Amibguous Cad
Member
Haha, people on tumblr are calling this episode "Cutie Marx"
My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic season 5 |OT| 100+ episodes and better than ever!
- Thread starter SigmasonicX
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SigmasonicX
Member
Oh wow, Cutie Mark Magic ended up playing no role in the episode at all! That could mean it's being saved for the finale, but hopefully we don't see it in the show at all. Plus, the Main Six weren't the ones to defeat the villain in the end (besides Twilight blocking that shot), neither side got a big power-up in the end, and if any of the Main Six was the focus character, it was Fluttershy.
This was a pretty good episode. Not as much of a spectacle as expected from premieres and closers, but it was a nice change of pace. It did well in establishing that Twilight's role is more to inspire others than to just save the day with her Superfriends. It was a bit too on the nose with the cult stuff, but this is a TV-Y show, after all, and they paid more heed to the idea that the cult isn't all that bad than most children's shows would (see Rescue Rangers). I did think the cultists turned on Starlight Glimmer a bit too quickly, but I did like the line from the ski pony later that she didn't even try to be friends with them. By the way, I didn't like ski pony's voice.
I have to say, with Fluttershy liking the village so much, I thought for sure that we'd finally get evil Elements of Harmony, and it would be revealed that Starlight got her power from the evil Element of Kindness. Well, we still don't have an explanation for where Starlight learned her magic, and she escaped, so maybe there will be a larger threat behind her. Also, I do find it funny that this episode confirmed the common fan assumption that Fluttershy would be easily drawn into a cult.
EDIT: Didn't notice until now that Starlight painting on her equal cutie mark is the same as how Amon (Legend of Korra) painted on his burns, and they even both got exposed by water.
As did I, if you notice in the OP.
Also, changing the episode title to The Cutie Map in the OP.
This was a pretty good episode. Not as much of a spectacle as expected from premieres and closers, but it was a nice change of pace. It did well in establishing that Twilight's role is more to inspire others than to just save the day with her Superfriends. It was a bit too on the nose with the cult stuff, but this is a TV-Y show, after all, and they paid more heed to the idea that the cult isn't all that bad than most children's shows would (see Rescue Rangers). I did think the cultists turned on Starlight Glimmer a bit too quickly, but I did like the line from the ski pony later that she didn't even try to be friends with them. By the way, I didn't like ski pony's voice.
I have to say, with Fluttershy liking the village so much, I thought for sure that we'd finally get evil Elements of Harmony, and it would be revealed that Starlight got her power from the evil Element of Kindness. Well, we still don't have an explanation for where Starlight learned her magic, and she escaped, so maybe there will be a larger threat behind her. Also, I do find it funny that this episode confirmed the common fan assumption that Fluttershy would be easily drawn into a cult.
EDIT: Didn't notice until now that Starlight painting on her equal cutie mark is the same as how Amon (Legend of Korra) painted on his burns, and they even both got exposed by water.
As did I, if you notice in the OP.
Also, changing the episode title to The Cutie Map in the OP.
Good start to the long awaited season. Found this fanart on the subreddit of the best face in the premiere and wanted to share.
http://dennybutt.deviantart.com/art/But-I-didn-t-listen-524720973
I chuckled when I saw that face in the show. haha
http://dennybutt.deviantart.com/art/But-I-didn-t-listen-524720973
I chuckled when I saw that face in the show. haha
DrForester
Kills Photobucket
SigmasonicX
Member
Other images I liked:
Marked For Success, though the actual punchline is weak
And unrelated to season 5, new magical girl series issue. And this thing:
Yup, I'm with the majority, that was a fantastic opener. I love the bombastic stuff as much as anyone (and more than some), but I loved the light-touch they used on this one. Some fantastic laughs and loads of interesting scenes between the Mane 6. Great use of new characters too.
I was surprised to see it was actually written not by Megan McCarthy or Amy Keating-Rogers but by Scott Sonneborn and Mitch Larson. They did great work here. Also loved that Fluttershy had such an important role in this one; I feel like there's a strong pull towards being diplomatic and not tipping the scales in any one character's favour (Twilight aside), but Fluttershy's role absolutely made sense here.
So yeah, great start to Season 5.
Oh god, the cut to the balloon binoculars POV killed me. Such a weird gag, I love it.
I actually thought that worked out great. I liked that they weaved the idea of various characters harbouring serious regret about ditching their CM's throughout, so that when they finally found out their dear leader had been holding out on them, they were already primed to lose it.
By and large, I thought this had some of the best pacing and story construction in a premiere/finale in a long time.
I was surprised to see it was actually written not by Megan McCarthy or Amy Keating-Rogers but by Scott Sonneborn and Mitch Larson. They did great work here. Also loved that Fluttershy had such an important role in this one; I feel like there's a strong pull towards being diplomatic and not tipping the scales in any one character's favour (Twilight aside), but Fluttershy's role absolutely made sense here.
So yeah, great start to Season 5.
Oh god, the cut to the balloon binoculars POV killed me. Such a weird gag, I love it.
I actually thought that worked out great. I liked that they weaved the idea of various characters harbouring serious regret about ditching their CM's throughout, so that when they finally found out their dear leader had been holding out on them, they were already primed to lose it.
By and large, I thought this had some of the best pacing and story construction in a premiere/finale in a long time.
SigmasonicX
Member
Yeah, I did feel better about the sudden turn by the cultists after considering how they were acting throughout the episode. They kept along with the Equalist Movement but had doubts, which erupted when they found out that not even Starlight was going along with it.
Anyway, adorable gif incoming
EDIT: Also, seriously, every time I scroll past that Twilight comic above, I keep breaking into a smile.
Anyway, adorable gif incoming
EDIT: Also, seriously, every time I scroll past that Twilight comic above, I keep breaking into a smile.
DrForester
Kills Photobucket
Fluttershy's chin is weirding me out there...
SpaceCadetKeon
Banned
I watched the premier with friends at a party. Long story short, we all liked it. Solid two-parter.
Surprised that wasn't just filled with Jaden Smith tweets.
Overall, the first two episodes were decently enjoyable. I had no significant qualms over the course as watching the episodes and it is a great start to the new season. The smiles and the sustained, yet neutral speech of the followers were interesting and disturbing at the same time. I found the progression of the story well done as well as we got to know about the villagers doubts and troubles, finally ending with the aid of them trying to stop the antagonist. While we didn't get a full conclusion and in-depth look into the antagonist herself, there may be a time where we might see more of her later on.
SigmasonicX
Member
Writers for "Castle Sweet Castle" revealed. They are Joanna Lewis and Kristine Songco, who are new to this series but have worked on The Fairly Odd Parents and other shows.
That makes two stories in a row with two writers. Too soon to tell if this is a pattern, though.
That makes two stories in a row with two writers. Too soon to tell if this is a pattern, though.
HassanJamal
Member
Just watched the premiere and it has revived my interest in the show. Its a refreshing feeling to see
Hoping to see
the mane six not saving the day with either dues ex harmony magic or love magic. Instead its regular ponies. Also, pretty neat to see they made an episode basically about cults, heh.
more of this new villain. Wonder why she was stealing the Twilight's CM.
Gold Coins for Cats
Member
It's so refreshing to watch an episode that gives so little for people to complain about.
I have no strong opinions on this opening two-parter. It was ponies.
It was a throwaway detail, but it will probably come back later, because this show likes to callback to throwaway details and inflate their importance (like Starswirl the Bearded).
This one had absolutely nothing to do with those others. Starlight Glimmer was simply an educated pony, so she created some fiction that was close enough to history in order to fool some commoners into believing that she was in possession of a historical artifact.
It was a throwaway detail, but it will probably come back later, because this show likes to callback to throwaway details and inflate their importance (like Starswirl the Bearded).
This one had absolutely nothing to do with those others. Starlight Glimmer was simply an educated pony, so she created some fiction that was close enough to history in order to fool some commoners into believing that she was in possession of a historical artifact.
It's Pinkie's lips that are weird to me.
I'm not sure how I feel about the episode. I liked it, but it felt like it was missing something for me to call it one of the better episodes. Yet, I'm not really sure what... I enjoyed the characters, it had a number of neat scenes (my favorite was the pony dancing differently than the others before syncing up), and the main six didn't really save the day.
I did have an issue with the villain. Why was she so interested in everyone being the same? Was she picked on as a filly or something? Was it simply a desire for power and control? I do wonder if she will be back.
SigmasonicX
Member
Given the big deal Twilight made about Starlight's magic and that she's a season premiere villain that got away (as opposed to a one-episode story character), I find it hard to imagine that she won't return this season. We'll probably learn more then.
Also, low hanging fruit time.
I should be used to it by now, but damn this fandom works fast.
Lightning_Roller
Banned
I was going to talk about that mlp magical girl comic, it's pretty good so far and the villains are intimidating.
SigmasonicX
Member
There are a fair number of problems, such as the one black guy turning out to be a white bishonen in disguise in this issue, but yeah, it's fun.
Also,
EDIT: Music info from BABSCon
Her cutie mark made her do it. It's like asking why Pinkie Pie wants to make the whole world smile, or why Rainbow Dash wants to be the most awesome pony in the universe, or why Fluttershy wants to hug all the animals. This particular episode reinforced the idea that those things come directly from the cutie marks.
She was apparently a formally educated Unicorn pony, and then through whatever trigger moment, she picked up a cutie mark that removes cutie marks. Her cutie mark is the anti-cutie mark. That's her inner power and her true destiny. So she was driven by the power of her own cutie mark to put that power to use.
She probably used her power on one single pony in Canterlot as her power first emerged, got scared, ran off to the boonies, and started using it on unsuspecting ponies. She convinced her victims that this process made them happier, and maybe it did. Then Twilight came along, and she figured that if a Princess chose to undergo the procedure (or at least if other ponies thought she chose it), then ponies from around the world would willingly come to her for cutie mark removal. She could fulfill her destiny on a global scale.
And she apparently wouldn't have had a problem with ponies leaving town, because she wanted everyone in the world to make "pilgrimages" to see her, so her rule over the town wasn't the main goal, that was just her first attempt in trying to build a new society without cutie marks. Twilight was the game changer. As soon as she had the legitimacy of Twilight's endorsement, she likely would have asked a portion of the townsfolk to head out and spread the gospel (some should stay behind to keep up the image of a happy town).
That's a bit of a logical leap, isn't it? She mentions "spells" more than once IIRC, and her cutie mark itself is just a generic magical-looking dealie. We've seen her using other unusual magical techniques too, like the "gimme some space" one she uses in town, or the short-range teleport she uses to escape into the caves.
It seemed more likely to me that she was just another character like Sunset Shimmer, i.e. a talented student of magic whose character flaws drove her down a dark path. She's basically "inferiority complex: the character".
Great that the next soundtrack isn't far away, but a bummer that the Pinkie Pride tracks aren't included. The mashup has me a little curious too.
That's some cool news about the future too. I'd definitely love for the music team to have access to an orchestra for the film.
It might be a leap. But I'll go into some reasoning.
Twilight's cutie mark (as an example) is the symbol of magic, surrounded by five stars. Starlight's cutie mark is that same symbol of magic (slightly simplified, with 4/8 points instead of 6/12), but with wispy lines. I took that to represent magic floating away, but it's definitely open to interpretation.
Starlight told the townsfolk that she couldn't have had her cutie mark removed, because she needs her magic to remove cutie marks. The others suggest that they could use the stick on her. She responds that the stick is nothing, it was all her. Assuming Starlight is telling the truth here, does she need her magic (powered by a cutie mark) to perform the spell, or does she need her magic (powered by a cutie mark) to perform the spell? Since Starlight used telekinesis in full view of the citizens (when she picked up the stick to use on Twilight) and nobody questioned it, and Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash can still fly after having their cutie marks removed, I would say that cutie mark removal isn't a complete magic removal, and it doesn't neuter Unicorns, it just takes away what the cutie mark did to make them "special", returning them to the equivalent of blank flanks. And blank flank Unicorns can use magic. If cutie mark removal wouldn't remove her magic, then she was arguing that it would remove a specific magic that only she could do (and be impossible, to remove her own ability to remove).
Incidentally, Twilight could theoretically have opened the cell door, but every time she tried, she relied on the magic boost that her cutie mark formerly gave her, and was shot down for the attempt by the neutral cutie mark. As soon as she stopped fighting the change and embraced her own power which is not special (Unicorn/Alicorn), she would have already joined the herd, and could have simply let herself out.
And I have no doubt that Starlight was educated in the magical arts, but Twilight is kind of an expert in that field, and accurately called bullshit on some of Starlight's bullshit. It's possible that Twilight and Starlight haven't read all the same books, but when Twilight Sparkle hasn't heard of a certain spell before, that usually a pretty good indicator that it's not a book-learning-spell.
DrForester
Kills Photobucket
I think we're mostly coming from the same place on this. The way I interpreted it, Twilight and Glimmer's cutie marks (and Sunset Shimmer's for that matter) each represent an affinity for advanced magic. While equalised, both would still be able to do basic unicorn stuff, i.e. telekinesis, but their capacity to use more advanced magic or spells (say, Twi's teleporting or Glimmer's equalisation spell) would be gone. In other words, Glimmer being equalised might not remove her knowledge or understanding of the equalisation spell, but it would render her unable to actually make it work.
Fair point, though we've seen more than once that there's gaps in her knowledge. Stuff like the history of the Crystal Empire falling out of the public conciousness, or Twilight's own admission that she doesn't know much about Eastern Unicorns come to mind. And as you say, it may not necessarily have been a book Glimmer learnt it from; perhaps she was taught?
Ultimately I guess I just find the idea of someone getting a cutie mark in something... well, kinda evil, to be at odds with some of the core themes at play in Equestria. I mean, what happens if Glimmer is reformed? Is she stuck with a special talent befitting a villain for the rest of her days?
DrForester
Kills Photobucket
Ready to have a song you thought you'd forgotten stuck in your head?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZ53McjVlnU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZ53McjVlnU
There are bad cutie marks. Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara will eternally be spoiled brats. At one point Flim and Flam employed the services of a pony whose cutie mark indicated that it's his destiny to eternally be a two-bit huckster (a pathetic, low-rung criminal) (although Applejack apparently inspired him to defy his destiny). There's a pony whose destiny is to be insane and locked up in a mental institution. Unless Starlight Glimmer liberates these poor souls from their curse.
Well, Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara are probably just destined to be snooty, high-society types, which is more douchey that actually bad or evil I guess. Silver Shill is a bit of a tricky one, though a cutie mark of some coins doesn't necessarily imply anything bad. Then again, that name...
As for either Screwy or Screwball, I guess you've got me there!
DrForester
Kills Photobucket
Thing is, Flim and Flam weren't really hucksters till that S4 episode. They were certainly greedy, but in SSCS6000 they had a legitimate working product that did exactly what they claimed. I was disappointed in the key episode because it did just turn them into generic con-men.
That was a bit of a shame. Then again, maybe they only turned to conning people after the Mane 6 showed them up and drove them out of town? They tried to make some money on the straight and narrow (mostly), and it didn't work out. Perhaps crime is the answer...?
Emmet from the Lego Movie was un-special before it was cool to be un-special.
That's what happened to Trixie. She was just following the call of her cutie mark and bringing joy to the masses, until the Mane Six didn't like her schtick so they wrecked her house, drove her out of town, and pushed her to crime and villainy.
Winter Wrap/True True Friend recorded at Babscon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLgwcvM41qw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLgwcvM41qw
Not bad! I was a little iffy on the male vocals at the beginning, but actually they work really well in retrospect. Looking forward to hearing a clean version when the album drops.
wookieofdoom
Member
Just wanted to chime in to say that is so good to have pony back. It's been so long. Well, this episode was pretty fun, definitely not my favorite season opener but there was plenty to love. In my opinion, Pinkie had the best moments, with her "equal" personality giving those flat deliveries. And I loved that this episode was kind of a stealth Fluttershy story. It was interesting to M.A. Larson is now the story editor. It makes very curious how much of an impact that will have on the rest of season. Well, I am definitely looking forward to the rest of the season and am super excited that there is a television to be excited about every week.
Did AJ's voice sound a bit...different to you guys? Like it was a bit deeper?
Did AJ's voice sound a bit...different to you guys? Like it was a bit deeper?
I think she's probably been getting deeper every year since they started, actually. Ashleigh talks about it a little in "A Brony Tale":
http://a.pomf.se/kjcpus.webm
Still sounds like AJ, so I'm happy.
Cato the Censor
Member
Ponies are back - and perhaps with one of the creepiest and at the same time best season openers ever.
Did I already say that I love this fandom?
Did I already say that I love this fandom?
SigmasonicX
Member
It looks like episode 100 will have an instrumental set piece featuring a cello. They even got who appears to be a fairly famous player for it, Tina Guo. Hmm, I wonder what that could mean >_>
EDIT: More details
I guess we're getting Octavia vs. Vinyl as one of the segments in episode 100.
Also, the air date either means we're getting the episode out of order or there will be a 3-week gap.
EDIT: More details
I guess we're getting Octavia vs. Vinyl as one of the segments in episode 100.
Also, the air date either means we're getting the episode out of order or there will be a 3-week gap.
I feel like this episode is going to be divisive on a level we've never seen before. Some people are going to be delighted beyond their wildest dreams and others are going to be furious. Calling it right now.
Pretty neat that they're bringing in a proper cellist, though. Looking forward to seeing how that sequence plays out.
Not so much looking forward to a three-week break though, hopefully that doesn't actually happen.
I definitely agree with this. I'm almost looking forward to it as a much as the episode. Although, I don't doubt there are going to be tweets and stuff that are probably going to make me regret looking forward to people whining about how things were done...
DrForester
Kills Photobucket
I'm on the pessimist side for episode 100. "Love Letter to the Fans" episodes always pander, and very rarely turn out well in my experience. Stargate would really be the only big success story on that front.
There's always an element of that, but I think it'll still be an enjoyable clusterfuck from a fandom point-of-view. As is usually the case with this fandom, I think the regular crazies will greatly outnumber the genuinely unpleasant ones.
It's weird, because as invested in this show was I am, I'm really not worried about the episode at all. I guess I'm not really expecting much from it beyond being a silly mashup of ideas and inside jokes.
DrForester
Kills Photobucket
Well, it is episode 9...
...and it's about a wedding.
The Game of Thrones fan in me is intrigued, if not excited.
...and it's about a wedding.
The Game of Thrones fan in me is intrigued, if not excited.
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