Afterthoughts: Season Six Premiere (The Crystalling) · 5:23am Apr 2nd, 2016
art by AssasinMonkey
Hello to all my fans, friends and fellow lovers of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. After a surprisingly short hiatus, last weekend kicked off the sixth season of our beloved show. Several of you have voiced interest in hearing my thoughts on episodes. If you like this blog entry and would like to see more in the same vein, let me know below. "Afterthoughts" could become a regular (or at least semi-regular) series on my blog.
I chose the name "Afterthoughts" because this isn't my immediate reactions. I'm giving the episode(s) a few days to digest. Also, I am not attempting to do a true review. As per my blog entry It's Okay to Like Things, I'm not interested in picking apart something we enjoy with nit-picky or overly-critical analysis. There are plenty of places to go if you want to indulge in that. Rather, this will just be my personal impressions.
In the broadest terms, I both like and appreciate "The Crystalling". Sure, there were a few things about it that I didn't love. But overall, I think they gave us a wonderful beginning to this new season.
More in-depth thoughts on the episode are below the break.
art by Lumelya
To appreciate where we are now, we need to look back. Nightmare Moon. Discord. Chrysalis. Sombra... Season 4 ended with a massive, climatic battle between a supercharged alicorn Twilight and the mountain-sized Tirek. Then came Season 5, which opened with a very different kind of story. We had another villain, but she wasn't the sort of comic book supervillain that called for the Equestria's Mightiest MacGuffin(s) to defeat. Instead, we got Starlight Glimmer. She was just a pony. But she was exceptionally clever, manipulative and truly believed that what she was doing was for the greater good. "The Cutie Map" was a diversion into Orwellian dystopia and psychological horror that was entirely new for the show, and an entirely welcome departure.
The finale of Season 5 didn't try to one-up previous seasons with another, more terrifying Big Bad. Instead, "The Cutie Re-Mark" brought back Starlight Glimmer; and through her, it gave us a new look at the villains of the past. It was a reminder of where we have been, a bookend that closed out the previous chapter of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic and cleared the table for something new.
original art by AssasinMonkey
animated version by Equumamici
"The Cutie Re-Mark" could easily have been a series finale. It was definitely a point of departure. And it would have been a great shame if the show had not capitalized on that.
My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic is a show that isn't afraid to alter the status quo, to bring character and story arcs to a close and to start new ones. Season Five was particularly strong in this regard, from the very different season premiere to the drastic change in status for the Cutie Mark Crusaders. From Rarity and Rainbow Dash accomplishing show-long goals, to the expansion of the Mane Six into the new Mane Seven. Episodes like "Amending Fences", "Tanks for the Memories" and "Do Princesses Dream of Magical Sheep" dealt with surprisingly deep and mature themes for a show that is ostensibly for families including young children. In short, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic itself has matured. And it has been a beautiful thing to see.
"The Crystalling" starts off the new season in a way that reflects this maturity. Here, we have a two-part episode that isn't about a new, big arch-nemesis. Instead, we are treated to a crisis brought about by a series of unfortunate events. No new evil forces needed to be introduced. And the episode was grounded in things that were set up in the previous seasons, by episodes such as "Baby Cakes" and "The One Where Pinkie Pie Knows". While I still personally love "The Cutie Map" much more than "The Crystalling", I applaud this evolution.
I also appreciate the more realistic handling of the stresses of being a new parent. Shining Armor and Cadance were perfect in this episode. I am really glad they did not choose to depict them in blissful perfection.
At this point, I should address the baby alicorn in the room. There has been some controversy, but I think it was largely unwarranted. The name is fitting considering the events of the episode. I'll admit, I am not a fan of the design decision they made with the giant wings. But aside from that, I like her design and animation. Flurry Heart had plenty of adorable moments. I also like how immediately and directly they addressed the alicorn issue. Rarity pointedly noted that alicorns earn their wings (and it was perfect to see Twilight just nod, speechless). This was confirmed, giving us a wonderful hint of world-building when we learned that even Celestia and Luna were not born alicorns. Fluttershy's worry has a solid foundation, and I would love to see the reasons and ramifications for the first alicorn birth to be explored later in the season. I particularly liked the bit of hesitation on Cadance's part as she says "It looks that way." rather than a more confident "Yes."
As a side note: when the Crystal Heart first shattered, I cringed. But after watching Flurry Heart's Crystalling, I now understand that the Crystal Heart is a gestalt of countless little crystals like the one added for Flurry Heart. I could be wrong, but to me the way the Heart shattered suggests that the Heart broke apart into all of those little crystals rather than any of the crystals themselves actual fracturing.
This was primarily the story of Starlight's reunion with her childhood friend, Sunburst. Often times, the only regret we have about a beautiful episode is that the story feels rushed because it has to be told in a twenty-minute time frame. "This could have been a two-parter" is a common observation. And this season opens with just such an episode being giving the sort of time frame that really allowed the writers to do it justice.
Starlight Glimmer was truly the star of this episode, and I adored every scene with her in it. Her confusion in trying to find her way around Twilight's castle made for delightful comic relief without diminishing her in any way. Her reaction to hearing about Sunburst was one of the most well-done psychological moments in the premiere, if not the entire show. (Excellent use of sound here, by the way.) I loved that Starlight hasn't lost that crafty and manipulative nature just because she is now one of good girls. Seeing her use those talents to try to avoid the impending reunion, both with and without success, was excellent. And her reaction when she entered the library, completely unaware of the mess that everyone else had been dealing with, was handled brilliantly. (I especially loved that little questioning tone when she answered "Short?" as if unsure she wants to know at all and might rather just run away.)
While thinking about that scene, I want to acknowledge how utterly telegraphed the destruction of the book was, and how contrived it felt. On the other hoof, I want to applaud Pinkie Pie's "short version" of the situation. Well explained, Pinkie. And under such unusual duress too. In fact, I loved the handling of Pinkie Pie in this episode, especially in light of her having dealt with Pound Cake and Pumpkin Cake.
Another character that I feel this episode handles exceptionally is Spike. Unlike so many of the episodes that focus specifically on him, "The Crystalling" shows Spike in all his strength, perceptiveness, competence and heart. And at the same time, it shows his flaws. He trusts too much in the lesson... but he realizes that later and burns it, accepting his mistake. (BTW: did the lesson scroll go to Celestia?) He is boastful of his heroic status, but only gives in to storytelling at the behest of a crowd of admirers, including small children. And he self-limits the amount of time that this becomes a distraction, putting Starlight's needs first (whether she wants him to or not). He sees how Starlight is struggling and acts as a real friend, both in being there for her and in insisting that she not run from her fears, even when the first attempt at talking with Sunburst ends fruitlessly.
The moment Spike hugs Starlight and reminds her that she is worthy of friendship and does indeed have friends is one of the best moments in "The Crystalling".
As this has become somewhat long, I'm going to end with a few brief notes. First, how wonderful was it to see Celestia and Luna there and taking an active role in helping. This is particularly rare and welcome.
On that same note, I absolutely loved the idea that the storms of the Frozen North have a will of their own. This doesn't necessarily imply intelligence or sentience. But it does reinforce the notion of weather acting on its own accord when ponies don't take direct control of it, and how abnormal that seems to ponies. It calls back to "Bridal Gossip", with the Mane Six commenting in awe and horror how in the Everfree Forest the "plants grow, animals care for themselves and the clouds move all on their own!" (I won't deny some of my thrill with this is because of how well it echoed the wildness of weather in Fallout: Equestria.) I also loved seeing Rainbow Dash strive against the weather despite the Princess' warning, and succeed for a little bit before the "unnatural" weather took its toll.
Also, am I the only one who found frost-covered Rainbow Dash to be extra cute when she was running along with Applejack and Shining Armor? 
I also want to take a moment to appreciate the visuals of this episode. From the design of Sunburst's house to the snowflake birth announcement, "The Crystalling" was full of delightful and fantastic imagery. The animators have really upped their game with Season Five and Season Six. I found myself pausing to admire the architecture in some of the scenes, such as the one below.
There were lots of little details (such as the pony with the flair vest having a Twilight pin) that added to the quality of the episode. I liked how Starlight summoned popcorn, remembering that crystal corn was a featured produce in the Crystal Empire. At the same time, a few things did strike me as odd, such as Starlight needing Spike to point out it was freezing, or the apparent relocation of the Crystal Empire library to the castle. Early on, I felt many of the Mane Six just faded into the background; but in retrospect I agree with the writer's choice to focus on the characters that it did. So yes, "The Crystalling" was not without flaws. But those are almost too minor to mention, and definitely not enough to diminish the overall wonderful quality of this premiere. In my opinion, Season Six is off to an amazing start.
art by PixelKitties
I agree, and things will get even more interesting as the season progresses...
I'll admit that when the premiere started I hated Starlight, but by the end I came out deciding that she could be a really good addition as a supporting character. I really like how the writers portrayed her.
I always thought that Celestia and Luna, not remembering thier birth, said it was the first time they themselves had seen the birth of an Alicorn. Perhaps they had never really known any other Alicorns
Methinks Flurry is the hidden antagonist for Season 6...
What Celestia said is that "the birth of an alicorn is something Equestria has never seen". This can mean one of two things.
1. Celestia and Luna were not born alicorns and ascended (the most common interpretation, which contradicts what Faust and the original writing staff intended).
2. Celestia and Luna were born alicorns, but before Equestria existed (the most likely interpretation, considering Equestria's histories in "Return of Harmony" and "Hearth's Warming Eve" and its compliance with the original canon).
If we take "birth" as a metaphor for ascension as well (extremely unlikely, since it would also contradict Cadance and Twilight's ascension), then the first scenario would also go against canon.
This is one of those things that a character leaves open-ended, which Celestia does way too much, and has several interpretations, such as when Applejack said that "if Mom and Dad were here, they'd be so proud" and most in the fandom took it to mean they're dead and some tried to figure out some way that they were still alive but just hadn't been present at all, even at the reunions, for at least two years.
The changelings are coming....
Guy already expressed one of my theories admitably. That they were implying that the regal sisters were born alicorns, but either do not remember or they are refering to the fact they predate equestria.
It was a good premiere in my opinoin XD
Only thing that irked me is that they voerlooked the earth pony part of the alicorns. Though at least it was pinkie pie who is no expert in alicorns xactly (though if you look carefulyl in that scene where sunburst sets up the plan, you see her understand it XD)
Do want to see a full on villain by the end of the season though. I do love what they ahve done with them so far, but i still wanna see a big bad dark magic user.
Either it coudl be changelings, if that little addage at the end is any sign. Or something else.
Hell, i wanna see what these guys would do with Grogar.
Also there cotninues to be parallels with fallout e that i am loving in the series XD
Though i would think that the likes of the northern storms have their own magic and something resembling a will. Else it would not be so hard to deal with them.
didn´t Starlight solve the problem exactly by following the list?
realize importance (doom for the empire)
share embarassing thing about past (you know)
done.
All I could think after the crystal heart shattered and the storm started to roll in was, 'why is the survival of their entire society based on this one artifact? Why are there no back-up systems in place to keep the weather in check?' I mean the crystal kingdom has existed for about the same time as Equestria has as far as we can tell (barring the thousand year absence) , you think they'd have developed a Plan B for if the crystal heart fails.
It was definitely a good episode, but I found it underwhelming as a premiere. I'm aware of the hazards of serial escalation, but the conflict just felt lacking for the start of a season. Given that an entire city-state was about to be consumed by an arctic front, I suppose that says something about my expectations.
That being said, I did enjoy it. I just hope they address the questions they raised later on.
Good recap/review thingy! I agree on almost all points! Can't wait to see what the rest of the season has in store for us!
Very true. Although Cadence's notable lack of 'baby belly' would make most mothers envious, I imagine.
One does wonder if Equestrian pregnancies even work the same way as biological reproduction in real life. I mean, has anyone ever seen a pregnant mare in the show? And we find out late in Season 5 that Cadence is having a baby, and already she is born in the Season 6 opener. It's not like a lot of time has passed either, given that Starlight is apparently fresh from her redemption and only beginning her role as Twilight's pupil, indicating that not much time has passed.
Perhaps Equestrian pregnancies are purely magical somehow, with the baby not even being carried and nurtured biologically. Perhaps it saps the magical energy from the mother and appears in a flash of manifested magical energy at the "birth".
Which is too bad, too. I would have enjoyed seeing a few "pregnant Cadence" episodes.
pre08.deviantart.net/bc5e/th/pre/f/2016/001/a/a/____diyoo_wan__thum__by_ncmares-d9mc305.jpg
Nice review, I enjoy seeing opinions of the episodes that are well constructed. I look forward to further Spike & Starlight Glimmer interactions, they play off each other well.
So in you're opinion, what would Starlight Glimmer be in the Fallout Equestria universe? I have a couple ideas but I'm curious on where the great universe designer herself sees the character.
Nope, didn't do that. Celestia specifies Equestria had never seen the birth of an alicorn, even if you discount The Journal of the Two Sisters which makes clear they are natural born alicorns, back in Return of Harmony Celestia clearly said her and Luna came to Equestria. Not that they were born there. Plus later writer tweets confirmed that was what was meant. That the Sisters hadn't seen any natural alicorns born in all the millennia they'd been ruling over Equestria, so thought it simply was no longer possible.
But overall, yeah this was a well done episode.. and likely one of the most well paced two parters ever. Pretty much gotta agree with all the rest of your point, Shining and Spike stole the show, Flurry Heart was just adorable enough to be lovably cute, without going over board. And Starlight was awesome, and still proved to be sneaky and manipulative when she wants to be.
Also yes SO vote for this becoming a blog series!
Oh also no mention of that little speck flying towards the Empire in the last scene?
3843178 Well the Earth Pony part of them is the hardest to really isolate or notice. I was more "wha?" over Rarity specifying "alicorn wings" given the only other ascended alicorns we know, Cadance, started as a pegasus, not a unicorn. But this is from Rarity who only knew Twilight's details.
Though it might have been subtly showing Cadance's Earth Pony stamina at work with how she was clearly dealing with the lack of sleep and exhaustion better then Shining.
I was wondering the same thing!
Overall, I enjoyed this episode a lot and like you said the flaws are minor. I especially loved watching Spike and Starlight interact with one another, I really hope we see more of their interactions in the future.
Compared to the other season openers this one feels pretty good, not the best, but I can say I was more than entertained with it. It's nice to take a step back from seeing Big Bad guys come in to destroy Equestria. I think that's why I enjoyed season five's opening and closing episodes so much because Starlight was a different kind of antagonist to go up against.
Please keep these "Afterthought" blogs going! I love hearing your thoughts on them, plus they are a nice break from the usual Pip-boy diaries, which I'm still enjoying, I just like the change of pace with these types of blogs!
3843391 Convenience and not going through the hassle of rendering a new vector for Lovebutt would probably be the most logical reason you don't see a preggo Candy.
Pinkie certainly would be the one of the main six to call on with help with foal sitting.
I definitely think they handled Spike well these episodes. It just seemed like the writers were treating Spike like a football when they focused on him. To just be kicked around by the plot to advance it. It's good to see them treating Spike with a little more care these two episodes. Just hope it doesn't go back to things like Princess Spike.
3843401
For me it just brings up more questions.
The wording alone used by Celestia and Luna is a bit sketchy. Now include the questionable knowledge of Rarity on Alicorns, the fact most ponies didn't know about Nightmare Moon other then a old mares tale. And not to mention how rare alicorns seem to be and if Celestia and Luna are so old and history is so questionable back to Luna's fall, then how accurate can information be when they were young themselves and have no way to remember it?
There's also bit of information given up by previous writers and also the book of the two sisters you mentioned. Maybe it is possible that with having writers come and go there could be slight turning in the set canon by previous writers. But if they ever do change if Celestia and Luna were born alicorn or not then it brings up another problem of if 'Twilight and Cadance are immortal or not?'
I imagine RD was dying inside when she was forced to touch the ground with her hooves
This coming from the pony who seems to have sensitive hooves and prefers to stand on clouds or fly whenever she can
Ahh this episode. First I have to say I'm rather pleased with the fandom this time. The whole of our happy herd didn't flip their respective wigs and go apeshit the second the baby made its debut, the vast didn't whine about Fausts vision and such tripe, and the various bronies of the web did not pull an aforementioned Faust and pick up their ball and go away in a huff when they didn't get their way.
As for more alicorns... hey, I'm all for it. This special snowflake shinola has been a bit of steak stuck in my craw since I first heard Laurens head canon first gifted on the masses, and it was stupid then as it is now. But Ebony, Billy no doubt whines, Alicorns are supposed to be special!
sHUT THE HELL BILLY, GO BACK TO YOUR ROOM UNDER THE PORCH!
But baby shenanigans and apple cart rocking weren't the highlight of it, if anything Flurry was b plot. The real show was Starlight and spike, who shined.
3843779 I don't think there's an if about it if Celestia and Luna weren't born alicorns, then Cadence and Twilight have a long life ahead of them. I don't think the creators intend for the show to last long enough for this to have any real significance tho.
3846266 Well I'm trying not to suddenly jump to a lot of conclusions. There's certainly enough points to consider from both interpretations of the whole Alicorn thing and other stuff brought up. I'm thinking I'm going to wait before I make my own decision on what it means.