pleasesakurai:

waaaay off the mark, buddy

Yeah anon, we can be DBZ fans and have the common sense of not wanting/expecting Goku to get into SSB4. :P

That’s right. ^^

I didn’t mention it however because it didn’t seem that much of a big deal. As nice as it was to see Scootaloo’s home for the first time. The show does tend to hold off on some stuff that we may be curious about. Like I believe although for the longest time we’ve seen Sweetie Belle hang around Carousel Boutique, we know she has a home where she lives with her and Rarity’s parents occasionally that was shown in One Bad Apple. It’s because we don’t get alot of Scootaloo focus in general until Seasons 3 and 4 that we got anything special with Scoots.

As a result, I felt like it was safe to assume Scootaloo has a home. And heck, alive parents as well. (We just haven’t seen them yet) Since her being an orphan seems to also be a running thing just because we haven’t seen any thing of Scoots’ family. Though the show seems to not be too into showing any of the Pegasi character’s family. The only one we have so far seems to be Rainbow’s father in the flashbacks we got in Games Ponies Play. But otherwise we have nothing for Fluttershy either.

Well this episode didn’t really provide a clear answer on whether Scootaloo is not able to fly. It’s probably for the best, because people who prefer she’s disabled can say that’s how it is. And others who don’t can simply say she’s a late bloomer.

But overall the episode was good for your average CMC episode. I don’t think it’s better then Sleepless in Ponyville, but I certainly believe it’s above One Bad Apple. Though “Hearts as Strong as Horses” I felt was rather bland compared to “Babs Seed” from that episode and “Perfect Stallion” from Hearts and Hooves Day. I’d say as far as CMC episodes go it’s in the Top 6 (Other 5 good CMC related episodes I’d say are Cutie Mark Chronicles, Sleepless in Ponyville, Sisterhooves Social, Ponyville Confidential, and Family Appreciation Day

For at least a short time, I thought that there was a possibility that maybe Scootaloo was getting her cutie mark. Especially when near the end when it had Scoots look at her flank. But that was cut off a split second when Scootaloo did the “Cutie Marks in Flag Carrying” thing. Then again if she did get her Cutie Mark there’d only be a few seconds to celebrate it, and it would of been a little while before the next CMC episode to elaborate on it.

All I know though, is I’m glad this didn’t have the worst ending possible where Scootaloo suddenly knows how to fly by the end of the episode because she just happened to work so hard.

One thing I really like is the idea that Ponyville isn’t just a place for Earth Ponies, which a huge part of the economy being the Apple family may suggest. And it is indeed represented as a town where all three pony types live together in peace. Which considering Hearth’s Warming Eve, makes sense.

This episode makes me wonder when the Equestria Games are going to come into play in the Season though. We’ve had Games Ponies Play and now this episode to build up to it.

Rainbow Dash was pretty good in this episode. But her best part was at the end by far where she again shows she’s the element of Loyalty in telling the CMC to stick to their team and even going straight back to Ponyville to have them talk with Scootaloo and providing the rather vague word on whether Scootaloo can fly or not. Honorable mention as well to Rainbow Dash’s expressions not only in the first half of the episode but her reaction to Scootaloo’s remark on the Flag carrying Cutie Mark at the end.

But anyway the big thing of the episode of course was to provide more details on why Scootaloo hasn’t shown herself to be a good flier yet. Does it deliver? Well it’s actually up to everyone to think about. Which depending what you wanted from the episode either means it’s underwhelming since it doesn’t provide more clearance on whether Scoots is a disabled pegasus or not. But it’s not nearly as vague as say Applejack’s parents’ death being represented as comets in Apple Family Reunion. There is a basis that Scooaloo could be disabled, maybe eventually she will fly but she won’t be able to do it like normal Pegasi because that’s just how it is with her condition. And from this look into the episode, this episode does bring some brilliance to the entire series. If Scoots is even mildly physically disabled, everypony still treats her like any other pony around and they don’t consider Scootaloo a filly that has special needs all the time. As Scootaloo has even shown as much confidence and big dreams that rivals Rainbow Dash’s own on her good days. It even provides more brilliance to the whole Ponyville representation besides just the “three types of ponies are friends” they’re accepting of all kinds of ponies. Including ponies that may not be able to do what’s considered normal for Ponies. It’s especially heartwarming and excellent of Rainbow Dash’s character to believe Scoots is awesome whether or not Scoots will fly considering she’s one of the best fliers in Ponyville. She’s willing to let Scootaloo be like a little sister to her as shown in Sleepless in Ponyville despite the vastly different skill in flight. And is even proof that Scoots looking at Rainbow as a role model is rewarded in she finds a role model where she wishes she could fly as good as her, and she’s able to comfort Scoots herself when she’s down. And it makes sense since Scootaloo isn’t the only pony she’s done this for, as you remember Hurricane Fluttershy where she showed how supportive she is of Fluttershy in comparison to her abrasiveness in Dragonshy.

If this episode had more of the heart that was in the scene where Rainbow and the CMC go back to Ponyville to see Scoots, this episode would be hailed as one of the greatest episodes of the show. For some maybe it already is, but I think there’s more that could of been done. But I’m sure every bad episode would of liked their only problem be that the episode didn’t do enough rather then actual huge errors. So definitely consider Flight to the Finish a passing episode of the Season. Right now my least favorite episode of Season 4 is Castle-Mania, and that one isn’t that bad. So I’m liking where things are going right now. Let’s hope Season 4 continues providing quality after quality.

(If you need a little more clearance about what the Genie Twi response to this episode is about. Scootaloo could wish for Twilight to give her flight, but she heard that Rainbow Dash refused to become a wonderbolt with a wish. And Scootaloo decides to follow in those same footsteps with flying. Scoots in Genie Twi won’t accept a flight ability she didn’t learn. Much like how Rainbow won’t try to become a Wonderbolt with a wish. Though as Genie Twi says, the Wonderbolt thing wouldn’t actually work out well even if Rainbow did try)

Well Rainbow Dash sure proved herself to be quite the fangirl hasn’t she xD

Anyway this was a good episode. I might need a few more watches if it holds up more then Read It and Weep or anything. but as an Indiana Jones fan, someone who really liked Rainbow’s nerdy side that started from Read It and Weep.

One thing I’m a bit conflicted about is if I think it’s cool or not that Daring Do is an actual pony and all her adventures in the series actually happened. On one side, we have an awesome butt-kicking character that’s actually within Friendship is Magic’s universe and thus fan art and fan comics can explore more interaction between Daring Do and other actual ponies since well Daring Do is actually real in the universe. On the other hand it’s kinda a shame that the one example of what seemed to be a fiction within what’s already a fictional universe now is actually revealed to be real-life. Even if it’s the Mane 6 who are the only ones that know this now. It’s not a huge issue with me, I’m just a bit conflicted about the idea that the Daring Do series is essentially autobiographical in terms of her adventures.

Otherwise, those who liked Read It and Weep and/or Rainbow Dash being a fangirl should really like this episode. Many of the jokes in the first half was pretty much exactly like Rainbow Dash being a stand-in for some of us who are fans of our favorite thing. Such as the excitement for the next part of the series (Which could apply to the next Season for a show, the sequel to a movie or video game, etc.), complaining about a delay, and utterly going crazy when she’s meeting the author and even more so when the Author turns out to be Daring Do (Even if that part is unrealistic in terms of us fans, it’s not like when if we met Tara Strong or Roger Craig Smith they’re secretly Twilight Sparkle and Sonic the Hedgehog in real life… right?)

The episode was just a good watch. Actually in some ways, you know how I said Castle-Mania kinda felt like a good normal Season 1 episode? I kinda feel like Daring Don’t is sorta reminiscent of a good normal Season 2 episode I think. Given I think most of the episode focused on Dash more then anypony else while the previous episode focused on the pretty much everypony. Season 2 had more episodes focused on one pony then they had any of episodes of the Mane 6 altogether and even tended to up the scale in the pure entertainment value then Season 1 did. Could this mean we get a little more balance between the two 26 episode seasons? We’ll just have to wait and see.

Last thing I want to address is how before the first screenshot of “A.K. Yearling” showed up. There was the thought that the possibility that the author was Twilight’s Mom because of a hint in the comics. I’m one that would of loved that, but lowered my expectations as soon as I saw a screenshot of A.K. Yearling. I admit I’m a bit disappointed this didn’t turn out to be the case. But I’ll be awaiting to see what the comic artist says about this. But it would of absolutely made my day to have an episode where not only does Twilight’s Mom appear and speak. But have a good role for an entire episode. Oh well, looks like my dream episode of a visit from Twilight’s parents could come in the future even if it’s not this Season. But I made sure not to let it affect my initial thoughts on the episode. Goodness knows how those kind of expectations set in with Apple Family Reunion in Season 3. (Back then I was hoping on anything more then just a subtle hint of comets about AJ’s parents, especially when the writer of the episode was the same one who did Hurricane Fluttershy. But it turned out to be one of most dullest episodes of the series since Look Before Your Sleep)

toonboy92484:

lilboulder:

My Little Pony: Triple Trouble in Paradise

DaringTwiDash OT3.

darkwee009 said:Twi/Daring/RD. Someone make a ship name for that.

Dare-Light-Dash?

My Desktop. I posted it before. And I don’t have a change of wallpaper but I’ve changed some of the icons of the folders. The Order of Twilight game already had it’s icon, but there’s my Alicorn Twilight image folder, Genie Twilight essentials (Where I keep the spritesheets and such), and the general Genie Twilight folder where I keep every single image I’ve done for Genie Twilight as of so far. There’s also the folder for Twibrary images and lastly a folder where I keep stuff for Project M (A mod of Super Smash Bros. Brawl) to the right

Alright Castle-Mania.

The first normal episode (Non two-parter, Non Special Occasion like MMC) since Games Ponies Play.

And from first impressions. It was ultimately good, but not really too great. A few things were too predictable. From the eyes moving from the pictures, there being no real Shadow Pony only to show there might actually be one at the end (I wonder if it teasing something to a future episode though, that would be cool). Just a few too many Cartoon cliches that I can remember even from the old Scooby-Doo cartoons.

The reasons that a few of the Mane 6 were even there kinda felt like basic excuses given that it really boils down to what we knew about them back in Season 1. Rainbow Dash and Applejack like to compete with each other, so have them there to see who’s the braver pony. Rarity likes fabric, so have her go to try to get some ancient art from the castle that’s left and restore it for use (To be fair to Rarity fans that’s kinda cool that she’s trying to restore something). And Pinkie likes Parties, so let’s have her go assuming the Mane 6 went there for a party.

Honestly Twilight and Fluttershy are the only ones you can really say they were there for more then one reason. Twilight was told by Celestia to go there and she also wondered if the castle’s library had anything about the box the Tree of Harmony sprouted at the end of the previous two-parter. And ultimately at the end led to the replacement of the Friendship letters. The Mane 6 having a diary/journal instead of sending letters to Celestia. And as for Fluttershy, while not as big or important as Twilight’s. She still went both to help Rarity, and as it would turn out try to look for Angel who runs ahead.

On the plus side however, this episode does bring up a few cool things that sets up things for the rest of the season and even does something not a lot of normal episodes do. There’s more continuity overall with this establishing episode compared to Ticket Master and Lesson Zero (Though continuity is one of the few things it does better in Lesson Zero, I don’t know about anything else). The aforementioned replacement of the Friendship Letters is a good idea for such a purpose. And from preview screenshots and promos for future episodes that I’ve seen, this won’t be the last we see of the old castle being used. So we have another location for episodes to have in the future. Which is excellent, given that it is a rather iconic location, as even the episode itself refers to it’s where they got the Elements of Harmony. So it’s awesome we’re going to be seeing this place get more use. Some of the humor was really good, and the animation and some special cues with the voice acting were really top notch. The last time the Main 6 had a good role in the episode and wasn’t for a really special occasion though was Games Ponies Play, and let’s just say this performed a lot better then that one. The last episode that gave all the Main 6 a good role before in a less important episode before Games Ponies Play was all the way back to Season 2 with Hearth’s Warming Eve (Technially it’s kinda important with the history, but given nothing has come to really expand on what Hearth’s Warming Eve showed. Not yet). But the last real good episode to include all the Main 6 was all the way back in Season 1 with the finale of that season: Best Night Ever. While it’s a stretch to say this episode is as good as that one, it’s the previous episode to give each the Main 6 a good role and it being relatively a good episode. Those who miss these kind of episodes back in Season 1 may really appreciate this one as it’s very much in line with the Season 1 episodes that did give all the Main 6 something to do.

Overall, it’s not a better episode then the opener was that’s for sure. And not even the best season establisher (Lesson Zero keeps it’s seat there). But those who appreciated the charm of some of the classic Season 1 episodes that focused on not just one of the Main 6 during an episode might really like this episode. It does what it needs to do well enough: bring back an old location to become a recurring location. Brings a substantial replacement to the Friendship letters, and gives a good tone for a lot of the normal Season 4 episodes. Using continuity more then ever before, and not losing too much focus on what the task at hand (The box) that the opener gave us. As long as we get episodes like this or better for the most normal episodes of the series. Season 4 may relatively be healthy in terms of consistent quality most of the way through,

P.S. It was a bit difficult to decide what to do for the Castle-Mania response. So sorry if my update seemed a bit lacking of idea other then “Twilight tail hugs her friends just from remembering how things were more simpler at one point”

I suppose it was rather vague regarding that. So perhaps that’s a good observation. Perhaps it even may well hold as a good theory for those that  don’t want to believe the entire series up until this point only happened in a year. I doubt they’ll really go further on this in the show. So it might be something for those who care about that to hold on to.

Thanks for the reply ^^

I want to start on these thoughts by saying: This was the best two-parter the show has had yet. It’s better paced then any of the previous ones, it has less flaws then the previous two-parters, and we have an excellent mix of comedy, heartwarming, and an excellent beginning to the new season. Plus excitement for the rest of the season (Namely the “Six keys, Six locks” box)

They handled Twilight’s new status pretty much with ease. They both addressed the concerns, and made it clear that the show can still continue as it has been. I think even for those who were unsure about it can say they managed to fit it in quite well.

Discord was definitely a highlight of the episode. I like this “no longer evil, but still a bit of an asshole” they portray Discord as. He even got to help save the day without using his powers while still being a jerk at the same time.

And Twilight’s friends were as supportive and comfortive as I hoped they’d be. Each of her friends are helping Twilight get through the awkward phases of being a newly crowned leader. I’m hoping we see much more of this within the season.

It was just an overall great episode that even managed to give us good bonuses like showing Nightmare Moon and Celestia’s battle and Discord being turned to stone the first time around.

Now however you may be curious on what I essentially have to retcon in Genie Twilight that makes it differ from canon. I think somewhere the episode noted that the episode seemed to have implied that the entire series from Season 1 to now was all in one year. Which unless Equestrian Years are quite different from the years we know. I find that hard to believe. Because for example just look at the winter episodes we got in Season 1 and Season 2. You had Winter Wrap-Up, an episode that very much fit Twilight adjusting to Ponyville to end winter and Hearth’s Warming Eve in the middle of Winter where the friends seem to be a bit more established. Now unless Hearth’s Warming Eve takes place before Winter Wrap-Up somehow, I just can’t say that the series up until now only happened within one year. I imagine it’s a bit nitpicky and probably not even something to dwell on too much.

But I need to talk about this because this isn’t going to be the timeframe that Genie Twilight goes with. Genie Twilight’s going with that the entire first 65 episode series happened around 2-2 ½ years. The first year being Season 1, the 2nd year being Season 2, and the half year is Season 3. If I tried to retcon it now just to fit the canon timeline. Where am I going to fit Twilight and Spike’s Saddle Arabia trip in all this? As that’s supposed to happen between Seasons 2 and 3. It’s better to just have it differ from canon then trying to figure how the events of the show plus the Saddle Arabian trip all happen in one year alone. I already sometimes mentioned “year(/s) ago” so to retcon that all now for the sake of canon would be just annoying.

This issue however does not ruin much about the episode at all for me and it only bugs me a little. This two-parter is still the best 44 minutes straight of pony we have. And considering Meghan says she considers this Parts 2 and 3 for Magical Mystery Cure as well. May as well also be much, much, MUCH better 66 minutes then Equestria Girls was.