Four years ago, I reviewed season five as each new episode aired with a few exceptions, but since then, I've never been happy with how some reviews have turned out; a few in particular, and I'll get to those soon enough. That's pretty much why I reviewed season seven long after its initial airing, to make sure my reviews were up to standard. It's also why some season eight reviews were some of the best I've written up to date.
With that out of the way, here's the first batch of season five revisits!
With that out of the way, here's the first batch of season five revisits!
The Cutie Map
Story by Meghan McCarthy
Written by Scott Sonneborn and M. A. Larson
Written by Scott Sonneborn and M. A. Larson
It feels like forever when I first watched this episode...! Whilst my stance Starlight has almost gone a full 360 since this episode first aired, I still think it holds up for the most part. Any problems I have are less to do with this episode specifically, and more to do with what came after.
These days, it almost feels as though the Cutie Map itself serves as some kind of plot device just to drive certain episodes. If it was just the Mane Six, that would be excused, but since then, Starlight (twice), Spike (despite not being a pony), the Cutie Mark Crusaders and Sunburst have been called by the map and heck, Discord once tampered with it just to screw with the Mane Six. If other ponies (or creatures) outside of the Mane Six are being called by the map, then really, what was the point of the map to begin with?
Out of the Our Town Quartet, only Sugar Belle has gained relevance following Hard to Say Anything. After this episode, Double Diamond, Party Favor and Night Glider seemed to become afterthoughts, the latter especially as she wasn't even referred to by name here (and people say Aria Blaze had it bad). It's a crying shame as in this episode, Party Favor was my favorite of them.
He's probably the most sympathetic of the lot, given that he was one of the first to rebel against Starlight's beliefs and later got his happy ending. After that, not much of note except for a one-off gag in The Movie. If they were able to give Sugar Belle more screentime, then why not the other three? There's lots of untapped potential there, more than what Sunburst ever had.
Speaking of, the whole premiere is largely character driven. And even back in 2015, Starlight's role as the antagonist was really good. Right from the get go, you can tell something is off with her colors. She's a lot brighter compared to everyone else, who looked to be in gray with hints of their former colors before regaining their cutie marks again. That's a really good use of visual direction.
Mind you, Fluttershy was the premiere's MVP. Despite the seemingly creepy atmosphere and the ponies' excessive smiles, Fluttershy finds the place nice, charming and quaint (she didn't actually say that; just a summarizing is all). And when the Mane Six lose their cutie marks, they volunteer Fluttershy to get them back, but she notices something off about Starlight; her cutie mark was a fake! And the next day, she exposes Starlight's deception and hypocrisy to the ponies of Our Town, causing their former leader to flee.
There isn't much to talk about in terms of story, but the morals presented were really good; everybody is unique, you can't force friendship by having the same beliefs, and one good turn deserves another (when the Mane Six help the Quartet and vice-versa). And the ending with Starlight escaping was well done too. Although the resolution in the finale wasn't great, it left you wondering as to what she might be planning next.
These days, it almost feels as though the Cutie Map itself serves as some kind of plot device just to drive certain episodes. If it was just the Mane Six, that would be excused, but since then, Starlight (twice), Spike (despite not being a pony), the Cutie Mark Crusaders and Sunburst have been called by the map and heck, Discord once tampered with it just to screw with the Mane Six. If other ponies (or creatures) outside of the Mane Six are being called by the map, then really, what was the point of the map to begin with?
Out of the Our Town Quartet, only Sugar Belle has gained relevance following Hard to Say Anything. After this episode, Double Diamond, Party Favor and Night Glider seemed to become afterthoughts, the latter especially as she wasn't even referred to by name here (and people say Aria Blaze had it bad). It's a crying shame as in this episode, Party Favor was my favorite of them.
He's probably the most sympathetic of the lot, given that he was one of the first to rebel against Starlight's beliefs and later got his happy ending. After that, not much of note except for a one-off gag in The Movie. If they were able to give Sugar Belle more screentime, then why not the other three? There's lots of untapped potential there, more than what Sunburst ever had.
Speaking of, the whole premiere is largely character driven. And even back in 2015, Starlight's role as the antagonist was really good. Right from the get go, you can tell something is off with her colors. She's a lot brighter compared to everyone else, who looked to be in gray with hints of their former colors before regaining their cutie marks again. That's a really good use of visual direction.
Mind you, Fluttershy was the premiere's MVP. Despite the seemingly creepy atmosphere and the ponies' excessive smiles, Fluttershy finds the place nice, charming and quaint (she didn't actually say that; just a summarizing is all). And when the Mane Six lose their cutie marks, they volunteer Fluttershy to get them back, but she notices something off about Starlight; her cutie mark was a fake! And the next day, she exposes Starlight's deception and hypocrisy to the ponies of Our Town, causing their former leader to flee.
There isn't much to talk about in terms of story, but the morals presented were really good; everybody is unique, you can't force friendship by having the same beliefs, and one good turn deserves another (when the Mane Six help the Quartet and vice-versa). And the ending with Starlight escaping was well done too. Although the resolution in the finale wasn't great, it left you wondering as to what she might be planning next.
Rating: Good (8/10)
Castle Sweet Castle
Written by Joanna Lewis and Kristine Songco
It was inevitable that there would be a response to those who weren't happy about the destruction of Golden Oak Library in Twilight's Kingdom. Seriously guys; it's just a tree.
But at the same time... it was a home to Twilight. She's gotten a new castle in place of the library, but she doesn't feel at home there. So the Mane Six try to make her feel at home and send Spike to distract Twilight. Their first attempt is a failure, so they go back to the drawing board, especially after Spike's comment that it's terrible. Which was pretty funny, as was the group's reactions to their initial redecorating.
Re-watching this episode made me think about when I moved to Oregon a couple of years back. It felt strange at first, but I did get used to the routine in due time. Seeing the ruins of Golden Oak Library can be pretty heart-wrenching, especially Twilight and Spike's reactions to it.
Like Meghan McCarthy before them, Joanna and Kristine were off to a flying start. This episode is a pick-me-up if you need it. Although there are some sad moments, it's balanced out by the humor like Twilight kicking Angel into a mud puddle (especially given his behavior in past episodes) and Bulk Biceps working at the spa. Seriously, how do they keep him around despite his accidental destruction at times?
Overall, it does everything a great episode should.
But at the same time... it was a home to Twilight. She's gotten a new castle in place of the library, but she doesn't feel at home there. So the Mane Six try to make her feel at home and send Spike to distract Twilight. Their first attempt is a failure, so they go back to the drawing board, especially after Spike's comment that it's terrible. Which was pretty funny, as was the group's reactions to their initial redecorating.
Re-watching this episode made me think about when I moved to Oregon a couple of years back. It felt strange at first, but I did get used to the routine in due time. Seeing the ruins of Golden Oak Library can be pretty heart-wrenching, especially Twilight and Spike's reactions to it.
Like Meghan McCarthy before them, Joanna and Kristine were off to a flying start. This episode is a pick-me-up if you need it. Although there are some sad moments, it's balanced out by the humor like Twilight kicking Angel into a mud puddle (especially given his behavior in past episodes) and Bulk Biceps working at the spa. Seriously, how do they keep him around despite his accidental destruction at times?
Overall, it does everything a great episode should.
Rating: Excellent (10/10)
Bloom & Gloom
Written by Josh Haber
I was never much for this one. As the last episode of the Luna/Crusaders trilogy (the others were Sleepless in Ponyville and For Whom the Sweetie Belle Toils), this was a letdown. Honestly, I feel the episode tries too hard to be unsettling and... nothing else.
Yeah, we get it. Apple Bloom suffers from anxiety as to what her cutie mark would be like when she finally gets it, and we get a string of nightmares about it, each more disturbing than the previous. Though they seem to border on weird at best.
Whilst Scootaloo's and Sweetie Belle's episodes had their moments, Apple Bloom's didn't, and it's almost a slog to sit through. What makes it sadder is that it's the last time Babs Seed got a mention in the series, save for a few cameos in the background. She deserved so much more than what she got.
Yeah, we get it. Apple Bloom suffers from anxiety as to what her cutie mark would be like when she finally gets it, and we get a string of nightmares about it, each more disturbing than the previous. Though they seem to border on weird at best.
Whilst Scootaloo's and Sweetie Belle's episodes had their moments, Apple Bloom's didn't, and it's almost a slog to sit through. What makes it sadder is that it's the last time Babs Seed got a mention in the series, save for a few cameos in the background. She deserved so much more than what she got.
Rating: Bad (3/10)
Tanks for the Memories
Written by Cindy Morrow
This episode pretty much showcases the five stages of grief; first, Rainbow Dash expresses denial about Tank wanting to go into hibernation, then she takes her anger out on her friends when they come close to mentioning the word "hibernate", then she resorts to desperate measures to keep winter from coming, then she falls into depression over failing to stop winter, and finally comes to accept having Tank hibernate for the winter.
Sure, Rainbow's sabotaging of winter could be seen as petty on her part, but she was treating the whole scenario as if she was losing Tank forever. To a pet owner, they're pretty much their friend and source of comfort when nobody else is around. And as mentioned earlier, Rainbow was desperate.
All it took was Fluttershy to break her with the "cruel to be kind" approach. From the start, she knew Tank was going to hibernate but Rainbow dismissed her knowledge, only for that fact to come back and bite her on the tail. So did her failed attempts at stopping winter (which were pretty funny) and making things worse for herself as a result, but still. It's moments like these that make Fluttershy my favorite of the Mane Six.
After a rocky start in season one, Cindy Morrow ended her time with My Little Pony on a high note. At first, I didn't think much of it, but I thought it deserved so much more, in hindsight. It's one of those episodes that children, teenagers and adults can relate to, whether it be for the loss of a pet, a family member, or a close friend. Plus, how often do we see Rainbow Dash being a softie?
Sure, Rainbow's sabotaging of winter could be seen as petty on her part, but she was treating the whole scenario as if she was losing Tank forever. To a pet owner, they're pretty much their friend and source of comfort when nobody else is around. And as mentioned earlier, Rainbow was desperate.
All it took was Fluttershy to break her with the "cruel to be kind" approach. From the start, she knew Tank was going to hibernate but Rainbow dismissed her knowledge, only for that fact to come back and bite her on the tail. So did her failed attempts at stopping winter (which were pretty funny) and making things worse for herself as a result, but still. It's moments like these that make Fluttershy my favorite of the Mane Six.
After a rocky start in season one, Cindy Morrow ended her time with My Little Pony on a high note. At first, I didn't think much of it, but I thought it deserved so much more, in hindsight. It's one of those episodes that children, teenagers and adults can relate to, whether it be for the loss of a pet, a family member, or a close friend. Plus, how often do we see Rainbow Dash being a softie?
Rating: Excellent (10/10)
Appleloosa's Most Wanted
Written by Dave Polsky
Yes, I know the actual episode title says Appleoosa, but the name of the town itself has the second L, so that's what I'm sticking with.
Anyway, this was another pretty good episode as well. Yes, it's not the most exciting episode, nor is it one of the more complex. Trouble Shoes is a guy who's not wrecking rodeos on purpose. All he wants to do is partake in one but gets into accidents that give him a bad name. Luckily, the Crusaders came around to help him look at his cutie mark in a different light and he got his wish in the end.
It's simple, but it does the job it should, and it even foreshadows the Crusaders' future roles to come. That being said, if you're not the biggest fan of the "jumping to conclusions" plot trope or don't care for rodeos in general, then you're probably not going to like this one.
Anyway, this was another pretty good episode as well. Yes, it's not the most exciting episode, nor is it one of the more complex. Trouble Shoes is a guy who's not wrecking rodeos on purpose. All he wants to do is partake in one but gets into accidents that give him a bad name. Luckily, the Crusaders came around to help him look at his cutie mark in a different light and he got his wish in the end.
It's simple, but it does the job it should, and it even foreshadows the Crusaders' future roles to come. That being said, if you're not the biggest fan of the "jumping to conclusions" plot trope or don't care for rodeos in general, then you're probably not going to like this one.
Rating: Excellent (9/10)
Make New Friends but Keep Discord
Written by Natasha Levinger
The first point of contention is Discord's behavior. It's pretty obvious he likes hanging out with Fluttershy, but why does he get jealous when she hangs out with Tree Hugger and yet has no problem with her being with the rest of the Mane Six? Yeah, Discord doesn't have the best relationship with the others, but still.
Speaking of whom, it almost sounds as if Twilight is still distrustful towards Discord despite that he regretted betraying them in Twilight's Kingdom. But then again, considering the next episode he starred in this season...
In fact, it feels as if Discord comes off as the Designated Villain by sabotaging the Grand Galloping Gala just to impress Fluttershy and tries to make her jealous by being friends with the Smooze. But if you consider that between Keep Calm and Flutter On and this episode, Discord hasn't really been invited by the rest of the Mane Six to hang out with them, not even Pinkie. The sympathy cranks up when his comedy routine fails and Maud roasts him.
Also, the Smooze is a thing. It's just... there. It doesn't have much in terms of character, it doesn't speak. All it does is serve as Discord's plus one to drive the plot. And how does Tree Hugger know about it? (Not that she had much personality or backstory to begin with, but still.) Heck, a lot of this episode feels like it was contrived for the sake of happening.
And this last point is minor, but I'll mention it anyway; why does Rarity say that the Crusaders are "going as [hers, Applejack's and Rainbow Dash's] dates"? Simply saying "plus ones" would've been fine. (Yes, it's a minor problem I have, but it's not the problem.)
There are episodes that age well or improve over time, but Make New Friends but Keep Discord is one of those episodes that doesn't. Granted, there are worse episodes in existence, but this episode feels mean-spirited against him and you almost feel like rooting for him when the other ponies mock him or get on his nerves. Considering her previous efforts in season four, I don't think Natasha Levinger is a bad writer, but she didn't do Discord any justice here.
Speaking of whom, it almost sounds as if Twilight is still distrustful towards Discord despite that he regretted betraying them in Twilight's Kingdom. But then again, considering the next episode he starred in this season...
In fact, it feels as if Discord comes off as the Designated Villain by sabotaging the Grand Galloping Gala just to impress Fluttershy and tries to make her jealous by being friends with the Smooze. But if you consider that between Keep Calm and Flutter On and this episode, Discord hasn't really been invited by the rest of the Mane Six to hang out with them, not even Pinkie. The sympathy cranks up when his comedy routine fails and Maud roasts him.
Also, the Smooze is a thing. It's just... there. It doesn't have much in terms of character, it doesn't speak. All it does is serve as Discord's plus one to drive the plot. And how does Tree Hugger know about it? (Not that she had much personality or backstory to begin with, but still.) Heck, a lot of this episode feels like it was contrived for the sake of happening.
And this last point is minor, but I'll mention it anyway; why does Rarity say that the Crusaders are "going as [hers, Applejack's and Rainbow Dash's] dates"? Simply saying "plus ones" would've been fine. (Yes, it's a minor problem I have, but it's not the problem.)
There are episodes that age well or improve over time, but Make New Friends but Keep Discord is one of those episodes that doesn't. Granted, there are worse episodes in existence, but this episode feels mean-spirited against him and you almost feel like rooting for him when the other ponies mock him or get on his nerves. Considering her previous efforts in season four, I don't think Natasha Levinger is a bad writer, but she didn't do Discord any justice here.
Rating: Bad (1/10)
No comments:
Post a Comment