So I took Rokas' advice, sort of... · 7:46pm Feb 16th, 2013
And I made myself a nice steaming cup of blueberry herbal tea, unsweetened like the @#$% Yank I am, and strong enough to peel paint. Now, let's talk about this episode and what it means for the Appletheosis universe.
I am of two very different opinions about how it all went down. I adored the music. It played out like a world-class musical, but it put me in mind of Russian ballet. This episode was there for the spectacle, and it delivered on that point quite well, however, like one of Tchaikovsky's compositions, the plot took a second place to the music and the lights. That's not to say it wasn't there, it just wasn't important to the episode. But it was important to me.
I was quite right that becoming an Alicorn with a capital A is about connectedness. I also think I was right that Cadence is a genetic alicorn, based on Celestia's statements about "new magic." I get the feeling that this is something that Celestia has been trying to 'encourage' for a long, long time, with many ponies over the course of her long, long life. The... Star-field-spirit-world scene absolutely fascinated me. The Messiah archetype was amusingly blunt. Charred remains, life flashing before her eyes, "Well done, my good and faithful student," descending from heaven to manifest before her disciples friends... I'm just amused they didn't have her eat a fish and a honeycomb.*
All in all, I don't think there will be any significant changes in the direction I'm taking Service of the Goddess. Indeed, I think it meshes nicely with the mythology I have already. However, I will simply have to ignore this episode, for the sake of continuity. I'm also not going to add an AU tag, just because, but I'm okay with the turn that the show has taken, and I can't wait to see how the writers are gonna spin this one in season 4.
* "Applejack, do you love me?"
"Ya know Ah love ya!"
"Then feed the sheep."
"Whut?"
Oh! And I think Cadence's position and role in the coronation cements the vassal-state theory in my mind.
Also, also, Applejack's coronation was way better.
There was a continuity error - how the hay did Cadence get out of the Imperial Crystal Headdress so quickly between the coronation and her being presented to Twilight? I suspect that, after the near fiasco in "The Games Ponies Play", Cadence had a ICH wig made so she can slip in and out of it quickly. For some reason, this theory makes me imagine Rarity screaming in grief.
I'm very, very interested to see precisely what is this future task Celestia has lined up for Twilight, implied strongly in their discussion on the psychic plane.
Or she invented "Love" magic. maybe not, but the possibility's there.
834520
She had plenty of time, since Twi "alicorn'ed" at night and the coronation took place during the day. Plus, she had the ponies who's job it was to make the headdress thingy.
this story is better than the canon atm IMH
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I actually really liked the episode till Twi came down from the heavens. After that i nearly died from corn overdose and regret. I get the terrible feeling that Twilights delightful shenanigans as a slightly unhinged librarian are over.
I kept hoping till the end that her alicornication or whatever would be done with a nice moral of giving up power for greater good or whatever, so hasbro would have their alicorn Twilight dolls promo and we'd keep the awesome show but... meh.
Still, as episodes go, it was better then mare-do-well.
834417
Agreed. If you notice during the opening song, there's Crystal Ponies in Ponyville, and also at the coronation. Crystal Empire is definitely integrating itself into the Equestrian kingdom... queendom... Divine Territories, there we go.
You're also one of the few who realized what the whole thing symbolized. Twilight essentially dying, apotheosis through the visceral sacrifice, transcending the mortal coil to attain divinity. Showing up at the starry field which Celestia appeared to guide Twilight on with images of her past life... then notice the starry field became a starry road, which many mythos contain something similar to. The Norse Bifrost Bridge for example.
Descent from Heaven in a divine form, proclamation of ascension and right to rule. Definitely died and became a god.
Applejack is definitely best Alicorn. Of this I am CERTAIN.
Still, being a sucker for musicals, I really liked this episode.
O crap! I still haven't left work and I completely lost my marbles on the season finale. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH SPOILKERS EVERYWHERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
I need a memory reboot.