Forgotten Friendships Thoughts (Spoilers) · 6:49pm Feb 17th, 2018
Not a lot to say about this whole thing, But first off, the good.
The fact that it went back to Sunset being the main character again was (of course) a big plus. While it contributed to the stunted run time and one of the larger bad points of the show, it kept the thing flowing at a quick pace. I also liked Sunset's characterization and how they got it spot on in all respects. She didn't sit down and cry when her friends brushed her off and was willing to go to any lengths to fix the situation despite none of her friends wanting to help. Trixie was a good side-kick to Sunset and although I do want to roll my eyes how it just deepens the Starlight Glimmer clone arguments, let's be honest, there isn't much of a pool to choose from when it comes to non-Mane 6 members with enough character development to fill the role.
Although the thing that really tears me apart when it comes to this special is Celestia. She knows Sunset has changed long before the unicorn ever goes to Canterlot, any idiot knows the only reason Sunset would approach her is if she was in big trouble, yet she glares at Sunset and has her grovel. What really aggravates me is, this is completely in character for her. She is a kind and benevolent ruler as long as you kiss her ass. The fact that they actually show that side of her in all its egotistical glory is both great, and horrible in the fact that she hasn't learned a damn thing since episode 1.
And while the negative points will soon outnumber the negative, I do want to say that they don't outweigh them.
And now the bad.
Once again, the HuMane 6 behave like total idiots. By now, they know magic exists in the world and can do a ton of crazy things. Although they started to try and go with Twilight figuring out something was wrong, them not doing it just shows their lack of intelligence. Yes, it helped move the story along quickly, but it's still reflects poorly on their characters.
Then, there's the villain. Who is by far, the worst villain in all of my little pony, and not in the cool evil way like Chrysalis. It's not her stupid and petty reasoning that leads her to actions that I have a problem with, stupid pettiness is what makes villains who they are. The reason I want to see Sunset just beat this girl upside the head is that SHE CAUSES HER OWN DAMN PROBLEM! She has no major social anxiety issues as shown by the end of the show when she's messing around in her garden without having a panic attack, she uses the magic to wipe away someone's memory of her whenever she has an awkward encounter them. Which, being an awkward teenager, is every single fucking first impression she is ever going to have.
So, overall, I like this show for the Sunset factor. Like the Anon-A-Miss comic, it shows Sunset to be unflappable in the face of despair and willing to do the right thing, even when the entire world is against her. The reason she is best pony.
As far as story of show and EqG goes, there's no evidence of any of comic plots.
As Sunset and Twilight approached the throneroom, I was wincing uncomfortably as I know what they were almost certain to do - and yet hoping that this time round Celestia might apologise for her misdeeds (and she really didn't handle the whole Sunset/Mirror thing well) or at the very least that Luna would call her on her foolish... But no. It's a kids show, and Authority Figures Can Do No Wrong.
HuMane Six were having their memories twisted. I got the impression they had forgotten that magic exists.
Along the lines of "It'd be really cool if they did but they never will...." Wallflower only took away Sunset's memories of highschool, not the larger world. That should actually produce a return of the ruthless and power hungry Sunset we got in EG1 - who would be quite happy to steal the obviously powerful magic artefact in front of her. (Queue introspective conflict because the sidetrip back to Equestria is also something she should still remember, and it woudl be really hard for EG1 Sunset to square that circle.) But no. No moral ambiguity allowed. Not even from a poacher turned games warden.
I can never decide if episodes like this need one more pass from an editor - or one less pass from a network censor. The ideas are good, but there's this glass ceiling the characters keep hitting.
Self-deprecation is not groveling, it seemed to me that Celestia was just letting Sunset speak first (which she seems to do a lot, she'll let Twilight rant and Rarity drool all over her even when she really didn't like it in Sweet and Elite) and get her feelings out. Groveling takes at least a couple minutes more than Sunset's apology took. I do think that making Celestia keep up her passive mask at the time, and having Twilight be a spazz for the billionth time (
) was a mistake on the writers part (big surprise
). It would've been better if Celestia had interrupted Twilight's babbling and said, "Please Twilight, let Sunset speak... what is it my pupil?" or something similiar.
Remember when Starlight is a Sunset Clone wasa thing now they have turned around despite the fact Sunset came first. Also for all those who think she is a clone of Starlight they are complete opposites, Starlight see the world in a very utilitarian viewpoint in comparison with Sunset's more emotional way of looking at the world, even when she was bad she understood how important emotions were.
I think you meant one of these to be positive.
That's a fairly common mode in old tales.