Tumbleweed vs. Dragon Dropped · 7:33pm Sep 7th, 2019
Oh hey, they've still got to air a couple of episodes, don't they?
And oh hey, I was reviewing the S9 episodes as they came out, wasn't I? Kind of lost a couple weeks on account of The Last Bronycon(tm), and therefore thinking fandom was over after that. Ehem.
Still, when I saw the title and description of this week's ep, I got ... curious. And now that I've watched it?
Hoo-boy. I got a bad feeling about this'un. On the one hand, it'll make all those Sparity shippers (those deviants) mad, 'cause it pretty much lays out "Sparity ain't a thing anymore, go home." I mean, Gabby and Spike are seen in the same context as Lyra & Bon-Bon in that ice cream sundae scene! Totally dating. Which is also funny that a pair of rando lesbian background ponies are now a subtextual indicator of romance, but that's the show for you. Art critisim is complicated, you guys.
But as for everyone else ... man this episode paints Rarity in a bad light. Admittedly, Rarity's one of the show's more complicated characters, as well as arguably one of it's more flawed characters ... which makes her one of the show's most interesting characters. Still, a lot of Rarity's motivation here comes down to "I miss having Spike around because he would carry my stuff." It's ... not a good look. Then again, the whole Sparity thing was always a little problematic if you think about it too long. Age difference, species difference, etc. I mean, it's good for gags, sure, but not the healthy basis of an actual relationship.
Still, it had a happy enough ending-- not to mention some fun animation and background gags (anybody else catch the Action Comics #1 ref?) and typically top-notch VA work from Tabitha de St. Germain.
Oh, and naturally the first pony Rarity turns to when she has to carry something is heartbroken? Applejack. Rarijack is canon, I tells you.
... shame Applejack didn't get to show up for the rest of the episode, but eh. I'm still taking that couple of minutes as a subtextual win for now.
But yeah. Should be "entertaining" to see the inevitable shitstorm that shall arise in the comments about an episode of a magical horse cartoon. That's fandom, for you. Me, I'm just gonna take it easy and see how things play out. I'm still curious to see how the finale's gonna wrap things up, but at the same time I'm not seeking out the leaks, either. Guess I just wanna stretch it out before I admit things are over.
And do we even know when the last EQG special's coming out yet?
I'm not a fan of this episode, personally. I won't touch the shipping debates with a ten-meter pole, so I'm just gonna leave THAT aside. What bothers me is that it seems a little hypocritical, especially coming after the last episode.
So, Spike starts ditching Rarity, not hanging out and this upsets her. She doesn't get an explanation until she walks in on Spike and Gabby and only then gets filled in. Rarity starts having to basically bribe Spike in order to get him to spend any time with her. Gabby gets upset at Spike ditching her and all the criticism ... comes down on Rarity. I'm not saying that was she did was right, because it wasn't. But at the same time, I have an issue with the idea that Spike blowing off or ignoring Rarity for several days in a row without explanation to spend time with Gabby is okay, but telling Gabby in advance that he was going to spend a few days in a row with Rarity at special, time-limited events is so selfish and wrong.
Wasn't it just last episode that Angel and Fluttershy got into a debate over how much time she was spending on the other animals at the sanctuary, to the point where she was neglecting spending time with her oldest animal friend? That he wasn't getting the level of care and attention that he was used to? And wasn't the resolution about Fluttershy and Angel having to reach an accommodation, which included Fluttershy realizing that Angel wasn't wrong and she did need to make special time for him? What's that old expression: "Make new friends, but keep the old; one is silver, the other's gold."
Honestly, I didn't think Rarity, Gabby or Spike came off looking that well in this episode and I was a bit frustrated with all of them. It's a bit of a let down that so many of the last regular episodes dedicated to members of the Mane Six (Rainbow Dash in 2,4,6 Greaaat, Twilight in Trivial Pursuit, Rarity in Dragon Dropped) are so subpar. These wouldn't be good episodes even if they took place a season or two ago, but coming in the very last season, and likely the last episode we'll get specifically dedicated to these characters, makes them all the more disappointing. I'd like things to end on a higher note.
P.S.
Sadly, no info yet on when the new EQG special is coming out in English, sorry.
But does this mean romantic things for Angel and Fluttershy, since Flutts got the idea for dusting off the picnic blanket from seeing them? :B
5117617
Well... You know what they say about guys with big feet...
5117645
Can't find any goddamn socks that fit. D:<
Poor Spike. Too young to realize how good he's got it.
5117655 Can't shop for shoes at Wal-Mart either. (They only carry up to a 13. Thankfully, that's my size, or 12W)
5117655
Finally someone else who gets it! I can find ponies in socks all day long. But Angel in socks? Not even once!
You gotta forgive the awkward parts of this episode considering
1) Gabby! Now the Ember-Rarity-Starlight gags are going to get crowded.
2) Sparity was always awkward. Spike being the one to mature out of the dynamic is way healthier than any resolution with a direct conflict.
Overall their "put a bow on it" episodes are doing very well. We got to see how Fluttershy's sanctuary actually works and silence the people complaining about an abusive Angel bunny that has been simmering since S1