This is another weird year forthe Hugo nominations.

As was true last year, the Rabid Puppies campaign managed to take over the ballot through bloc voting.

The campaign this year picked nominations that would be hard to dispute (e.g.

This would be a mistake.

The show centers around six friends (called the Mane Six by theMLPfandom).

Twilight Sparkle now serves as the Princess of Friendship.

Pinkie Pie, a party planner whose random silliness lends over-the-top cartoonish aspects to the show, is laughter.

Rarity, a unicorn fashion diva and entrepreneur who has a thriving boutique, embodies generosity.

Fluttershy, a soft-spoken pegasus who tends to local the woodland creatures, represents kindness.

Like the Bat Signal, their cutie mark symbols appear in a location on the map.

Intrigued, the six set out to find out why they are needed.

When they arrive, there are no dread monsters and no obvious threats.

Instead, they see a perfectly normal, if bland, town.

All the buildings look exactly the same, laid out in two parallel rows with only one central street.

Winning only breeds the worst, ego-filled conceit.

You cant have a nightmare, if you never dream.

Do you ever wonder why?

When you think your talents special.

You dont see eye-to-eye.

(Pinkie Pie eats a lot of muffins as their cover story.)

There, three of the residents start asking questions about the Mane Sixs cutie marks.

Doesnt being different make it impossible to stay friends?

(And, besides, theyre allowed to visit their cutie marks whenever they want.)

So, of course, the Mane Six hurry to go there and see for themselves.

Other than keep their chins up and refuse to conform, theres little they can do to help themselves.

Twilight Sparkle, restored, in turn rescues them from Starlight Glimmers magical attack.

Dont question authority or youll be reconditioned.

Lets see those big happy smiles!

Starlight Glimmer orders during their musical number, and the Stepford-smiles get broader.

Everyone has a special talent, and everyone has different, sometimes dissenting opinions.