Review on "Times are Changeling" · 3:53pm Aug 21st, 2016

Good evening everypony! And since I'm pretty much doing nothing, might as well write a review on the latest episode, "Times are Changeling." Mind you, I have a very short attention span, so I may or may have not skipped some parts of the episode. So please don't hunt me down if I got something wrong

Also, spoiler alert!

Alrighty then, let'd start this rant!

If you already read the episode, you can skip the first part of this review. If not, go right ahead.

The episode starts with Spike, Starlight and Twilight making their way to the Crystal Empire. Then we get exposition. LOTS of exposition from each of the characters, like mentioning the whole "Spike the Brave and the Glorious" facade and whatnot. Twilight gives an exposition, then Spike, then Cadance and Shining. It was kinda a bore for me so I skipped ,what, 2 minutes of the thing?

Anywho, now were getting to the good part. Spike, along with some Crystal Ponies, go out to look for the Changeling. We get some fluff here and there, and then we are introduced to a new and quite interesting character, Thorax the Changeling. He then explains his desire to have friends, believing that if he has a friend, he and his friend may be able to share love with one another, thus allowing him to create love for himself. We also get an adorable flashback as Thorax explains his past a bit more. We see a little bit more about the changeling hive (and we got a lot more fanfiction fuel). Afterwards, Spike offers his friendship and tries to convince others that he made friends with a changeling. Note that it didn't turn out so well.

Spike tries to get Thorax into the kingdom while in disguise, and attempts to pass Thorax off as a normal Crystal Pony to everyone else. This works until Thorax get too near to Flurry. He loses control of his power and turns back to a changeling. Now we get to climax of the episode, where Spike has to make a choice: stand up for Thorax and risk his fame or stand by and do nothing. Unfortunately, he chose the latter. Thorax runs off, Spike tries to find him to apologize. They return to the kingdom and we get this song number from Spike. Afterwards, Twilight vouches for Thorax, then Cadance, the everyone joins in and welcomes Thorax into the kingdom.

Now we get to the review part.

This was a really interesting episode for me. Not only did it introduce us to a new character, but it also tackled a very complex subject: prejudice. The episode also showed us a lot more facts about changelings, and a lot more stuff I'll get into more later.

I personally think that the main plot was kinda rushed, especially the climax where we see Spike making his choice to whether or not stand up for his friend. I think it would've been better if they made it a bit longer, show Spike's anguish in choosing between the name he has made among the Crystal ponies or stand up and protect his friend. I personally think that the comic relief parts should've been just cut out.

Also, Spike's song...yes, the lyricks were fine and all, but I don't think it was the right way to end the conflict at all.

I really liked Thorax' idea that if changeling can learn friendship, they may be able to survive on their own without stealing magic from others. But once again, this part was pretty much rushed like the rest of the episode.

I don't think the episode was able to tackle the whole prejudice concept that much. The episode attempted to but all we get is a song number from Spike (I'm never gonna let that go).

I do hope there is a follow up episode for this one, it won't hold out on its own I'm afraid. But if executed properly, it will become a real good episode.

All in all, the story was interesting, a lot more interesting facts to work up on, and we get a new character who could be the next fan favorite!

I'd grade this a 6/10, 7 if it weren't for the song.

First time doing a review guys, how did I do? Also, if you wanna discuss this episode further, type on the comments below!

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