Review/Analysis: The Ticket Master

When I started getting into Pony, I decided to try watching and analyzing the entire series. Real life got in the way, so I only got as far as episode three... but I kind of like what I did write. so I thought I'd copy those reviews and commentary over to this site.

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The Ticket Master

Applejack and Twilight are gathering an apple harvest. It's a significant break from most "girls" shows (or boys show for that matter); not only are the protagonists doing work, they do so cheerfully, without it being treated as a chore to be endured, or without preaching morals about the joys of labor. It helps sell the fictional world FiM is constructing; there is a functional world beyond what we see, a world where seasons turn, and where everything isn't fun and games all the times. Not only does it establish differences between this iteration of MLP and earlier ones, it helps Equestria to feel more like a functional society.
It also means that, when Twilight receives tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala- the most important social event in Equestria- the characters delight feels more earned.

AJ explains her reasons for wanting to attend the Gala; she see's it less as a social gathering, and more as a business venture, a way for her to "drum up business" for the farm and make repairs. That Sweet Apples Acres can be damaged and needs repair establishes how "real" and grounded the world is, while Applejacks reasons for going contrast the "stereotypical" "girly" excitement of attending a ball with practical reasoning. It also stands in contrast to Spikes 'masculine' rejection of "that girly frou-frou nonsense"- which is a major point. Not only is Applejacks reasons for attending the Gala not particularly "girly", she's the one who will later call out Spike on his attitude in the library.
Besides the gender subversion though, Applejacks fantasy of what will happen also enforces the theme of subjectivity vs objectivity from the pilot episode. She describes the farm as in need of repairs, replacing the saggy old roof, plough and hip about it... but the images she imagines, of Sweet Apple Acres crumbling, Big Mac struggling to till the earth, and Granny Smith barely walking in a stroller never bear out in the series proper. AJ is loyal to her family- she wants to make things better for them- but the problems she see's about the farm are, at best, magnified ones of how things really are.

Applejacks fantasy is interrupted by Rainbow Dash, who objects that Twilight should give her the ticket; the Wonderbolts perform at the Gala, and this could be Rainbows chance- her only chance- to impress them. Rainbows fantasy is ridiculous, focusing on herself (as usual); her entrance is framed like a hero arriving, she performs all her signature moves flawlessly, and it ends, not only with a cartoonish jaw-drop from the Wonderbolts, but in Rainbow spontaneously being made a member of the team.
Like Applejack, there is obviously a degree of fantasy wish fulfillment in Rainbows situation. She imagines pulling off her tricks flawlessly, but Rainbow Dash crashing into the buildings of Ponyville will become a "thing" in later episodes. Rainbow Dash says the Wonderbolts perform at the Gala, but the set-up she presents never really pays off in the finale, meaning she is wrong about that as well.

When her and AJ begin debating the reasons why they should go, however, Twilight can only back down and say that they both have very good reasons. While the fantasies themselves may be over the top- both in Rainbows success and the amount of bits AJ would make- both are passionate and sincere in their beliefs... and they really are a good set of reasons. It's interesting to see AJ's more responsible attitude set alongside Rainbow Dash's ambition; practicality vs "living the dream".

It's interesting, since this is the first time we see two of Twilights friends interact with one another... and it establishes that, while they might be friends with her, the group isn't friends with each other. AJ and Rainbow Dash will develop an athletic rivalry later in the series, including a moment that echoes this one, but where that is a friendly rivalry, the expressions on their faces- and their willingness to jump back to it once Twilight leaves- shows there is a lot of antagonism between the two at this point.

Twilight puts off the responsibility of making a decisions for the moment and runs into town, where she bumps into Pinkie Pie. Pinkie's introduction is already typical for the character, literally launching herself from off-stage into the action, reaching mad conclusions ("Bats! On my face!") and expressing them through music.
"Pinkie's Gala Fantasy Song" is a quick piece, but the fact that no one interrupts, comments or snarks about it-unlike the Laughter Song- begins to highlight the transition to full musical numbers in later episodes. It has the boundless energy viewers have come to expect from Pinkie Pie, jumping from one distraction to another. Unlike the Laughter Song, there isn't any real attempt to feed this one into the actions before hand- Pinkie see's the tickets, so she starts singing. There's also no explanation for the visuals, since they clearly aren't Ponyville, or even Canterlot. Where the other characters have mental head spaces grounded in realities, Pinkie's is solely constructed of her imagination, so the bizarre elements- the solar pinata, the pin-the-tail game or the mirror waving at her- make some semblance of sense.

Rarity arrives, expressing dismay at Twilight taking Pinkie instead of her. She's designed clothes for the Gala everywhere, but never actually been; her comments about the Gala's glamour echo her introduction about the sophistication of Canterlot in the pilot, and she explains that one of the reasons she wants to attend is because it will give her the chance to meet her one true love- Celestia's nephew, the Prince.
Rarity is... problematic. Her actions here (and later in the episode) paint her as being rather shallow. Unlike the others, she wants to attend because of a stereotype; she believes she will meet her prince charming, and live happily ever after. In that sense, it's significant that "Celestia's nephew" isn't named here- he doesn't have an identity beyond the character. And unlike the others, Rarity's fantasy isn't animated, and has a mist crowding the edges of it. Of all the fantasy sequences, it's the most nebulous; the only thing with any certainty in it is Rarity herself, who has a moment of expression when she accepts her Princes offer of marriage.
I say problematic, because this fantasy seems to paint Rarity as a shallow character, one who wants to live up to the fairy tale ending. While her later characterization will add depth to this- that she is and can be a romantic and want the fairy tale ending without being weak- it could be considered... unpleasant. Still, the fact that she is the only member of the mane six who wants to attend in search of romance goes a long way to making it palatable, as it shows that it is a situation unique to her. Not every girl has to want to be a princess, and it's just as worthwhile to want other things.

There is a minor interruption by rainbow and Applejack, again indicating that the characters aren't friends yet. Rainbow Dash is borderline insulting, calling Twilight a "goodie fourshoes", while AJ shows no trust (or affection) for Rainbow by admitting that she was following "this one", rather than naming her. When Fluttershy arrives and speaks up, Rarity's response is incredulous and disbelieving.

Fluttershy's fantasy is another which is unbelievably romanticized, but it again reflects the enthusiasm she showed in the pilot when speaking to Spike. As the images go on, her voice becomes slightly louder, and her words come quicker, highlighting how comfortable she is with nature as opposed to other ponies. It also has some moments of funny word play, such as the buzz-ards line, or the "oh my!" punctuating the colors of the birds.

The entire thing devolves into the remane five arguing with one another while Twilight cowers. We see a scene of each pony as talking heads, blocked off from one another crowding Twilight, once again enforcing the fact that, as of yet, the cast really aren't friends with one another. Twilight is the only link between them, as the only pony who isn't kept in her own box.

It's a realization she almost has when she goes away to get her food. She refers to the remane five as "my best friends", a phrase she'll repeat later in the episode and throughout the series, while plucking petals from a flower. Like her friends, each petal leaf is separated from one another; the only thing they all have in common, the only thing that keeps them together, is a mutual friendship with Twilight, a fact that makes her slump on the table in depression.

Just when she is about to begin eating, however, it begins raining, a fact that Twilight- and the viewers- don't immediately notice, since Rainbow Dash has opened a hole in the cloud to keep her dry. There's a nice moment of framing, when Rainbow's head against the sun, forming an angelic halo, one which is plainly contradicted by her actions. Twilight comments that Rainbow is only being nice to curry favor for the ticket, which Rainbow refuses... while other ponies run around in the rain getting drenched. Rainbow Dashes hypocrisy is obvious, to Twilight and the viewers, and when she finally consents to seal up the rain hole, her voice loses that sugary sweet quality she had been affecting.

Rarity rescues Twilight from the downpour, and as with Rainbow, the viewers can immediately see how hypocritical she is being. Like Rainbow, her voice is over-the-top and sugary sweet when she reassures Twilight for soaking her mane: "After all, we are the best of friends!" She instantly gives Twilight and Spike make overs, casually commenting how she just so happens to have a matching outfit, one which will leave her and Twilight as the center of attention at the Gala. Twilight finally picks up on her "friends" intentions, by which point Rarity has forgotten Twilight's existence, ranting about how everyone will know that the most sophisticated pony in Equestria is Rarity... before belatedly realizing she's given herself away and including Twilight, petting her on the head like a pet. It's another moment which paints Rarity as being a shallow social climber.

Upon leaving the boutique, Twilight is accosted by Applejack, who offers her dozens of apple-based food. Rarity just tried bribing Twilight with possessions, now AJ is bribing her with food... so unsurprisingly Twilight snaps and runs away, angrily turning down the offer. Applejacks response, however, "That's a maybe?", shows that she doesn't value Twilights decision-making anymore than Rarity or "that one" did.

When Twilight arrives home, Fluttershy is in full Disney Princess mode, humming the theme song while her animal critters help her tide up the house. This episode is where we were introduced to Angel Bunny; earlier, he retrieved the tickets to the Gala for Fluttershy and prompted her into asking if she could attend. Now, he takes the lead again, correcting her when she denies doing this cleaning to gain points. It's a funny moment, one which shows Fluttershy being led by the nose, but Angels role will become more pronounced in later episodes.

The characters have been increasingly obvious in why they are doing things, so naturally, after Fluttershy says "Yes, I am just doing this for the ticket" we have Pinkie Pie, who delivers a quick 'Ticket Song' which flat out says her plan- she'll flatter her, throw a party, and Twilight will give the ticket to her. Twilight points out how unsubtle this is, and since this is Pinkie Pie, pointing out something (like WIll. E Coyote looking down) makes the situation worse- as instead of her friends trying to buy her favors, she suddenly has the entire town chasing her.

The ensuing scene is a homage to Benny Hill chases, with the music playing in the background, and the non-sequitur escapes that Twilight and Spike manage; hiding under a bridge, in a carriage, in disguise. It's an example of how the show can appeal to both child audiences, who focus on the action and the silly music, and an adult one, which "gets" the reference being made.

Finally Twilight escapes by teleporting herself and Spike into the library, a moment which has an interesting moment of dialogue; Twilight admits she had no idea that that was going to happen. We saw Twilight teleport in the pilot, and she'll do so again in later episodes; the Cutie Mark Chronicles will show Twilights uncontrollable magical power as a filly, and her studying spells and learning to control her magic is a theme which runs throughout the entirety of the series. Twilights sudden magical burst might be a quick note for comedy and a plot device, but it's also the first hint of her magical potential, which will be important in the season 3 finale.

Of course, Twilight boards up her house... only to find herself locked inside with the remane five, each of whom is smiling at her in expectation like a stepford wife. It's what finally prompts her breakdown, as she confronts them with the fact that she doesn't want to disappoint any of them. Each of the cast then gets a redemptive moment when they tell Twilight, one by one, that they don't want to ticket if it is going to make her upset- and the fact that it starts with Applejack not only re-enforces the points I made in the pilots (about AJ as Twilights "first" friend), it helps fix the lack of respect she shows during her bribery scene. After a joke where Rainbow Dash is the last friend standing, they send the tickets back to Celestia, along with the first report on the magic of friendship; a moment later, they get a reply offering a ticket for each of them.

For some, this is where Celestia's "troll" status starts. She met the mane six in the last episode, and yet deliberately sent only two tickets, as if she wanted Twilight and her friends to fight over it. Her follow-up letter was also delivered exceptionally quickly.
Later episodes, particular the third series finale, would suggest that this would ordeal was a deliberate test for Twilight and her friends. Celestia's role as solar god- and her seeming to respond to Spike when he asks for a ticket- would suggest a greater awareness of what it is going on than she presents. We know from that finale that she watched the lessons Twilight went through; it seems as if sending the mane six only two tickets was one of those tests, to see how they would respond. And while the relationships between the mane six will continue to be developed in the coming episodes, at the end of this episode the cast is much closer together than they had been at the start. Twilight is still the thing tying them together- she's the one everypony else is treating to dinner after all- but the shared experience and giving up their ticket has brought them at least a little closer together.

Conclusion
This episode follows the same structure as the previous two, by having Twilight run into her friends one by one. Unlike Friendship is Magic, however, the dynamics for getting from one pony to another feel a lot more natural this time around, each one feeding into the other in an organic style, rather than a checklist. Furthermore, we're introduced to the character foibles, pretty important since the previous episodes were spent focusing on their strengths; Applejack is Honest but Stubborn, Rainbow Dash is Loyal but Arrogant, Pinkie Pie is Happy but Oblivious. Rarity's moments paint her in a fairly negative light, focusing on the fashion and the cliche of a society girl, while Fluttershy spends the episode doing what her rabbit tells her.

I like the episode. I think Rarity gets a lot of pay off for how she is depicted here, and Spike's reaction to the ticket feels very natural; growing up, I could certainly understand the conflict between "guy" and "girl" things, and having to maintain an image. It's good to see our characters flaws; just as the world of Equestria gets a little depth by presenting the work that has to be done, seeing the flaws our characters have helps them seem like more rounded characters.` Seeing them interact with one another, rather than just with Twilight, is another great point, and one which will be developed throughout the rest of this season.