Maud Pie--liveblogging

Thought I'd try one of these out. Got the episode recorded and everything, so I'm ready to write. Here we go!

Hah! Liked the Pinkie piling everybody into the house bit. Classic Pinkie. But poor Dash. That must hurt her face.

Oh no, the animation budget ran out! Quick, just film the storyboards for the flashback scene! (This season also had the gummy/rubber 'dancing' in the Weird Al episode. I do like that they're being a bit more creative and going beyond just standard animation this season. But this does seem a bit transparently like it was done to save money.)

Wait, best sister? What about her other sister? I guess nobody loves her. (Smash-cut to the other sister digging a hole on the rock farm and wishing for love.)

I like that the pets showed up again, although showing Angel to the new pony is probably a bad idea, given how Angel is kind of a jerk. But I'm very pleased to see Tank's return. Tank is my favorite of the 6 pets.

That is the dumbest hat in existence.

Maud is apparently Raven from Teen Titans. I approve of this development.

Rarity, you have no credibility as long as you're wearing that stupid hat.

Heh. The Boulder thing was legitimately funny.

So Maud can eat gems. Maybe she's part dragon. Being part dragon might explain some of the oddities in the Pie bloodline...

And now Maud's just trolling. Come on, even a social recluse wouldn't do the 'hiding in my pocket' thing. Be a better sport, Maud!

Oh good, the hat's gone. May we never see it ever again.

Aww... I like that Fluttershy likes Boulder. That's a nice touch. And Dash's reaction is fun too. "HE'S A ROCK!"

Yep, Maud's trolling. I find it hard to believe she doesn't know what a dishrag is.

Fluttershy continues to impress this episode. The nature walk really works for her. And I do like the spiders. (Hmm. Maybe Snails needs a pet...)

Calling it here--something weird is going to come up with Maud's cutie mark. I think it's very suspicious that she's kept it covered this whole time.

Twilight vs. emo: who will be the victor?

And... now Maud is unexpectedly awesome. At rock throwing, apparently. I kind of like that Dash's problem here isn't just boredom like Twilight or an inability to make Maud engage. Varying it really works well for this scene.

Applejack! You deflated Pinkie! Quick, someone get the bicycle pump! (Incidentally, I like the conflict in this week's episode a lot better than in many of the others this season. It's nice that the conflict doesn't come from someone having the idiot ball, a la Applejack last week or the cutie mark crusaders before that. This is a nice, natural conflict, and it utilizes the character's personalities really well. Props to the writing staff.)

Rainbow Dash is quoting JFK (the movie). That's an... odd reference. Next she'll tell the world that she is a jelly donut.

...okay, I'm looking at this thing Pinkie built and I honestly have no idea what to expect. This episode got weird.

And now Pinkie's about to die Her last regret is not eating more sweets.

Hey, uh, Rainbow Dash? Fastest mare alive? Maybe you want to help out a little bit here?

And as for Maud, nice rescuing, but why did she go through the obstacle course first? That was a bit random. Just go at the rock pile!

Aww, it's nice that Maud shows some personality besides Raven. I liked the hug there, and also the bit about Pinkie having good friends.

Twilight's teleport has some range, apparently. At least, that's the only way I can see for them to beat the Pies there.

Nice ending. Although, I'm not sure what else they could really have done in Ponyville had they known this... maybe just let Pinkie pick the activities and everyone else tags along? (And I guess I was wrong about her cutie mark mattering. Oh well.)

Overall--really liked this episode. Favorite one in a while, since at least the Weird Al one. Nice!

Comments

[Whiteeyes]

Maud is a surprisingly awesome character. I was not expecting to like her as an "anti-Pinkie" type deal, but it turned out great.

[Emeral Bookwise]

That is the dumbest hat in existence.

Darling, please, you're just jealous you aren't fabulous enough to pull off such an ensemble.

In all seriousness, that hat was one of the more... lets cal it "unusual" fashion choices we've seen Rarity make. Still better than hotel chique though.

And now Maud's just trolling. Come on, even a social recluse wouldn't do the 'hiding in my pocket' thing. Be a better sport, Maud!

Well she is Pinkie's sister.

And as for Maud, nice rescuing, but why did she go through the obstacle course first? That was a bit random. Just go at the rock pile!

I think the idea was supposed to be that the rock pile was on the opposite side of the course and so running through it was the quickest route.