So, Season 4 is a Thing · 10:01pm Nov 23rd, 2013
Specifically, it is a thing I like very much.
***SPOILERS***
I'm going to admit, while S3 had a few gems I liked--"Magic Duel," "Sleepless in Ponyville," and "Just for Sidekicks"--I thought it represented a decline in quality overall. But this? Was awesome. I dig.
I really like this two-parter. For one, it helped flesh out the setting and did so in an unobtrusive or obvious way--something I definitely appreciate from a writing standpoint. Learning the canon origins of the Elements of Harmony is great, even if it does wreck about a million fanfics. (Honestly, I'm not that broken up over them.)
The Nightmare Moon flashback was the highlight of the episodes for me, it was great and seeing Luna and Celestia go at it was awesome. The teaser with the six locks was awesome--finally, a season-long plot thread that's not about going to a party! Calling it now: the mane six will each undergo a personal trial that earns them a key. What I especially liked about these episodes was that they functioned as a succinct little fantasy adventure without a big obvious villain, something that's harder to pull off than it sounds. The out-of-control Everfree, the missing Princesses, Discord's relentless dickery, and Twilight's self-doubt all combine to more than fill the void that could easily have been shunted to a half-baked baddie. Bravo.
The animation was fantastic, and I liked the new opening. Seeing Celestia and Luna reading the letter was a heartwarming touch, and seeing all the supporting characters in the group photo was also neat...although I have to question Mayor Mare's inclusion at the very least. It really doesn't seem like she's that close to anyone. Brown-nosing with the new princess, perhaps? Oh, Discord rocked too. But more on him later.
Not that this episode didn't have its flaws. Zecora showing up just in time for her to help Twilight was a tad too convenient, and the weird scene where Applejack convinces Twilight to head back just felt hollow. (Interesting note: In "A Canterlot Wedding," ]AJ's the one who convinces the others to abandon Twilight after Fake!Cadance pulls her crocodile tears. And she's the one who shunts Twilight aside her. Now what's that you say in the opening, Applejack? "Faithful and strong?" Hmm...) Seriously, Twilight getting talked out of an adventure because--oh no!--she was placed in peril? That seemed odd considering how much drama they all faced together. Last minute nitpick: the guards' voices when they're addressing Twilight sound too gruff and gravelly to be taken seriously. It's a weird nitpick, but in such a dramatic scene such an obviously forced voice doesn't do any favors.
Now then: Discord.
I love what they did with him here. You may have noticed that I didn't include "Keep Calm and Flutter On" among my list of S3 gems. That's because I hated that episode. I really, really, really hated that episode. Not that I was opposed to the idea of Discord's redemption: it was just hard for me to reconcile the fact that even before being redeemed, Discord doesn't really act malevolent in S3 like he did in S2. Plus the story arc was predictable and juvenile, and I just feel it wasn't executed well. So when they brought Discord back, I was worried that he would ruin the two-parter.
Nothing could be further from the truth. He totally owns this story arc. His relentless trolling is appreciated, and his casual dickery and obstructiveness reassured me that while he is technically a "good guy" now, he's still the chaos spirit I loved in "Return to Harmony." Combine that with some wacky visual humor and the fact that he turned out to be behind everything, and Discord steals the show. As usual.
All told, I like these episodes a lot. They're a strong start for season 4 and if we're lucky, they'll keep going. Maybe we'll end up with another season 2 on our hands, who knows. All told, they probably tie with "The Return of Harmony" for my second-favorite two-parter. (Sorry everypony, but "A Canterlot Wedding" just can't be beat!)
Glad to see the show I love is still going strong! Heave on, brave bronies!
Well, at least now we know why Discord broke free in the S2 premiere. I bet the tree has been feeling quite ill for a while now. Have we seen any other obvious signs of foreshadowing from the Everfree? Must start fact checking. Already wrote most of my thoughts into my own blog, but yours had a lot more words.
I didn't like Discord, because he takes SO much screentime. With his voice, his chaotic visuals, his huge size, it drives the point home that he's chaotic and stuff. About 500 times. Then it does it a bit more in case you missed it. Visual clutter was at least slightly reduced from previous Discord episodes, which was awesome.
And yes, writing an adventure episode with no baddie at the end was well done, as well as deconstruction of the whole premises of the first three seasons. Will this season be about the mane six finding their own strengths and going for them and growing more distant, yet still friends? And what the hell is in that box? My wildest theory is that it'll have a baby alicorn inside with pure white fur and a flowing blue mane and in S5 Twilight has to become her mother. And she'll be called Harmony. CALLING IT NOW!