So far, season four has been off to a flying start. Let's see if it can keep up the goodness we've got so far.
Rarity Takes Manehattan
Written by Dave Polsky
Throughout My Little Pony's nine-year run, Tabitha St. Germain and the writers of the show have always managed to find a way to ham up Rarity's personality. This episode is a good example - if not the quintessential example - as to why.
The premise is fairly simple; Rarity enters a fashion show in Manehattan but a competitor named Suri Polomare steals Rarity's fabric design after asking to use a swatch. It still works out because there's enough humor to hide the fact that the story is a bit on the thin side. (That's how SpongeBob gained his success.) Much of it comes in the second act with Rarity over-dramatizing that her generosity ruined her and forces her friends to fashion new dresses at the last minute. Not gonna comment as to how the hotel reacted to some of their property going missing; mostly suspension of disbelief.
But it's not just Rarity who shines. Rainbow Dash gets a funny moment by lampshading suddenly breaking into song just before Rarity does so herself, and another when even she is shocked by Applejack's brutal honesty. Heck, even the taxi driver and bell pony both repay Rarity's generosity at points; nice to know that not everybody in the big cities is a jerk.
Oh yeah, and speaking of whom, Suri Polomare's just plain unlikable, any way you slice it. Deceitful, manipulative and even a bully to Coco Pommel, it's no wonder Suri is hated by many, and why you feel sympathy for Coco. Suri is pretty much the anti-Rarity. Good thing Coco ditched her right there and then at the end.
Overall, another episode this season with a message that holds up now like it did then. Maybe better.
The premise is fairly simple; Rarity enters a fashion show in Manehattan but a competitor named Suri Polomare steals Rarity's fabric design after asking to use a swatch. It still works out because there's enough humor to hide the fact that the story is a bit on the thin side. (That's how SpongeBob gained his success.) Much of it comes in the second act with Rarity over-dramatizing that her generosity ruined her and forces her friends to fashion new dresses at the last minute. Not gonna comment as to how the hotel reacted to some of their property going missing; mostly suspension of disbelief.
But it's not just Rarity who shines. Rainbow Dash gets a funny moment by lampshading suddenly breaking into song just before Rarity does so herself, and another when even she is shocked by Applejack's brutal honesty. Heck, even the taxi driver and bell pony both repay Rarity's generosity at points; nice to know that not everybody in the big cities is a jerk.
Oh yeah, and speaking of whom, Suri Polomare's just plain unlikable, any way you slice it. Deceitful, manipulative and even a bully to Coco Pommel, it's no wonder Suri is hated by many, and why you feel sympathy for Coco. Suri is pretty much the anti-Rarity. Good thing Coco ditched her right there and then at the end.
Overall, another episode this season with a message that holds up now like it did then. Maybe better.
Rating: Excellent (10/10)
Pinkie Apple Pie
Written by Natasha Levinger
Another great episode. It shows that despite all the arguing families can get into, they still look out for each other... unless one particular member is a bad apple, but still. When I first watched it five years ago, and I'm not sure why, but I thought Goldie Delicious was a male given that she was voiced by Peter New. It sounded very convincing to me.
It's also one of those episodes where the humor shines. For once, Pinkie isn't annoying to the point you want to slap her and it was great how she maintained optimism despite the stressful journey. Even funnier was Big Mac getting increasingly annoyed about Applejack nagging him about the jalopy and (later) his indignant reply about being accused for overloading it.
It's also one of those episodes where the humor shines. For once, Pinkie isn't annoying to the point you want to slap her and it was great how she maintained optimism despite the stressful journey. Even funnier was Big Mac getting increasingly annoyed about Applejack nagging him about the jalopy and (later) his indignant reply about being accused for overloading it.
Rating: Excellent (9/10)
Rainbow Falls
Written by Corey Powell
The penultimate episode to the Equestria Games arc and it's... an odd one, come to think of it.
I do like the message the episode displays about being loyal to your close friends, but the way it was conveyed throughout the episode made it feel more like it about honesty as opposed to loyalty. I mean, Spitfire and Fleetwood straight up lie about Soarin's injury and abandon him in favor of Rainbow Dash. That being said, it led to a great moment for him - even though he didn't say anything calling them out - being displeased with his teammates. Mind you, that's more on the animators than Corey Powell.
And whilst on the subject of the Wonderbolts, how did Spitfire forget what she had learned back in Wonderbolts Academy, one season ago? It's almost as if the episode is confused as to whether it wants to follow continuity or be more self-contained.
Speaking of, whilst it was great to see Fluttershy be more eager to partake in the relay race (though that would be forgotten about in a few episodes' time, but I digress) and even had some good chemistry with Bulk Biceps, it's just strange that they're portrayed at pathetic fliers when episodes before and since showed they were capable fliers.
Also, this is minor, but I'll mention it anyway. Rainbow Dash said four teams would qualify for the Games, and yet five are present for the ceremony.
There were still good character moments like Twilight being a sort of conscience towards Rainbow Dash, as well as the latter's hilariously half-baked attempt at avoiding choosing between teams. Heck, I still think it's great she knows how to look our for her teammates and even for rival teammates as well.
Nitpicking aside, I thought this one was alright. It's got good character moments for the most part and moves two arcs (the Equestria Games, the Keys of Friendship) forward, but it's riddled with inconsistencies and plotholes so it's only fair to give it a rating based on those factors.
I do like the message the episode displays about being loyal to your close friends, but the way it was conveyed throughout the episode made it feel more like it about honesty as opposed to loyalty. I mean, Spitfire and Fleetwood straight up lie about Soarin's injury and abandon him in favor of Rainbow Dash. That being said, it led to a great moment for him - even though he didn't say anything calling them out - being displeased with his teammates. Mind you, that's more on the animators than Corey Powell.
And whilst on the subject of the Wonderbolts, how did Spitfire forget what she had learned back in Wonderbolts Academy, one season ago? It's almost as if the episode is confused as to whether it wants to follow continuity or be more self-contained.
Speaking of, whilst it was great to see Fluttershy be more eager to partake in the relay race (though that would be forgotten about in a few episodes' time, but I digress) and even had some good chemistry with Bulk Biceps, it's just strange that they're portrayed at pathetic fliers when episodes before and since showed they were capable fliers.
Also, this is minor, but I'll mention it anyway. Rainbow Dash said four teams would qualify for the Games, and yet five are present for the ceremony.
There were still good character moments like Twilight being a sort of conscience towards Rainbow Dash, as well as the latter's hilariously half-baked attempt at avoiding choosing between teams. Heck, I still think it's great she knows how to look our for her teammates and even for rival teammates as well.
Nitpicking aside, I thought this one was alright. It's got good character moments for the most part and moves two arcs (the Equestria Games, the Keys of Friendship) forward, but it's riddled with inconsistencies and plotholes so it's only fair to give it a rating based on those factors.
Rating: Okay (6/10)
Three's a Crowd
Written by Meghan McCarthy and Ed Valentine
Beginning with this episode and Princess Twilight Sparkle, Discord has become something of a semi-regular in the series, usually having two appearances per season. In the fourth season, he had five appearances (if we split both the premiere and finale in half), and this is his third.
As a spoiler for season five, this is What About Discord? done better for the following reasons:
- Discord is punished for his actions. He fakes being sick just to screw with Twilight and Cadance during the latter's visit and plays the price for it when a sand worm spits all over him, making him sick for real.
- The Mane Six's roles didn't feel out of place. In WAD?, they all felt interchangeable with each other, but here, they actually display more character when suspecting Discord. (I have my own issues with Pinkie, but more on that later.)
- The humor never comes off as condescending, nor does it treat the audience like they're idiots. (Again, more on that later.)
One thing that stuck out even on first viewing is how more laid-back Cadance is when not on royal duty. It's understandable why she'd be like this; running an empire can be a bit dull and every once in a while, just get out and do something. It's also the first time (excluding the first Equestria Girls film) that she and Twilight didn't do their "sunshine, sunshine" dance upon meeting each other - maybe it's due to the presence of the royal guards and Twilight's friends? Not sure if that was the intention or simply how I interpret it.
When it comes to Discord's "blue flu", some people have drawn comparisons to the Genie in Aladdin (1992 version, by the way; even if Will Smith does the role justice, he still pales compared to Robin Williams) and his song "Friend Like Me". I can see why with "Glass of Water" - performed by supporting character voiced by a big-name voice actor, crazy visuals with lots of shout-outs, but all in all, an overall sense of fun.
The only annoyance I have with this episode, again, is Pinkie Pie. First it's when she acts like Fluttershy is never coming back to Ponyville (a la Wonderbolts Academy), and the other when chasing a balloon on railway tracks. That's a big no-no in the safety department! Imagine if a train had come by, and Pinkie wouldn't be throwing parties after that.
The pink problem aside, it's another great episode out of season four, and the build up to Fluttershy's key episode was nice. However, the next episode on the list is something else altogether...
Rating: Excellent (10/10)
Pinkie Pride
Story by Jayson Thiessen
Written by Amy Keating Rogers
Written by Amy Keating Rogers
It's safe to say that I've been extremely critical with how Pinkie Pie has been handled in recent years, but even in the show's early days, she wasn't the brightest bulb on the tree there either. But in the midst of bad episodes like Swarm of the Century, Yakity-Sax, Secrets and Pies, and especially A Friend in Deed, Pinkie still had starring roles like this one that were worthy gems.
What can I say that hasn't been said already? This is Pinkie Pie at her best, mostly because she isn't portrayed as an idiotic Designated Hero who stalks a newcomer for no reason or puts her feelings toward some dumb instrument over her friends' concerns. Here, she felt... right.
To be honest, I don't think this episode wouldn't have been great if it hadn't been for Cheese Sandwich playing off against her. He's probably one of the few characters - if not, the only character - who could've played her off in this episode. His arrival in Ponyville initially makes Cheese come off as a sort of Wild West-type bad guy, but there's a nice twist where he turns out to be a genuinely nice guy. Sure, it could be seen from a mile away given the cold open in Appleloosa, but it's not something that ruins the moment entirely.
It's when Cheese reveals his backstory that his character shines; if it hadn't been for a young Pinkie, he wouldn't have become the stallion he is today. It's one of those backstories that does what it needs to do in making a character actually sympathetic without forcing it down your throats.
I could talk more about this episode, but I think enough people (myself included) have given this high praise so let's move on.
What can I say that hasn't been said already? This is Pinkie Pie at her best, mostly because she isn't portrayed as an idiotic Designated Hero who stalks a newcomer for no reason or puts her feelings toward some dumb instrument over her friends' concerns. Here, she felt... right.
To be honest, I don't think this episode wouldn't have been great if it hadn't been for Cheese Sandwich playing off against her. He's probably one of the few characters - if not, the only character - who could've played her off in this episode. His arrival in Ponyville initially makes Cheese come off as a sort of Wild West-type bad guy, but there's a nice twist where he turns out to be a genuinely nice guy. Sure, it could be seen from a mile away given the cold open in Appleloosa, but it's not something that ruins the moment entirely.
It's when Cheese reveals his backstory that his character shines; if it hadn't been for a young Pinkie, he wouldn't have become the stallion he is today. It's one of those backstories that does what it needs to do in making a character actually sympathetic without forcing it down your throats.
I could talk more about this episode, but I think enough people (myself included) have given this high praise so let's move on.
Simple Ways
Written by Josh Haber
Josh Haber can write some real clunkers, but when he's good, he makes a potential contender for one of the season's top ten fan favorites.
Like Castle Mane-ia, it's a fairly simple plot that relies on humor to carry it through. Especially the third act when Applejack and Rarity act like flanderizations of their respective selves in an escalating war, culminating with Rarity's mud rant.
That being said, it happened because Rarity crushed on Trenderhoof, someone who's basically a predecessor to Timber Spruce, only with an even duller personality but his crushing on Applejack is cringeworthy. But in fairness, it's only within a shorter timeframe and Applejack rejected him, so maybe I can forgive that. But since Big Mac made a cameo, it kind of makes you wonder why AJ didn't think about telling him about Trenderhoof so he could scare him off. I saw a fan art that did just that.
That issue aside, I still enjoy the episode for what it is, and the moral about being yourself, despite the overuse to the point it's meaningless, was easy to grasp and a lesson Rarity needed to learn.
Like Castle Mane-ia, it's a fairly simple plot that relies on humor to carry it through. Especially the third act when Applejack and Rarity act like flanderizations of their respective selves in an escalating war, culminating with Rarity's mud rant.
That being said, it happened because Rarity crushed on Trenderhoof, someone who's basically a predecessor to Timber Spruce, only with an even duller personality but his crushing on Applejack is cringeworthy. But in fairness, it's only within a shorter timeframe and Applejack rejected him, so maybe I can forgive that. But since Big Mac made a cameo, it kind of makes you wonder why AJ didn't think about telling him about Trenderhoof so he could scare him off. I saw a fan art that did just that.
That issue aside, I still enjoy the episode for what it is, and the moral about being yourself, despite the overuse to the point it's meaningless, was easy to grasp and a lesson Rarity needed to learn.
Rating: Excellent (10/10)
I'll be honest; the one thing I didn't like about "Rarity Takes Manhattan" was how Suri Polomare never faced any punishment for her actions. She should have gotten chewed out by another character for her actions.
ReplyDeleteAt least with Svengallop in the later seasons, the MLP production staff confirmed that he was booted from the entertainment industry as the Mane Six told everyone about what he did.