Help! My Heart is Full of Pony! - Sweet and Elite · 2:29am Feb 8th, 2020
I just re-watched Sweet and Elite, and I am blown away. I know that I have made a lot of remarks about the early episodes, commenting on "how far these ponies have come." This story, however, is more than that. It is remarkable, not because it contrasts with Rarity's future, but rather, because it sets the stage for how Rarity was developed for the entire rest of the series.
For those who don't remember, here's a quick recap of the story. Rarity is spending the week in Canterlot to get some business done, (and staying at a suite in Canterlot Castle that Celestia hooks her up with). During her time there, she mingles with the local bourgeoisie, and gets entangled in their high society life. Her intention is to devote time to making a dress for Twilight's upcoming birthday, but she keeps putting it off because of pressure from her new friends / business connections.
Throughout the episode, she lies to impress these ponies - little things like pretending not to recognize a country pony from Ponyville named Hayseed, or claiming that her friend Rainbow Dash is the Wonderbolts' trainer.
(At the time the episode aired, the entire fandom asked, quite fairly, "you and your friends literally saved Equestria twice; Rainbow Dash won the Best Young Flyer Competition; why doesn't anypony recognize you already, and why even bother making stuff up when your resume is already legitimately impressive?" It would be a couple of years before the show finally acknowledged that ponies everywhere were likely to have heard of the Mane Six and their adventures, but I digress.)
The point is that Rarity, in her efforts to fit in, tries to hide who she is and where she comes from.
The interesting thing about Sweet and Elite is that, while the show had always made it obvious that Rarity was eventually going to become a successful fashionista, in this episode, we see the beginnings of what that career is going to actually entail (more so than in Season One Rarity episodes like Suited for Success). Rarity comes to Canterlot, and is legitimately overwhelmed by the glamor of big city life. She had always been metropolitan in spirit, but here, we see her actually as a small town girl trying to move up in the world.
That's a side of her I forgot ever existed.
It's quite a big leap to go from a boutique owner in Ponyville, (getting occasional notice and critical acclaim), to actually entrenching yourself with highly placed individuals who can help you achieve your dream.
In the third act, the Mane Six come to visit, and she has to try to balance both sets of "friends." Eventually they all collide in the most socially awkward way possible. Rarity, despite her embarrassment, stands up for the Mane Five when the sophistos sneer at them. In doing so, she risks the career connections she had recently made.
I know it seems obvious that she would do this. My Little Pony is about friendship after all. It also seems obvious to us, the viewers, that she would eventually going to make it as a fashionista, regardless of the outcome of this particular scenario. The show is very big on happy endings. However, if you place yourself in the moment, Rarity doesn't know this. These Canterlot ponies are highly influential. They could ruin her dreams before her career even got off the ground.
Essentially, Rarity was risking everything.
In the very end, Fancy Pants - the most respected pony in High Society - voices approval, and none of the other snobs dares contradict him, but that doesn't matter. What makes this episode special - especially after nine seasons of hindsight - is the knowledge that Rarity eventually succeeded in a cutthroat industry without selling her own soul. Rarity may be the Element of Generosity, but it is her loyalty which is tested time and time again. The conflict of work vs. friends; work vs. family - it's one she wrestles with throughout the series.
Stare Master, Sweet and Elite, Sisterhooves Social, Suited for Success, Made in Manehattan, For Whom the Sweetie Belle Toils, Canterlot Boutique, etc.
Rarity succeeded on her own terms every step of the way, and by the end, was a true trailblazer, breaking into Yak Couture. It's pretty amazing when you think about it.
(Plus the song in this episode is catchy). Discuss.
-Sprocket
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I don't really recall what I thought about it when first watching the episode, given how long ago it was, but an interesting way of looking at it, as they so often are coming from you. Also as usual, thank you. :)
It's not just loyalty to people, some of the best episodes were about looking at her loyalty to work ethic and artistic vision.
Rarity may have initially come across as self serving and snooty but she has more depth and true feeling than many give her credit for having. She has long been my favorite character and I can see she and I being quite good friends. One only need look past the facade and see the warm and giving pony she truly is.