We're now onto the home stretch of revisiting seasons 1-6! This set of episodes is an interesting one for sure...
The Cart Before the Ponies
Story by Ed Valentine and Michael Vogel
Written by Ed Valentine
Written by Ed Valentine
I really enjoyed Ed Valentine's scripts in season four; Flight to the Finish gave us one of the Crusaders' best starring roles of the series and Three's a Crowd is a sheer laughfest from start to finish. So imagine how shocking it was that his third episode... didn't live up to either of them.
Seriously, you would think that after six seasons that Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Applejack would've learned to listen to their younger sisters (sister figure in Dash's case) about designing the carts. They act as if the Crusaders helped them in the making of their carts when really, they did all the work themselves, gave them no credit at all, and were allowed to drive them. That alone is enough to ruin the whole episode.
Not only that, why didn't the Crusaders even think about working with the older sister (or sister figure) who had the same mindset as they did? Just imagine Apple Bloom making a cart with Rainbow Dash, Scootaloo with Rarity, and Sweetie Belle with Applejack; that would've been way more interesting than what we ended up with. And isn't it a bit odd that it would take a single morning just to build a cart? These kind of things take days, weeks perhaps, just to prepare for a derby!
The whole thing is just an idiot plot from beginning to end, and a blot on an otherwise 100% record from Ed Valentine. But at least this episode has more redeeming value than the episode that came afterwards.
Seriously, you would think that after six seasons that Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Applejack would've learned to listen to their younger sisters (sister figure in Dash's case) about designing the carts. They act as if the Crusaders helped them in the making of their carts when really, they did all the work themselves, gave them no credit at all, and were allowed to drive them. That alone is enough to ruin the whole episode.
Not only that, why didn't the Crusaders even think about working with the older sister (or sister figure) who had the same mindset as they did? Just imagine Apple Bloom making a cart with Rainbow Dash, Scootaloo with Rarity, and Sweetie Belle with Applejack; that would've been way more interesting than what we ended up with. And isn't it a bit odd that it would take a single morning just to build a cart? These kind of things take days, weeks perhaps, just to prepare for a derby!
The whole thing is just an idiot plot from beginning to end, and a blot on an otherwise 100% record from Ed Valentine. But at least this episode has more redeeming value than the episode that came afterwards.
Rating: Terrible (0/10)
28 Pranks Later
Story by Meghan McCarthy
Written by F. M. De Marco
Written by F. M. De Marco
So apparently, this was meant to be a remake of The Mysterious Mare Do Well, one of the most hated episodes of the show. But guess what? This "remake" is even worse!
The first sign that the episode is bad is Rainbow Dash giving Fluttershy a fright. And didn't we establish that she understood her foalhood friend was sensitive? I mean, she was the pony Rainbow stood up for in flight school against the bullies, but here? They make Rainbow an outright bully! It's even further emphasized by the fact that all of her "pranks" come as torment for the sake of torment. Considering that we're six seasons in by this point, you'd think Dash would've calmed down by now, and if you told me that this was in the same season where she joined the Wonderbolts, a serious job, please forgive me for thinking you're nuts.
And since the Mane Six and many of their friends work to get their own back as her, that fixes things up, right? No! Because they outright pretend that a zombie apocalypse is taking place, and a giant prank like that could potentially scar Rainbow for life! I'm surprised she didn't suffer PTSD after this! So there's no one in this episode the audience can root for. You can't root for Rainbow Dash because she's a bully here, and you can't root for any of the townsponies because they're hypocrites. Yes, they might've had a reason to get their own back, but that doesn't make it right, and it feels like something you'd expect from Family Guy!
Putting every one of her contributions into consideration, Meghan McCarthy is not a bad writer. Far from it. In fact, what she had in mind must've been different from what F. M. De Marco wrote up, so it feels like it was a case of poor communication between the writers.
Regardless as to who wrote what, this episode is just outright reprehensible. By trying to fix one of the show's most hated episodes, they ended up making a worse product than Merriwether Williams did, and she also gave us Putting Your Hoof Down and Dragon Quest! There is absolutely nothing to redeem this episode, and there's only one rating it can truly get.
The first sign that the episode is bad is Rainbow Dash giving Fluttershy a fright. And didn't we establish that she understood her foalhood friend was sensitive? I mean, she was the pony Rainbow stood up for in flight school against the bullies, but here? They make Rainbow an outright bully! It's even further emphasized by the fact that all of her "pranks" come as torment for the sake of torment. Considering that we're six seasons in by this point, you'd think Dash would've calmed down by now, and if you told me that this was in the same season where she joined the Wonderbolts, a serious job, please forgive me for thinking you're nuts.
And since the Mane Six and many of their friends work to get their own back as her, that fixes things up, right? No! Because they outright pretend that a zombie apocalypse is taking place, and a giant prank like that could potentially scar Rainbow for life! I'm surprised she didn't suffer PTSD after this! So there's no one in this episode the audience can root for. You can't root for Rainbow Dash because she's a bully here, and you can't root for any of the townsponies because they're hypocrites. Yes, they might've had a reason to get their own back, but that doesn't make it right, and it feels like something you'd expect from Family Guy!
Putting every one of her contributions into consideration, Meghan McCarthy is not a bad writer. Far from it. In fact, what she had in mind must've been different from what F. M. De Marco wrote up, so it feels like it was a case of poor communication between the writers.
Regardless as to who wrote what, this episode is just outright reprehensible. By trying to fix one of the show's most hated episodes, they ended up making a worse product than Merriwether Williams did, and she also gave us Putting Your Hoof Down and Dragon Quest! There is absolutely nothing to redeem this episode, and there's only one rating it can truly get.
Rating: Atrocious (-10/10)
The Times They Are a Changeling
Story by Kevin Burke, Michael Vogel and Chris "Doc" Wyatt
Written by Kevin Burke and Chris "Doc" Wyatt
Written by Kevin Burke and Chris "Doc" Wyatt
Here's another episode that's been a constant thorn in my side since it aired. There's episodes that have concepts that aren't completely fulfilled, and then there's episodes that should never have been created to begin with. The Times They Are a Changeling falls into the former category (28 Pranks Later falls into the latter category, for the record), and it's probably the most disappointing episode of the entire series.
The first problem with the episode is Thorax himself. Everypony treats him like scum, but he's hardly a great threat at all... at least, not compared to a Changeling swarm. He's basically the equivalent to a wounded puppy. All that they do with him is portray him as a victim and... nothing else. In fact, he's too easily sympathetic.
It doesn't help that his flashbacks show him not wanting to hurt anyone under Chrysalis' rule. And on top of that, Spike's song (I just cringe when listening to it) implies that "a Changeling can change". How?! Thorax was already shown to be different from the other Changelings, so the moral falls flat on its face. Was the episode trying to go for that moral? Up to that point, I believed the moral was meant to be "don't judge someone based on their culture's actions", and so the intended moral is entirely confused as to what it wants to be.
Adding to the confusion is how easily everypony accepts Thorax just like that. I can understand Twilight and Starlight (sort of) believing Spike, but Shining Armor, Cadance and the Crystal Royal Guard? How were they so easily convinced? (Bad song aside.) Everypony just comes off as interchangeable with each other, which further hurts the story and makes Thorax come off as worse. Even Shining Armor and Cadance felt stupid by instantly sweeping their fear under the rug just like that.
Here's a reality check; that is not how it works in real life! Thorax had to earn his trust with the ponies by proving by himself that not every Changeling was a creature that should be feared. Instead, he just lets Spike sing some sappy song which changes everypony's minds, and that moment completely destroys Thorax's character... if he had any spare to begin with.
My point is that the ending makes Thorax look like a wimp, as if he has to constantly rely on his friends in order to survive. That's nice and all, but what do you do if your friends aren't there to help you? Sure, they're great for emotional support, but it's entirely on you to overcome your weaknesses and flaws to show the world (but mostly those bullying you) what you're made of. Call of the Cutie and Hurricane Fluttershy are two great examples of this.
There's a very easy way to make this episode work without forcing sympathy on Thorax or making the ponies interchangeable with each other.
Thorax would eventually turn things around (sort of) in future appearances, but for me, it doesn't change the fact that his introduction ended up in My Little Pony's most disappointing episode, as well as one of the worst executions of the theme I'd ever seen.
At least Flurry Heart is adorable and likable here.
The first problem with the episode is Thorax himself. Everypony treats him like scum, but he's hardly a great threat at all... at least, not compared to a Changeling swarm. He's basically the equivalent to a wounded puppy. All that they do with him is portray him as a victim and... nothing else. In fact, he's too easily sympathetic.
It doesn't help that his flashbacks show him not wanting to hurt anyone under Chrysalis' rule. And on top of that, Spike's song (I just cringe when listening to it) implies that "a Changeling can change". How?! Thorax was already shown to be different from the other Changelings, so the moral falls flat on its face. Was the episode trying to go for that moral? Up to that point, I believed the moral was meant to be "don't judge someone based on their culture's actions", and so the intended moral is entirely confused as to what it wants to be.
Adding to the confusion is how easily everypony accepts Thorax just like that. I can understand Twilight and Starlight (sort of) believing Spike, but Shining Armor, Cadance and the Crystal Royal Guard? How were they so easily convinced? (Bad song aside.) Everypony just comes off as interchangeable with each other, which further hurts the story and makes Thorax come off as worse. Even Shining Armor and Cadance felt stupid by instantly sweeping their fear under the rug just like that.
Here's a reality check; that is not how it works in real life! Thorax had to earn his trust with the ponies by proving by himself that not every Changeling was a creature that should be feared. Instead, he just lets Spike sing some sappy song which changes everypony's minds, and that moment completely destroys Thorax's character... if he had any spare to begin with.
My point is that the ending makes Thorax look like a wimp, as if he has to constantly rely on his friends in order to survive. That's nice and all, but what do you do if your friends aren't there to help you? Sure, they're great for emotional support, but it's entirely on you to overcome your weaknesses and flaws to show the world (but mostly those bullying you) what you're made of. Call of the Cutie and Hurricane Fluttershy are two great examples of this.
There's a very easy way to make this episode work without forcing sympathy on Thorax or making the ponies interchangeable with each other.
- Instead of being born an outright nice guy, make Thorax like the other Changelings, but after the Royal Wedding invasion, he begins to question Chrysalis' rule, and some time after Flurry Heart's birth, he's dispatched along with a small group of Changelings to the Crystal Empire.
- Have Starlight be more involved along Spike and Thorax. Sure, she might've come off as a third wheel, but she could learn from a perspective that Twilight and the others didn't and would be willing to help Thorax be accepted. (Not only that, it's a perfect build up towards To Where and Back Again.)
- Although Thorax is initially reluctant to make friends, he still agrees to give it a fair chance and disguises himself as Crystal Hoof per the episode.
- When Thorax's cover is accidentally blown, the Changelings he was grouped with reveal themselves as the Crystal Guards, take out the Royal Family and kidnap Flurry Heart, finally making Thorax realize who his true friends are.
- Thorax defects completely from his clan and returns Flurry to Shining Armor. He's about to have Thorax imprisoned, but Spike and Starlight defend him before the Changeling says that they're the best friends he's ever had, and is even willing to accept whatever punishment is in store for him.
- Although Shining Armor is still suspicious, he concedes (possibly through Flurry) that Thorax was at least willing to return his daughter to him and agrees to give him the benefit of the doubt. By the time To Where and Back Again takes place, he comes to understand that not all Changelings are awful.
Thorax would eventually turn things around (sort of) in future appearances, but for me, it doesn't change the fact that his introduction ended up in My Little Pony's most disappointing episode, as well as one of the worst executions of the theme I'd ever seen.
At least Flurry Heart is adorable and likable here.
Rating: Terrible (-5/10)
Dungeons & Discords
Written by Nick Confalone
After three consecutive duds, we're finally back in good territory.
It's safe to say season five hadn't been very kind to Discord; Make New Friends pretty much made him the designated butt monkey to the point you ended up sympathizing with him whilst What About Discord... did the exact opposite, only with Twilight in his place. Thankfully, however, this episode brought him back on his feet.
As critical as I've been towards Nick Confalone's writing, especially in Equestria Girls, his best contribution was the chemistry between Spike, Big Mac and Discord. Seriously, can we get someone in the fandom to make a series with them as the main characters? Just do a good job with it; that's all I ask.
That being said, Big Mac doesn't really get much growth in terms of character development. We get hints of Spike having insecurities of his own, and Discord having initial distaste for Ogres and Oubliettes (I've got a hard time spelling it right; just cut me some slack here, will ya?) before he starts to get into it. But Big Mac? Nothing. He's pretty much in the same place he started so... why's he here? At least with The Break Up Break Down (also by Confalone), all three of them had a real chance to shine, and that was two seasons later.
Getting into the guys playing the game, that's where the pacing comes off as really awkward. At one point, we learn the rules as to how the game works and then Discord tries spicing it up by taking them to a jazz club... which they don't bring up again. Also, is it just me, or was it a missed opportunity to expand on the world Spike created? And isn't it kind of strange for Rainbow Dash and Pinkie to join the game because... two members of the Mane Six need to be involved somehow?
Nitpicking aside, I still think it's a pretty decent episode for the most part. The story is relatively fine but the comedy seems to overshadow it at times, which can be a bit frustrating. Still, it's at least a step in the right direction for the season, and however small Fluttershy's role was, it was great, and Opposite Fluttershy was really funny.
It's safe to say season five hadn't been very kind to Discord; Make New Friends pretty much made him the designated butt monkey to the point you ended up sympathizing with him whilst What About Discord... did the exact opposite, only with Twilight in his place. Thankfully, however, this episode brought him back on his feet.
As critical as I've been towards Nick Confalone's writing, especially in Equestria Girls, his best contribution was the chemistry between Spike, Big Mac and Discord. Seriously, can we get someone in the fandom to make a series with them as the main characters? Just do a good job with it; that's all I ask.
That being said, Big Mac doesn't really get much growth in terms of character development. We get hints of Spike having insecurities of his own, and Discord having initial distaste for Ogres and Oubliettes (I've got a hard time spelling it right; just cut me some slack here, will ya?) before he starts to get into it. But Big Mac? Nothing. He's pretty much in the same place he started so... why's he here? At least with The Break Up Break Down (also by Confalone), all three of them had a real chance to shine, and that was two seasons later.
Getting into the guys playing the game, that's where the pacing comes off as really awkward. At one point, we learn the rules as to how the game works and then Discord tries spicing it up by taking them to a jazz club... which they don't bring up again. Also, is it just me, or was it a missed opportunity to expand on the world Spike created? And isn't it kind of strange for Rainbow Dash and Pinkie to join the game because... two members of the Mane Six need to be involved somehow?
Nitpicking aside, I still think it's a pretty decent episode for the most part. The story is relatively fine but the comedy seems to overshadow it at times, which can be a bit frustrating. Still, it's at least a step in the right direction for the season, and however small Fluttershy's role was, it was great, and Opposite Fluttershy was really funny.
Rating: Good (7/10)
Buckball Season
Written by Jennifer Skelly
If Dungeons & Discords is a decent surprise, then this episode is an absolute bombshell.
Fluttershy and Pinkie never really seemed like the type of the pony who'd be into sports, so it was surprising that this episode would actually have them be really good at buckball. Maybe it was a hidden depth that we never knew about up to this point? Yet it still manages to work for this particular episode - of course, I could just be saying that as a Fluttershy fanboy.
It's also nice that we're shown how buckball works. Each team has one of each pony; the earth pony is the offense, the pegasus the defense, and the unicorn the ball catcher. It's simple, but very effective.
Even nicer is how we're given a bit of depth to Snails' character. Before, he was an idiot that you'd want to hit with a baseball bat, but here, he's surprisingly good at catching the balls flung his way. He does it even when he's not looking! That was funny. (Why Rainbow Dash and Applejack didn't ask Twilight, Rarity or Starlight, I'll let that slide.)
There were a few montages scattered throughout the episode, which probably tells me that they didn't have enough material to fill out 22 minutes, but the episode itself was entertaining enough for the audience to see through. Plus, there was a bit of variety in the montages, so it's even more forgivable.
Fluttershy and Pinkie never really seemed like the type of the pony who'd be into sports, so it was surprising that this episode would actually have them be really good at buckball. Maybe it was a hidden depth that we never knew about up to this point? Yet it still manages to work for this particular episode - of course, I could just be saying that as a Fluttershy fanboy.
It's also nice that we're shown how buckball works. Each team has one of each pony; the earth pony is the offense, the pegasus the defense, and the unicorn the ball catcher. It's simple, but very effective.
Even nicer is how we're given a bit of depth to Snails' character. Before, he was an idiot that you'd want to hit with a baseball bat, but here, he's surprisingly good at catching the balls flung his way. He does it even when he's not looking! That was funny. (Why Rainbow Dash and Applejack didn't ask Twilight, Rarity or Starlight, I'll let that slide.)
There were a few montages scattered throughout the episode, which probably tells me that they didn't have enough material to fill out 22 minutes, but the episode itself was entertaining enough for the audience to see through. Plus, there was a bit of variety in the montages, so it's even more forgivable.
Rating: Excellent (9/10)
The Fault in Our Cutie Marks
Story by Josh Haber and Meghan McCarthy
Written by Ed Valentine
Written by Ed Valentine
Interesting fact; this episode was originally produced as episode nine, but it was held back to become episode nineteen because the producers wanted a Crusaders-centric episode for later in the second half of the season.
Anyway, this episode was a nice little continuation from On Your Marks, and Gabby's backstory as to how she learned about the Crusaders in Ponyville was a lovely little touch. The continuity with The Lost Treasure of Griffonstone was a neat little addition as well. Her even becoming an honorary Crusader at the end felt pretty satisfying.
The only downside is that they missed on incorporating Zecora into the main story to explain how zebras like her get a cutie mark. She appears during the song and gets a mention from Gabby in the third act, and that's pretty much it. It feels like a missed opportunity.
That issue aside, after flopping with The Cart Before the Ponies, Ed Valentine managed to redeem himself with his last contribution to the show. Fittingly enough, it features the Crusaders as central characters. It's a nice little book end to his time with My Little Pony.
Rating: Excellent (9/10)
I wouldn't blame Ed Valentine for The Cart Before the Ponies being bad, I'd blame Michael Vogel, he still is not a good writer in my eyes.
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