Princess Twilight Sparkle Review · 9:54pm Nov 23rd, 2013
So! Season four has begun and the premier has taken place. I wasn't sure what to expect, since I wanted to go into this as blind as possible and be able to take it fresh. Still, like with any other episode, I went in with low expectations. I expected to enjoy it and have fun, like I always do. And it didn't disappoint! I really enjoyed it. It felt great to be coming back into the show and seeing everything come together like it all never left. I think it was a very solid and great start to the series!
Twilight is still trying to learn to use her wings, which I expected we'd see. I'm sure all of you are wondering "Then how could she fly back in her coronation?", but I say, forget that for now. It was still entertaining and still very real (in a sense) to see Twilight trying to get a grasp on flying. As well as that, they're preparing for the Summer Sun festival, a little bit of a callback to the premier of season one. It's Twilight's first celebration as a Princess, so that adds to it as well in being special.
Speaking of that, I really enjoyed the scene between Twilight and Celestia, where she was talking about how it was once a dreadful occasion for her. Because of the fact that it was a reminder of banishing her sister. And who could blame her? I think anypony would get that way if something of that sort came about on what's supposed to be a special occasion. Still, the fact that she went through with it on her own for the past thousand years is definitely commendable. Plus, the emotion in her voice and how she put it was very touching.
Okay, then the mystery vines come around and the Princesses go missing, while the sun and the moon are in the sky at the same time. Twilight is the only Princess around that could do something, so it's very understandable that the Royal Guard would turn to her for some kind of guidance. This, I really liked. It was a great external and internal dilemma for Twilight, since she now has royal duties to attend to, but is just as clueless as everyone else is. It really shows a humble side of royalty, in how they're just as human (or pony in this case) as everyone else and don't always have all the answers. Twilight is especially vulnerable and it's very understandable. She usually does have the answers, but this time she didn't, so now she's in over her head, but she still tries to do something because the fate of Equestria is on her shoulders.
A whole lot to put on a new Princess, but at least she doesn't let it get her down. As scared and nervous as she is, Twilight persists and wants to solve this problem. Very much in-character, but she doesn't come off as a super pony, so it's still very real and has a lot of vulnerability to overcome.
It's then revealed that the Everfree Forest is invading, which is the source of all those strange black vines. We of course then see that Ponyville is in shambles with these horrific occurrences. I gotta be honest, I really liked that they turned this into what was essentially a G-rated horror movie! Attack of killer plant life! Makes me think of the first Creepshow anthology, the one starring Stephen King up against all those plants overgrowing everything. XD Still though, they really managed to make it all creepy and threatening in their own kinds of ways. This is interesting, since they're not being overtaken by a villain, but this time, by something they can't control. Especially since the vines are practically sentient and can disable magic!
Oh, and when Spike suggests to Twilight that they fly back to Ponyville, that scene made me smile. I mean, Spike buckles up a SEAT BELT, then then says this line right here, "I wish we'd had taken the train!"
I may be alone on this, but I think that was a reference to The Rescuers. I mean, it was a perfect setup! Flying on the back of an unstable flying creature, buckling a seat belt, and wishing they'd had taken the train? That was such a great reference! I love that movie, so that bit made me really happy.
And yes, I did see that little moment of FlutterDash. XD Yay!
Anyway, so then the episode took a turn for the awesome when they brought Discord in. YES! YES! All of my yes! I was already laughing and just so delighted that Discord was back again. Yep, once again, John de Lancie was just back in his role like he never left. Having a blast and bringing awesome comedic lines and visuals just like always! Yay! Plus, he was actually relevant to the plot, so they didn't just bring him back because he was awesome, but because there was an actual element to the backstory. I really liked it, it just worked so well and really came together. It was entertaining and relevant!
Understandably, they think he's responsible, but he denies it all. Okay, so it still begs the question as to what happened. Even he doesn't know, but he offers hints and suggestions that could help them out, especially when Zecora came along. Yay! Zecora's back! Awesome!
This was what induced the flashback scenes (as I expected they were), and it was all so very interesting to see a bit of the backstories when it came to the Elements of Harmony. What was neat is that they didn't offer clear answers, but instead vague hints that Twilight had to work together for herself. This I really liked, as it gave her a chance to use her mind and puzzle-solving rather than blatantly telling her what happened. It was a very creative way of showcasing what she needed to know and what she had to do in order to put two and two together.
The flashback scenes were excellent, especially when it revealed what happened between Celestia and Nightmare Moon. You could just hear how destroyed Celestia sounds when she has to banish her own sister like that, but she had to make a decision for the good of Equestria. Nightmare Moon was an entity she couldn't reason with, no matter how hard she tried. She had to do what she had to do, no matter how much it would hurt either of them. And the bit where Twilight was crying over Celestia's fallen body was very touching and well-done.
It kind of all felt like the scenes in any adaptation of A Christmas Carol, where Scrooge and whatever ghost he's with is seeing the scene for himself, but no one else can.
So then our Elements of Harmony traverse into the Evefree Forest in yet another callback to season one's premier. They're attacked by a crocodile, which is actually pretty funny to me. I've seen a few crocodile attack films, I've had nightmares about them, I'm scared of them, and I recently recommended a GOOD crocodile attack film on my Tumblr. (It was Rogue, in case you're wondering) So when that happened, it added to the horror atmosphere by making it an animal/creature feature attack! G-rated, of course. I just found it to be a funny coincidence. XD
One of the notable things about this episode were Applejack's moments of taking charge. This was not only very in-character, but it made a lot of sense. Applejack is trying to think of things logically, so it's perfectly understandable that she thinks Twilight should be out of harm's way. As an average pony, we know how important it is to keep the higher ups safe because of the fact that they're important to society. She didn't say any of this because has doubts in Twilight's ability (Except her flying, but that's understandable), but because she doesn't want anything to happen to her, as their friend and as the Princess. It's reasonable and something just about anyone would think.
Then when Twilight goes back to town, the episode just takes a turn for the fun and awesome. Discord tells her in his own twisted silly way that she should go back and take on the dangers. He does it by getting under her skin and goading her to go back, which is effective and he is actually right! Both he and Applejack made very good points, so there's a bit of a gray area presented! That too was all very real.
So I really liked this scene, and some might say it was rushed and had no point. But I think it did. Think about it, how many times have you made a hasty decision you thought was the right thing; but then you realized that it wasn't and soon after went back to solve it? Like you buy a book that you realize you don't want or need, so you go back to return it. Exactly.
Anyway, so Twilight reunites with her friends, and they finally find the Tree of Harmony, which I'm guessing is a reference to the Tree of Life. It was revealed in a flashback that the Tree of Harmony could contain and control everything that grew in the Everfree Forest for a time, even without the Elements of Harmony. It seems the magic has run out and now everything is out of control. The Elements of Harmony are then returned to it to restore its power, therefore stopping the invasion of the killer plants. And the Princesses are okay! Hooray! Lovely!
Then we come to a stunning reveal. Discord actually WAS responsible! Just not in the same kind of way. In the flashback, he was eating and throwing black bits, which were actually the seeds. They were supposed to grow and kidnap the Princesses a thousand years prior when he first took chaotic reign. But the magic within the Tree of Harmony was still powerful enough to sustain. So they didn't grow until now!
Well! This was actually a very well done twist! It not only fit well to the story, but it also wasn't completely unexpected. If you paid attention to the hints, subtle as they were, you could see where all this came from. And why didn't he tell them? Well, then this would've happened.
Discord: Oh yeah, I planted those seeds a thousand years ago, they just didn't grow because of the tree's magic. All you have to do is use the Elements of Harmony to restore the tree's power!
Twilight: Great, thanks for the information, I'll just go do that!
Yeah, no. I think it worked so much better in that Twilight had to figure it out for herself and therefore make it more natural. Think about it, remember back in the premier of season one? Celestia told Twilight to "make some friends" as a hint to what she had to do. If she did blatantly tell Twilight everything she had to do, it wouldn't have worked or have been natural. Twilight would've made friends in the quickest and easiest way she could possibly do and it wouldn't have been real because she's only using them as a means to an end. THAT is why it worked better to have a vague hint that she worked out for herself and therefore let happen naturally.
Twilight is essentially achieving something by working for it, rather than having it handed to her on a silver platter.
So in a way, Discord helped save the day in his own twisted way and yet worked perfectly! Ha! Brilliant!
The day is saved, and they discover a box with six keys! Ooh! I wonder what that's all going to come to! :D I'm curious!
So all's well that ends well. It was a great episode with some tension, great character moments, creepy visuals, great comedy, well done action scenes, good pacing, and just an overall good story that came together so well. Again, the twist was well done, Twilight achieving the answers she needed were excellent, and the newly added mythos were very interesting. I really enjoyed it, it was a great start to season four! Like with just about any episode, I really don't have any major complaints. Except maybe to see more of the backstories, but I think it's okay that they answered some questions while still leaving things open to interpretation.
I really enjoyed all of it and I'm looking forward to what the rest of season four has to offer!
I enjoyed the premier so much! (And, also, 50th anniversary of Doctor Who was FUCKIN AMAZING! But, I get off the topic I wanted to talk about...) It was truly enjoyable, with moments that really reminds me why I love the show so much. But, I do have to say, it did raise some red flags in my head-cannon. I'm pretty sure the revelation of what happened that night where Nightmare Moon came about messed up a lot of head-cannons, but for me, it's the timeline of the entire show that's being called into question.
For instance, the first red flag on the timeline was actually in season 1. They had an episode that was at the end of Winter, but a few episodes later, they had one set in Fall. Then, in season 2, there was the Hearth's Warming episode, something you'd think they would show, chronologically, before Winter Wrap Up. And it goes on from there.
What really gets me, though, is that Celestia says that it's the first Summer Sun Celebration that isn't about grief over losing her sister, but to celebrate her coming back. Does that mean that all of seasons 1-3 were in the span of a single year? If so, that's a lot of events between Twilight leaving Canterlot to becoming a princess. And all in less than the span of 365 days. I'm not sure if it was a slight error, or intentional, but for me, that kinda makes the show a bit complicated, like Firefly when it aired, having to put the episodes in a chronological order by yourself to get the full story as it's meant to be told.
Of course, this is a kid's show I'm talking about; am I looking in a bit too deep? Maybe. But for the fandom, this could mean a big difference in how the show is approached. I still have my story ideas of how I think the history of Equestria is, and I'll write them, I just now have to put them under "Alternate Universe."
But, on another note, this season premier actually gave me a bit of hope: for instance, if the timeline theory is true, then the CMC haven't been searching very long for their cutie marks, and will hopefully get them soon, at the proper age for when a pony acquires theirs, rather than 3 years later. It'd also mean that some of the episodes, like the episodes "Just for Sidekicks" and "Games Ponies Play", are actually happening at the same time, and can be taken into consideration for the timeline.
Anyway, I'm thinking way to hard. In conclusion, this season has renewed my hopes for the show, and if we're lucky, we'll have a lot of fun adventures through the season.
I guess to start things off here is a link to my own review of Princess Twilight Sparkle. It's been a while since I commented on one of your reviews so this might be different than previous comments... which I can't remember what they were like. Anyway, moving onto commenting.
In regards to Twilight being able to fly at the end of the season 3 finale, I assume that was done for mere visual affect. Both the movie and the season 4 premiere show Twilight has yet to learn to fly, it's a bit annoying that season 3's end clip was just a visual thing to end the episode nicely but hey, it makes more sense having Twilight not knowing how to fly. Back on Skype I was talking to a member of TheLivingLibrary where one member criticised Twilight's consistently changing ability to fly. I feel that makes sense though. Twilight is starting to get the hang of flying but she is not used to it. She'll know how to do it sometimes but because she hasn't perfected she still forgets on occasion and has difficulties using them in certain situations.
I believe I address Twilight's handling of her sudden royal duties in my own comments. It was nicely done, she's unsure about it but ultimately can work out the sudden problems.
The plant thing I already talked about in our Skype comment and go further in detail in my own review. Funny enough, I also had an idea for a season premiere where the Everfree Forest began to expand. Admittedly the idea I had involved a villain behind it and a thematic motive that ties into the Everfree Forest but it was nice to see that idea I had done in canon... somewhat. In a way it works better without a villain (though current lack of them in the series still has me wishing more will be introduced later).
Spike's seatbelt scene was hilarious. I've never heard of the Rescuers... then again I haven't heard of any the movies you comment on really.
We had only one FlutterDash scene but hey, the ship is still present. The amount of TwiPie at the beginning was lovely (that hug folks
) and a few people have been weaving TwiJack from Applejack's protectiveness in this episode. Oh the joy of being shippers. 
Discord was well done here. Still don't think him being a good guy is for the best in the long run but in this situation, where there is a lack of any villain and he can comfortably sit back without things bothering him, just comment and give hints on the situation, it works very well. Also, Discord appears in the opening now. When it goes to Fluttershy's kindness scene you can see him in the cottage. I hope that doesn't mean Discord is living in Fluttershy's cottage now; that is going to make Dash's nightly visits very awkward.
Whatever you do don't look up anything to do with the flashback potion.
The amount of porn of it is terrifying, I've been scarred so many times this day.
I had two criticisms with this two part episode; the severe lack of Pinkie doing stuff in in the latter half (she's kind of just there) and the sending Twilight away event. I have a few problems with the latter, one as you say is that it feels rushed. Another problem with it though is that it feels like they tried to shoe-horn a 2nd, less effective moral into the story, all about needing Twilight more as a friend than Equestria needs her as a princess. The more effective moral is the one that came about since the start of the episode and the one that was learnt through sacrifice, that their friendship and the bonds that connected them was more than just the Elements of Harmony. The prior scene then just feels tagged on, it lacks weight to it I say.
If Discord had told them I don't think it would have taken much away. In this case it wasn't a matter of learning what is needed, like how Twilight needed to learn about friendship, but having the conviction to go through with what needed to be done, giving up what they felt to symbolise their friendship. If Discord had told them we could have had a whole thing about them struggling to go through with it, thinking they could try other ideas, but finally convincing themselves that it was what needs to be done. The only problem that would arise from Discord telling them is that it would have felt out of character for Discord, the way they have it is more fitting for his character.
In the end this was a truly enjoyable two part episode. If I actually counted both parts as one episode (they need to each stand on their own merits despite their connection to one another) then it would probably be in my top ten and yet, even as two parts, I've still rated them highly and as fantastic episodes. Here is hoping further episodes follow suit and are just as amazing and enjoyable. Lovely review as always NintendoGal.
Uh, I'm not sure what was the FlutterDash scene
I'm not a fan of the game, but...
i.imgur.com/i2xmMvT.png?1?3171
i.imgur.com/fZKooVh.jpg?1?2786
Celestia/Sonic ship is now canon.
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I think she's talking about Rainbow Dash saving Fluttershy from the vine that grabbed her back leg. I know it seems like a small thing, but in the context of the episode tyhat scene wasn't really needed and it could have been anyone in that scene but it was those two.
ps FlutterDash forever
AppleJack was just amazing in this episode.
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There was a scene where RD rescues Fluttershy from the vines.
If you also look closely throughout there are tiny bits here and there.
The train ride back to ponyville, they share the first window together. Then there's the rarijack window. And then lonely pinkie in the last window writing twilight a letter.
Then usually in the past fluttershy is walking on the ground with the others as RD hovers a couple feet off the ground. Fluttedshy was flying with her.
Anyway, I've to rewatch this, so hopefully this answers your question! Maybe the 2nd run through watching I'll see more =)
okay, I'll just say it: Discord is still a jerk and I'm glad! can you imagine what the spirit of chaos would lose if he turned into a mister nice draconequus? this is something the writers can use throughout season 4, having Discord make slow transitions into not just a reformed agent of chaos, (he'll never truly reform, just inch closer to it) but someone who looks out for his friends, possibly making amends with Celestia and Luna while still being the lovable jerk he is. order needs chaos needs order. they're opposites and in a frank discussion with Celestia, I wouldn't be surprised if she stated that Discord is necessary. without chaos there is no change and things stagnate, even that would make for a good season 4 episode.
and who doesn't enjoy Fluttershy bossing Discord around? the only pony to reel him in is the shyest in Ponyville. never underestimate the meek, for they shall inherit Equestria!