WEBVTT Kind: captions Language: en 00:00:39.000 --> 00:00:45.020 A century ago today, years of meaningless madness and cruelty surrendered to 00:00:45.020 --> 00:00:46.760 reason. 00:00:46.760 --> 00:00:51.200 The first half of the war which knew two generations came to an end, 00:00:51.200 --> 00:00:56.390 even if only temporary. The follies and horrors of war were laid bare and 00:00:56.390 --> 00:01:02.770 testament for all to see and the lie of glorious war began its inevitable death. 00:01:02.770 --> 00:01:10.400 Today marks the 100th anniversary of the first world war. The nations of the world 00:01:10.400 --> 00:01:15.470 declared that today, we would allow ourselves to be reminded of the 00:01:15.470 --> 00:01:20.119 sacrifices of those who weren't lost for the follies and pride of other men and 00:01:20.119 --> 00:01:26.869 in hope that such sacrifices might never be needed again. In that spirit, I will 00:01:26.869 --> 00:01:32.090 examine a trilogy of stories which speak to these values. Stories that honor the 00:01:32.090 --> 00:01:36.979 lives and tribulations of all who suffered, not only in the fields of 00:01:36.979 --> 00:01:42.860 Flanders, but in all wars. Stories of the horrors of war and the triumphs of 00:01:42.860 --> 00:01:46.780 personal redemption and strength. 00:02:14.380 --> 00:02:19.819 When I started doing these reviews, I knew it would be very likely that I 00:02:19.819 --> 00:02:24.980 would come across works which were beyond even the scope of my expectations. 00:02:24.980 --> 00:02:30.680 In fact, I even relished in such an opportunity. Today's review however is 00:02:30.680 --> 00:02:35.480 a work that perhaps more than any other story with maybe the exception of "Past 00:02:35.480 --> 00:02:40.940 Sins" or "Fallout: Equestria" represents a work of fiction which truly transcends 00:02:40.940 --> 00:02:45.530 the fandom. A work which could stand alone as its own piece of media and 00:02:45.530 --> 00:02:50.209 earnestly speaks of thematic elements which many non fanfictions struggle to 00:02:50.209 --> 00:02:55.100 discuss with as much breadth and nuance as this author accomplishes; and they do 00:02:55.100 --> 00:03:02.030 so not in just one story, but in three back-to-back masterpieces. I am of course 00:03:02.030 --> 00:03:08.480 speaking of "The Flower Mare" trilogy. "The Flower Mare", "Seele", and "Unbroken" are a 00:03:08.480 --> 00:03:14.420 trilogy of novellas written by Flamenwerfer and available on FimFiction. Written 00:03:14.420 --> 00:03:20.660 between April of 2017 and August of 2018, the trilogy explores the relationship of 00:03:20.660 --> 00:03:24.650 the Cutie Mark Crusaders with a new resident to Ponyville named Schneeblume, 00:03:24.650 --> 00:03:30.260 an Alemanian, or German, florist with a tragic history. The trilogy is a story of 00:03:30.260 --> 00:03:36.350 triumph of personal tragedy and the power of reconciliation. I honestly don't 00:03:36.350 --> 00:03:41.630 want to say any more than that for fear of spoilers. This trilogy really is the 00:03:41.630 --> 00:03:45.620 sort of literature which must be experienced in person. That's why I 00:03:45.620 --> 00:03:52.100 implore all of you, before I go into any further detail, please go read this 00:03:52.100 --> 00:03:56.329 series. While I will earnestly try my best not to spoil anything 00:03:56.329 --> 00:04:01.640 you still need to read this trilogy. Very rarely do I come across a piece of media 00:04:01.640 --> 00:04:06.410 which can be as transformative as "The Flower Mare" trilogy manages to be and I 00:04:06.410 --> 00:04:11.530 feel that it is a work which must be experienced by everyone. 00:04:11.530 --> 00:04:16.660 At 42,000 words across the entire series, the trilogy is roughly the length of a 00:04:16.660 --> 00:04:20.380 short novel, so it's definitely not something to read in a single sitting. 00:04:20.380 --> 00:04:26.050 Not that you'd really want to as this series is listed as sad/dark and very 00:04:26.050 --> 00:04:30.880 much lives up to expectations in that regard. Especially the second entry 00:04:30.880 --> 00:04:36.370 "Seele". It discusses difficult and challenging ideas and can be very 00:04:36.370 --> 00:04:40.750 emotionally draining on a reader, so I definitely recommend reading the series 00:04:40.750 --> 00:04:46.419 in short bursts rather than in a single sitting. I feel it is also important to 00:04:46.419 --> 00:04:51.280 note that while the 1st and 3rd entries in this series are teen rated, "Seele" is 00:04:51.280 --> 00:04:55.690 mature and absolutely earns that rating for its portrayal of the primary theme 00:04:55.690 --> 00:05:02.530 of the series. For you see, at its heart the trilogy is a war story; though 00:05:02.530 --> 00:05:07.380 perhaps it would be more accurate to describe it as an anti-war story. 00:05:07.380 --> 00:05:12.220 Portrayals of war in "My Little Pony" fanfiction are hardly new, with many of 00:05:12.220 --> 00:05:16.870 the greatest stories relying heavily upon war or battle for their drama or 00:05:16.870 --> 00:05:21.640 conflict resolution - the "Harmony for All" trilogy by DungeonMiner especially 00:05:21.640 --> 00:05:25.900 comes to the forefront of my mind, but it's most certainly not the only example. 00:05:25.900 --> 00:05:31.270 But what makes "The Flower Mare" trilogy stand out is the very unique way at 00:05:31.270 --> 00:05:36.910 which it approaches war from a narrative, textual, and thematic standpoint. In media, 00:05:36.910 --> 00:05:42.580 especially fantasy stories, war is almost always portrayed in a manner inspired by 00:05:42.580 --> 00:05:46.900 Arthurian myth or the Tolkien legendarium. A struggle between the 00:05:46.900 --> 00:05:51.789 forces of chivalrous good and an unrepentant evil. Black and White. 00:05:51.789 --> 00:05:56.169 A conflict of absolutes with conclusion a foregone one. 00:05:56.169 --> 00:06:00.909 But "The Flower Mare" is a story deeply inspired by the post-war cynicism of 00:06:00.909 --> 00:06:05.259 works like "All Quiet on the Western Front", focusing on the tragedies and 00:06:05.259 --> 00:06:10.419 horrors of war taking heavy inspiration from the politics of Europe and 00:06:10.419 --> 00:06:14.949 historical accounts of trench warfare during World War 1, the series speaks 00:06:14.949 --> 00:06:20.050 heavily of the inherent futility of the battle and monotony and banality of 00:06:20.050 --> 00:06:24.969 death in such circumstances.This placement of World War 1 elements in 00:06:24.969 --> 00:06:28.900 the "My Little Pony" world really does help to isolate the conflict from the 00:06:28.900 --> 00:06:33.099 historical baggage and allows the reader to truly analyze the events of the 00:06:33.099 --> 00:06:37.770 series independent of any potential political positions that they might have. 00:06:37.770 --> 00:06:43.180 This allows the potential readership of the series to move way beyond just fans 00:06:43.180 --> 00:06:47.499 of "My Little Pony", as I honestly believe that this series could stand on its own 00:06:47.499 --> 00:06:52.900 merits and be read and enjoyed by almost anybody. As its unique narrative styles 00:06:52.900 --> 00:06:57.339 and elements allow both the readers and the characters to truly explore the 00:06:57.339 --> 00:07:02.289 nature of war, the processing of grief and trauma, and their relationship to it. 00:07:02.289 --> 00:07:08.110 When characters do speak on the "glory of war", it has always spoken in sardonic 00:07:08.110 --> 00:07:12.789 terms. Aan ignorance displayed by new recruits or a cruel joke to be pitied 00:07:12.789 --> 00:07:18.219 among veterans. The story is extremely nuanced and focuses far more on the loss 00:07:18.219 --> 00:07:22.659 of humanity that occurs in war and the struggles of those who survive to 00:07:22.659 --> 00:07:27.189 reclaim what is lost. It discusses the requirements of states to dehumanize 00:07:27.189 --> 00:07:32.229 the enemy and the effect that has on the psyche. The casualties of war beyond just 00:07:32.229 --> 00:07:37.089 lives lost. It relies heavily on discussions of trauma and the recovery 00:07:37.089 --> 00:07:42.219 therein, but it does so in a deeply respectful way. The series lacks any of 00:07:42.219 --> 00:07:47.349 the condescension that often shows up in anti-war stories. I believe this respect 00:07:47.349 --> 00:07:51.580 for its audience and subject matter is truly what helps make "The Flower Mare" 00:07:51.580 --> 00:07:56.199 so accessible. If I had to give you a piece of media that this series very 00:07:56.199 --> 00:08:01.539 closely resembles, it would probably be the anime "Violet Evergarden" which I 00:08:01.539 --> 00:08:05.889 also highly recommend.They speak from a similar place and the objectives and 00:08:05.889 --> 00:08:08.300 goals of the main characters are very relatable 00:08:08.300 --> 00:08:13.250 and respectable. And the characters really are the strongest part of this 00:08:13.250 --> 00:08:18.650 series. Deeply complex and morally ambiguous, Schneeblume plays a beautiful 00:08:18.650 --> 00:08:24.320 contrast to the blind optimism of the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Initially I did 00:08:24.320 --> 00:08:28.520 find the three fillies to be somewhat annoying, but Flammenwerfer perfectly 00:08:28.520 --> 00:08:32.900 encapsulates their story into the overall theme in such a way that they 00:08:32.900 --> 00:08:37.400 actually grew attached to their approach to the world. Their interest and desire 00:08:37.400 --> 00:08:43.130 to help Schneeblume rubbed off on me. As the series progresses, we see how both 00:08:43.130 --> 00:08:47.780 the Crusaders and Schneeblume transform one another, helping each to grow into 00:08:47.780 --> 00:08:52.330 the mares they should have become had war not interfered in one of their lives. 00:08:52.330 --> 00:08:58.910 So with beautifully tragic world building, exquisite writing detail, deeply 00:08:58.910 --> 00:09:02.960 complex characters with equally compelling interactions; all tied 00:09:02.960 --> 00:09:07.040 together with an incredible thematic narrative about the triumph over 00:09:07.040 --> 00:09:11.360 dehumanization and the recovery of the human spirit following the tragedies of 00:09:11.360 --> 00:09:17.980 war, I can't help but give "The Flower Mare" trilogy my highest recommendations. 00:09:17.980 --> 00:09:23.210 I really don't want to say anymore for fear of spoiling this incredible piece. 00:09:23.210 --> 00:09:27.740 It really helped give me a newfound respect for the struggles of veterans 00:09:27.740 --> 00:09:32.060 and is a beautiful message of the power of companionship to help heal from 00:09:32.060 --> 00:09:36.830 tragedy. I cannot speak higher praises for a series and I will absolutely be 00:09:36.830 --> 00:09:42.710 living links for all of you to read this series at your leisure. Please read it 00:09:42.710 --> 00:09:46.820 and take this opportunity to recognize the sacrifices of the veterans around 00:09:46.820 --> 00:09:52.040 you. Listen to their stories and help ensure that those who can no longer tell 00:09:52.040 --> 00:09:57.140 their own stories are never truly forgotten. I am The Brpny Critic and 00:09:57.140 --> 00:10:01.280 while I hope that you remember that every fandom needs a critic, I hope you 00:10:01.280 --> 00:10:05.690 also remember the reason we celebrate this day. Thank you for watching and 00:10:05.690 --> 00:10:09.250 thanks to the veterans throughout the world for your dedication and service. 00:10:09.250 --> 00:10:14.890 May we all never forget why we remember this day. 00:10:18.660 --> 00:10:23.100 If there is a work of the Brony fandom that you would like me to review, be sure 00:10:23.100 --> 00:10:28.230 to follow me on Twitter and submit your suggestions. Also be sure to like, comment, 00:10:28.230 --> 00:10:33.240 and subscribe for more fandom reviews and reactions. And for more pony content, 00:10:33.240 --> 00:10:36.960 be sure to support me on Patreon, so I can provide you guys with more in the 00:10:36.960 --> 00:10:39.350 future.