My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Quick On The Draw

reply to post by Byrd

I didn't mean to seem like I was ignoring your post, but just wanted to get the embed up for the latest episode, which is quite something, no matter how you look at it.

At the very least, there's plenty of juice for new fan art there, so who knows? Maybe inspiration may trot your way.

I will also admit using this reply to pad the thread a bit before posting my episode review, which is quite spoilerrific, and while there is a general spoiler alert in the thread, I don't want to post spoilers for S02E03 right below the embed (even though this is on a new page).

But I do want to post the review, and so...


SPOILER WARNING!


The post below this one contains a review of Season Two Episode Three. STOP READING NOW if you don’t want to see spoilers for that episode.

Because if you do read the next post first, you will probably be quite peeved with me, and I would rather you not hate me. At least, not for that.

Hence this warning, which was hopefully long enough to warn you properly and keep you from seeing the dangerous, forbidden text below.

I hope.

And with that, it's time for...

Majic’s MLP:FiM S02E03 Off-The-Hoof Review

WARNING: CONTAINS SPOILERS!


It's great to finally see a new episode from the genuine Season Two batch. This is the first episode in which Lauren Faust has participated as "Consulting Producer", instead of Executive Producer like she did in the first season, so it is effectively a debut of the new staff lineup.

This "second generation" of the television series brings more than just some staff changes with it, however. Several elements of the show have changed, some more obvious, some more subtle, and it's something of a mixed bag, in my opinion.

Fig. 1: Moving forward in every sense of the word.

Technically, the new episode shows off quite a few new gimmicks. We see 3D scrolling landscapes for example, which are most noticeable as Twilight moves toward the viewer in various scenes. Overall, there seems to be more technical sophistication in the show and a willingness to try novel effects, even "computery" effects, to add a little more pizazz to the production. While a bit distracting at times, I think on balance it's a nice trend and an improvement.

Fig. 2: Mass transit comes to Ponyville.

The OP has been spruced up, complete with a train added to Twilight's arrival in Ponyville and a new sound track. I know Daniel Ingram has been expressing happiness with the remastered theme song, but it seems a bit overproduced to me and could use a little less reverb. The first season version was excellent and could have been kept as-is, but even the newer "American Idol" version is still a very good song.

Fig. 3: Twilight Sparkle confronts the existential horror of being tardy.

Poor Twilight gets flanderized almost beyond recognition in this episode, with more footage of "crazy, scary Twilight" here than in all the other episodes combined. It seems overdone to me.

Fig. 4: This is BEFORE she snapped...

The show has never been afraid of pushing extremes to make a point, however, and I'm actually quite impressed with how they tackled what may range from perfectionism gone astray to OCD to pretty much every anxiety disorder known to science wrapped up in one little pony.

And of course there's a lesson in friendship to be found here.

Fig. 5: As with ants, no picnic is complete without a fainting couch.

Rarity's drama queen schtick was likewise overdone (three times, no less, and a subplot of its own), right down to the literal fainting couch, and all the more entertaining for it. We also get to see a lot more of her "pouty lips" expression, which is always a treat.

Fig. 6: Rarity unleashes the "Magnum".

The way magic is represented in this episode is also much more overt, and there's more of it. The "magic auras" are more distinct and match the ponies' "cutie mark" theme colors.

Fig. 7: This scene is even more sinister than it looks.

Twilight's magic is more purple-tinged (like her "compass rose" mark), for example, where it used to be a much lighter shade before, as were all the magic auras. Rarity's aura is still light blue (like her diamond marks), while Princess Celestia's horn glows light yellow (like her sun mark) and her magic is dazzling white, as befits a monarchic demigoddess of her station.

Fig. 8: "We are not amused."

Celestia's dramatic, stentorian role in this episode is a remarkable shift from her usual indulgent "nice mom" image throughout the first season. She can be downright scary at times, and when she first appears in this episode, it's quite easy to believe that whole "banish to the moon" thing isn't just idle chatter, and understand why Twilight wouldn't want to incur her wrath (which she does anyway).

Fig. 9: Twilight prepares to be busted back to Magic Kindergarten.

I like "Stern Celestia" and think it is an important aspect of her personality, both as a leader and a mother figure. They round things out by having her soften up considerably once the reason for Twilight's improper use of magic is explained, and her sympathetic modification of the "rules" for her faithful student's friendship study assignment is typical of the Celestia we all know and love.

Fig. 10: Big Trouble In Little Ponyville.

The "background music" by William Anderson is much more in the foreground in this episode, and I'm quite happy about that. While the understated quality of his first season work was excellent and blended well with the action, I always found myself wanting more. Now that this episode has delivered more, I think the show is better for it. His musical sense is superb and always apt for the scene. Turning up the volume on his tracks livens up the the feel of the show and helps it "go to eleven".

Fig. 11: Rainbow Dash exercises the "nuclear option".

As I said, I think it's a mixed bag, with some changes more welcome than others, but overall, I think it's a big win, and I am only that much more enthusiastic about seeing what future episodes have to show us. Despite understandable concerns over Lauren Faust's reduced role with the series, I wholeheartedly agree with her when she asserts the show is in good hooves... er, hands.

It is.

[color=#FFFF00]Season Two, Episode Four: Luna Eclipsed

Synopsis: It's Nightmare Night and the macabre celebrations are in full swing when Luna herself shows up in Ponyville, determined to change her frightening public image.


Princess Luna finally returns to the show after a lengthy, unexplained absence in Season One. Despite only appearing in the first two episodes of the first season, Luna has an unusually large and rabidly devoted fan base -- even by My Little Pony standards.

For all their enthusiasm for the character, I don't think most of her fans quite expected her to be the way she was portrayed in this episode.

Quite a few surprises, indeed.

*timidly peeks into thread, looks around then pumps fist in air*
Bronies Forever!
*runs quickly away before he can be seen and outed*

Much respect to you Majic.
After seeing "Brony this and Brony that" all over teh interwebs I decided to check it out.
Not what I expected. Now my niece and nephew eagerly await my visits on the weekend so I can bring them MLP to watch...but not before I watch it.

Ahead Of The Herd

reply to post by dethduck

*brohoof!*

Thanks for stopping by! Granted, I neither expect nor receive much traffic for a My Little Pony thread on a conspiracy site. But since ATS is my favorite discussion board and Friendship is Magic is my favorite new TV show, I nonetheless feel compelled to "enshrine" or "mini-blog" it here.

It's also a nice place to compare notes with my fellow ATSers and, as the saying goes, we here at Sweet Apple Acres sure do like makin' new friends.

As you pointed out, people who actually watch the show tend to find it much different than they expected. In fact, I don't know of anyone, myself included, who wasn't flat out shocked at how much different the show actually is from the sickeningly sweet frou-frou girly pandering toy commercial I assumed it would be.

But that's part of the fun of being in on the joke, and one of the reasons I've decided to adopt the ponies as my avatar mascots and devote some effort to writing about them on ATS, despite having so little spare time these days.

As the show continues production (Season Three is already in development) and gains in mainstream popularity (regardless of preconceptions, people can only avoid at least peeking at a show this popular for so long), I predict that eventually us early adopters will come to look more like visionaries than hopeless geeks, or at least more of the former than the latter, if admittedly both.

In other words, there may someday be some modest panache to being into ponies when "ponies weren't cool".

Or not. Either way, I'm enjoying the ride, and hope you are too.

Whatever else may be the case, that's what matters most.

reply to post by Majic

*brohoof back at ya!*

Nice, was not aware that Season 3 development had already begun. Hope, though, it doesn't follow Season 2's current trend of delaying each episode two weeks.

However, for a bit of daily Brony humor and if you're not already frequenting it, might I suggest this recent addition to the Cheezburger Network.

Brony Up!

reply to post by dethduck

My Little Brony has some great image macros, to be sure. And while I would be shocked if Hasbro didn't pony up for another season of a show with such a phenomenal worldwide fan base, it's still reassuring to know they gave the green light for Season Three.

Meanwhile, since it's Halloween, I really should post a review for Luna Eclipsed.

Due to the two-week pony drought, I've watched it several times since its debut, and I must say: it just keeps getting better with each viewing.

reply to post by Majic


Agreed, so far I think it's the best episode this season. Do hope they have more Luna this season, and at least a bit of dialog for Derpy. Curious to hear what Derpy sounds like.

Majic's Review Of Season Two Episode 4: Luna Eclipsed

... is not here yet, but I really want to review it before we move on to the next episode, which came out today, so I'm putting this here as a placeholder.

Of course, you know how things are on the Internet. You see old posts that say things like "I'll post a followup next week," there's no followup and the post is dated 2004.

Maybe that will happen here. Maybe a thousand years from now archeologists (or poniologists) will dig up this post and chuckle to themselves about how my review for Luna Eclipsed never got posted.

Will that happen? Only time will tell.

Wish me luck.

[color=#FFFF00]Season Two, Episode Five: Sisterhooves Social

Synopsis: Sweetie Belle is upset when her sister, Rarity, refuses to participate in a rough and tumble celebration of sisterly unity. Things get tense when Rarity manages to push Sweetie Belle over the edge.


After being cut from Luna Eclipsed (there was a whole makeover scene that got dropped where Rarity dolls up Princess Luna in a pink and purple ensemble to soften her image), Rarity is back with a vengeance as she and Sweetie Bell take center stage for our latest episode.

Comedic situations ensue...

NOTE: Copyright Claims On YouTube

It looks like several episodes from Season Two are being removed from YouTube on the basis of copyright claims. Rather famously, a similar thing occurred during Season One -- with claims asserted by "Habsro, Inc."

Since YouTube doesn't tend to verify the validity of copyright claims, this may be another case of "trolls" flagging the videos (anyone can) as apparently happened with Season One.

While it's not clear if the real Hasbro is actually concerned about FiM episodes appearing there, it's also not clear if they get a cut of the ad revenue from those viewings (presumably not), which would understandably be a problem for a company that spends a lot of money to produce a television show.

Whatever the case, some YouTube embeds in this thread will no longer work. Since there have been past cases where videos were restored and channels unbanned, I'll leave them as-is.

However, it will definitely be of interest how things play out when the next new episode airs tomorrow.

My Little Voice Cracks - Rainbow Dash (Season One)

Meanwhile, compilations like this one are probably safe on YouTube, for now, anyway...


It's intriguing to see all those verbal tics from an entire season strung together like this, but I have to agree with dangaertner7 (the editor and uploader of the video).

They really are cute.

Meanwhile, Back At The Gala...

For as many examples as are given in the video above, it is far from complete. Heck, the first few seconds of her very first lines in Episode 1 (not included above) feature her distinctive voice cracks.

One of the YouTube comments about the video missing Rainbow Dash's "epic voice crack during her 'At the Gala' bit" reminded me of what an epic masterpiece that musical number is, and inspired me to post an embed of it here.

A tribute to Steven Sondheim's Ever After from Into the Woods, Daniel Ingram's At the Gala epitomizes what makes musical sequences in Friendship is Magic not only less nauseating than in most shows, but an attraction in their own right.


It's quite a build-up for the "best night ever", which sets the stage perfectly for the epic scenes that follow, which in turn arguably make Season One, Episode 26 the Best Episode Ever.

Or at least a top contender.

You decide.





Fun Trivia Factoid: As I mentioned earlier in the thread, both Applejack and Rainbow Dash are voiced by Ashleigh Ball, who also performs their singing parts. Worthy of note when watching this clip.

reply to post by Majic

Going through my bookmarks and decided to check this one again. I'm surprised it's still being updated as well as attracting new posters.

Any way, the Gala Clip reminds me so much of the My Fair Lady Ascot Opening Day musical piece and I must say that the Gala Clip was beyond what I would expect in a cartoon. Will they be having a pony crooner singing White Christmas or Silver Bells?

A Very Pony Christmas

reply to post by Bramble Iceshimmer

I'm kind of surprised I'm still updating this thread as well. Maybe I think I owe it to the handful of ATSers interested in the show.

As for Christmas-related crooning, it would be rather amusing if they were to set up Big Macintosh as the pony version of Bing Crosby, but I won't hold my breath.

Alternatively, while it's not Christmas-related but still wintery, Twilight's part in Winter Wrap-Up has some pretty sweet lead vocal work.

Certainly, when the cast is asked to perform a song, they deliver quite well. If they were to do a Christmas special, I'm sure the music would be fantastic.

Meanwhile, I really should get a link up for the current episode...

[color=#FFFF00]Season Two, Episode Six: The Cutie Pox

Synopsis: Apple Bloom finally gets her Cutie Mark! But joy turns to panic as she gets a second, then a third, then a dozen cutie marks.


This installment is notable for featuring both Apple Bloom and Zecora in major roles. The more screen time Zecora gets, the more I like the character.

It also has some of the funniest scenes in the series so far. Do take note of the "background ponies" at the bowling alley. And, of course, the "quarantine" measures some of the ponies take.

All in all a joyous, lighthearted romp of an episode filled with silly gags, and that delivers a nice anvilicious aesop at the end.

[color=#FFFF00]Season Two, Episode Seven: May the Best Pet Win!

Synopsis: Rainbow Dash hosts a competition to see who will become her pet.


After an extended character drought, Rainbow Dash is back in classic form. That she also features prominently in next week's episode should soothe the ire of fans who just weren't getting enough Dash this season.

Season Two, Episode Eight: The Mysterious Mare Do Well


Another Rainbow Dash episode back-to-back with the previous one (which was excellent), and a genuine treat for Dash fans.

I have to say the latest episode is, without any doubt, one of the funniest of the series. I haven't laughed that much in ages, and laughed throughout almost the entire episode.

It was freakin' AWESOME, as any good Rainbow Dash episode must be.

Flanderized Rainbow was, as with flanderized Twilight, totally over the top, to fabled and fabulous proportions, and I liked it. A lot.

Meanwhile, the Mysterious Mare Do Well was brilliant. See how quickly you can guess her secret identity. Very cleverly done, though I did guess it right after the dam scene. Maybe you can guess it sooner.

Truly an exquisite masterpiece of an offering, and already one of my top favorites.




"Danger's my middle name. Rainbow 'Danger' Dash." -- You Know Who

This thread is going to give me nightmares the next time I go to sleep.

How, oh how, did I find myself in such a horrible place?

Wugh. After today's episode, and last week's... I think the name should be changed to "Rainbow Douche." Like ya say, she's Flanderized beyond recognition in these. And at least Twilight going over the top in Ep. 3 was funny - Rainbow Dash just makes me want to kick her with something.

sadly I think this may be the closest to a Scootaloo episode we get,too. Poor li'l orphan scoots.