Castle Mane-ia… Oh how I loathe puns. · 4:32pm Nov 30th, 2013
On Wednesday I was treated to what is without a doubt one of the best comments on a story I've ever received. It was glorious. Behold the following line from part of the comment of Magnetism reader, kiheerSEDMAN;
The grammar was less than perfect and the word choice was slightly repetitive and difficult to follow, but damn that storyline smothered those issues like a murderer does his victim with a pillow!
Fanfiction Progress
Everything that could go wrong went wrong!
That pretty much sums up the week for me when it comes to writing. Work popped up on the most inconvenient of days. Thanksgiving is a holiday I now hate for taking up the time of my usual proof-reader. Both times I popped onto Miiverse for a second or two I got caught up in heated arguments with others on there, most frustrating. All in all it hasn’t been a good week for me.
Quality is okay. The first two scenes are a bit spotty but the stuff I’ve managed to write this week has been good. It’s just not completed. I was hoping, even with the delays, to get this 3rd chapter of The Shy Knight and the Rainbow Princess by Monday but even that looks unlikely to happen. I’m not even sure I’ll manage to get this chapter finished today.
I truly apologise but, as a result of poor progress, shall have to ask you to wait until the 7th/8th December for this chapter. I was hoping to avoid a delay this early on but I rushed into uploading this story, mostly because it had been late as it was, and my schedule seems to have been thrown into disarray by unexpected annoyances one after the other. This chapter may end up differently though for instead of Ugugg proof-reading this chapter, this 3rd chapter shall be proof-read by my friend and fellow FlutterDash writer, NintendoGal. She was thankfully not busy and while the extended time probably means Ugugg is no longer busy I feel like having NintendoGal proof-read the chapter regardless. So then, I once again apologise for the delay and hope to have the 3rd chapter as best of quality as I can get it.
Other Episode Reviews for Princess Twilight Sparkle
James Corck
Thejboy88
NintendoGal55
Ugugg93
Zyr1987
IonXtreme
Strebiskunk's First Impressions (not actually a review but I know he'll do one eventually)
Episode Review of Castle Mane-ia
This episode was leaked early but as Souldin is a good boy I did not watch this episode early. An for those of you who did... dishonour on you, dishonour on your cow, honour to those who get both the references in the opening which aren't very fitting as neither of them have anything to do with Castlevania. Anyway, I've watched the episode live in a great quality lag free experience and so shall now review it.
It is no secret that Twilight is best pony and this episode goes about proving it with one adorkable moment after the other. Twilight visiting the castle of the two sisters and going nuts over books was a delight for me. The episode is rather basic in premise, each of the Mane 6 end up visiting the castle of the twin sisters for various reasons, many unaware of the other. Twilight and Spike visit to look for a book on the Mystery Box of Plot Importance (lovely to see that brought up again so soon), Rainbow Dash and Applejack visit to prove who is the most daring by seeing who can stay in the spooky castle the longest, while Fluttershy and Angel Bunny tag along with Rarity to help her find and restore various tapestries in the castle.
Two things I can immediately say I like about the episode are Angel Bunny and Rarity. Angel is brilliant throughout this episode, cheeky and mischievous but not nasty. He has some really unexpected but brilliant interactions with Twilight and is absolutely adorable throughout this episode. It is also nice in turn to see how much Fluttershy cares and worries for her bunny, while Angel reflects this caring but gets impatient and annoyed by his owner's constant worrying. Rarity meanwhile, let’s just say as a lover of history myself (my highest A level), I loved Rarity's reason for going to the castle. It had a touch of personal gain but was most of all for completely selfless reasons, her love of beauty and art going to great extents in this episode and it shows a marvellous side of her character to the audience. Rarity was also absolutely hilarious, fearing the dirt and damage to the tapestries more-so than anything else.
The castle was nicely designed; the area from the Princess Twilight Sparkle flashback scene being a memorable touch. Twilight and Angel's ignorance, or in some cases an awareness of things but with a lack of concern or fear, was enjoyable, particularly in comparison to the other's frightened states. Comparing them to the much aware of all the sounds Spike, being in the same room in the two, and it is truly hilarious. The whole episode is spectacularly funny.
Now, just to be clear as I have been spacing my positive section out into smaller paragraphs nowadays to make it easier to read, we move onto the negatives. First off, I feel Rainbow Dash and Applejack got scared a little too easily. Later on in the episode their panic and screams become more understandable, things increase in spookiness and the atmosphere starts to work its creepiness, but at the start it made little sense. I know they've been scared before in a similar manner in season 1's premier with the trees, but that had some effective atmosphere, which the castle lacked for most of it. It's a small thing but it felt off. My other criticisms for this episode is that it is rather predictable, you'll guess each of the surprises as they come really, and that end moral is very much forced. It is a great moral but still feels forced, it's not even really needed as an explanation as other explanations could have been given for the circumstance that I won't spoil for you, though they wouldn't have worked for a moral.
Castle Mane-ia is a rather simple episode. It's not got anything close to an intricate plot but makes up for all that with glorious characterisation, humour and story development for the entire series. You'll know what I mean if you've watched it but that little thing at the end was great; a feature for the series that I feel will truly be beneficial. It may be because I've just watched this episode but I enjoyed Castle Mane-ia so much and find it's few flaws so minor that I feel I could even call this a top ten episode for me. Yes, this early on, Season 4's got an amazing start. I'll have to think about it first on whether I do consider it truly top ten material but never the less it is a Fantastic episode that I reward a score of 9.5. Bravo Castle Mane-Ia, I hope you all had as much fun with it as I did.
Angel made some hilarious moments with Fluttershy in this episode.
That's nice of him, I didn't liked the way he acted in Just for Sidekicks, but now I love him again
"An (sic) for those of you who did... dishonour on you, dishonour on your cow"
But I don't have a cow...And I must wish dishonor on your house for complaining about turkey day. My third favorite holiday of the year behind Christmas and Halloween.
"It is no secret that Twilight is best pony and this episode goes about proving it with one adorkable moment after the other."
Lies! Twilight is only second best behind the heartwarming, awkward, and badass adorableness that is Fluttershy! :P Still Twilight was great to watch, even if the episode focused more on the other two pairs. Though Rarity was the best, IMO, because of how much the castle did not want to give up its tapestries to her, and how much she suffered because of it.
Anyway, I like to think that Rainbow and AJ's scaredyness was a result of their imagination running away with them way too much, thanks to AJ's story about the pony of shadows, which raised their fear levels much higher than they would normally go. Also I was wondering what you thought of the royal pony sisters' macabre tastes in the old castle, especially compared to their more refined, more light and airy ones in modern times.
Oi, that's not fair, I waited until Saturday to watch this episode yet I still get dishonored for understanding two references in this review?!. It's not my fault
Anyways I wrote my own review on this episode here and even though I enjoyed it very much. I got annoyed that this episode didn't have one relation to Castlevania. Then again, Magical Mystery Cure had nothing related to the Beatles in it and yet is a good episode.
Rarity, Angel and Fluttershy got the most laughs out of me. I mean she is passionate and determined to salvage anything she believes to be art and the castle is just trapping her and tossing her outside. XD Fluttershy getting constantly worried and imagining so many ways he could be injured and yet he's just relaxing and eating carrots.
Applejack and Rainbow Dash were okay...aye, just okay. I mean true enough they do get scared very easily too soon an they're not very funny, but maybe the writer wanted them to be more realistic. Outside they're the toughest and bravest of ponies, but in the right situation they can be as easily frightened as anyone.
Another thing is the ending, I know it's a cliche ending in any kind of horror show/film, but this Pony of Shadow, is it a giveaway for a new villain or is it simply a themed ending for the sake of a themed ending?. I guess we'll have to find out soon.
I have to say, the seen where Twilight freezed them all when they were running around was brilliant. It was just so funny, especially Rarity sat under the fallen tapestry.
Well now, I didn't expect that to be included into a blog post (I should have worded it better). I liked the episode for its humor, but I don't get how the pony armor correlates since the Guards have a Roman feel and those are down right medieval so... Anyway, the episode was very nice, and I liked Angel Bunny's role just felt he didn't get screen time after a bit, almost as if they got bored of him or forgot about him until Fluttershy's breakdown at seeing the pillar fall.
Ooo, the comment button is green now? Snazzy.
Well, it's official. Castle Mane-ia is in my top ten favourites as my 9th favourite episode of My Little Pony. Now then it is reply time.
1557070 As always I adored and laughed it up at all the moments involving my 3rd favourite character (if I can include two characters on a spot then he'd be joint 2nd with Scootaloo). I didn't mind the way he acted in Just for Sidekicks as it felt in-character. The only time I felt they went too far with him and was Putting Your Hoof Down. Glad to hear you once again like the little guy though. Thank you for the comment Fernesh.
1557241 I don't think this episode was trying to scare people. It felt more like an episode of Scooby Doo, I believe the writer of this episode even made a comment in that regard (I believe I heard this being mention from James Corck's review, check it out if you haven't already). I liked this episode because it was insanely funny and had some great character interactions. Twilight was adorkable and I saw plenty of Angel Bunny.
If you're trying to discern actual horror from this episode though I see why it might not appeal to you. This was more of a humour episode with brilliant character interactions in an interesting setting. Thanks for the comment all the same IonXtreme.
1558203 Isn't part of Thanksgiving involves having your extended family over? Yeah, really not a holiday I'd like, glad we don't celebrate it over here in the UK.
An yes, Twilight is the best pony and princess there is. She is more adorable and more heartwarming than Fluttershy. Admit it fool.
Rarity was indeed one of the best parts of the episode, definitely the best part in regards to humour. A funny thing people have been pointing out is how Rarity was pretty much fearless through most of it. She just got more determined as things went on. Rarity for most daring pony. Thank you for commenting Zyr.
1558244 You understood both the Naruto and Mulan reference. Congratulations!
You're right, Pinkie should have been dressed up as Dracula;
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Rarity was clearly the most daring pony. Fluttershy's worrying was hilarious as well as her unspoken frustration with Rarity (loved the look on her face). Angel was simply adorable, glad to have seen him so much through the episode. Applejack and Rainbow Dash wern't as funny but they had some great character animations and it was nice to see their rivalry brought up once again. Thank you for commenting Funinightmare.
1560602 Indeed, that was a nice scene. This episode was just full of terrific moments. Thanks for the comment Derpyhooves15.
1577016 I had to show off such a hilarious comparison to all my readers. It had me holding my stomach in fits of laughter.
I think you may be thinking a little too much on the armour but if we're going to be all analytical about it you do raise a good point. Perhaps it was a mix of culture, gifts of armour designed by a foreign nation. It could even be traditional Crystal Empire armour. I think Angel was included where he needed be and simply not exposed when unneeded. Thank you for commenting kiheerSEDMAN.
1603126
It all makes sense now...
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