside force making them reevaluate their views and actions as we were still learning about them. Just two episodes before Party of One we learned Pinkie's childhood was a lonely one on a rock farm and that helped provide a basis for why the thought of being friendless was such a horrifying one for her. By now, we know the characters pretty well. That makes a new behavior harder to swallow without a significant explanation this show can't really provide.

[@MysticMindAnalysis]

***** I think that's being a little harsh, but I see your point. I think that the characters are growing, for the most part. I think the characters are best developed when it's done subtley, or built on existing character traits. Pinkie Apple Pie is the perfect example of this in action.

[@TS2dethmonkey]

***** Agreed and I see this a problem with most shows aimed at a younger audiences. While we should treat children as intelligent and expect good quality from stuff aimed at them, they are still young and prefer things to be on the easy side, hence why many characters in these kinds of shows are easily identifiable and are ultimately static. While that is changing in recent years, this attitude towards this kind of characterization is still going on in kid shows and MLP:FiM sadly has fallen into this same kind of trap and is now struggling to climb out of it.

[@Gibbontake]

"improperly developed, or their actions are completely contradicting something we have already established without a given reason." Applejack seemed fine to me, there's a big difference between letting apple bloom play with her friends during the day and then coming home for dinner and leaving her completely on her own on the farm with noone around to help her if she gets herself caught up in something dangerous. It's a perfectly reasonable assertion that applejack "snapped" and therefore became paranoid, it's eluded to as the case. She's not out-of-character, she's not written incorrectly, it's a new facet of her character that we're being shown. When it comes to applebloom applejack can be overprotective to a fault. Remember bridle gossip? she treated her like a baby then, this is just that but multiplied.

[@thewolf8660]

real life example; me: I am actually a shy and introverted person with a pinky pie sense of humor,yet to keep people from picking on me I put up a rainbow dash mask over my fluttershy face and yet when I act normally (shy and quiet) people say its out of character even after I explain my 'mask' I wear. the only time I truly act like myself is when know one knows its me. sad but true.

[@22439384]

cause and effect. There was an explicit cause for pinkie's change, while apple jack changed suddenly without cause. I do not think she was out of character, her character was exaggerated in a cartoonish way for comedic effect. it is certainly possible for a character be out of character. such as spike in spike at your service. He was incompetent, which does not fit his character. It in fact contradicted things that happened in other episodes. This is very different from party of one because there was no reason for these changes. Also cam's definition of out of character is constructed in such a way that the term is useless. If the writers suddenly started writing twilight as a careless unorganized pony that does not like to read, she would be out of character.

[@7Seraphem7]

^This^ Fully agree

[@SatinFoxx]

That look of " ...he just burnt my chair..."

[@marshmallowok]

One fan reaction that makes me roll my eyes is when people complain when someone acts like a jerk or even if they're just busting balls like friends are wont to do. Good lord, how boring would it be if they were super duper nice to each other all the time.

[@ChaudTheGamer]

The ending cracked me up!! putting the couch almost on fire and the Doc putting it out with water.

[@ImaCartoon4ever]

That ending was hilarious. Next to his brain, the rockets are one of the best features of camgoespony. Great video. I can see how the phrase "Out of character" could be seen as "incorrect" when using it to describe a situation where a character expresses a different personality than what we're use to seeing. Like in putting your hoof down, some would say that the way Fluttershy acted to Rarity and Pinkie Pie would be an "out of character" moment. But what I think would make that situation an "out of character' moment is if she acted that way without any explanation. If we didn't know she went went to a seminar by Iron Will and we just saw her acting that way for no reason, I think that's what could be classified as an "out of character" moment, if there wasn't an explanation as to why she acted that way.

[@mrtomfox]

That rug really tied the room together.

[@lordsjaak]

and added on your bill for new Sofa doctor wolf XD

[@EldricBaiserNoir]

While I can understand the point made by Camgoespony, I think there is a lack of perspective in the sense where Out of Character isn't to take in the void of one episode. In fact, something very important when multiple writers write for a show with a set of characters is to pay attention to the concept of precedence. As obvious as it may seems, when a thing is established prior to the episode you write it has a role of reference, it is the model that you will use to compare how things goes in the episode and while grasping one personality is very hard and needs careful contextualization, it is safe to say that a character will react in the same way when confronted to the same situation. Let's take a hypothetical example shall we ? It was previously established that Rainbow Dash is a quick flyer and doesn't shy away before a dangerous situation as seen in the Mysterious Mare Do Well for example (and please I am not talking about the inherent quality of the episode here). If someone is in danger, especially one of her friend, the spectator *expects* RD to go save them at Mac Speed. Now, being out of character would be to make her hesitate without any reason and then we will say that is Out Of Character. The important point here isn't the change because all changes, as long as there is a reason behind it to support it is something you can accept but the sudden change of rules, it is a take on the character sure but it goes against the reference we have of the character and accepting this part would be like accepting that the past references are lies. Context is paramount and a character should act in the same way if presented with a similar challenge in a similar mindset. Another thing that we can safely point out as being out of character is "objective fact". For example, Spike was established as Twilight's assistant and as an expert in doing chores even if he likes to slack off a bit, so in "Spike at your service", it makes no sense whatsoever, even in context, that Spike should be that bad at doing chores or even cooking. The way Pinkie acted in Filli Vanilli wasn't pleasing but it was not unacceptable if you refer to precedent encounters with people. However, precedence makes her unsensitiveness toward Fluttershy inconsistent (remember the "You should not prank her" scene from "Griffon the brush off"). And generally when we are unable to understand an inconsistency after looking through relatability, context and character we tends to point it out as Out Of Character. However, it is true that I don't like use of general terms in a discussion since OOC implies that your audience will understand what you mean when the reason you can use to justify it isn't. I tend to accept any development from a character as long as in context, considering the precedence, it has nothing to deny it. I wasn't bothered by AJ behavior in "Somepony to watch over me" because it was already shown that AJ tends to be exhausting herself pointlessly when her family was involved and rather to yell "Why did you did this ?", I tried to come up with a possible explanation for her behavior (trauma over dead parents, you know the drill). The focal point of this OOC debate is more about the difference between the mental image of a character and how he was shown to act to begin with. People tends to go full rage on Fleetfoot and Spitfire because of their behavior in "Rainbow Falls", however her few appearences in other episodes weren't enough to justify such a bashing but it was understandable. People built a mental image of her, based mostly on speculations, and found unlikely for her to act like that when taking into account precedence. Their opinions are their own and they aren't totally wrong but a mental image and probability doesn't constitute a solid basis for a debate. Well, a meaningful one at least. I think I said all I wanted too. Take care and see ya Plénitude logging out.

[@RoninCatholic]

This one had one of the better exit gags of the series.

[@RossPitSharkHunter]

Cam, you just keep rising up to be one of the top 5 MLP analysers.

[@Camgoespony]

The thought of me being in some people's top 5 fills me with both pride and terror.

[@RossPitSharkHunter]

Camgoespony Oh, btw, have you finished reviewing season 4 yet? I wanna get around to making fun of you in my show.

[@Camgoespony]

Ross Pit: shark hunter Not yet, I've still got a bunch of episodes to go.

[@RossPitSharkHunter]

Camgoespony Alright, cool. I'll be waiting.

[@SnazzyjazzBro]

Camgoespony Pride and Terror? I can understand Pride but how can it be terrifying?

[@justincarawan-carawanco.pu1639]

"Yow! Call the fire brigade! We need water! We need-"(splash) "Thanks doc."

[@HopelessRomantic999]

Somepony to Watch Over Me is probably how one of my little sisters views me: overprotective, a little nagging, and pretty irritating, which can be true, but I hope she doesn't try to do something extremely dangerous that would be the equivalent of going through the fire swamp alone and without any protection.

[@MrMarinus18]

being OOC is totally possible if their actions and/or words are completely incompatible with what came before.

[@SuperKiobi13]

I actually felt applejack very relatable in that episode, it reminded me of how I can be overprotective with my dog, since I watched my older dog getting run over by a car.

[@joshuamonson9973]

"It's good to be helping." ....and not on fire. That's good, too.

[@ElNeroDiablo]

I have a funny feeling most people use "Out of character" to mean "Uncharacteristically" In a situation where a character acts unlike their normal self. Example: Applejack going full-blown Helicopter Parent mode hovering over Apple Bloom and trying to 'protect' Bloom, when in the past AJ's let Bloom go off with Sweetie Belle & Scootaloo on possibly dangerous adventures to find their cutie marks, or even when Bloom has traversed the Everfree Forest (which, I remind you, has jumped up and down on a huge scale of how dangerous it is to traverse between the Manticore & Timberwolves, to the relatively harmless Poison Joke) to visit Zecora. In that example, AJ's actions in "Somepony To Watch Over Me" are *uncharacteristic* of herself when you look at how little she's done to 'protect' or 'mother' Apple Bloom with regards to things like the CMC or Everfree Forest in the past after "Bridle Gossip" and when the CMC were formed. AJ in "Somepony To Watch Over Me" gets on my nerves as she reminded me of how annoying my Mother was with 'protecting' me and basically *RUNNING MY BLOODY LIFE*, until I got the hell out of my home town after finishing Year 10 in High School at the end of 2003, and moved over 300km (~200 miles) AWAY from her. Oh, and then at the end AJ's position flips a full 180 and says that Bloom's actions after the running away confirmed to AJ that Bloom can handle herself - WHEN SHE WAS SECONDS AWAY FROM BEING DINNER FOR A CHIMERA 3 SECONDS BEFORE AJ GOT ON THE SCENE! Sure, Apple Bloom hid the cart of pies so they were safe, but if AJ wasn't there then Bloom would have been eaten where she stood! Meanwhile, Pinkie in "Party of One" reminds me of how fragile sanity can be, and makes me glad I somehow managed to keep enough of it to survive school and family issues without being tossed into a mental ward. Looking back on my life upto the point where I moved towns, I keep wondering how the hell I didn't go 'Pinkamena Diane Pie' before I finished Year 10. Also, as someone who does and has done a LOT of Role Playing in the past (primarily forum & IM/IRC chat), "Out Of Character" is usually reserved for when the Player behind the Character (or Person Behind The Keyboard) is typing a message as themselves and not the character they are playing - hence they are Out Of Character.

[@DoodleDabble]

Really needed that slow breath this time, huh, Doc? May your couch rest in piece. And your floor... And your rug... Let's organize a clean-up crew ^^*

[@TailsFan369no2]

I'm more with the crowd that slides it and find it entertaining, but I understand if it's irritating

[@hfd484]

Bridle Gossip we saw Apple Jack be protective (And then forget about Apple Bloom's existence), of course since then Apple Bloom goes into the ever free forest and on adventures with the CMC all the time, soooo IDK.

[@sterlingwillis4940]

I never thought of out of character like that.

[@SleepingSilentBelle]

I can't say I really agree with Camgoespony. I find OoC to be a useful term. It simply means that given what I know about a character, some of their actions were not supported with enough context for me to be accept their actions reasonably. When a character is OoC it's an immersion-breaking experience, and it hurts the story. A way to fix many of these problems as they crop up is to provide some insight into the character in who seems to be acting OoC and delve into their thought patterns and make sure they are consistent with how they thought before, or if it's not consistent, find out what the changes in thought behind the new action are and make sure that change gets across to the viewers. Now the show creators can often do this through showing rather than telling, which they did with Pinkie in Party of One. She wasn't OoC, but her actions added depth to her character because we were given the context for that drastic change. We were shown that she was having a mental breakdown due to the background shifting and the character model changing as well. We are taken along for the ride. No immersion-breaking. Where as with AJ in Somepony to Watch Over Me, she is acting different toward her sister, but the change wasn't given enough context to the viewers. They could have had Big Mac tell her to quit worrying too much, and to imply that this was a deep-seated and irrational fear that she's had before a few times. Or Apple Bloom could have said something along the lines of "Ah hate it when ya get like this, Sis." But they never address the change in the show, and it leaves us wondering. Without enough context, when we think of AJ and AB's relationship, we are reminded of things like the Sisterhooves Social, their camping trip, the cutie pox, and their crusading run-in with the Cockatrice. After those, we were never saw AJ be overprotective. Concerned and level-headed? Yes. Worried? Certainly. Ready to reprimand her sister when she did something wrong? Of course. The show doesn't explain the whole helicopter-mom aspect of her character well enough for most watchers to accept the change of character without questioning it in some manner. Questions which are never adequately answered. That's why I call it OoC. It doesn't mean that it's impossible for her character to do something like that, it just means that given what we know about her, it doesn't make sense for her to do so. ~SilentBelle

[@Al1701]

I save saying a person is out of character for when a character goes against what the character stands for. Every character has boundaries they won't cross and deal breakers just like every person. Character is as much what they won't do or say as what they will do or say. A character is OOC when they cross those boundaries and ignore those deal breakers. I don't think Applejack's behavior in Some Pony to Watch Over Me is OOC. I think it was more of her protective nature towards her family exaggerated to the point of the absurd. Though, that's not much better. If you have to make a character a caricature for a story to work, then the story might not be worth telling. Not every good sounding premise will necessarily make for a good story.

[@catxborsuq1]

I actually found Applejack's behaviour in Somepony to Watch Over Me to be quite understanding, given that she was worried about her younger sister, who was growing up. I think it was supposed to imply that, since their parents are dead, Applejack kinda took the role of a parent of Apple Bloom, and like every parent she refused to see that she wasn't a little kid anymore. I grow to really dislike people using the term "Out of Character", as mostly I get the impression that they have no idea what they are talking about. Though I might be biased on that point... Take, for example, my fanfic, "Rebirth of the Damned", which is a crossover of MLP with WoW. Over the course of my story, many people had said that the main character is OOC... And each time I beng my head against the wall. Why? Because my main character had about three different peronalities over the course of his life in Warcraft's universe! I have no idea if the people who complain are reffering to his personality as a paladin, or as a death knight, or as the Lich King! And I explain to them that in my story his current character is the sum of all he had experiances, and that's why, while he is good, he is much wiser and humbler, but they don't freaking reply! So, yeah, like you said, people use that term and have no really idea what they are talking about.

[@wratched]

I've often defended moments like Applejack's behaviour in "Somepony to Watch Over Me" and and Twilight's behaviour in "Look Before You Sleep" because we've never seen them in those situations before, so we have no idea how to expect they would react. On the other hand, we *have* seen Fluttershy being honest and giving numerous times, so her behaviour in "Mystery on the Friendship Express" simply doesn't make sense; also we've seen how Pinkie Pie acts insensitive in "A Friend In Deed", so her more aggressive insensitivity in "Filli Vanilli" was a shock.

[@janusztyszewski8295]

I can't say I agree with Camgoespony here. Sure, "character" can be defined as "everything ever done by character"; that making the phrase "out of character" unuseable, because everything is by definition in character. I think it's quite obvious that if someone decides to use the phrase, then he is not in the same mindset about the definition of "character". I may be wrong, but I think that the phrase "Applejack was out of character " for the most of us would mean "If I knew a person such as Applejack, I would be very (probably unplesantly) surprised if they acted as Applejack did in this instance".

[@icejustice6122]

Please don't call me psychotic, but the ending conjured up a laugh for me. :D

[@RosieSievers]

i don't use this term as well, i research and explain about parts of a character that were shown unexpected, and try to explain it in a different context

[@eddog6666]

Here is what I think. I say that a lot of people don't remember that Lauren Faust was the person that the people from Hasbro asked First. if anything Lauren Faust is the one who created the characters and who know, to her they may or may not be out of Character. and she is the one who started it so we could all be wrong, even the writers. Lauren Faust stated that she didn't like Twilight becoming an Alicorn.

[@wherethetatosat]

I feel most people who cry "out of character" are just mad because the character is/ is not portrayed in a manner they would not/would have had the character do so. Because throughout all four seasons, there's only one moment I can think of that an out of character moment, that being The Mane Six minus Dash in Mysterious Maredowell.

[@pippo17173]

I never use this term anyway because every writer will have a idea that will fit with the character but it depends on how its done. I think the major issue is when a right over templets a trait, it might not sit well. Somepony to watch over me and Filli vinilli are perfect example of that. They are never out of character but they are put into a place that doesn't need it ether.

[@haradbl]

I hope the doc has insurance. Who's gonna fix that burn mark in the carpet? Anyway, great discussion as always. Keep up the good work doc and get some flame resistant decor for next time.

[@travish.4282]

What accident happened to this pony to make him that much of a... Robot?

[@pepperjack7359]

For my part, I know that I am much more likely to describe a character's actions as "out of character" when they don't seem to flow naturally from what has already been established. To borrow the examples from your conversation, I felt that Pinkie's breakdown was fine, not because it was entertaining and not because it followed what I'd seen in her before (because it definitely didn't do that). What mattered was that I didn't see anything that *directly* contradicted what I'd seen before and, moreover, stemmed partly from her already established tendency to jump to conclusions and then stick with them. In Applejack's case, we know her to be mostly level-headed. Yes, she loves her family and we have seen her act protectively toward Apple Bloom in the past, but never in a way that was so grossly over-exaggerated. It doesn't make sense for the pony who is usually portrayed as the most sensible of the group to behave in such a nonsensical way. Not to mention the fact that she'd had plenty of opportunity to do many of those things long ago and for some reason didn't. I guess then, that when I use the term, I tend to use it to describe actions that feel forced and contrived. And I'm pretty sure that's a personal record for longest comment. Woo hoo.

[@dragon118234]

Even your couch and Rug got burnt

[@Snowmon89]

Honestly, I find what Pinkiepie went through is more believable because it makes since for her character. Where as what Applejack did was "out of character" because I don't see any rhyme or reason for anyone to act this way… or at least not to this degree of extreme. Even if we didn't see this side of Pinkie before, I don't find it surprising because she's always taken things to extremes. Sure, Applejack also tends to go to extremes like with Apple Family Reunion, but hers is much more down to earth in her extremes. If her actions in Some Pony to Watch Over Me didn't involved baby proofing everything, then I wouldn't even remotely complain. I'd think she'd be constantly telling Applebloom what to do rather than say putting training wheels on the wheelbarrow. Yeah, it's a little funny, but not what Applejack would do. More micromanaging and less baby proofing. Then again, this is just my opinion.

[@CrazyWhore116]

I would have to agree with Cam on this I mean even in the real world we all can be doing something out of the ordinary like Applejack she wasn't out of character she was just overthinking things, I mean take Twilight from episode lesson zero we all know her as a calm and mostly collected pony however just like Applejack when she overthink things she can sometimes take it out of proportion I mean Twilight went crazy for no reason just like for Applejack she was over protective for no reason they both over thought things and for many episodes who can blame Applejack we've seen Apple Bloom and the cutie mark Crusaders get into a lot of trouble in the past seasons just because they believe she's old enough doesn't mean she can possibly go back to her old reckless behavior, I believe that the reason why she's doing everything good in the strat episode is for the sake of the plot the only thing you can say that's bad in the episode through ur eyes is that they're technically using the same paranoia has Twilight in Somepony to watch over me. we all can overthink things and let it get to our heads and I think that's what happen to Applejack in Somepony to watch over me.

[@Springtime562]

Wolf flat hair pinky is called pinkamea

[@JSHADOWM]

I vote for Changing "Out Of Character" with "Those actions feel contrived" which best explains why applejack choose that moment of all episodes to be a overprotective git X'D

[@NoahFan114]

Sorry 'bout your couch & floor, Dr wolf. Hope you get those fixed b4 the next post.

[@darkmaster4349]

but you can't make a creepypasta out of applejack being over protective but you can with pinkie pies 180 in party of one in fact we already have one

[@CrittersRule247]

That ending was spot on.

[@fatmanfalling]

I use the term Out of Character in real life just to annoy people. In fact I often review real life situations as if they were part of a movie. I think it helps you understand what is and isn't acceptable in writing and analyzing media. When ever you see any character do something abnormal you can say that it's out of character, or you can say "I didn't know they were capable of that" In this particular case the writers did make it a point to say this is the first time Apple Bloom was staying home alone (Even though she wanders around the Everfree Forrest all the damn time without a chaperone, and that seems a lot more dangerous than sitting around her home for a couple hours, but Nobody's accusing Somepony to Watch Over Me of being a well written episode so I digress) , so leaving AB all by her self is a new experience for Apple Jack so the audience has no frame of reference from which to judge AJ's actions. So that case isn't a proper usage of "out of character" Out of Character used correctly would describe a character with established patterns of behavior or established motivations, who's actions are at odds with them. Like Pinkie Pie making Fluttershy cry in Filli Vanilli. You can point to Griffon the Brush Off for evidence that Pinkie is very protective of Fluttershy. Or Twilight proclaiming that her princesshood was "no big deal" in Trade 'Ya but 3 episodes later wanting a whole kingdom to rule over all by her self.

[@HipsterShiningArmor]

People overlook Pinkie's behaviour in Party of One because that episode was in Season 1 and nothing that happened in Season 1 can be flawed or imperfect in any way. Compare that to Pinkie in Filli Vanilli, which is something we have seen before, and yet people still lose their mind about it. Now, if someone doesn't like Pinkie's actions in that episode, that's understandable, but just like the term "Mary Sue", I feel like people hide behind terms like "out of character" and "flanderization" as if it gives what they're saying more legitimacy.

[@animegx45]

Since you used Spitfire as a visual example, I've got a thought. Spitfire's first 2 or 3 appearance made her out as a rather nice, seemingly laid back pony. But, in Wonderbolts Academy and Rainbow Falls, she was seen as much less friendly, tough, and even dishonest to the point of being unlikable. I can understand if someone writes a character OOC. For someone like Spitfire, it's hard tell what would be IN character for them. This might also why I hear some people have a difficult time writing for Pinkie Pie.

[@BaldurPrime]

nice video....but doc wolf dont said "we see you next week " in the end.... o3o

[@AlienWarhead]

I still don't see a problem with "Out of Character", if a character acts strangely or different than normal isn't that "Out of Character". I think Camgoespony just doesn't like the term because it blames the writer for doing something wrong, but that doesn't make the term invalid. Cam says it's impossible to act out of character, but I don't understand why acting outside of the norm doesn't equal "Out of Character".

[@Camgoespony]

The way I see it, occasionally acting outside of the norm, when a character does it, essentially become the norm. For example, when Pinkie goes totally insane and acts way out of the norm, it's still "in character" because going insane and acting weirdly is then a part of Pinkie's personality. To me, "Out of character" implies that a character did something that does not match up with any of their personality. Which is impossible, because even when a character does something ridiculously out of the norm, that action changes the definition of their personality to match. The only way you could have something be out of character (in the canon at least, non-canon stuff is a different story entirely) would be to have them do something that would somehow have no effect on the definition of their personality, but since literally everything a character does defines their personality in some way, it's impossible. Of course, that's just my interpretation of the phrase. Other people will have their own meanings and way of seeing things and that's fine.

[@tattlingjam2612]

Camgoespony Saying its impossible seems to be exaggerating it. If AJ was written exactly like Fluttershy for no reason, AJ would definitely be out of character there, would she not? Sure, their personalities can change, they're not set in stone, but only with good reason does it make sense and not count as "out of character."

[@Dethneko]

I find the problem with the term "out of character" to be a problem of defining character to begin with. With my limited knowledge of psychology I'm aware there are two parts to every personality; there's the Nature and the Demeanor. Me, I probably act a different way with every person I am around, and I can be totally joking with one person, telling bad jokes left and right, turn around to face another person and be dead serious without cracking so much as a smile. In these cases my demeanor changes, and damn near instantly, but my nature still drives my actions in both cases. The problem with fictional characters is we only know them as they are portrayed. They have no easily definable Nature because they don't exist, so that driving force of their being is unknown. More than that, but since each writer has their own interpretation of each character, then that character ends up with a unique Nature for each writer. Show has 10 writers? Then character has 10 Natures. Since the Nature is impossible to define all the audience has to go on is the Demeanor. If the character's Demeanor changes without proper explanation then the character has essentially gone "out of character." About the only way to combat this is for each writer to agree on the guidelines of what the character's Nature should be, and also the show's head runner should also be among the final say of whether or not the character's Demeanor matches with the Nature that is envisioned for the character. Strictly speaking, the actor should be the other half of the final say, being the one who actively plays the character from week to week they should know how the character should be acting and thinking, and should call bullshit if what's written breaks the established Nature.

[@elobrittjen5678]

Yes! Finally! Some pony who agrees with pinkie in party of one seeming a bit out of character (that's one reason why it's my least favourite episode) btw whoever did the art for this video made dr wolf and camgoespony so cute!

[@BubblingBrooke]

Writers can goof up. Going against how a character is since the beginning, is not a good thing. Writers are given characters they need to write and they should stay consistent. Doctor Who is the only show I know of that can get away with writing how the Doctor is. He regenerates and that creates a new personality. That is why I feel "Out of Character" can be used as long as someone explains themselves properly.

[@Camgoespony]

"Writers are given characters they need to write..." No. Writers CREATE characters to write. A character's personality isn't some absolute universal truth that writes pull out of the ether and put onto paper. It is something that is completely made up by the writers.

[@MrConredsX]

Camgoespony You cant just made Discord a goofy and random in one episode and then make him caring and shy in other episode. It need to stay consistent or it irritate the audience

[@phano6385]

MrConredsX But then we'd get bored of the show in a year or two!

[@phano6385]

MrConredsX But then we'd get bored of the show in a year or two!

[@MrConredsX]

Phano Do you want more episodes like Spike At your Service? When turn out he cannot cook or clean even though he was fine when doing that stuff with Twilight? Is that suppose to be a good thing when writers do such abominations? Camgoespony is clearly mistaken.

[@yochlel2642]

your oc have a horn in your brain but horns are a kind of bone,your oc basically have a bone stuck in his brain...that's actuallt kinda metal.(pun intend)

[@isaiahsoderlind7005]

I personally thought that Apple Jacks overprotectiveness was hilarious, I didn't seem out of her character at all, it just showed me that hey so there is a different side of her we didn't know about. I personally liked the episode. Thats right, I said it.

[@jshadowhunter]

I can easily look past the "flaw" that people complain about in certain episodes, because I can rationalize the behavior of human nature. The only time I would actually call "out of character" is in "Spike at your Service" episode. I mean with Spike literally being Twilight's housekeeper and pastry maker, it was mind-boggling to see him acting like a klutz while attempting to do some simple housework. P.S.: Doc's gonna need a new sofa. =P

[@Marane8]

I'd generally say that if a character goes against their defined personality, then they're probably OOC. For instance, if Rarity just started acting like MAS Twilight for no reason, I'd call it OOC. She's pretty much becoming a different character.

[@TS2dethmonkey]

Poor Dr Wolf. People keep destroying his stuff.

[@valonstorm288]

dr wolf if it's ok with you can i have a session? sorry about the spelling

[@Saltyoven]

I think people keep saying out of character when they really should be saying "unlikable"

[@saraolt]

I can see what you mean by there is no, "out of character", but I would like to say that a good of example of "out of character-ness" would be if Fluttershy would just stop liking her animals. We know that she loves them dearly, and she takes care of them to the best of her ability. So, if a writer were to decide that Flutters should just start randomly hating all animals, it would make no sense! If there was a good reason then sure, it would be "in character", but if none was given, I think that would count as "out of character"

[@mybluecatstudio]

lol thats a first I never seen the Dr get out of his chair lol XD

[@Emptybee]

To me the phrase "out of character" means the character is acting in ways that _contradict their previously established behavior_ without any explanation for the change in behavior. Even the show's writers aren't immune from this charge; once they've established a character's personality they should stick to it. We know that Applejack hates to lie and, when she does, she's _really_ bad at it. So if there was an episode in which Applejack comfortably told a lie, without any sort of internal or external coercion, she _would_ be out of character. If the audience can't trust the writers to stick to the rules they've created then there's no reason to get invested in these characters. That being said, every factual situation is unique so there is always _some_ wiggle room for how a character responds - even to very similar situations. And of course totally new situations always present the opportunity to display new facets of the character. I agree that the charge of "out of character" is flung around far too freely. "Out of character" doesn't equal "I wouldn't have written it that way" or "I don't like how this character acted". You can disagree with Applejack's exagerated portrayal in _Somepony To Watch Over Me_, but she's been shown to be very protective of Apple Bloom in previous episodes - so calling it out of character is a stretch. The same is true of Pinkie in _Filli Vanilli_. We've seen before that while Pinkie may have good intentions, she isn't always sensitive to the effects her actions have on others.

[@mandragoradravgis]

well that ending was a new one on me lol.

[@vanillalemonfox3673]

so DRWolf001 so im new 2 your channel and I need 2 tell u something. like what do u do whats your talent?

[@TCPolecat]

RIP: the Doctor's couch....

[@jamesbrown7965]

Does DRWolf001 have a fimfiction account?

[@Lori_P89]

I actually thought that Applejack was 100% believable and downright hilarious in that episode. But to be fair I was able to relate to Applebloom soooo much in that instance. There are episodes when the characters act OOC for me though. I don't mind when the writers are showing the characters to be multi-faceted and acting in a surprising way, it's only when I feel that the writers don't have as good a grasp on the characters in the first place do I feel as though a character is OOC. I guess it's kinda hard to explain.

[@masterclockwork4436]

Much like Cam, I do have a frustration with over-use of the term "out of character" (OOC) and agree that it is impossible for the cast from the show, and other official material, to actually be portrayed so. The simple fact is that the creators are the ones the decide and define a character's personality and is not unheard of to toss new situations at the characters and try different approaches to how that character might react. We, as the audience, may not like ever portrayal, but it is far reaching to say that it is presenting cast member as OOC. Now, all perspectives being equal, it is difficult to argue with one's opinion on this matter. We all have our own head canons and preconceptions on how the characters should behave in a given scenario. When a characters behaves in a way that is unexpected, it can be rather jarring and immediately triggers in one's mind that something is wrong. From an individual perspective this may be true and even on a community level we tend to agree that at times the casts' personalities seem off from what we are use to. While I am forgiving to this snap judgment from the general audience, I hold a higher standard to the analyst community. That knee jerk reaction is fine in a react video, watching something the first time, but I have an expectation that a serious analyst/reviewer is going to take a moment and reflect on what they saw, digging deeper and asking the proper questions. Was this portrayal really out of characters, or was it just unexpected? Is this an aspect of the character I just don't like and hope they never portray again, or do I accept this is just a side of the character I've never seen before? In nearly every instance where I have heard the community commenting on one of the mane six acting "out of character" I have been able to look back and find examples of said behavior. Perhaps they were not as pronounced and in the episode in question that aspect is a bit exaggerated, but the fact is we have seen that side of character before. With Pinkie Pie and Party of One I find this a difficult one to comment on, as it is still season one and we are just learning about the various quirks with the mane six, but it speaks volumes that the writers have reminded us now and then that this is a part of Pinkie's personality. In the case of how ridiculously over-protective Applejack was with Apple Bloom in Some Pony to Watch Over Me, I am in agreement that the exaggerated gag was over done to the point of being annoying, but not that AJ was out of character. I know that people like to point out how the CMC have done some pretty outlandish things in pursuit of their cutie marks, but most of the "dangerous" scenes we have been shown are just sight gags and AJ isn't usually around to bare witness. There are, however, several instances of AJ flipping her wig when she feels Apple Bloom might be in some sort of danger, they simply exaggerated this aspect of her in Some Pony to watch mover me and nothing more. This is just how Pinkie Pie was not being out of character in Filli Vanilli and I don't feel any of the cast was out of character in The Mysterious Mare Do Well. If anything Rainbow Dash behaved just as I thought she would and was easy for me to see where things were headed the moment the crowd started to give her praise. As far as the rest of the mane six behaved inappropriately either. Some have argued that they felt the girls would of tried to talk things out more with RD and see the error of her ways, but while that thought focuses on the rest of the mane six's personalities, it ignore the fact that the girls know Rainbow Dash very well and that simply talking to her is a futile effort and more drastic measures were necessary, after that I think they just got caught up in their little hero act much the same as RD did.

[@331460]

I read a lot of comments, and I agree with Camgoespony about how writters define the character. People don't like it, but it is now Canon that AJ has an overprotective side that can be triggered by seemingly small reasons. They could have done a better job setting up this character trait and its reasoning, but it doesn't mean there is no reason. A lot of people in the comments keep saying that her change would be justified if there had been some big event to catapult Apple Jack into her paranoid state. I believe there was such an event, but I don't mean the trivial one involving Apple Bloom just falling off the table. I believe it was the decision to let Apple Bloom stay home alone that caused it. After all Apple Jack's paranoid behavior started long before the soup incident. I mean it was fairly apparent that Apple Jack had at some point, regretted her decision to let Apple Bloom stay home by herself. Now this is just my theory on the subject, but I believe shortly after making the decision to let Apple Bloom stay home alone is when Apple Jack started worrying about what could go wrong. She basically started to realize how much she took for granted the comfort of being able to come to Apple Blooms aid had given her. She started to think about how things she found small before had suddenly started to seem so much more dangerous then she'd originally thought. I mean the chances were small, but there where so many things that Apple Bloom could do that would get her hurt. Apple Jack just couldn't stand the idea that Apple Bloom could be in danger and she wouldn't be able to be there to help her. She let these thoughts terrify her. The list was just the first sign of how much this was getting to her, and her poor attempt to quell her own fears. After all her best friend Twilight made lists to help keep organized, and to help her remember important things. The list was simple a comfort to try to self-assure herself that things would be alright. At the point in which Apple Jack left the farm. She was already realizing how useless the list had been at calming her fears, and eventually leading to her decision to go back and check on Apple Bloom. What I believe is misunderstood is that it wasn't Apple Bloom falling that made AJ snap, but the sight of Apple Bloom getting hurt. At the point in which Apple Jack had come to check on Apple Bloom, her paranoia was already in a critical state, and she was looking for any reason to justify staying to watch over her. It didn't matter at that point that Apple Bloom had been fine. In Apple Jack's mind all her fears had been confirmed. That being that without her there her sister could get hurt without her there to help her. The episode would have benefited from making this paranoia more spread out. If they had shown more of Apple Jack's worry from the previous night, then the audience could have seen her descent into madness happen at a more gradual pace instead of it seeming to hit critical after only a few minutes. The truth is Apple Jack had plenty of time to become the nervous wreck she was in this episode, but it just felt sudden due to the way the episode was executed. Well I could go on about this, but I will leave it at this and see what other people think of the theory thus far.

[@phano6385]

I may have used the term "out of character" on a few rare occations but I'm always careful to use the word "seemed" before it. A lot of it may depend on our own personal interpretations of a character and we can get stuck in our perceptions. On the other hoof, part of me suspects there is a trend to take the overall character archetype and style and compare it to the very situational actions of this character in a particular episode. When there is a deviation from the "normal" behavior we might be tempted to cry foul without taking into consideration the multidemensional and less than perfect personality quirks everyone is subject to display every once in a while. I don't know much about psychology but I don't imagine our minds are well oiled machines that output the same perfect and logical responses to a given situation in a consistant manner. Everyone has those off days and our little ponies are the same. In the end, I find it much more fun to try and work out why a character did something seemingly strange than to pass it off as bad writing.

[@Dethneko]

Whenever I hear someone say the phrase "out of character" I try and think of what they meant to say instead of that phrase they just said. Much of the time I disagree the character was written "out of character" but can agree the character's actions do not always comply with the general nature or demeanor, or on some rare occasions with the general physics implied for the world. Case in point, in Bats when Pinkie Pie did the drill thing with her hair and otherwise had prehensile hair, it's an "ability" she's never shown before or since then, making those antics basically wrong. I do believe Pinkie Pie was "out of character" in that episode, but not for the same reason as others. In Ticket Master, it was pretty heavily implied Pinkie has a severe phobia to bats with the way she reacted when the tickets first landed on her nose. Knowing this, I find it way "out of character" for her to willingly go into an orchard filled with bats she knew full well were there. Contrast to Pinkie Apple Pie where she goes through the scariest cave in Equestria without batting an eyelash. Well, duh. Second episode (Elements of Harmony part 2) it's strongly implied she's able to shrug off most things that would terrorize a normal pony what with the "giggling at the ghosties". Outside of her bat phobia I have every reason to believe she knows the difference between "fear" and "danger" and is usually able to compose herself in regards to the former. Intangible, complex emotional "fears", like thinking her friends don't like her parties and don't want to be her friends anymore may not be subject to this mastery over fear, but most tangible, simple instruments that just otherwise look scary aren't so frightening to her. As far as Applejacks overprotectiveness of Apple Bloom in Somepony to Watch Over Me, it's not out of character. She was clearly overprotective of Apple Bloom in Bridle Gossip, trying to "protect" Apple Bloom form her own implied "threats" of Zecora and completely ignoring Apple Bloom when she said she wasn't even scared in the slightest. What bothered me about Applejack's actions is they otherwise came completely out of left field, were way overplayed, and suggests Applejack would have no problem jeopardizing the farm through lost clientele and subsequent loss of revenue all in the name of keeping Apple Bloom safe. It isn't even that the entire scenario was improbable, but the one line about Apple Bloom being more important than some pies or such. I mean, if she at least acknowledged that she knew how important the delivery was but just couldn't bring herself to leave without making sure somepony was available to watch over Apple Bloom, that would have made the episode a bit better in my opinion without changing anything else. One line of such would also have made heavy implications to why nopony else, like Rarity who was later called anyways, was available earlier. I also found Pinkie Pie largely out of character in Filli Vanilli. I mean, this isn't so much the Pinkie/Pinkamena shift as in Party of One, this is Pinkie Pie, in full control of her facilities, intentionally acting like a dick to Fluttershy, like she was deliberately trying to hurt her feelings. Yes, the writers can make mistakes, especially new writers who haven't spent as much time with the characters as those since the start of the show. In these cases, especially by the 4th season, the actors should know their characters well enough to look at the writer and call them on such bad actions. I'm sure there could have been a little work done with the lines to still get much of the impact out without making Pinkie Pie look like she was trying to do it intentionally.

[@StormAnalysis]

I have two views on the term "Out of Character" in both ways I dislike the term though. My first view is that the characters of MLP and people in general are dynamic, so sometimes they may make mistakes, or may display a trait they might usually not have. I remember for a months time I was super polite and stuff. I still am, I think, just not to the extent prior. Like in Filli Vanilli when Pinkie did that whole mean majigger, it's okay. Sometimes people are randomly mean or insensitive when they aren't like that prior. Though I still didn't fancy that moment. Then there's also the issue that if a show has multiple writers, with different interpretations of a character, they'll each write said character differently, no matter how similar. So that's something I think people don't take into account. So it's bad to blame the writers for that when they have different interpretations of the characters, just like us viewers. But yeah, I agree with everything you said Cam.

[@ZGuy0fSci]

"Out of Character" is a funny term, that in a fundamental sense such that 'Show-Canon' determines what is canon, that what goes for the show therefore determines what is 'canon' that it can't be "Out of Character" for a character to act as per the show, as the show 'determines' their character as said here in, if catching it right; So too however to a point with AU works, such that any fiction or OC work is by requirement as default to be and is AU; that one cannot be "in or out of character" as the work they are in 'Determines' their "character" as per and for 'that specific work' as unrelated to works that are not related, to include canon/the show. Yet by the same, "Out of Character" is to say more so simply "Not as in accordance to or with what is 'Normal' for the Character and their 'Character'", such that we are all and will all be at some point or points "Out of Character" perhaps if facing strong or unusual cases such that we are forced to act differently than we normally would given the chance. So one can say that something is "Out of Character" despite being perfectly "In Character" for such simply 'Is their Character', but simply not being their Normal sort per their character, or the one they play. (so it goes) Funny how much 'double meaning' goes into making meaning of words and terms, eh? ^_

[@ZGuy0fSci]

As for what others seems to say, that "Out of Character" ~ "Jumping the Shark" That about right?

[@nightofraven]

It is precisely facts that do not exist, only interpretations.

[@Repicheep22]

I think "Out of Character" can be a perfectly reasonable criticism, even if it has become a buzz word of sorts. The way I define "out of character" is when a character acts in a way that directly contradicts a previously established character trait. Say, for example, we find out Rainbow Dash finds the taste of lemons disgusting in one episode, and then in another episode, we see her voluntarily eating a lemon. This would be an "out of character" moment. Now, something as small as that is unlikely to generate any really heated discussions, but when these out of character moments hit close to a character's defining traits, then people start to object. The reason that people had such a negative reaction to Overprotective Applejack and Ultraclumsy Spike (from Spike at Your Service) is because these particular moments portray the characters in ways that are opposed to their defining traits. Applejack has always been portrayed as the down-to-earth, sensible member of the Mane Six. Even her mistakes are fairly sensible and stem from her love for her family, but one thing Applejack has never been is cartoonish. Whenever Applejack makes a mistake, it's always within sensible, reasonable bounds. Even her biggest mistakes in Apple Family Reunion stemmed from her love for her family, and none of them were exaggerated or cartoonish. Overprotective Applejack, however, was not sensible in the least and gained an almost Pinkie-like quality in terms of reason and cartoonishness. Checking on Applebloom multiple times a minute and wrapping every remotely pointy thing in plastic for safety seem like things Pinkie would do with her over-the-top, exaggerated sensibilities. In fact, you could probably replace Applejack with Pinkie Pie in that scene and I think everyone would have loved it. Ultraclumsy Spike is another example of this. Spike' defining traits are that he is Twilight's #1 assistant and her voice of reason. When she freaks out over something small (see Lesson Zero), Spike is always there to bring her back to earth. This isn't to say that he has no flaws, but even his flaws trace back to being Twilight's #1 assistant. In Owl's Well That Ends Well, he made an entire picnic spread for the meteor shower; he even baked cookies. He juggled apples (which shows his dexterity) and spend most of the episode desperately trying to hold onto his position as Twilight's assistant. So, when we have an episode like Spike At Your Service where his dexterity and competence suddenly vanish, and where he voluntarily gives up the thing that brings him the most joy in life (being Twilight's assistant), fans are understandably confused by this sudden and unexpected change in character. Now, why do these bother people, but Crazy Pinkie from Party Of One, does not? Well, because Party Of One did not contradict what we already knew about Pinkie. Viewers and fans are perfectly willing to accept that characters will act differently in different situations, and it's perfectly reasonable for a character whose happy moments run so high to have sad moments that run unfathomably low. The two don't contradict each other, and so we are more than willing to accept it. When it comes to "Out Of Character" moments, context and constancy are everything. If your characters aren't consistent, they won't be believable, and your story will suffer. Pinkamina is not inconsistent with regular Pinkie, because they each appear in different contexts. Ultraclumsy Spike *is* inconsistent with a child portrayed as wise beyond his years, who can successfully calm a panicking alicorn princess. Likewise, Overprotective Applejack is inconsistent with a mare portrayed as sensible and wise and who has let her little sister do far more dangerous things than stay home by herself.

[@blakenelson4158]

sorry to say but yes you can wright a story where someone is out of character. a quick example would be to turn superman in to a mass murderer. out of character is having an established character go wildly against established character traits without a good underlying reason for such radical change in personality.

[@Canyon_Storm]

Hey Dr wolf. I've had trouble figuring something out and I feel like you're the guy who can help. Can you help me with my question?

[@DRWolf001]

That would depend on the question.

[@Canyon_Storm]

(Wow didn't know you stay up this long O_O) well its not a huge question it's just lately I have had a hard time getting back into the show and fandom and such. In the beginning I almost practical never missed a new episode of the series and now a days I've started to care less. I want to get back into it but my mind keeps telling me no and I don't know. But I don't hate the show I still like it it's I don't understand why I can't get back into it......

[@DRWolf001]

wrathbone76 It's alright if your passion for the show isn't quite as strong as it used to be. It's much like when I keep working on the same kinds of projects over and over until they're not as interesting as they used to be. I keep attempting to add some variety to my work. In the hopes that my passion may continue to flourish by trying new things.

[@sonicgen20]

Yeah I kinda agree with Camgoes Pony, what is out of character. How do we tell the difference between what's believable and what we want someone to act like? Is it impossible for some someone to act out of their usual normality?

[@MrArchimondde]

I don't think we will ever encounter a character being "out of character" simply because every episode is being written based on the characters as stated in the bible. Pretty much how laws must obey the constitution. P.S: I really liked the ending :) Little tidbits like that really make this series all the more enjoyable.

[@tebbzy]

I am sorry to say this, but with more than one writer, and them working from home not in the same room. You will get characters being written different. Even with shows where the writers are in the same room, they write the characters differently if the episode calls for it. So there will be out of character episodes because writers write to entertain people but to build characters. Characters are tools to tell stories not stories are to show characters. They like to keep as close to the characters traits as possible but if overlord Meghan McCarthy say to have an Alice in Wonderland episode. The premise is Luna was reading a pony version of Alice in Wonderland and fell asleep before finishing. In her dream she goes to Wonderland. Pinkie is the mad hatter, Rarity is the queen of hearts, and put whatever character the writer see fit to cast the other roles. And she gave it to M. A. Larson becuase he will have fun with it. Then M. A. decides to have fun with the courtroom scene and put Fluttershy as the out spoken DA and AJ as an incompetent Southern Lawyer. AJ and Fluttershy would be written out of character for the sake of the story.

[@thunderflare59]

Wait, did you actually record this way back in March? Or am I misreading some implications?

[@Camgoespony]

If I remember correctly, this was recorded at just the very end of March. 1-2 Months is typical for the development time for these AMWDW videos.

[@SketchBookShortFilms]

Cam, the impossibility thing...no... A character is indeed formed by their actions, but something is allowed to be considered 'out of character' when those actions go against the previous ones in such a way that it potentially alters the character completely. People get pissed about out of characters moments because we know that from previous experience, these characters shouldn't be acting this way. It's like if I said 'I hate all cheese' and then you see me eating an entire wheel of Swiss in a later scene with a scarce reason as to why I liked it to explain. Using your example of Somepony to Watch Over Me, the reason that so many people hate it is because the out of character behavior is being treated like a joke, but the joke itself isn't funny. The out of character behavior there only exists to drive a plot and create jokes that fail. Many people who did not laugh at how goofy the character was acting but rather groaned at how the character was acting inconsistently for so long. The length has something to do with it as well, as these are supposed to be 'moments' not 'episodes' where the character is acting strangely. Party of One succeeds in using an out of character moment because it is only a moment, and this small span of time and proper timing of the joke means that it is success. If Pinkie was in this state for the episode's entirety nobody would have laughed, because the joke had run its course and had ceased to be funny. All of these moments defy how the audience expects the character to behave, and like most story elements it is the *execution* that counts. Whether the phrase is overused is one thing, but it is something that we see in long running TV shows and, unless utilized properly, is a trope of most media that is best left alone. Your definition of the term u\just sucks the validity of the complaints those people have not only towards MLP, but to shows like Teen Titans Go! and modern SpongeBob. People absolutely LOATHE these shows because of how the crap on the characters and if you don't believe me, watch MysteriousMrEnter's Animated Atrocities on modern SpongeBob ALONE.

[@no1important777]

oh shit! Calvert found a body, kill it kill it!

[@TheZentegi]

I thought AJ's overprotectiveness was funny

[@LanceTheAutobot]

unlike popular belief the character shift AJ made in sompony to watch over medid not bother me they went to far I can agree to that but Apple Jack is Apple Bloom's mother figure and this has always been apparent in their interactions and mothers tend to get anxious wen their young grow into a new faze in life because they are driven to protect their young by instinct and this instinct can over power basic logic

[@kaiiiiiiiiii296]

what the world is that oc

[@dataweiss3756]

Out of character is a legitimate term. Though I agree people use it a bit too liberally.Somebody to watch over me may be the only case of a character in the series acting out of character, but I've heard this phrase for several different episodes. A character is acting out of character only if what they are saying and doing completely contradicts everything the audience knows about them. Like if one of the mane six started acting like they did when Discord switched their personalities, but only without provocation. But just because a character may act a way the audience doesn't expect, doesn't mean they are acting out of character. It just means the writers are expanding on the character. Showing a different side, but still within the preconceived boundaries of characterization. The hardest part of being a writer is creating a character that fits into a stereotype while also giving them qualities that contradict that stereotype so they become a realistic individual. A well established character fits within these boundaries and steps out of them gradually to show growth or conflict, but in the end, they are still the character the audience knows so the decisions the character makes in a situation is backed by evidence collected over frequent exposure. The reason Applejack is considered out of character in someone to watch over me is because the audience has seen how she reacts to Applebloom in stressful situations before. She was protective in Bridal gossip, though nowhere near as close as she was in someone to watch over me, and she tends to hang back and let the cutie mark crusaders do their own thing. She typically only goes to extremes where work is involved, like applebuck season or apple family reunion. Because the audience has seen her in an authoritarian role it's a break in character for her to act over-bearing so suddenly without any transition or provocation. Whereas with pinky-pie, the audience has seen her go to extremes with her happiness, so it isn't a leap to have her go to extremes with her other emotions either.

[@reflectivevagrant5531]

I do often find moments that are inconsistent with a character's previous actions can raise eyebrows at times. However, I believe such moments can, but for the sake of argument not automatically, actually add to one's character portrayal. if a character's personality was purely one sided and had no particular contrast then they could end up being shallow or even a Mary Sue. I personally feel that the show shouldn't panic about a character being 'out of character' but rather the actions feeling forced, such as in the reasoning in the episode "bats" when they decided to give animals of a seemingly parasitic nature a portion of the field and presume they would stay to it. My opinions can be shown LethalAuroraMage's video better than I can type: Mage Page - Episode 4: Bats! I am not saying however, that irrational choices should never be made by a character in a story. Such examples of effective portrayal of this device can be seen fairly easily in the episodes of "Party of One", "Flight to the Finish" and "Simple Ways".