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[SigmasonicX]

Woah, what? That's crazy; is it normal for cartoons to resume so soon after a season wraps up?

Either way, great news I guess!

Steven Universe and Adventure Time both started seasons only a week or a few weeks after the end, though they both will have long breaks between sets of episodes. Littlest Pet Shop also had a short break between season 2 and 3, though that got a long break in the middle of season 3.

 

[SigmasonicX]

The hell? My post is listed from the topic list, but it's not there. Trying again, this time with a new avatar.

Woah, what? That's crazy; is it normal for cartoons to resume so soon after a season wraps up?

Either way, great news I guess!

Steven Universe and Adventure Time both started seasons only a week or a few weeks after the end, though they both will have long breaks between sets of episodes. Littlest Pet Shop also had a short break between season 2 and 3, though that got a long break in the middle of season 3.

EDIT: Well, posting again got my previous post to appear.

 

[SigmasonicX]

NO SEASON SIX THIS YEAR AFTER ALL

Instead, as some predicted before this season started (including me), season 5 is being split in two and the second half will be starting later this year. Given that the next episode is 13 and no episodes have been announced for next week, it's safe to assume that we've already reached the start of the break. It's also safe to assume that Friendship Games will be released during the break, so the season probably won't be coming back until October at earliest.

... FUCK

 

[DrForester]

Man the marketing for this season has sucked. Announcing a hiatus two days before it starts? What sane company does that?

 

[SigmasonicX]

Man the marketing for this season has sucked. Announcing a hiatus two days before it starts? What sane company does that?

I was going to bring up Magic Duels: Origins being released without any announcement, with the only justification given that "The digital world is very different from the paper one," but at least that's something given.

... So, how about it guys, I can request a mod to change the title to something for the hiatus. Any suggestions?

Mine:
Season Six--NOPE, HIATUS

 

[PaulloDEC]

Well, shit.

 

[draetenth]

Man the marketing for this season has sucked. Announcing a hiatus two days before it starts? What sane company does that?

Well, I'm not sure Hasbro has ever been considered a sane company...

 

[Jay RaR]

Guess that was TOO good to be true. >_>

 

[SigmasonicX]

Thanks for the thread title change. For future reference, the previous one was "Challenge of the Superfriends", and now it is "Season 6 com--NOPE, HIATUS".

Anyway, pancake Twilight is a bit old hat now, but this is very cute.

 

[Link Man]

Thanks for the thread title change. For future reference, the previous one was "Challenge of the Superfriends", and now it is "Season 6 com--NOPE, HIATUS".

Anyway, pancake Twilight is a bit old hat now, but this is very cute.

Needs a nightmare version where the pancake is replaced with a quesadilla.

 

[wookieofdoom]

NO SEASON SIX THIS YEAR AFTER ALL

Instead, as some predicted before this season started (including me), season 5 is being split in two and the second half will be starting later this year. Given that the next episode is 13 and no episodes have been announced for next week, it's safe to assume that we've already reached the start of the break. It's also safe to assume that Friendship Games will be released during the break, so the season probably won't be coming back until October at earliest.

... FUCK

 

[SigmasonicX]

For the record, I would have been completely fine with the hiatus (and of course I'll deal with it just fine) if they actually announced it ahead of time. I get the feeling from the tweets that they did intend to announce the hiatus earlier, but they forgot to. Thus, we get tweets written with the assumption that the hiatus was already common knowledge, confusing the hell out of people.

On a lighter note, details from Comic Con!

There is some really exciting stuff coming. Notably, quoting ED's messy scribblings:

Spoiler

Tomorrow's episode starts with Rainbow Power and Luna going Nightmare Moon Mode

Fluttershy has a brother. We will see him soon!

Q: What would happen to each of the mane 6 if the rainboom didnt happen?
A: Wait for the finale!

Preview animatic

 

[DrForester]

Welp, that killed any hype I had for the finale. Looks and sounds like another big dumb story.

 

[PaulloDEC]

Welp, that killed any hype I had for the finale. Looks and sounds like another big dumb story.

I think we probably have to accept at this point that finales are going to be a little more "event episodes" than the rest of the season. At least we got a more subdued premiere this time though, right?

Anyway, I liked the animatic sequence, seems like a nice mysterious start to the story. The

Spoiler

"what if"

scenario could be cool too, though it'll depend on lot on how they're executing it. I'd prefer if it was more of a personal story than a

Spoiler

"How would Equestria have survived without the Elements?"

scenario, but I'm sure they'll do a good job either way.

 

[PaulloDEC]

Another S5 animatic, this time for Lena Hall's guest song! Great to hear the rest of this after hearing that tiny snippet months ago.

 

[UberTag]

Another S5 animatic, this time for Lena Hall's guest song! Great to hear the rest of this after hearing that tiny snippet months ago.

That's one astounding piece of music right there.
Then again, it's Lena Hall. That should come as no surprise. She's a Tony-award winning actress and a musical mainstay.

 

[DrForester]

Spoiler

Well, it does give Meghan yet another opportunity to show Celestia get defeated, this time by Nightmare Moon. Despite having the elements and being able to just send her back again....


But hey, can't have Celestia be a competent leader in Meghan Equestria.

 

[PaulloDEC]

That's one astounding piece of music right there.
Then again, it's Lena Hall. That should come as no surprise. She's a Tony-award winning actress and a musical mainstay.

I wasn't familiar with her before her involvement with MLP, but damn, what a voice. Can't wait to see how the song fits in with the rest of the story, cos it's a brilliant song.

Spoiler

Well, it does give Meghan yet another opportunity to show Celestia get defeated, this time by Nightmare Moon. Despite having the elements and being able to just send her back again....

But hey, can't have Celestia be a competent leader in Meghan Equestria.

Hey man, c'mon. I know this is kinda your pet subject, but it's way, waaaaay too early to be doing this.

 

[DrForester]

Hey man, c'mon. I know this is kinda your pet subject, but it's way, waaaaay too early to be doing this.

Sorry but now that we're looking at probably the 5th time in a finale she's portrayed as weak, I'm sick of it. If I'm wrong, I'll apologize in 6 months.

 

[PaulloDEC]

Sorry but now that we're looking at probably the 5th time in a finale she's portrayed as weak, I'm sick of it. If I'm wrong, I'll apologize in 6 months.

I just don't want to see you sour yourself on a story we know so little about. Maybe you'll be proven right, but there's plenty of other ways things could turn out;

Spoiler

what if the outcome of Celestia facing Luna a second time isn't Celestia being defeated, but being forced to banish her sister a second time? And that's just assuming we're right about the changing-the-past thing.

 

[Pandaman]

Sorry but now that we're looking at probably the 5th time in a finale she's portrayed as weak, I'm sick of it. If I'm wrong, I'll apologize in 6 months.

maybe you should just come to terms with her actually being weak.

 

[SigmasonicX]

Finally got to watching the animatics.

Finale animatics:

Spoiler

I'm happy to see Twilight giving lectures on friendship, and specifically the odd coincidence that linked her to the other Main Six. At this point, it's still hard to say what direction the story will be going in. If it is the case that reality will be rewritten, I'm disappointed that the story didn't start out in the altered reality.

Song animatics:

Spoiler

Really nice song. The unicorn horn glowstick visual is neat. It seems like Lena Hall's character gains her cutie mark during the song, but she also mentioned "coming back". Perhaps she's a singer that faked having a cutie mark, but now truly believes she wants to sing.

Also, from the updated ED article I linked before, Q&A question for Doc:
Q: Are there other stories or characters you hvent found the right approach for yet?
A: Lots of times they think of stories that get tabled until they can find a good way to do it. Mike wants a Celestia episode.

 

[DrForester]

Also, from the updated ED article I linked before, Q&A question for Doc:
Q: Are there other stories or characters you hvent found the right approach for yet?
A: Lots of times they think of stories that get tabled until they can find a good way to do it. Mike wants a Celestia episode.

I wish I could be optimistic, but I'm completely disillusioned at how Celestia is handled in the show at this point. Heck Luna too. She has one job to do, and tomorrow she'll be running to the Mane 6 for help with it. I'll believe a Celestia episode exists when it happens, and then hope it's good, because we probably will never see another one. There's a spark of hope since it's Mike and he theoretically has some pull on the show, but for now I'll just keep hoping that the Comics keep doing well by her.



And to change topics to something hilarious...

Spoiler

We have another secret sibling. I guess that's one way to get Twilight off the hook for forgetting she had a brother for two seasons.

 

[Rhomega Beta]

Saw the finale animatic:

Spoiler

If the Sonic Rainboom never happened, then who if anyone will replace Twilight and her friends as the wielders of the Elements to defeat Nightmare Moon.

 

[BDGAME]

That's one astounding piece of music right there.
Then again, it's Lena Hall. That should come as no surprise. She's a Tony-award winning actress and a musical mainstay.

True.
Last season we had Weird Al. That season we will have Lena Hall. The guests of this show are amazing. Hope there is more guests next season as well.

 

[Gold Coins for Cats]

Saw the finale animatic:

Spoiler

If the Sonic Rainboom never happened, then who if anyone will replace Twilight and her friends as the wielders of the Elements to defeat Nightmare Moon.

Fan Fiction has already answered that for you!

(Two out of three stories it's

Spoiler

Trixie

)

 

[UberTag]

And to change topics to something hilarious...

Spoiler

We have another secret sibling. I guess that's one way to get Twilight off the hook for forgetting she had a brother for two seasons.

With this latest revelation,

Spoiler

I guess this means that Rainbow Dash is the only one out of the Mane 6 that's an only child. Given her inflated ego, I don't find this terribly surprising. She's clearly been spoiled.

 

[DrForester]

With this latest revelation,

Spoiler

I guess this means that Rainbow Dash is the only one out of the Mane 6 that's an only child. Given her inflated ego, I don't find this terribly surprising. She's clearly been spoiled.

Aww, I hadn't thought about that...

 

[SigmasonicX]

On another board, I saw the suggestion that for the story involving (Comic Con spoilers)

Spoiler

Fluttershy's brother, if it is "Brotherhooves Social" and if that event also requires two brothers (like how Sisterhooves Social needed two sisters), that Fluttershy could disguise herself as a male to join the event with her brother. For some reason, I find that idea really adorable. Though doing the Flutterguy voice a third time probably wouldn't be a good idea.

 

[UberTag]

Well, that was one huge helping of fan service to hold us over until the fall.

Flutterbat Reprise, Evil Demonic Angel, Alicorn Big Mac, Bon Bon / Lyra hybrid, Flying Scootaloo, Spike riding a giant Derpy... I mean, what didn't this episode have?

 

[DrForester]

Well, that was one huge helping of fan service to hold us over until the fall.

Flutterbat Reprise, Evil Demonic Angel, Alicorn Big Mac, Bon Bon / Lyra hybrid, Flying Scootaloo, Spike riding a giant Derpy... I mean, what didn't this episode have?

Celestia.

Nah, this was a really fun episode. Luna having to confront the guilt of what she did in the past was a really good bit of character development. I complain about the lack of Celestia a lot, but I really do think it was the one thing this episode was missing. If Luna is going to confront the guilt of her past, it seems like Celestia would have to be involved in that. She is the one that Luna betrayed and attacked after all.

Still a really fun episode. That last big dream was just off the wall hilarity, and I bet the animators had a blast with it.

 

[draetenth]

Great episode, I lost it at RD's dream/nightmare.

 

[SigmasonicX]

It's a good thing this became available earlier than usual, since I'm heading to Magic Origins prerelease in a bit.

This story was very similar to the start of the Nightmare Rarity story in the comics. One thing the comic story did better is that the dreams and nightmares had more to say about the characters themselves. Given that, I was a bit disappointed by the first half of the episode. Well, OK, I suppose Fluttershy's dream reveals a lot about her, and Rainbow Dash's dream was fun.

That said, I enjoyed the second half a lot more, though I wanted to see even more of the characters getting creative. In particular, it was rather odd that Pinkie didn't do anything really weird. Big Mac turning himself into a princess was great in particular, along with giant Derpy.

As the episode was approaching the end, I was wondering if Tantabus would actually escape, which seemed possible given the title of episode 15, but no. I was also expecting Celestia to appear in the end, or at least in Luna's good dream, so I was surprised that she didn't. The reveal that Luna created Tantabus to punish herself was a direction I didn't expect the show to actually go in, and while I would have liked less of a sudden turnabout, it was handled well enough.

This feels like an episode that really should have been done in season 2 soon after "Luna Eclipsed"--or rather, both episodes should have been in season 1--but there's no helping that.

I enjoyed the episode well enough, but I feel like last week's episode would have started this sudden hiatus on a higher note.

Well, I suppose it'll soon be time to go back into the community thread, once fan art for this episode dies down. I'll probably still bump up this thread for news related to this season in particular. Discussion of Friendship Games will be in the community thread.

EDIT: Eh, thinking about it, that splitting of discussion was always due to Equestria Girls stuff happening after the season ends. Since Friendship Games is airing in the middle of this season, should discussion of that be in this thread?

 

[DrForester]

Just like Celestia, Luna sleeps in her Princess Regalia. Or once again, the animators didn't bother. They did have a lot to do in this episode I guess...

 

[SigmasonicX]

Maybe the shoes are comfier than we give them credit for.

 

[DrForester]

Maybe the shoes are comfier than we give them credit for.

But, the slippers...

 

[SigmasonicX]

But, the slippers...

Luna places them there every day since that's what modern ponies do, but the royal shoes are too comfy to take off so she never bothers.

 

[ZealousD]

Great episode, I lost it at RD's dream/nightmare.

Would have been funnier if her world had been turn into G1 ponies. =P

 

[Rhomega Beta]

I notice that her bed seem to be completely empty except for her cool bed, her slippers, and that lamp.

As I mentioned in the chat, i wish this episode had been done in Season 3 or 4. Otherwise, it was a pretty good episode with plenty of imagination, being in the realm of dreams of course.

 

[PaulloDEC]

So wow, this was a pretty weird one. I'm not usually a big fan of the way-out, surreal dream stuff, and the first two-thirds of this one had me kinda raising eyebrows. The revelation about the true nature of the Tantabus was pretty neat though, and the last third of the story I felt was really interesting.

It does make me wonder what exactly Luna did during her time as Nightmare Moon, though. She seems to still be harbouring a lot of guilt about it, whatever it was. The flashback in the S4 premiere seemed to suggest Nightmare Moon's reign only lasted about five minutes, so unless Luna still feels crushing guilt about getting in a punch up with her sister, we clearly weren't shown the whole story.

 

[DrForester]

So wow, this was a pretty weird one. I'm not usually a big fan of the way-out, surreal dream stuff, and the first two-thirds of this one had me kinda raising eyebrows. The revelation about the true nature of the Tantabus was pretty neat though, and the last third of the story I felt was really interesting.

It does make me wonder what exactly Luna did during her time as Nightmare Moon, though. She seems to still be harbouring a lot of guilt about it, whatever it was. The flashback in the S4 premiere seemed to suggest Nightmare Moon's reign only lasted about five minutes, so unless Luna still feels crushing guilt about getting in a punch up with her sister, we clearly weren't shown the whole story.

I'd blame that more on that episode doing a really poor job with that flashback and really downplaying it's importance. I guess you could say she feels guilt for terorizing Ponyville in episode 1. Either way though, that's why I think Celestia really should have been the one to give the Twilight speech at the end.

Though I guess you could argue that Celestia and Luna no doubt interact quite frequently, and there's zero question in Luna's mind that Celestia has forgiven her.

 

[PaulloDEC]

I'd blame that more on that episode doing a really poor job with that flashback and really downplaying it's importance. I guess you could say she feels guilt for terorizing Ponyville in episode 1.

I've been banging the "the dream sequences in the season 4 premiere aren't complete/reliable/gospel" drum for a long time time now, so I'm not too bothered when there's a bit of a clash. I'd not thought about her little spin in the first season premiere though, so that'd fit.

Either way though, that's why I think Celestia really should have been the one to give the Twilight speech at the end.

Though I guess you could argue that Celestia and Luna no doubt interact quite frequently, and there's zero question in Luna's mind that Celestia has forgiven her.

It would've been nice to have had some sister-to-sister reconciliation there, but I think the story would've had to have been a totally different shape for Celestia to have fit into it. If Luna had gone to her in the first place the story probably would've been over a lot quicker too; I feel like she'd have been mortified to learn that Luna had created her own personal nightmare monster and immediately kicked it's ass.

 

[DrForester]

I've been banging the "the dream sequences in the season 4 premiere aren't complete/reliable/gospel" drum for a long time time now, so I'm not too bothered when there's a bit of a clash. I'd not thought about her little spin in the first season premiere though, so that'd fit.



It would've been nice to have had some sister-to-sister reconciliation there, but I think the story would've had to have been a totally different shape for Celestia to have fit into it. If Luna had gone to her in the first place the story probably would've been over a lot quicker too; I feel like she'd have been mortified to learn that Luna had created her own personal nightmare monster and immediately kicked it's ass.

I don't think too much would have had to be changed. I thought Celestia was about to show up during the climax there. Pinkie Pie would no doubt dream about her enjoying her parties as well. Or drop that line about her having no power in the dream world all together. It seemed like a really weak way to explain her absence. I was figuring her excuse for going to the Mane 6 and not Celestia was a bit of pride in not wanting Celestia to think she needed help.

 

[novenD]

It does make me wonder what exactly Luna did during her time as Nightmare Moon, though. She seems to still be harbouring a lot of guilt about it, whatever it was. The flashback in the S4 premiere seemed to suggest Nightmare Moon's reign only lasted about five minutes, so unless Luna still feels crushing guilt about getting in a punch up with her sister, we clearly weren't shown the whole story.

"punch up"

She tried to murder her own sister in a bid to rule the world and then left her alone and heartbroken for a millennia.

I'm pretty sure I would still feel bad about that, even if the fight was over in five minutes.

 

[Loona]

Great episode, I lost it at RD's dream/nightmare.

With a nightmare like that, the fact she even gets along with Pinkie is a small miracle.

When characters in the dream section started dreaming up abilities for themselves, I half expected Dr Whooves to self-multiply into different Doctor incarnations.

 

[wookieofdoom]

This is such a wonderful show. I am so glad I took a chance on it back in January of 2013. It really is special, and I am going to miss it during the hiatus. But, I now also have something to look forward to, I am so excited about that Lena Hall song.

As for this episode, I loved it. This whole season has been wonderful. Can't wait to see the remaining 13 episodes.

 

[HassanJamal]

Oh man, I just remembered they got that horrid rainbow poofy EoF redesign. Also, they really made Luna more of a tragic character with having her whole dream of nightmares every night possibly since she turned good thing. At least now she wont which is grand. Also, considering Scootalo dream of big wings, wondering if the show is ever gonna address her ability to not fly well.

 

[PaulloDEC]

I don't think too much would have had to be changed. I thought Celestia was about to show up during the climax there. Pinkie Pie would no doubt dream about her enjoying her parties as well. Or drop that line about her having no power in the dream world all together. It seemed like a really weak way to explain her absence. I was figuring her excuse for going to the Mane 6 and not Celestia was a bit of pride in not wanting Celestia to think she needed help.

I just wonder if it might've been a bit "suddenly, Celestia!" if she just showed up for the ending out of nowhere. It definitely would've been nice to have a scene like that somewhere though; it puts me in mind of some of the scenes in the Reflections comic arc.

To your other point, I can understand Luna not wanting to involve Celestia in the episode, as there's no way she wouldn't be furious about Luna punishing herself. She only ended up telling the Mane 6 because she was moments from dooming the whole world.

"punch up"

She tried to murder her own sister in a bid to rule the world and then left her alone and heartbroken for a millennia.

I'm pretty sure I would still feel bad about that, even if the fight was over in five minutes.

Haha, yeah, fair call. When I picture it in my head it's just the two of them flying around shooting magic beams at one another, but what you described isn't wrong. I never really thought of Luna's intent being to actually kill Celestia, but really what else could it have been? "One Princess in Equestria" and "...to DESTROY YOU!" kinda remove any ambiguity.

 

[DrForester]

I just wonder if it might've been a bit "suddenly, Celestia!" if she just showed up for the ending out of nowhere. It definitely would've been nice to have a scene like that somewhere though; it puts me in mind of some of the scenes in the Reflections comic arc.

I think they could get away with it considering they've never done it before. Closest thing would be in "Lesson Zero", but that wasn't exactly a big threat for her to clean up.

 

[SigmasonicX]

Oh man, I just remembered they got that horrid rainbow poofy EoF redesign. Also, they really made Luna more of a tragic character with having her whole dream of nightmares every night possibly since she turned good thing. At least now she wont which is grand. Also, considering Scootalo dream of big wings, wondering if the show is ever gonna address her ability to not fly well.

EoF? I assume you mean Rainbow Power, which yeah, still looks mostly ugh. I hope we don't get that in the finale.

I felt "Flight to the Finish" addressed Scootaloo not flying sufficiently well. A story involving her learning for sure that she can't fly would come off as a retread, and her learning that she can fly after all would feel like a cop out. I think the best way to handle her flightlessness in the future would be to give her a cutie mark involving something unrelated to flight (like her athleticism) and have her either not bring up her flying or mention that it doesn't matter whether or not she learns how to fly.