Ah, a pretty nice episode before we get to the epic episode.
It wasn’t quite as entertaining as last week Spike’s episode. Considering this didn’t exactly have a crazy Rarity. But it does have a bit of a relatable conflict and a very good moral that can resonate not just with kids. I loved both Spike and Twilight in this episode. One of the things I’m glad that the episode didn’t do that a lot of other shows might of done, is when Spike thought he could light things on fire with his mind. The other characters don't take time from the episode to make Spike believe the lie further then he should. Twilight as soon as Spike tries to use these mind powers a 2nd time immediately confronts him that wasn’t the case. It made Spike sad, but it would of been so irritating to see the characters just try to continue the lie only for them to reach the conclusion later when they could have done it in a few seconds like how the episode actually handled it.
When Spike was attempting to sing the Cloudsdale anthem. I had a hard time deciding if I should laugh because of the reactions from everypony else or feel really bad for Spike that he had to suffer such an embarrassing moment. It’s a bit funny to see the complete failure, but at the same time it’s hard to watch if you can relate to Spike at this moment.
Now there is two problems that I do want to bring up. They’re mainly nitpicks and they don’t really ruin the episode as more they really kinda sour stuff from either they came from something an earlier episode or it kinda makes some build-up that we have had since the end of Season 3 kinda pointless.
The first is of course with Fluttershy being an athlete in the Equestria Games. I said in my last episode response that the writers put themselves into a hole regardless of how they did it. They went with the far easier route of just having Fluttershy go with the flow and have no problems participating of the event despite such a large crowd watching her. Again this is just a problem from Rainbow Falls that had to have been continued at some point, so I can’t hold it against this episode. But I will say this: the fact she participates in an athletic event kinda contradicts Filli Vanilli, participating in the Olympics should be just as pressuring if not even more so then singing for a crowd. There’s taking baby steps like at the end of that episode, but what she does in the Equestria Games feels like something that should be one of her nightmares.
The other is the fact that all this time and build-up, ever since Games Ponies Play. . Which had follow-ups with Flight to the Finish, and Rainbow Falls. All seems completely pointless, because we barely saw any of the events other then the relay and the Ice Archery. It’s understandable if you didn’t exactly care for this if you’re not exactly a fan of sports. But I was kinda expecting a little more focus on showing the Ponified Olympics and what it means when people like me and other are fans of sports events such as the Olympics. Instead of getting an episode focused on a potentially cool cultural event, we got just a couple of parts of the event while the majority of it was on Spike. Especially when we had three episodes prior to this building it up. This is probably done because more focus was put on another ongoing arc, the Rainbow Trinket arc that comes to an end at this week’s finale. But nonetheless gives Season 4 a bit of a flaw, in which build up in two earlier episodes of the Season only build-up to what was essentially just a subplot in it’s final episode. And it also makes Games Ponies Play a little more useless as well (Interesting to note though, that Dave Polsky wrote both the beginning and end of the Equestria Games related episodes). The episode is still good and all, but this is probably the one thing that may leave people head scratching whenever we look back at episodes like Games Ponies Play, Rainbow Falls, and even Flight to the Finish. The very title of the episode is even kinda misleading, I don’t think anybody would hear the title “Equestria Games” and think “Yeah that sounds like a good title for a Spike episode!”
Other then that though, this was an enjoyable episode. But I’m sure this will be all overshadowed by next saturday as we finally get to the ending of the Season. Where not only should we get a more epic conclusion to an arc that’s been around since the beginning of the season. But a two-parter that I think could challenge the opener for my favorite potentially, and may outdo Canterlot Wedding Part 2 in pure epicness. I am hyped as Tartaurus for this finale, and I hope it proves to be the final ingredient that makes Season 4 ultimately kickass. Well more then it already has been anyway ;)
its-homerj-deactivated20140626 asked: Why do you feel that Twilight and Spike's relationship in the show is more of mother/son, and not so much of a sibling relationship. Because although the show as of now doesn't outright explain their relationship, I can pick up on the subtleties they throw in, so in my opinion which does not veer into headcanon territory, I feel that it's actually a little bit of both. Similar to the relationship of Lilo/Nani or Katara/Sokka.
In show I do believe it has elements of both, so I’m with you there in regards to that. It’s just that in Genie Twilight that I really wanted to take it a different direction. I know for sure the show will never lean too heavily towards the Mother-Son angle because:
1. Twilight being a single parent would be odd in terms of relatability with young girls. (Even if they do sell those baby dolls xP)
2. The unfortunate implications as a result of this because of Equestria Girls (Twilight being a Teen Mom c.c Even if you believe Twilight is essentially age regressed. It wouldn’t stop some people thinking that since Twilight was a Teenager in Equestria Girls. That means she’s already taking up parenting at an early age if they ever went for the Spike becomes Twi’s adopted son). Equestria Girls is not canon to my ask blog. And I firmly have Twilight at a young adult age in the blog.
and 3. Spike being a bit of a comic relief character in the show more times then there are actual cute moments between Twilight and Spike kinda makes it less of a thing.
But the few moments we do get are special enough. The ending of Owl’s Well That Ends Well, The fact we learn that Twilight hatched Spike in Cutie Mark Chronicles, Spike’s role in Lesson Zero, The fear door scene in Crystal Empire, and yes, even Spike’s role in Equestria Girls (Despite the fact they made him a dog, which prior to the movie I was not happy to see. Though in terms of the plot. It was better for Spike to be a dog cause it’d be an 8-10 year old kid if he was human hanging out at a High School :V) are all great moments between Twilight and Spike to feed at least some of my want for Mother-Son moments between Twilight and Spike.
In my ask blog Genie Twilight, I enhance it further by having Twilight and Spike a bit closer then they are in the show. Spike is the main reason Twilight decided to remain a Genie.
I just feel like Twilight and Spike’s relationship is a bit more special then most character relationships in any show today when you really think about it. If you think they’re more brother-sister that’s fine. There are plenty of moments that are more closer to being between siblings then mother and son between them. I just wanted to provide another look at their relationship regardless or not the show actually follows it with my own ask blog that delves into something a little more. Heck my Mother’s Day Special on Genie Twilight coming up might provide a little more insight on how I view Twilight and Spike’s past. ^^
But please don’t think that I absolutely think Twilight and Spike must be Mother and Son in the show. I won’t lie that I prefer the Mother and Son angle. But I wouldn’t rage if say if there was a future episode that had Twilight and Spike call eachother little brother and/or big sister.
its-homerj-deactivated20140626 asked: I actually disagree with how Secret Of My Excess is considered to be the best Spike-centered episode in the entire series. That's because, while I still consider it a decent episode, in my opinion, the biggest problem I had with it is that, it rarely showcased what makes Spike such a great character, and instead focuses more on the flaws of his character (such as his inherent greed). Unlike "Inspiration Manifestation", in which that episode instead focuses on showing what makes him work overall.
Yeaaah in terms of Spike’s portrayal in the episode. Secret of my Excess isn’t the best because most of the episode Spike is being fueled by greed that seems to be dragon natural instinct. But I don’t know, the moments he is not fueled by his greed. Like giving his heart ruby to Rarity, and when Rarity makes him return to normal with the same ruby.
But I don’t know I feel the rest of Secret of my Excess is just too entertaining, even if Spike himself isn’t quite the best he can be. Twilight shows care and worry for Spike when she takes Spike to the doctor, Pinkie’s reaction to Sugarcube Corner getting destroyed is priceless, Fluttershy and Rainbow being Good Cop, Bad Cop is hilarious, and plenty more. ^^
It’s just personal preference. If Spike’s portrayal is the #1 thing then Inspiration Manifestation is probably the best Spike episode. But It’s not a bad thing though that Inspiration is only #2. I feel Inspiration Manifestation, Secret of my Excess, and Power Ponies, and Just for Sidekicks are the Spike episodes that are legitimately good or enjoyable. I’m not intending to say Inspiration is bad, just I liked Secret of my Excess overall more.
its-homerj-deactivated20140626 asked: On a different matter, I actually thought last Saturday's MLP episode, "Inspiration Manifestation", was a great episode, and in my opinion, the first great Spike-centered episode in the entire series so far.
Yeah, it was a good one. Probably the best one since Secret of my Excess. I kinda think Excess was better, but that’s not to say Inspiration was bad. Here’s how I’d rank the Spike episodes from best to worst:
1. Secret of my Excess
2. Inspiration Manifestation
3. Power Ponies
4. Just for Sidekicks
5. Owl’s Well That Ends Well
6. Dragon Quest
7. Spike at your Service
ask-keystar asked: have you watched any of the japanese dubs? I am up to season 2 now and other than 2 songs in english it's very well done. the voices are very well and fit the characters. discord doesn't quite sound the same without john delance but it's still very good.
I have not actually xP
I might get around to eventually seeing at least some of the songs in Japanese. But I personally don’t get why I’d want to see a show I saw prominently in English in Japanese.
Heck I’m kinda that way even with Animes. To be fair, I don’t watch alot of Anime in general. But I rarely watch subs. AKA the only way to watch an Anime entirely voiced in Japanese without knowing what the heck the characters are saying. Cause I don’t know the Japanese language nor do I feel the need to learn it xP
Anonymous asked: I find your reviews interesting. What i like about you is that you don't let an episode make you hate a character that right there makes you awesome in my books. Most reviewers i know have pretty much turned on pinkie because of her downgrading to just plain old comic relief. At least you don't go that far.
Thank you ^^
I can’t hate any of the Main 6. All six of them at one point have done stupid things (Even my favorite pony Twilight has made me facepalm on at least one occasion), but when in one episode they’re not portrayed the best. They have another where they’re portrayed near perfectly. I may complain about how Pinkie was done in some scenes of Three’s a Crowd and Filli Vanilli. But it’s episodes like Pinkie Pride that remind me why I still like Pinkie regardless. :)
its-homerj-deactivated20140626 asked: Also by my logic, in terms of the amount of subscribers, that doesn't include those like YouTube game analyst PewDiePie, I'm only saying for the most part that's actually the case, meaning that it only goes for professional brony analysts Josh Scorcher and Silver Quill.
PewDiePie’s a game analyst?
I thought he was just a Let’s Player that regardless if you like or hate him, just plays games while commentating over them while entertaining his followers. I have never heard the words analyst, reviewer, or anything in regards to PewDiePie.
its-homerj-deactivated20140626 asked: Also, I actually didn't hate Somepony to Watch Over Me the first time I've watched it, in fact I used to enjoy it overall. Yet when I found out about what Josh Scorcher and Silver Quill had said about the episode, I realized that they both have made a legitimately good point that the episode's message is what ruined it overall, since the first time I watched it I didn't really know what the message of the episode was, so when I got to watch it again, I finally understood where they came from.
I just find that weird then. I just don’t know, a bad moral isn’t enough to make me enjoy an episode less. Especially not to the point how you’ve changed on Somepony to Watch Over Me. I like Friendship is Magic because it’s usually a bit of a jack-of-all-trades on almost all things. And even when one of those trades fall short of the quality we usually get from the show, I can appreciate most of the rest. I don’t watch the show for the morals, a good moral is just icing on the cake. I watch it to be entertained, and for the characters. A bad moral might spoil some things about an episode but if I’m entertained, then I’m satisfied.
If you asked me which I’d rather watch between Somepony to Watch Over Me & Apple Family Reunion. I’d pick Somepony to Watch Over Me because it was actually somewhat entertaining. Cause I found Apple Family Reunion boring. And regardless of how good the moral might of been or how it didn’t really harm anyone’s character. I just feel an episode that at some level is bad, but ultimately some entertainment worth is better then an episode that for the most part is soundly good but doesn’t entertain you at almost any level. My least favorite episodes of the series has the worst of both, bad elements of the episode and not entertaining overall. Which Look Before You Sleep (Least fav of Season 1), Mysterious Mare-Do-Well (Least fav of Season 2), Spike at Your Service (Least fav of Season 3), and Rainbow Falls (Least fav of Season 4) all have that in common.
its-homerj-deactivated20140626 asked: Well I'd say it's kind of hypocritical for you to point out that Mr. Enter does not influence your opinion on an episode, which correct me if I'm wrong, you posted a reflection on Rainbow Falls on your own blog, within a few days after it aired, you said that you enjoyed it overall. Yet a month or so later, you may have watched his review on the episode, and ended up changing your opinion on it, without considering what valid points the analysts I frequently mentioned have made.
Most of my thoughts on each episode are a combination of first impressions and just what I thought about the main things about an episode. I don’t think I said I enjoyed Rainbow Falls Overall. I plain out said at the beginning of my thoughts on Rainbow Falls was “But I’m not too sure if I enjoyed this one like most of Season 4. ” That’s not a good sign because for most episodes of Season 4. I started my thoughts with something a little more positive then that. Saying an episode was fun, cute, or in the case of Somepony to Watching Over Me. Saying it had a crazy 2nd half of the episode.
Also Mr. Enter’s reviews come out not too long after an episode aired. So it definitely wasn’t a month. My opinion on Rainbow Falls was always sort of negative. Sometimes when a reviewer agrees with your opinion, if you both liked it. You like the episode even more because the reviewer pointed out things that you didn’t notice that was great about the episode. The opposite case is also true. If you disliked an episode, an episode from a reviewer that also did not like it may make you dislike it even less if they point out another flaw in the episode. The latter was my case with Rainbow Falls.
its-homerj-deactivated20140626 asked: Again, you're ignoring my main point which is that, me many of the brony analysts out there with over 20,000 subscribers on YouTube, unlike your supposed favorite analyst The Mysterious Mr. Enter who has at least only 15,000, such as Silver Quill, Josh Scorcher, and even Tommy Oliver, don't hold as huge of a grudge with the episode as you do. They've said that despite having some issues with it, they enjoyed it overall even if it was a key episode for Rainbow Dash.
So? What does subscriber count have to do with it? It’s my opinion. I’m not seeking my thoughts to influence others. Heck I don’t even think that’s what the Analysts are doing because otherwise that’s just not right. They’re just explaining why they like or dislike an episode in their videos. A review of an episode you like that an analyst didn’t, might make you like the episode less. But I doubt it would make a complete 180 and hate the episode like what the reviewer said. Bridle Gossip was such an episode that I used to like alot, but hearing later on about the flaws such as what the Voice of Reason said about it. I like it less then I did a few years ago. But the point is I still like Bridle Gossip despite people like Voice of Reason saying it’s the worst episode of the series.
Tommy Oliver has said he thinks It Ain’t Easy Being Breezies is the worst episode of the series. And I’ve seen even those who disliked the episode wouldn’t really say it was that bad. He even said when talking about it, it’s just different tastes in media.
In short: The Brony Analysts are not the end-all, be-all decision on what makes a good or bad episode. If you’re looking for analysts to decide which episodes are good or bad. You’re doing it wrong. Mr. Enter is only my favorite because I tend to agree with him more then I don’t. But there have been times I disagreed with his thoughts on an episode. So I don’t entirely let Mr. Enter influence how I feel about an episode either.