This episode was certainly very cute, and perhaps one of the most interesting moral wise.

As much as we’d love real life to be this way, we don’t get Cutie Marks that define who we are or tell us what out destiny is like the ponies have. Though that certainly doesn’t mean our purposes can’t have their symbols.

It can be as simple as a souvenir that inspires you to pursue the career of your dreams. Or it can be a job-given symbol like a badge, a license, a medal, and/or a trophy. I feel the physical representation of a cutie mark that the CMC give Gabby could serve as an excellent example of this,

This episode though does kinda make you wonder how Cutie Marks developed for Ponies in the first place. Especially as this episode seems to point out it’s especially unique to them as a species. But it definitely feels like one of those things that will forever remain a mystery. As the farthest back in time the show has ever gone was the Hearth’s Warming stories, and we can presume Ponies have had Cutie Marks even back then.

It just feels like one of those things that would be kinda difficult to explain, I’d even dare say possibly more then Alicorns have. (And we know how long people have been absolutely mind-boggled regarding Alicorns) Both Alicorns in general and Cutie Marks being gained are something Faust has added to the show. But while Alicorns are the flashy thing that gets all the attention (as well as all the drama), arguably the Cutie Marks are more intertwined of the core of the show’s lore. Because unlike previous generations Cutie Marks weren’t simply cute symbols that while they did at least still represent what the ponies’ personality is supposed to be like, it was never something they had to earn.

Part of making a good Pony OC is you need to have a good story for their Cutie Mark and what it represents. Even if you can make a great personality and design for an OC, if you half-ass the Cutie Mark in anyway you kinda screw up a major part of what Friendship is Magic ponies bring. Though that’s not to say they have to be complex, as certainly there are a few canon ponies that have simply what their job is but it certainly helps to be able to perceive a story out of the mark. Cutie Marks are one of the most iconic things to the MLP series, and the lore behind them in Friendship is Magic makes them super interesting in particular and in-universe is something most ponies really cherish (Well for the exception of Starlight and for a time some of the ponies that the CMC helped like Trouble Shoes and Diamond Tiara).

Basically what I’m saying Is that is it any wonder that Gabby wanted a mark so bad? We ourselves would like a clear symbol telling what our purpose is. But I’ll mention once more, that there are certainly things that can remedy that. Perhaps beyond just physical objects as well. Such as the people you meet who you have good, strong relations with. Whether that be friends, family, co-workers, or anything else in life. Gabby was searching for purpose, and the CMC certainly provided her. Proving their talent goes beyond cutie marks. And I think that’s a really neat thing you can take out of this episode. So I definitely feel this was a pretty strong one. Certainly an excellent CMC episode to be sure.

Next week we have something new and something old returning once more. We have the new location of Las Pegasus coming up as well as the return of the Flim Flam Brothers. It is also another Map episode. See you then for that.