My Review of MLP: FIM season 9 episode 8 Frenemies · 8:54pm Aug 7th, 2020
Grading Scale:
A (fantastic episode)
A- (an excellent episode with at least one flaw)
B+ (a great episode with a couple of flaws)
B (a good episode which still could have been better)
B- (a good episode with numerous flaws but still rewatchable)
C+ (a decent episode)
C (eh... it’s not terrible but not good either)
C- (it’s not worth rewatching although it does have good elements)
D+ (a bad episode with a few good things in it)
D (a really bad episode with wasted potential)
D- (a terrible episode with badly written characters and butchered moral)
F (horrible and unwatchable)
************
Hello there! Here is my review of MLP: FIM season 9 episode 8 Frenemies! Ahhhh, yes... yes, yes, yes! Finally, a worthy and excellent episode! Our fun will be legendary! We finally got a villain episode that a LOT of fans have hyped about! When I saw the title of the episode, I initially thought that Lightning Dust would return and have her last rivalry with Rainbow Dash until she “reforms”. However, after the description of the episode was revealed, I was surprised and hyped to watch it. I was so excited to see our beloved villains interacting with each other and Grogar preparing for his ultimate plan to take over Equestria. So after watching it, I was satisfied, amazed, and eager to see more. This is easily the best episode of the whole season. Let’s talk about it, shall we?
The episode begins with Grogar searching for his Bewitching Bell through his crystal ball. Cozy interrupts him to tell him that Tirek let food out again. I really wonder what type of food Grogar had in store for them. Actually, now that I think about it, what kind of diet does the Father of Monsters have? It wouldn’t surprise me if he was actually a vegetarian. Hehehe... anyway, Tirek warns Grogar to not trust anything that “nosy little pegasus” says. Grogar then snaps at him saying, “I don’t trust anything ANY of you say!”
What Grogar just said is very important. Keep that in mind as I will bring that up much later in the future.
After Chrysalis had her complaints thrown at him, Grogar decides to leave to finish his task more efficiently due to his minions bickering with each other. He then forcibly reminds them to work together in order for the defeat of Twilight and her friends to be ensured. Cozy takes it to heart and decides to create a banner after he leaves. Determined to make their collaboration a reality, she calls on her reluctant allies for a team meeting. She makes cupcakes for her allies before she lectures them about trusting each other in order to be effective teammates. Huh, it appears she took notes from Pinkie Pie. PINKIE APPROVES!! 
Then they have a song together about “a better way to be bad”. Wow, that’s... something I guess. Not a bad song, and it was really nice seeing Tirek and Cozy actually sing for the first time. It is actually good as we see more of their playful and fun side because what’s wrong with having villains who are evil because it’s fun being evil?
Anywho, Grogar returns to see them bickering again. He scolds them for still not making any progress in settling their differences. He tells them about an ancient artifact he found which he believes would be a perfect test for them. He orders them to retrieve it. “Against this item, those ponies won’t stand a chance!” Gosh, I love the voice acting of Doc Harris. He did great as Grogar. Just wish they did more with him...
The villains brag of their success and bicker over who is the best. Having enough of their childish display of idiocy, he restrains them with his magic and reminds them that he is greater and powerful than all of them combined. Once they fearfully submit, he tells them a story about Gusty the Great stealing his bell and hiding it in Mount Everhoof. HAHAHA, they made a MLP version of Mt. Everest! I see what they did there!
The villains set out to retrieve the bell in their own ways. Tirek however decides to let the ladies do the work while he relaxes and waits to hear of their failures and use what he learns for his advantage. Wow, that’s actually very smart of him to do. Tirek is one of the smartest villains in the show. How is it that not many villains use that strategy when dealing with heroes? Wouldn’t that help them to win for once? This is of the reasons why I love Tirek.
Cozy encounters a pony guardian named... Rusty Bucket? What? He is called that because he literally wears a rusty bucket? Did his parents with a right mind actually name him that? What was his REAL name before he even wore a rusty bucket? So many questions!
I find it hilarious that her manipulative tricks had no effect on him and she got so angry over it. But I do wonder... how did he even get a friendship journal anyway? Do the other ponies know of his existence?
The villains regroup together and they have their bonding time. They talk about their hatred of Twilight and how they relish in their desire to destroy her and her friends. In the morning, they work together to get on top of Mt. Everhoof to retrieve the bell. After Tirek drained Chrysalis of her magic, he made a small opening in the magical barrier so Cozy could have access through the cave to get the bell. After she got it, Tirek gave Chrysalis her magic back.
Now, this is where the test of their characters comes in. Chrysalis is surprised that Tirek would return her magic. Cozy says that it felt better in helping each other and being there for each other. I can imagine what was going through Tirek’s mind. He must have been thinking, “Maybe Scorpan wasn’t wrong after all. I can’t believe I’m actually having this feeling!” After a moment of certain epiphany, Chrysalis suddenly snaps herself and her allies out of it.
Yeah, did you honestly think they would reform like that? Or at least give it a chance by just being friends? To be fair, I’ve never expressed my opinion about villain reformations. But if you must know, I’ll tell you this: I do believe in villains being reformed. I really do, but they HAVE to be done right. There are a number of rushed reformations that should not have existed. Because the truth is... not everyone can be saved or redeemed. Some villains just want to stay villains and just want to watch the world burn. But hey! If you want to reform them, that’s perfectly okay. There are a few stories on this site that do a believable and convincing job of reforming them.
For Tirek and Chrysalis, I find it very hard to believe they can be reformed after everything they went through and what they had done. I prefer them staying evil. For Cozy, she should not even exist. Why should she be reformed if we have no clue how she turned evil in the first place? She has no backstory, no information, and nothing to back up her motivations. She’s too one-dimensional for my tastes. Screw her!
The episode ends with them forming a scheme to use the bell to overthrow Grogar. That was when things started to become spicy. So yeah, this is my favorite episode of the ENTIRE SHOW. Great concept, exciting story, and complete fan service. I give it a straight A!
Peace!
Were you able to catch my review on “Daring Doubt”, by any chance?
Also, when do you plan on reviewing episodes of Season 8?
5331197
Relax, buddy. I will review the season 8 episodes once I’m finished with my season 9 reviews. As for your first question, I read it. I will reveal my thoughts on that episode once I review it.
So what do you think about this episode?
While I can't really say this is my favorite episode of the entire series, it is definitely my favorite episode of the season.
5331203
Awesome 😎
5331200
It’s a great episode, that’s for sure.
5331212
Indeed it is!
Definetly one of my favorites. Sad the finale ruined it... but still one of the best.
Is mine one of them?
5331256
Yeah...
5331257
Good thing this site is here to solve those problems.
(and maybe the comics if they're canon?)
5331256
You always ask about your stories, huh?
5331261
Not usually. I'm not all "Have you read it?" spam. I'd probably find a good reason to bring it up.
5331262
Okay then...
Yes, your story is one of them. Feel flattered?
5331265
*nod*
Yep! I personally think it's one of my best. And a couple times, I would say "have fun with the sequels" or something like that. They definetly make up for missed opportunities.
5331266
That’s nice.
5331268
Yeah. Anyway, good luck with your next review when you get there.
Frenemies is in my top 10. AMAZING. Really enjoyed it. It made me laugh a lot . This episode came out when I was preparing for my college entrance exam and it helped me relax a little. Heck, I remember singing it to myself in my way to the faculty to do the tests!
Nice Kung Fu Panda reference.
Headcannon accepted. A little contradictory though, since it seems that he didn´t have problem experimenting with animals.
Now that you mention mount Everest, one thing I noticed is that Gusty had a similar horn to Mistmane´s, who´s based in east asian culture. So I guess that Gusty´s east asian too? That would be pretty awesome! And now that we´re talking about Gusty, I think that both she and Grogar deserved better. I wish we had had a more profound backstory of them. Welp, I guess it´s left to the imagination!
THIS. This is a very important lesson to learn. I have nothing against the reformation of villains in shows, but it´s also important to show younger viewers that sometimes people won´t change because you give them a chance. And be careful because they can get that for granted! That´s how abusive relationships work. I believe in second chances but if they repeat the same harmful mistake,then maybe that person is not worth your time. AND THAT´S NOT YOUR FAULT!
In my story you´ll see what I thought that would happen to these three.
Sorry if my comments are sometimes long, but once that I´m analyzing I can´t help but reflecting on the subject.
Bonus: Grogar to the villains on this episode
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJAiDr4C8D8
5331270
Thank you!
5331272
I love reading your comments, Dianabel. Don’t feel sorry. Agreed with everything you said.
Funny video, btw!
5331275
Thank you
5331279
You’re welcome. You’re awesome, you know that?
5331280
When it comes to stories, yes.
5331282
Keep it up, man.
In my honest opinion, if Hasbro wanted to create a Kid Villain, at least do one thing: DO IT RIGHT!
5331733
Remember Baby Doll from Batman: The Animated Series? She appears as a kid, but her life-long disease prevented her from growing into a grown adult even though her brain/mind is fully grown. Basically an adult in the body of a child. If Cozy was like that, it would make much more sense for me.
5331804
-shudders- That's one thing that I really don't want to think for of Cozy Glow if that ends up true..... :(
The episode was interesting for sure.
Chrysalis rejecting the chance to reform here is pretty much due to how "Friendship" traumatized her by making her lose everything and turn her whole world upside down. Along with it looks like she might not be in a healthy state of mind either.
It would certainly take more than this scenario to help her reform. She needs help for sure, not.. whatever youknowwho was intending to use her for with what was revealed later on.
5332541
Totally agree.
“Frenemies” is definitely a great episode, but in my opinion...it’s also overrated in some ways.
5511689
I can see where you’re coming from, and honestly, I kinda agree with you since I’m not that much into this episode as I used to. It’s still good though.
5511729
On that I agree with.
Speaking of Cozy Glow...have you ever read this story?
- MLP: FiM
- Dark
- Adventure
- Drama
Cozy Glow ventures into the caverns beneath the School of Friendship, looking for the Tree of Harmony. All alone. Completely alone. At least, she's pretty sure she is...If not, then I highly recommend it.
5511745
No, please do not even bother sharing Cozy Glow stories to me. And... what does that have to do with this old post? We weren’t even talking of her.
5511752
I was just curious.
I’ve read it one time and I thought it gave good explanations regarding her. That, and I figured it was okay to share it here since the episode you reviewed involves Cozy Glow.
5511753
Okay, well, I still don’t like her at all.
5511754
Hey, that’s perfectly alright. Not really into the character myself.