Well, it finally happened. I cried from a pony episode.

Also, Diamond Tiara is best pony.

Comments

[Yoshi1990]

I won't admit to "crying" because of an episode, but 3 episodes have touched me in an emotional way.
This one did make me happy, but not one I'd say touched me.

[Wild Zontars]

OK, can you explain that one to me? All I saw was a mini-MMC. Too many musical numbers and not enough story, topped off by a non sequitur toyetic ending, and setting up the Junior Magic Map Squad to run around and solve problems in the most idiot-ball-hogging way possible. Everyone else is going on about how great it is, and I just keep going 'wat'.

[Yoshi1990]

3461342 Put simply, a lot of fans like that the CMC finally got cutie marks, and that Diamond Tirara finally got some character development.
Sure the story was a bit rushed. That's what the songs were for, to tell story in faster pace, since there is a 22 minute time limit.

[pjabrony]

3461342 There were definitely parallels with MMC, but here's why this episode worked and MMC didn't:

1. The problem being solved as a trigger to the ascendancy was one that had been set up over time. In MMC, there's this spell we've never heard of, that has an effect we've never heard of, that creates a problem we didn't know was a problem. In CotLM, the problem is: Diamond Tiara is a bitch. We know she's a bitch. She's always been a bitch. And, more often than not, she loses because she's a bitch.

2. The resolution to the problem is based on reasoned interaction between characters. In MMC, the cutie marks are fixed over the course of one song. The only nod toward solving the problem is Fluttershy's line, "I don't know anything about taking care of animals...but I do know Rainbow Dash is a good friend." Not enough. Here, we see the Crusaders open up to DT, slowly, somewhat reluctantly. And DT doesn't just turn good immediately. We see her struggling with conflict, internally as well as externally in the form of her mother.

3. The reward is one that makes sense. People have made the case that the first three seasons were setting up Twilight to become a princess, but I don't see it. We know, though, that the CMC have been seeking for their cutie marks. And what does creating new magic have to do with becoming a princess? Nothing that I know. On the other hoof, what does helping others with their cutie marks have to do with the CMC getting theirs? EVERYTHING! We know what their special talent is, we've watched them do it over years.

(Also, can I just say that I called it over three years ago when I wrote about Scootaloo getting her cutie mark in getting her cutie mark. (Derpy's Human, chapter 7))

Now, both of these episodes tell me something about how the creators view this show. Because they're constrained by the 22-minute time limit, they choose not to do a slow, emotional burn on character ascendancy moments. Instead, they like to throw a lot of action and plot at us in aid of those moments. That's not the best way to build character or effect emotion. When they do have time, with two-parters and with movies, they use it to stir the emotions of awe and victory, not pride and accomplishment.

However, for what they do, they do it superlatively.

[book_burner]

3461387 I really, really, really need to watch the second half of Season 5, don't I?

Holy shit, they finally got their cutie marks? I thought that was going to be a running No Progress Allowed quest until the show got cancelled!

[Sozmioi]

3464289

DIT-FREAKING-TO

I really hoped they'd get them one by one, though. There are a few things they could have done with that.