its-homerj-deactivated20140626 asked: I actually consider Dave Polsky as the best writer in the entire series period. Because I feel it's due to how he has written some of the funniest episodes, which makes sense considering that he also worked on South Park. Wouldn't you agree?
I wouldn’t say entire series for FiM
I think that still belongs to Mr. M.A. Larson (Even if not all his episodes are all that great. Ex: Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000 (Granted I don’t hate that episode, all of M.A. Larson’s episodes even the ones that are definitely weaker compared to his big ones though have some degree of enjoyability. While I don’t like Swarm of the Century that much, I admit it’s probably one of the funnier episodes of the first season.)
It’s just his episodes prior to Season 4 for maybe the exception of Too Many Pinkie Pies aren’t considered favorably by fans of the show. Feeling Pinkie Keen and Over a Barrel both were funny episodes. But while Feeling Pinkie Keen got way more flack then Over a Barrel did, they both were overshadowed by the fact some people misinterpreted the episode as dumbing down of controversial political views. Like Feeling Pinkie Keen with religion, and Over a Barrel with the Native Americans Vs. The Settlers issue. (This was one reason why I was a bit worried about Bats! before it aired because it both had a writer that’s not that well-liked (Merriwether Williams) and it covered the issue of Pest Control Vs. Animal Rights)
We didn’t see Dave Polsky again until Season 3 with Too Many Pinkie Pies which other then maybe the part where Twilight blasts the clones in the Watching Paint Dry thing. Is relatively safe from the usual Dave Polsky controversy.
But then you get into Keep Calm and Flutter On where if there’s one thing other then Alicorn Twilight that the fanbase is split over, it’s if Discord should of been “reformed”. Especially in the way how quickly it seems to happen in Keep Calm and Flutter On. To this day, Keep Calm and Flutter On seems to be one of those episodes that’s good or bad depending on your mood. Like I feel Keep Calm and Flutter On was a very funny episode, it just gives this vibe of conflicting feelings until we see everything that’s in store for Discord in the future. Don’t get me wrong, I’m actually kinda happy we got to have more Discord. I thought he was great in the opener and even in Three’s a Crowd. It just feels like we’re still waiting just exactly what Discord’s purpose in being brought back is. Some are saying he’s there to be the ultimate challenge in Twilight’s friendship studies (Having to live with a being that seems to not be all too interesting in friendship in the first place) but until that’s made clear. We can’t confirm that.
Anyway, lastly there was Games Ponies Play (I’m skipping Spike at your Service, because as it turns out. Dave Polsky wrote the original version when Spike was going to serve Rarity, not Applejack. The script that was denied because Rarity was too mean to Spike. Though considering Putting Your Hoof Down was approved, I’m actually a little curious on just how mean it was. So Merriwether Williams, not that she needed a lower reputation, probably gets more credit for the final product we got) which while probably didn’t have any controversy. It was a really, really, average episode. As nothing really stood out too much, we even found out later the episode was rushed. Which is why we got the fast ending it had.
However in Season 4. For the exception of Daring Don’t which while I think it’s still a good episode it does have the mixed reactions toward Daring Do actually being a real pony instead of fictional in an already fictional universe. Rarity Takes Manehatten, Twilight Time, and now For Whom the Sweetie Belle Toils have all been at least pretty good episodes. I don’t know what Dave Polsky did between Seasons 3 and 4 that’s made him improve so much at writing FiM, but I hope it certainly continues. ^^
Oh my god, this episode was awesome!
Allow me to say exactly how much I loved this episode. This was even better then Sleepless in Ponyville. This was like a combination of two of the best episodes of Season 2 and 3 wrapped up in a golden package. I could barely find anything that was too wrong with the episode that wouldn’t be nitpicking.
The conflict is relatable, Sweetie Belle and Rarity/Luna’s voice actors both do great jobs, Luna herself had a much stronger role then she did in Sleepless in Ponyville, and this episode was like A Christmas Carol (Notice how there was a Past, Present, and Future) but it was unique for once that it wasn’t holiday related at all. One of the best things about FiM is that it tends to use plenty of overused things in media/other cartoons but it also makes it feel fresh. In this case, it turned the story of A Christmas Carol into a heartwarming story between two sisters instead of a guy who hates Christmas.
The nightmare sequence and the flashbacks (Or well foresight in the case of the Future thing) were really awesome scenes.
OMG I’m not sure if I can say anything other then just pure gush for how awesome for this episode. So instead I’ll talk about the writer.
If you don’t pay attention to the writers very much this was from Dave Polsky. Dave. “Feeling Pinkie Keen”. Polsky. Do you know how surreal it is that the one writer that was probably the most disliked up until Merriwether Williams came along is actually doing really good episodes right now? I’m actually getting the sense that I look forward to more Dave Polsky episodes rather then worrying about them. Daring Don’t, Rarity Takes Manehatten, Twilight Time, and the episode I’m talking about in this very post were at the very least good episodes. I dare say this one was his best one yet.
Seriously, huge props to Dave Polsky for really turning things around. Even if he isn’t the best writer of Season 4 by the end of all this. He really has earned an honorable mention, and probably at least is promised 2nd place as best writer of Season 4.
7 episodes left to go. Unless things really start going downhill, Season 4 is doing an amazing job and I already think it’s overall a stronger season then the first Season was. And it’s really started to creep up on Season 2. Right now that may depend on how exactly this season ends the Season-long arc to really decide if this will be my new favorite season or not. As although Season 2 definitely had more bad episodes at this point. In my opinion it had an awesome finale that ended the season off with a bang. If Season 4 can end with a bang as good as or even better then Canterlot Wedding was. Season 4 will be my new favorite for sure.
Next week I presume we’re getting Applejack’s key. So we’ll only be one key away from getting to where we need to be. There is stuff out there suggesting what the box will do, but we don’t know how the show will do it yet. I know it’ll probably have some controversy over it just like the concept of Canterlot Wedding and Alicorn Twilight did. But I can honestly say that both were done well within the show that I’m just waiting to see how they make it awesome.
Oh my god, this episode was awesome!
Allow me to say exactly how much I loved this episode. This was even better then Sleepless in Ponyville. This was like a combination of two of the best episodes of Season 2 and 3 wrapped up in a golden package. I could barely find anything that was too wrong with the episode that wouldn’t be nitpicking.
The conflict is relatable, Sweetie Belle and Rarity/Luna’s voice actors both do great jobs, Luna herself had a much stronger role then she did in Sleepless in Ponyville, and this episode was like A Christmas Carol (Notice how there was a Past, Present, and Future) but it was unique for once that it wasn’t holiday related at all. One of the best things about FiM is that it tends to use plenty of overused things in media/other cartoons but it also makes it feel fresh. In this case, it turned the story of A Christmas Carol into a heartwarming story between two sisters instead of a guy who hates Christmas.
The nightmare sequence and the flashbacks (Or well foresight in the case of the Future thing) were really awesome scenes.
OMG I’m not sure if I can say anything other then just pure gush for how awesome for this episode. So instead I’ll talk about the writer.
If you don’t pay attention to the writers very much this was from Dave Polsky. Dave. “Feeling Pinkie Keen”. Polsky. Do you know how surreal it is that the one writer that was probably the most disliked up until Merriwether Williams came along is actually doing really good episodes right now? I’m actually getting the sense that I look forward to more Dave Polsky episodes rather then worrying about them. Daring Don’t, Rarity Takes Manehatten, Twilight Time, and the episode I’m talking about in this very post were at the very least good episodes. I dare say this one was his best one yet.
Seriously, huge props to Dave Polsky for really turning things around. Even if he isn’t the best writer of Season 4 by the end of all this. He really has earned an honorable mention, and probably at least is promised 2nd place as best writer of Season 4.
7 episodes left to go. Unless things really start going downhill, Season 4 is doing an amazing job and I already think it’s overall a stronger season then the first Season was. And it’s really started to creep up on Season 2. Right now that may depend on how exactly this season ends the Season-long arc to really decide if this will be my new favorite season or not. As although Season 2 definitely had more bad episodes at this point. In my opinion it had an awesome finale that ended the season off with a bang. If Season 4 can end with a bang as good as or even better then Canterlot Wedding was. Season 4 will be my new favorite for sure.
Next week I presume we’re getting Applejack’s key. So we’ll only be one key away from getting to where we need to be. There is stuff out there suggesting what the box will do, but we don’t know how the show will do it yet. I know it’ll probably have some controversy over it just like the concept of Canterlot Wedding and Alicorn Twilight did. But I can honestly say that both were done well within the show that I’m just waiting to see how they make it awesome.
Well that was a pretty adorable episode when you really think about it ^^
Perhaps Pinkie should really of forewarned her friends. Though I think it’s a lot more mild in comparison to how Pinkie wouldn’t explain why she was gathering instruments in Swarm of the Century because although she and Maud were opposites they love each other anyway and Pinkie Pie was just hopeful that her friends would see why she looks so highly of Maud a little quicker then they did.
But this episode really had some very funny moments. I think Rainbow Dash had some of the best delivered lines in this episode (Ex: HE’S A ROCK!“) and I admit a character who’s the polar opposite of Pinkie in personality interacting with Pinkie’s friends who were probably expecting her to be at least somewhat as excitable as Pinkie had plenty of laughs on it’s own.
Also when Maud saved Pinkie… Damn that was badass. Upon seeing her destroy the rock I was thinking Maud was channeling Earthbending powers from Avatar: The Last Airbender. And it might also reinforce the theory that while Earth Ponies may not look like they have the flashiness of being able to use Magic or being able to Fly, they sure as heck can be very strong physically..
But what really makes this episode good is what I said before on how Maud and Pinkie being total opposites. Pinkie Pie acts a little over-excited over plenty of things, while Maud acts like she never has an interest in anything. But the point is by the end: Pinkie and Maud both love each other very much through thick and thin. I’m sure there has to be siblings who despite having different interests personalities or even polar opposites like we saw with Pinkie and Maud they’re still good siblings in the end. And in the end, that’s all that really matters doesn’t it?
HOLY SHIT THOSE LAST FEW MINUTES OF THE EPISODE WERE INSANE!
Now that I got that out of the way. Wow did this episode really surprise me. At first it seemed like a pretty ok Applejack and Apple Bloom episode. Maybe Applejack was taking her overprotectiveness a little too far, but damn the entire scene with the part tiger, part goat, part snake thing and what seemed like the “fiery pits of hell” was really cool and probably one of the best action sequences in the show yet. Honestly if nothing else, this episode is worth it for that scene alone.
Most of the rest of the episode is pretty straight forward but there were some really good jokes throughout. Like when it seemed like we were getting a song but then Scootaloo ends it and says “No time for a song!” that was hilariously meta. And Applejack putting a 2nd helmet on top of another helmet for Applebloom too.
It’s like this episode had a bit of a slow start, as the beginning of the episode doesn’t seem to bring anything other then the straight forward “Overprotective family member” but the episode just slowly ramps it up all the way to 11 as the 2nd half starts as some pretty good jokes make way for an awesome scene with a new antagonist that I’m sure we’re going to see plenty of fanart of in the near future. That creature with some really good artists could really be an awesome sight to behold. From what I hear that was a chimera, props to Hasbro using something that looks like it came from Dungeons and Dragons once again (Which funnily enough, is something Hasbro also owns) and putting it in My Little Pony of all things.
The only issue I’d say the episode had is maybe they had AJ being way too overprotective. And I’m not sure whether or not I remember there were moments in the series where AJ has a bit of overprotectiveness like this. And if there were. it certainly wasn’t to this level. But it certainly gives an actual flaw to Applejack other then being Stubborn. Which is good overall for Applejack’s character, part of the reason Applejack’s the least popular of the Mane 6 is that before this episode the only character flaw that we see of her is being stubborn which was fully explored in the 4th episode of the entire series. Come to think of it, Applejack was kinda controlling like this in Apple Family Reunion. But then this just means that this episode is kind of Apple Family Reunion done right. Applejack actually had more of a reason to be rather overprotective, especially if it is indeed true that AJ’s parents are dead then she would naturally be wanting all of her family to be ok. Albeit that’s a detail not a lot of first-time watchers might get because the show’s only clue is the comets in Apple Family Reunion. So from that end, it’s understandable why people might be confused why Applejack is like this. But anyway, that isn’t what I mean when I say this is Apple Family Reunion done right, I mean more so is that this episode is actually kind of entertaining.
Anyway, I think our final new writer did a decent enough job that I think so far our new writers are all passing, even Merriwether Williams (The one writer who’s debut practically soured their reputation as a writer to the FiM fanbase) in terms of Season 4 episodes is passing right now. This is pretty unbelievable how for the exception of a few slip-ups, Season 4 is firing on all cylinders. (Though uh, apparently Maud Pie is going to be written by a new Writer. But let’s hope I haven’t spoken too soon then)
Next week, we get a visit from one of Pinkie’s sisters. I’m excited to see where this goes. ^^
Seems to me that this was a pretty good episode.
But before I talk about episode as a whole. Let’s talk a bit about the Breezies. As you know, the Breezies did not debut in this generation of MLP. They were in the previous generation before it. Ya know, the one that pretty much think what any MLP show is like when they hear about it? G1 had pony characters that were pretty one note but it also had an interesting fantasy setting, G2/My Little Pony Tales (I know technically it was still G1, but it just seems easier to say it as G2) has terrible plot idea but it’s attempt was to try to make the characters relate to real life situations, G3… was just bad in almost every sense of the word. The characters barely had character at all, whatever they have of fantasy is really subdued, and there’s barely any actual conflict. Also Breezies simply were just smaller ponies with antennae and butterfly ponies. Take those away and they’re barely distinct from the others. Which is why from the moment we saw the first images of them, I kinda knew they’d be portrayed a lot better then in G3 (Not that is saying much) simply by their designs. Because they have a shape that’s distinctly there’s and there’s alone. In the actual episode, it seems the Breezies even have a kind of accent to them or at least Sea Breeze did anyway. The breezies actually have a character to them, so once again Friendship is Magic continues to stomp over the previous generation.
Anyway on the episode itself. I think it’s very much in line with Natasha’s previous episode in that it was good but not the greatest we’ve ever seen from this show. For the exception of the way they managed the ending it was pretty straight forward for the most part. The episode was cute, funny, and maybe even a little charm is given from this episode.
What disturbs me though is there seems to be a bit of controversy over the Breezie transformation near the end of the episode. Some people say the fact Twilight was able to do this makes her too overpowered and/or came up as a massive deux ex machine. Er… are we watching the same show? Twilight back in Season 1 was able to lift an astro bear and lull it to sleep at the same time, turn mice into horses, and an Apple into a carriage. And she’s only gotten better at magic since then. Transformation spells are suddenly bullshit when Twilight was fully capable of temporary time travel spells, gravity spells, and the fact aging spells are a thing even if back in Magic Duel it was very hard to do? Even so, Twilight could not have performed the spell without the Breezies actually being there as you see Twilight’s magic touch the breezes too. Meaning she copies the Breezies’ shape and transferred it to her friends. Plus it worked in context with the episode, it seems similar to how people complain about Alicorn Twilight in general when that also works in context with the show. This complaining just comes off as “How DARE Twilight be actually GOOD at her very talent!”. If her spells fixed everything more frequently it’d become more of a problem. But when was the last time Twilight’s Magic actually was the solution to the problem? The closest I could think of is the potion that Zecora had in the Opener and her turning Fluttershy back in Bats! although it was her spell in the first place that made her a vampire. As long as they don’t overuse Twilight’s magic skill to help end almost nearly all the episodes and it’s used sparingly unless it’s really, really important (Like any future two-parters). What exactly is the problem?
Anyway, that’s all I have to say. We have yet another key, and all that’s left is Applejack and Twilight now with 8 episodes to go before the Season Finale ^^
demotivatedpinkiepie asked: Pinkie: *hugs*. I, too, am trapped outside of X and Y... *sniffle*
It’s actually not that I’m trapped. I’m actually not as interested in Pokemon games as I used to ^^’ (Heck even when I was a big Pokemon fan. The only main series game I actually got to own was Pokemon Yellow)
Though don’t get me wrong though. I don’t dislike the Pokemon series. I still love to be a beast as Pikachu in every Smash Bros. game after all.
fetch26291 said: 4682-8624-7816 I don’t have ACNL. But if you play Pokémon X/Y, having me as one of your friends will give you access to a Dragon-type Friend Safari.
Unfortunately I don’t have Pokemon X&Y and probably won’t be getting it anytime soon. But if you want, I’ll still add you when I have the chance.
Alright, I have my dream address set and I might as well also post my 3DS Friend code. If you’d like me to add you, reply with your 3DS Friend Code or at least your Dream Address as well.
My current Dream Address as of Feburary 25th, 2014: 5500-3667-0784
My 3DS Friend Code: 5241-1911-2717
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This was a pretty good episode.
Now I know that CMC episodes aren’t really highly regarded. The only CMC related episode in Season 1 that’s absolutely loved is Cutie Mark Chronicles (If that counts, as it’s also kinda a Main 6 episode as well). Season 2 had a few good ones in Sisterhooves Social, Family Appreciation Day, Hearts and Hooves Day (IMO at least), and Ponyville Confidential. Season 3 had Sleepless in Ponyville at the very least, and the current season has had Flight to the Finish. Every other CMC episode though get mixed responses at best.
I think Show Stoppers is a tad underrated, but I can understand why people might be annoyed by the episode because it seems to show what the CMC’s talents are. But about 60 episodes have run since that episode and none of them have their Cutie Marks still. Call of the Cutie was at least a decent introduction of Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, Stare Master was generally ok. Even if like Pinkie Sense, we wouldn’t see the Stare used much. With Season 2, Cutie Pox was essentially filler. Nothing much is really gained though generally other then Cutie Pox the CMC episodes in Season 2 were generally better. Season 3 had One Bad Apple, which while it had quite a catchy song does have a bit of mixed responses in the way it handled bullying. In other words, Cutie Mark Crusader episodes have a broad range of how they’ve gone usually. Some have been some of the more annoying episodes of the show to some, and some ended up being at least in Top 10 or even ranked among the Top 5 episodes of the Season.
How much you like the Cutie Mark Crusaders might be one thing that works or against you going into this episode. I actually quite like the CMC, Sweetie Belle especially. So I’m happy to say that I think this episode I think has a similar quality to Ponyville Confidential. Not an entirely great episode, but good enough to be on the good side of CMC episodes. What’s interesting about this episode is usually Diamond Tiara is the catalyst of all she does since she’s almost always just there to be the recurring bully. But this time the CMC actually get the trouble themselves. Which might make it seem the CMC were idiots this time, but kids make plenty of mistakes. It’s how they learn better. The CMC do learn something from this, so it’s not totally for nothing like Cutie Pox was.
But enough about the CMC, another big thing this episode had was actually mentioning how Twilight is a Princess for once. I know people have given the season some flack for besides the opener not really using Twilight’s princess status like they could be. The biggest thing that got people raising their eyebrows was the cab driver that didn’t recognize her as a royal figure back in Rarity Takes Manehatten. But I really don’t think it’s that bad, Twilight’s Princess status not being as mentioned hasn’t exactly ruined most of the episodes. And it’s rather nitpicky. Also having her status occasionally come up again in episodes revolving around her is better then the other extreme. Where Twilight’s Princess status is somehow important to almost every single episode. Something like that could easily bring the show back to something I felt very much limited Season 1. Where Twilight had to have some role in the episode because she has to be the one that writes the moral at the end. The other extreme in Season 4 would be that every single thing that happens to the Mane 6 can’t happen without it being related to Twilight’s princesshood in some way. It’d essentially be putting a big sign over the screen that says “Twilight’s a Princess now! Remember? Huh huh huh?!” for every single episode. Even for those like me that like that Twilight’s an Alicorn Princess now, it’d be a bit grating.
Anyway on Twilight, she seemed really mature in this episode. She seemed to handle the crowd of fillies pretty great. And even seems a lot more comfortable with her status then she was during the opener. Which is really good to see. Oh I also have to say the entire fast food place part is the best scene of the episode. Not really just for Twilight eating burgers messily, but also what Scootaloo does for the Camera and everything. At first I thought that the tray around Pinkie’s neck meant that Pinkie seems to have a part-time Job at that fast food place. But then I realized since she’s an Earth pony those trays are probably there to help customers since well kinda hard to have the dexterity to hold all that food when your limbs are one big hoof.
So all in all, I think we had another good though not particular spectacular episode. That’s 2-3 great episodes, 1 rather weak episode, and 12 at least decently good so far. Chalk another one up for the quality consistency. Next week we have Fluttershy and the revival of a species that was first introduced in G3. Let’s see what this show does once again to stomp on what’s universally considered the bottom of the barrel the MLP franchise has gone through.