Frenemies Talk: Take Four · 10:29pm Apr 20th, 2015

S05 EP04 - BLOOM AND GLOOM

OC Factory. In this room we're checking the quality of new cutie marks. It can be a stressful job.

Prane: Now that was something! Since two of my own stories are focused on dreaming, the bizarre structure of our dreams, and how to break from them, there was no way I wouldn’t enjoy this episode. After Scootaloo’s and Sweetie Belle’s dream episodes we’ve got one for Apple Bloom, and although the presented dilemma wasn’t that original (CMC episodes are, by default, about cutie marks, or lack of thereof), it definitely had the most interesting constitution. From looped sequence of waking up and mixed voices of the Apple Family, to the recurring Everfree Forest and a mysterious shadow - that’s how you craft a nightmare!

ChaoticLightning: Well I knew the concept of the episode wouldn’t be original concerning the CMC getting their cutie marks, but it was brilliant to see Apple Bloom battle her angst and worry inside of her psyche, traveling through different scenarios if she got her cutie mark in a set of time loops (so to speak). I think Josh did a good job showing her battle this shadow, which evidently was her own self doubt plus seeing Luna finish this dreamscape trilogy with the Crusaders makes me jump with joy.

Plus, Applejack singing that lullaby to Apple Bloom was so sweet.

Gulheru: I have to disclose that, despite my best intentions, I am not a steadfast supporter of the Crusade. Or, should I say, of the Crusaders. I understand that children can be naïve, but it comes hard for me to accept how utterly hopeless this trio can be. I was not looking that much forward to this episode because of that. But… there were some redeeming qualities of it.

The entirety of the story was about facing one’s fears and doubts and considering the upcoming adulthood. Trying to cope with your role in the society and accepting it. Staying true to oneself. All important lessons. And, I presume, they had to be taught through the Crusaders.

The “ridding oneself of the cutie mark” in the dream spawned my attention at first due to the possibility of Starlight Glimmer’s return. I think it might be interpreted as a slight tip…

And, of course, there was Princess Luna. For me, it equals a worthy episode.

Twittermite Effect - a spark caused by a twittermite in Vanhoover can shut down the entire power grid of Manehattan.

Prane: Let’s talk about twittermites, the newest addition to the Equestrian bestiary. While the first sequence with AB’s new cutie mark was indeed a dream, I think it proves that Equestria has a serious pest problem - first parasprites, then fruit bats, and now electric, flying termites! Good thing there are specialized pest ponies out there, else the Sweet Apple Acres would be out of business in no time (by the way, nice continuity there and mentioning that “anypony with a trombone could get rid of parasprites”). The thing is, we saw twittermites caught into glass tubes, but then what? Do ponies use them as nature’s batteries and source of electricity in Equestria? Do they make shockingly tasty cocktails out of them? Are there any other uses for them you can think of?

Gulheru: I will stop myself, just barely, from suggesting weaponry based on this idea, although I think it would be an intriguing idea to build upon, as a homage to the great mind of Nikola Tesla. But, that aside, I wonder if everypony would be alright with the notion of creating batteries using living creatures to provide energy on an industrial level… Seems a bit controversial from the environmentalist standpoint.

Not to mention, I shall be a bit sceptic with the idea of such bugs being a “real deal”. I mean, it was a dreamlike sequence and whatever nightmarish or phantasmagorical creatures we invoke in our dreams rarely appear in the waking world. However, if there was to be an infestation of this sort…

… until they are mentioned again, I shall not make an official addition to my “Monster Manual”.

ChaoticLightning: Tell me about it, if these creatures could run amok like that on a daily basis, Ponyville would be turned to cinders if it wasn’t a dream. I bet there is a pattern with references to Twitter.

Prane: Oh, ye of little faith! Twittermites are real, and I will not hesitate to write a fic about some ponies proving just that! Yeah, probably not. But they are real and I’m sticking to it!

If you look really closely you'll see the Carrots drinking their carrot juice from their carrot-shaped glasses and laughing at the Apple's barn destruction. Bastards.

Gulheru: There must have been a ton of discussions about this already, but I’d like to ask whether you believe that Apple Bloom really could be a skilled alchemist in the future? She did seem to be both intrigued and somewhat apt at the chemistry lessons with Twilight. What kind of inventions would you expect from her? Something to make the crops more healthy? A new kind of apple, maybe?

(Enter inside voice: One that knows what to do with its life…?)

Prane: It is difficult to pinpoint Apple Bloom’s exact predispositions since the Apple Family’s talents are all vague at best. Applejack, Big Mac, Granny Smith, their talents are pretty much the same: being a member of the family who lives on a farm and deals with apples. I would like AB to seek her way outside that environment, perhaps by learning from Zecora as well, to one day become a potion maker who is not defined by a single fruit. Let that kid experiment, explore, let her develop a skillset which will contribute towards the well-being of general pony population, not just her family’s financial status.

The CMC are presented as not being their sisters. Scootaloo can’t fly like Rainbow, Sweetie Belle sucks when it comes to fashion, so maybe Apple Bloom doesn’t have to be the next Applejack? She can applebuck and herd animals like the rest of the Sweet Apple Acres mafia, but those are things she learned from growing up in the very specific environment. It’s not something innate to her. What is? Time will tell. S5’s theme are cutie marks, after all.

ChaoticLightning: I guess family can be confusing with relating talents. Family tradition could play a factor in something like this even if the Crusaders can’t replicate what their friends/siblings’ talents can perform. Experimentation is magic if AB were to become an experienced potion maker from Zecora, writers take notes.

So Luna can organize shared dreaming now, eh? Would you like to join? Just think of the possibilities!

ChaoticLightning: Though I can’t compare Gloom and Bloom to Sleepless in Ponyville or To Whom The Sweetie Belle Toils, it still performs well with tackling self doubt and ambitions that we all strive to accomplish and adds some depth to these three friends. I wish they did show Babs getting her cutie mark but well what can you do, sooner than later they should get their cutie marks together. Last note, the writers must have had a meeting about adding more pancakes in this season they are everywhere!

Gulheru: By Princess Twilight’s latest decree, no doubt. She did declare herself a pancake, perhaps it is a way of honoring her?

Prane: Within this Luna CMC Trilogy, I think that Sleepless in Ponyville was the best, which would put Gloom and Bloom in the second place. The bad news is, we probably won’t be getting a Luna episode anytime soon, because I highly doubt they’d make six more episodes about Twilight and the Gang facing their fears. As for Babs, I never really cared much about her character so it’s not a big loss for me. Like you’ve said, the CMC should get their cutie marks together, and with three unruly ponies like them there would be not enough screentime to add Babs Seed as well.

I have no strong feelings on pancakes, one way or the other.

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Second verse same as the first, contact Prane if you want to join us in the fun! Hope you guys enjoyed!

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