Gotta say it, Flutterhulk is best Power Pony xD

Anyway another good episode for Season 4. This was probably the best Spike episode since Secret of my Excess. It completely trumps the disaster that was Spike at your Service, and has more going it for the decent but not too amazing Just for Sidekicks. The episode kinda sorta covers the issue of Spike being essentially useless to the Mane 6. When there have been times where he’s proven useful (Ex: Lesson Zero & Crystal Empire). So for any Spike fans, this should be much appreciated.

The origin of the Mane-Iac is just like a commonly known origin of the Joker. The story of the villain falling into a vat of chemicals was exactly that in the 1989 Batman film. Which is pretty cool I’d say.

Regarding the powers given to the Mane 6 though. Let me give my thoughts on each one.

Twilight Sparkle (Masked Matterhorn) - I feel Twilight was actually NERFED more then powered up. She could already shoot lasers before (Canterlot Wedding & Princess Twilight Sparkle for examples) and had more abilities then she had in the comic book. Even though she had a freeze ray as well and possibly quite a bit of different types. She showed she could essentially time freeze ponies around her back in Castle-Mania. This is one of the few examples I’d say where a character is actually weaker then they potentially were when turned into a superhero.

Applejack (Mistress Mare-volous) - The Wonder Woman inspiration works really well here. They didn’t exactly go full Lasso of Honesty here as much as that would fit even more. But regardless the only better choice might of been the most common ability known of Superman. Giving Applejack super strength.

Rainbow Dash (Zap) - I can’t be the only one that think she probably should of got the Super speed right? She’s one of the fastest ponies shown in the show, Maybe it was a little too redundant? But then why did they give Twilight just a Magic laser then? Ah well, Storm powers are decent enough… even if once again that’s rather redundant given she’s a Pegasus. I also think her Sonic Rainboom counts as a stronger Superpower then anything she does in this episode.

Rarity (Radiance) - I found it rather interesting they chose to give Rarity the Green Lantern powers. And they had really good uses for it in the episode. Even if it’s like she was the only one (Besides maybe Pinkie) that was actually buffed by the super powers.

Fluttershy (Saddle Rager) - This was probably the most entertaining part of the episode. Fluttershy was given the Hulk. But she’s one that’s not that easy to anger (Until you threaten one of her friends and/or animals). I can say I was laughing pretty hard as soon as she was smashing up Mane-iac’s machine. Really the only time Fluttershy being angry has not been funny as all heck was in Putting Your Hoof Down. Because she basically said “Fuck You” to both Rarity and Pinkie Pie.

Pinkie Pie (Fili-Second) - She worked well with it anyway, but I still think the super speed should of gone to Rainbow. But the Cupcakes thing at the end was kinda funny.

However the superpowers weren’t really the focus as it was on Spike. And I hope I can credit for the most part Meghan for him being awesomely portrayed here. As Meghan wasn’t the only writer of this episode. (There was also Charlotte Fullerton of Suited for Success fame… and Putting Your Hoof Down infamy, and a new writer named Betsy McGowen) but she usually writes the best Spike out of any of the writers. (I gave Equestria Girls a 5 out of 10, but Spike’s performance despite being a dog is one of the reasons it wasn’t lower.)

On a side note, looks like the Mane 6 are renovating the castle. I figured they’d be doing something with it. I wonder if the Castle will have any role in the Season finale. Maybe even possibly the place eventually being Twilight’s new home? Those who are distressed about Twilight moving shouldn’t be so alarmed. The castle is in close proximity to Ponyville and it even has a larger library. You have to wonder what the Treebrary in Ponyville was before Twilight moved there. I seriously doubt that place is going to forever be Twilight’s home, especially now in her current status as a Princess.

All in all, while the whole powers thing was weird. A lot of the logical fallacies that fall within the Comic book parts, can be excused that this is based on the old comics where the villains were just crazy, had nonsensical plots and to some extent the heroes as well. Example being how Applejack was able to use her lasso on a tornado. I have a feeling if she tried that in Equestria, that wouldn’t have worked. But in a comic book world where it defies physics that even Equestria usually manages to keep in, it works. This is probably one thing that might make or break an episode. If you’re not familiar with or can’t appreciate the charm about parodying the old comics to the point they’re using those fallacies to their advantage then you probably won’t like or care for the episode. It’s just really supposed to be a fun watch just like how those old comics were just silly fun reads. And I think it succeeded in that department, for those that watch it in a more analytical way it might not be as fun. But if you’re looking for entertainment, I think it provides. Especially near the end regarding Fluttershy.

Anyway, that’s all I have now. Season 4’s remaining pretty consistently good IMO. Even if Daring Don’t seem to be the only mixed opinion one, that’s only because it has a bit of an odd concept not a lot of people expected. I think if you can suspend your disbelief on that one. That one was still a pretty decent episode. I am a bit worried about the next episode though, considering it’s Merriwether Williams here and it’s concept seems to be based on a real-life political issue and if either Applejack or Fluttershy are portrayed as if they’re in the wrong. There will be controversy. But whatever happens. I think we still got a very good start for the first 5-6 episodes of Season 4.