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[McNum]

Pinkie Pie is best pancake shark. That gag is a contender for meme of the episode, too.

The plot was a little predictable, although I didn't quite see them using the literal root of the library as a chandelier. I like that, might have had a little tear in an eye when I saw that, and well, so did Twilight. I suppose that means that the ruin of the Golden Oak Library (has that name been said before in the show?) is gone now as well. At least they gave it this sendoff episode and it lives on as a chandelier.

And how big is that castle, anyway? If the library fit in the table room, as the root suggests, this castle is just gigantic. No wonder Twilight felt intimidated by it.

Also, Pinkie has been on point so far this season. She's funny, but not obnoxiously so. I wonder if she'll pull a Rarity and just steal the season like Rarity did in Season 4. The next few weeks will tell.

 

[Rhomega Beta]

I'm surprised they're not all living there. It's big enough, and with the Round Table, it doesn't seem to belong to Twilight exclusively. I'd say I'm surprised they didn't fix it up to make Twilight feel at home instead of themselves at first, but hey, it's a kids' show, and we need an Aesop.

 

[McNum]

That portrait of them all could have stayed, I think. I was surprised that was the first to go once they started scaling back. But I suppose that was a red herring for the root. A portrait and pictures of the memories they had would have been the easy way. The root is much more creative, and pretty a powerful gesture, too.

 

[ffdgh]

Cool episode. Definitely prefer the library to the castle at the moment.

 

[SigmasonicX]

Reminder that this fandom has fast artists. This was uploaded almost 2 and a half hours ago.

And this months old picture turned out to be surprisingly prescient

Also, art comparison

Season 1:

Season 5:

 

[Lightning_Roller]

Reminder that this fandom has fast artists. This was uploaded almost 2 and a half hours ago.


And this months old picture turned out to be surprisingly prescient


Also, art comparison

Okay, two things.
1. The fandom works fast. Damn.
2. Wow, the art really improved in the show.

 

[PaulloDEC]

Another fantastic episode IMO. A great debut for the new (to MLP) writers, they seem to have a really great grasp of the world and characters. I absolutely loved Twilight and Spike in this; their stuff together has always been something I've loved (and missed from more recent seasons).

I really liked the song too, actually. Dash's intro is definitely a strange sound for her, but I like hearing the singers get to do some different stuff from time to time.

I love the animation in this show so much.

Someone mentioned this on YouTube.... where's Owlowiscious been this season so far? Don't tell me he was caught in the explosion in the Season 4 finale? Or did they show he was okay at some point since then?

I always took Owlowiscious to be kind-of a sometimes pet. I suspect he goes off and does his own thing more so than the other pets do.

 

[DrForester]

 

[draetenth]

I really liked the song too, actually. Dash's intro is definitely a strange sound for her, but I like hearing the singers get to do some different stuff from time to time.
.

Come to think of it, Dash did sound different to me during the song... I think my favorite scene besides puffball Angel was probably that pegasus who did Spike's massage (is he officially known as Bulk Biceps or is that a fanon name?). I admit that I chuckled when he came through the wall like that juice guy and grabbed Spike with his chest...

Btw, did they update the opening? I want to say they now have the castle in the background instead of the tree (would make sense), but it went too quickly that I'm not sure if I saw it correcty.

 

[SigmasonicX]

Come to think of it, Dash did sound different to me during the song... I think my favorite scene besides puffball Angel was probably that pegasus who did Spike's massage (is he officially known as Bulk Biceps or is that a fanon name?). I admit that I chuckled when he came through the wall like that juice guy and grabbed Spike with his chest...

Btw, did they update the opening? I want to say they now have the castle in the background instead of the tree (would make sense), but it went too quickly that I'm not sure if I saw it correcty.

The muscular pony was officially named Bulk Biceps in "Rainbow Falls". Before that, the popular fan names were Roid Rage, Big McLargehuge (MST3K reference), and Snowflake.

And yes, they replaced Twilight's house with the castle in the opening. That's the only change from the season 4 opening.

EDIT: Also, random thought, but both stories in this season so far have involved the girls getting into arguments and then resolving them without any "will they ever get along again" drama. After the way the premiere emphasized this, showing that it's a sign of friendship, it's nice that they haven't used it for drama yet.

 

[PaulloDEC]

Also, art comparison

Interesting! Made a quick GIF to show the difference:

There's definitely been a big boost to detail there, along with the now-standard post effects like the soft-focus stuff.

Come to think of it, Dash did sound different to me during the song...

There's some suggestion that Ashleigh Ball's voice is being autotuned, but I'm not so sure. Autotune usually introduces a very noticeable "warping" distortion effect, and I'm not hearing that here.

The muscular pony was officially named Bulk Biceps in "Rainbow Falls". Before that, the popular fan names were Roid Rage, Big McLargehuge (MST3K reference), and Snowflake.

EDIT: Also, random thought, but both stories in this season so far have involved the girls getting into arguments and then resolving them without any "will they ever get along again" drama. After the way the premiere emphasized this, showing that it's a sign of friendship, it's nice that they haven't used it for drama yet.

I was always a fan of "Horse Power" myself.

Agree with your edit there too. It's cool that there's signs of genuine growth in place.

 

[Conkersbadfurday]

Solid episode, if not a little predictable. I think most of them wind up being someone on the predictable side though, given the shit the characters get into and the target audience for the show itself.

I always hate the "gotta stall 'em!" humor though. It just makes me cringe, but it was done better in this episode than in others.

 

[wookieofdoom]

The episode was predictable, but it was executed extremely well. I loved this one. Wonderful slice-of-lice story, good dialogue, and great humor. This show is getting some weird inside humor...and I like it. 10\10 will watch again.


I didn't like the small bit they played of the song in the preview, but I felt the song actually worked as a whole. Not Ingram's best work, but it certainly was better than I initially thought it was going to be.

 

[DrForester]

Outside the very first seconds where Rainbow Dash sounds a bit off, I loved the song.

I just love this part..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqWs_ZK5Loc#t=1m35s

Fluttershy changes pitch when the bear pulls her in, like she was about to laugh or lost her breath.

 

[PaulloDEC]

Outside the very first seconds where Rainbow Dash sounds a bit off, I loved the song.

I just love this part..

I gotta be honest, any moment where a much bigger character picks up a pony just melts me. So cute.

Also, this cracked me up too:

 

[Lupin the Third]

There's some suggestion that Ashleigh Ball's voice is being autotuned, but I'm not so sure. Autotune usually introduces a very noticeable "warping" distortion effect, and I'm not hearing that here.

This is a common misconception. Autotune will only create the noticeable warping effect if you overdo the settings, which is a popular thing to do to get that effect. I would be very surprised if even 2 or 3 songs in the whole of MLP:FiM's music library didn't use Autotune on the singing voices.

 

[SigmasonicX]

Though I've always felt that the main six mane styles were already easy to translate into anime hairstyles.

Also, another "Jesus, fans are fast"

 

[PaulloDEC]

This is a common misconception. Autotune will only create the noticeable warping effect if you overdo the settings, which is a popular thing to do to get that effect. I would be very surprised if even 2 or 3 songs in the whole of MLP:FiM's music library didn't use Autotune on the singing voices.

Oh, fair enough then.

There was a bit in the Babscon music panel I was watching last night where they specifically talked about autotune:

All laughing, having talked about not having to digitally alter the performances of the singers.

Daniel: "We don't use any autotune at all."
Steffan: "Usually. He said usually, so there's an asterix there."

So I guess that might actually strengthen the case? Hard to tell given everyone is laughing and joking around at the time.

Though I've always felt that the main six mane styles were already easy to translate into anime hairstyles.

Also, another "Jesus, fans are fast"

Ohh, that's nice work.

 

[DrForester]

 

[Orcastar]

Episode was better than I expected, again. Here's hoping that the trend continues.

The song was still bland and forgettable though.

 

[Rhomega Beta]

Canterlot seems to be one big TARDIS too. In establishing shots, it looks like it's just a castle, but then you have to fit on the populace (many of which don't even work for the government), plus all the government buildings and embassies and everything else.

 

[SigmasonicX]

You know, I actually would be really down for a "Journey into the TARDIS" episode for the castle. Like maybe the tree gets sick and the pathways start warping, so they have to go in and kill Gohma.

 

[McNum]

You know, I actually would be really down for a "Journey into the TARDIS" episode for the castle. Like maybe the tree gets sick and the pathways start warping, so they have to go in and kill Gohma.

That could be fun just to see Twilight's reaction if the tree starts talking to her, Deku Tree style. "Twilight Sparkle. A great curse has fallen upon me. A dark presence lurks in my roots. Go kill it dead."

That said, ponies vs. giant spider is a fight that'd be fun to see.

 

[SigmasonicX]

YouTube captions I liked:

And something else:

Also, I have to say, I didn't like Twilight's salon hairstyle in the episode, but it's produced some really nice looking fan art. Probably because the good fan art usually either disregards the part of the mane going down the neck or uses an angle that deemphasizes that part.

 

[PaulloDEC]

Not sure if there's any music geeks in here, but an uploader called RainShadow has been isolating and posting the background music from the show on Youtube for a while now.

There's some lovely tracks from "Castle Sweet Castle" that have just been uploaded, like this lovely one that mixes the oft-used Golden Oaks theme and a new piece to create a moment that seems to look both the past and the future.

 

[SigmasonicX]

Sim Gratina is back with an "Our Town" remix! I didn't like the very start, but I thought it got better.

Also, second week in a row with apparently no new episode synopsis. It looks like we're getting a break after episode 6.

 

[DrForester]

Sim Gratina is back with an "Our Town" remix! I didn't like the very start, but I thought it got better.

Also, second week in a row with apparently no new episode synopsis. It looks like we're getting a break after episode 6.

There looks to be 3 ponyless weeks between May 9 and June 6. It's been confirmed that episode 9 (episode 100) airs on June 13.

 

[SigmasonicX]

Preview clip of "Bloom and Gloom". Remember to discuss details under spoiler bars.

 

[draetenth]

Eh, I'm not feeling the episode just from that little clip. It just looks like another one of those episodes where they really over exaggerate things just to make a point...

 

[PaulloDEC]

Eh, I'm not feeling the episode just from that little clip. It just looks like another one of those episodes where they really over exaggerate things just to make a point...

That's not so much an episode thing as it is an

Spoiler

Applebloom

thing, if you ask me.

Spoiler

Freaking out/overreacting to anything cutie-mark related is something she has a history of doing.

 

[DrForester]

Episode 07

After finding out that Fluttershy is taking a new friend to the Grand Galloping Gala instead of him, Discord goes to extreme lengths to show that it doesn't bother him.

Do we really need to hide what the "extreme lengths" are since they aired the interview with Meghan that mentioned it during commercials during the premier?

 

[PaulloDEC]

Episode 07

Do we really need to hide what the "extreme lengths" are since they aired the interview with Meghan that mentioned it during commercials during the premier?

Oh lord, is Discord bringing

Spoiler

the Smooze

to the Gala to make Fluttershy jealous? Is that what this is?

 

[SigmasonicX]

Title and airdate

Make New Friends But Keep Discord
Air Date: May 16, 2015

Adding to OP.

And because he was shown in an official overall season preview, not in a straight-up scene from the show, I'll say we can talk about the Smooze appearing in this episode.

 

[DrForester]

If there's not a remix of the old song I will be a little disappointed.

 

[McNum]

Oh lord, is Discord bringing

Spoiler

the Smooze

to the Gala to make Fluttershy jealous? Is that what this is?

Hm, it doesn't actually say who's bringing who. Maybe

Spoiler

the Smooze

is Fluttershy's new friend?

 

[DrForester]

The Lost Treasure of Griffonstone

S05, E08 (First Aired: May 23, 2015)
Rainbow Dash and Pinkie pie are called by the map to the ancient kingdom of Griffonstone but have conflicting ideas as to what problem they have been called to fix.

 

[Rhomega Beta]

Yay, more Griffons!

 

[SigmasonicX]

Interesting that not everyone will be involved in every map adventure. The premise of a disagreement on what the big problem is could be fun, and hey, griffons! Plus, Rainbow and Pinkie haven't had a focus episode together since season 1.

Added to OP, along with episode 100's airdate.

 

[McNum]

Interesting that not everyone will be involved in every map adventure. The premise of a disagreement on what the big problem is could be fun, and hey, griffons! Plus, Rainbow and Pinkie haven't had a focus episode together since season 1.

Which also involved a griffon. Hmm... Interesting.

 

[DrForester]

Cindy Morrow returns after being absent in S4 in this weeks "Tanks for the Memories" episode.

She has written some of the best episodes of the series (Hurricane Fluttershy and Sisterhooves Social)

 

[PaulloDEC]

Hm, it doesn't actually say who's bringing who. Maybe

Spoiler

the Smooze

is Fluttershy's new friend?

Well, if anyone could handle making friends with a giant blob creature, I guess it would be Fluttershy.

The Lost Treasure of Griffonstone

Interesting that not everyone will be involved in every map adventure. The premise of a disagreement on what the big problem is could be fun, and hey, griffons! Plus, Rainbow and Pinkie haven't had a focus episode together since season 1.

Added to OP, along with episode 100's airdate.

Oh, nice! Great to see they're up for doing map stories that don't involve the entire cast, and seeing where the Griffons live should be exciting.

Cindy Morrow returns after being absent in S4 in this weeks "Tanks for the Memories" episode.

She has written some of the best episodes of the series (Hurricane Fluttershy and Sisterhooves Social)

Damn, nothing but good news lately. Really exciting to have Cindy back on the show.

 

[draetenth]

That's not so much an episode thing as it is an

Spoiler

Applebloom

thing, if you ask me.

Spoiler

Freaking out/overreacting to anything cutie-mark related is something she has a history of doing.

Yeah, I was thinking about this today and you are right.

Spoiler

It's been awhile, but wasn't the Cutie Pox episode all about AB freaking out about her cutie mark... I'm surprised she hasn't learned her lesson. Granted this was just a 60 second clip so who knows what will happen...

Episode 07


Do we really need to hide what the "extreme lengths" are since they aired the interview with Meghan that mentioned it during commercials during the premier?

Isn't this just what tv guide puts as the episode summary? I'm not sure the cast really has control over it...

Hm, it doesn't actually say who's bringing who. Maybe

Spoiler

the Smooze

is Fluttershy's new friend?

I wouldn't be opposed to this...

The Lost Treasure of Griffonstone

Nice, I'm all about seeing the other races/species of Equestria. Personally, I would really like to see more of the Lunar Guard - I found them really neat in their short appearance.

Cindy Morrow returns after being absent in S4 in this weeks "Tanks for the Memories" episode.

She has written some of the best episodes of the series (Hurricane Fluttershy and Sisterhooves Social)

Agreed, I'm so happy she is back.

So far, I think Season 5 is shaping up to be my favorite season so far. I've liked the episodes that have aired and have enjoyed the little we know about the future episodes (except for maybe the upcoming Bloom and Gloom). Granted, things can change once the episodes air (and I do try to keep an open mind when watching them).

 

[PaulloDEC]

So far, I think Season 5 is shaping up to be my favorite season so far. I've liked the episodes that have aired and have enjoyed the little we know about the future episodes (except for maybe the upcoming Bloom and Gloom). Granted, things can change once the episodes air (and I do try to keep an open mind when watching them).

Without wanting to jinx anything, it does seem like the show is firing on all cylinders so far this year. The three episodes we've had have been great, and the news about future episodes, from synopsis to writers, has almost all been encouraging.

 

[DrForester]

Yup. Season 5 has been wonderful so far. It has a "back to basics" approach that I appreciate.

 

[SigmasonicX]

Since Bulk Bicep's TCG card revealed that he worked at the spa, people have looked through the other trading cards for hints. Not too much major. Of note:

Spoiler

* Pinkie may make "griffon scones" in episode 508.
* Maud secretly wants to go to the Grand Galloping Gala. This may mean that she'll be in episode 507 or she'll bring it up in the Pie family episode. Or, you know, it may not come up.
* Coco Pommel wants to revive her neighborhood community theater. This may happen in episode 100.

Also, ED used Paullo's Fluttershy home comparison gif and are asking who the source is, so Paullo, go claim credit!

 

[DrForester]

This is a strange episode...


edit: Totally called the Sweetie Belle scene being a dream

 

[Lupin the Third]

Yeah, I expected something dream-related after seeing the preview clip. I almost feel like they can't do what you keep suggesting re:Apple Bloom's cutie mark neurosis at this point, Dr. F (i.e., AB is last to get her mark and panics), because how different would such an episode really be?

 

[Gold Coins for Cats]

*Episode eight blurb*

Just Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash? To the land of griffons? Sounds like a Gilda revisit. Trixie got one afterall, and Rainbow and Pinkie were the main components of that episode.

Also they need to make Celestia the Princess of Daydreams so she can get some screen time without having to leave Canterlot.

 

[DrForester]

Yeah, I expected something dream-related after seeing the preview clip. I almost feel like they can't do what you keep suggesting re:Apple Bloom's cutie mark neurosis at this point, Dr. F (i.e., AB is last to get her mark and panics), because how different would such an episode really be?

I still think it's needed. It's one thing to say it won't matter. It's another thing to put it into practice.

 

[SigmasonicX]

This was a pretty fun episode. It was clear that it was going to be a dream from the start, so I was at first disappointed that they didn't play around with it more, but they did ramp up the craziness as it went on--I especially love Scootaloo drowning in whipping cream that she was whipping. I was also kind of disappointed that the thing in Apple Bloom's dream was just her shadow as opposed to something bigger, but it is what it is. I was also kind of hoping for a flashback to Luna when she was young or something, but IIRC The Journal of the Two Sisters did establish that Celestia and Luna did not worry about getting their cutie marks.

The dream segments were all pretty good, and didn't run into some of the problems that "thing you want to happen happens but wait it's all a dream" episodes have--the first scenario gave Apple Bloom a cutie mark that no one wanted her to have, and the other scenarios were cut short enough that they didn't close off the possibility of them being covered in "real life". Luna still didn't get to show off much of her personality, but eh, there's a lot of this season and still another season left at least. I did like that they gave a reason for Luna taking so long--she was busy dealing with the other CMC. Also, I loved that Apple Bloom was worried about being kicked out of the house if she didn't get an apple cutie mark. They even somewhat lampshaded the prophetic name aspect with dream Big Mac asking her to change her name.

I'm surprised they actually allowed Babs Seed to get her cutie mark. The fact that she became a barber makes that barber scene in her Friends Forever issue with Rarity somewhat odd in hindsight, but maybe that experience inspired her to become a less frightening barber. I also liked that they called back to Apple Bloom's potion lessons with Twilight.