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Okay so wait. Applejack's original element was supposed to be reliability, but they changed that because it was something they didn't think kids would understand. So what's with the seeing-stuff-from-the-past-ness? Isn't that a little hard for kids who don't even know what reliability means?

 

 

Wait... where was reliability mentioned in the episode and what does it have to do with the flashbacks? Did I miss something?

 

Okay so wait. Applejack's original element was supposed to be reliability, but they changed that because it was something they didn't think kids would understand. So what's with the seeing-stuff-from-the-past-ness? Isn't that a little hard for kids who don't even know what reliability means?

Wait... where was reliability mentioned in the episode and what does it have to do with the flashbacks? Did I miss something?

 

What I mean was if reliability is too hard of a concept for kids to grasp, how is things like time travel or looking into the past not?

Time travel and flashbacks are pretty concrete concepts, and easy enough to grasp. And they only rarely get focused on in episodes. I think the problem with reliability is that it's too abstract to be a core principle of the show; Applejack's moments of honesty are completely clear, whereas reliability is far more subjective.

 

Plus, for better or for worse, the show has changed since its original concept. The keys hint at a far more connected storyline this season, far from Lauren Faust's initial vision for episodes that can work in any order, and it's no surprise that Hasbro's concern over what concepts kids would be able to grasp has lessened now that the show has proven to resonate with audiences of all ages.