Season Five Episode Reviews: Castle Sweet Castle · 12:58pm Apr 17th, 2015
A year ago, Twilight Sparkle's home, the Golden Oaks Library, to the most vile monsters known to humanity: Hasbro executives. But she has a brand new castle, so that makes everything better, right?
...Apparently not, because this week's episode, “Castle Sweet Castle,” is all about that change.
TECHNICAL SPECS:
Season: 5
Episode: 3
Written By: Joanna Lewis and Kristine Songco
First Aired: April 11, 2015
SUMMARY:
Twilight has been busily helping her friends with everything, most recently cleaning animals with Fluttershy. The cleansing ritual goes without a hitch, but when Fluttershy comments that Twilight must want to head back to the castle for a bath, she kicks Angel into some mud so that she'll have more to clean. After that's done, she goes to Pinkie Pie to help her prepare pancakes for a group breakfast, having her make more and more until they run out of time. By the time everypony is enjoying their cakes and talking about how bizarre Twilight has been acting, her body can take no more and she becomes one with the breakfast.
Thankfully, she manages to break free from the mind meld her pancakes were trying to foist on her and finally states the truth: she isn't comfortable in the castle. As nice as it is to have a gaudy, crystal fortress in the middle of Ponyville, it just doesn't feel like a home to her. The others, being the friendly sort they are, offer to help spruce the place up to be more homely and appealing for the purple bookworm, while she and Spike are off enjoying a day at the spa.
Unfortunately, the Mane 6 quickly lose track and bring stuff that makes them feel comfortable. Worse, they throw it all into the same room, creating a cornucopia of clashing styles and tacky decorations. When Spike comes back to check, he throws out a G-rated swear at the sight, and heads back to Twilight to distract her even longer by having Bulk Biceps destroy his body and bothering Twilight for a bed. In the middle of all this, they stop by the burnt-out stump that is all that remains of the Golden Oaks Library, and the two share in their grief over its loss.
Back at the castle, the Mane 6 have finally cleared out all the unnecessary items...which leaves them with absolutely nothing to show for the day. Realizing their mistake, they try to think about what Twilight would like, and start talking about all the books she had and loved. Following this perfectly logical train of thought, they dig up the Golden Oaks Library, fashion the roots into a chandelier, stick it on the roof of the meeting room, and hang crystals embedded with pictures of Twilight's misadventures in Ponyville. Twilight is overjoyed when she sees it, and finally accepts the castle as her home. Plus, the Mane 6 still did individualized decorating in the other rooms, which Twilight is fine with.
Also, Pinkie turns the whole place into a confetti minefield. Because she's Pinkie.
REVIEW:
In case anyone has forgotten, last season ended on a big note. Twilight's library (officially canonized as the Golden Oaks Library in this episode) was one of the centerpieces of the entire series. Many of the show's best moments took place within its walls, it had a cool design, and it was the perfect habitat for a pony with Twilight's personality, both before and after getting wings. And then a one-shot baddie blows it up so that Twilight can be moved right into a new home, a crystal tree-shaped castle that clashes horribly with the rest of Ponyville's design and was obviously introduced just to sell playsets and toys. This was a major shake-up in the show's setting, and I applaud the writers for setting out to actually address the change rather than pretend that the library was never there.
That being said, the episode is a very standard affair. The Mane 6 pull the classic mistake of thinking about what they want over Twilight's needs, which feels very awkward this many seasons. They realize their mistake, fight a little, and finally do something that will make Twilight feel better. It's actually something that's made writing this review difficult; the episode just so “okay” overall that it's a challenge to point out anything of note outside of Twilight being an adorable dork and the ending.
The episode does have some good gags. “I'm pancake!” quickly became a hit, as did Bulk Biceps working in the spa (while moonlighting as the Kool-Aid Stallion) and giving Spike a bone-crushing massage. I just love Spike in general this episode; while he's mostly there to be the butt monkey, he's also supportive and shares in Twilight's grief over the loss of his home, and may or may not actually get a bed. (We don't see one when they get back to the castle, but it might just be set to be delivered later.)
The ultimate solution is an interesting one. The root chandelier is a cool design, and the gems with pictures of past episodes (magical or normal, it's never made clear) fit well with the castle's motif while serving as a reminder of the good times they've had. You know, like that time Twilight brainwashed the entire town into fighting over a doll. Or the time Twilight blew her library into the stratosphere. Or the time Twilight made the parasprites eat everything. Or the time... You know what, Twilight's nearly destroyed Ponyville several times over. Let's leave it at that.
And as for the library coming back...it's not happening. Twilight has a new castle, and she will adjust. Hasbro did not go through the trouble of blowing up the tree just to bring it back three episodes later.
CONCLUSION:
I really have nothing else to say. This is a very standard episode outside of its premise, and it's certainly not a bad one; it's just not a particularly outstanding or even great one, either. It's a very typical slice-of-life episode, serving as a nice cooldown from the events of the premier if nothing else. Still, kudos to the team for approaching the library issue as they did.
Next time, we have a *sigh* CMC episode...
I agree, this was a simple episode. But, sometimes simple is what is needed. It gave the characters some much needed closure and now they all can move on.
After all the big budget style episodes, having one like this to slow down the pace is appreciated.
2990466
This episode was fantastic. Its comedic brilliance became most apparent when the Re-mane-ing 5 are gathered around the table and start hitting problem on the nose while remaining oblivious to it. Having the cast completely missing the point of their best friend’s preferences, along with critiquing the palace, the reminiscing of past seasons, and the service and memorial for Golden Oaks is the show staff going “Dang it Hasbro, this was stupid!” I never really totally opposed the change, but having this entire episode dedicated to the creators complaining about the edict was hilarious.
Although like other times when it was felt like corporate was rocking the boat, this managed to pose a good issue for the characters to overcome and accept, and I’m sure the change will start to grow on me as well thanks to the great handling by the creators.
Were there really people who thought the library would be coming back three episodes after it was exploded? Or even ever at all?
2991266
Hope springs eternal, I suppose.
2991266
There was a whole idiotic petition about it. For whatever reason fandom latched onto this as a big whoopty-do.
Anyway, episode was fine. I kinda feel like my overall enthusiasm for horse show's been waning. Hopefully next episode can bring some of that fire back, though. At least if any of the CMC end up getting their marks, as unlikely as that is.
Just about everywhere else, I compare this episode to 'Family' from Star Trek: TNG. The show stepped back, took a breather and examined the fallout from a major event. And just like with TNG, I commend the show for doing that.
It was very important closure. It's always nice when a show remembers that major changes can have an impact on a character beyond simply changing what the background looks like.
Also, I rather liked who the group realized they fucked up right after finishing decorating, rather than being told.
Actually, it's the Golden Oak (singular) Library.