My Review of MLP: FIM season 8 episode 3 The Maud Couple · 10:06pm Jun 17th, 2023
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)
Greetings, everyone! This is Mr. J back with another MLP review for today! This afternoon, I will be reviewing the third episode of MLP season 8 entitled: “The Maud Couple”! To be honest, it was a little hard rewatching this episode earlier today as I vividly remember how cringey and annoying Pinkie Pie was in this episode, especially the way she spoke to a peculiar new pony of whom I shall speak today. Does this episode hold up? Is it good at all? Well, let’s take a closer look along with our dear “friends” Maud Pie and Pinkie Pie!
The episode starts with Maud doing stand-up comedy in a comedy club in Ponyville. The audience is unamused with her dry sense of humor whereas Pinkie laughs at everything she says. Not sure why that is important for this episode, but I guess it just shows the sisterly bond they have with each other in a way that makes sense for them but not to others. If that’s the case, then that’s kinda cute.
Afterwards, Pinkie wants to celebrate her “hilarious” comedy routine, but Maud had other plans later that evening. This disappoints Pinkie because it’s what she said the day before and several other days prior. Before Maud could explain why, Pinkie suggests to meet up the following morning before her birthday to which Maud agrees.
The next morning comes, Pinkie goes to her sister’s cavern home, and she isn’t there. Thinking she’s playing hide-n-seek, she playfully searches all over town for her but in vain. Worried, she goes to Starlight’s room in the Castle of Friendship to look for Maud. And…why is Pinkie looking for her in areas that is too small for a pony to hide? I know I shouldn’t question Pinkie’s antics, but…come on, Pinkie. She isn’t like you. She would never hide in those spots.
Later that day, she meets a strange pony who weirdly stands before the front desk of a store saying nothing. Every time he corrects someone, he starts his sentence with “technically”. It turns out he is Maud Pie’s boyfriend named Mudbriar, the reason why she’s been so busy lately. Hmm, yeah, very “busy” doing something alright…if you know what I mean. 😏
Now, I’m fully aware of the fact that many fans hated this character ever since this episode came out, but I’m probably in the minority here because I actually like this dude. Something about his mannerisms seems amusing to me, and he reminds me of Sheldon from “The Big Bang Theory” (who’s one of my favorite characters btw). Pointing out technicalities seems a little funny to me, I dunno why. But I can understand why people dislike him in the same way Pinkie did.
But here is my issue with this episode: I find it a little out of character for her to be annoyed with a guy who has a habit of annoyingly pointing out obvious facts but is completely okay with harassing and badgering a grumpy old guy to become friends in earlier seasons (remember Cranky Doodle Donkey?). Even Starlight points out that Maud shares similar traits with Mudbriar.
I just didn’t like how hypocritical and unreasonable she was throughout this episode. I get that Maud is her sister and has known her since fillyhood, but she should’ve realized sooner that like attracts like. I can understand what they were going for as far as the moral is concerned, but did they seriously need to assassinate Pinkie’s character? It doesn’t make any sense to me. Not to mention how immature she was when she wailed and cried after finding out that Mudbriar was right about Maud not liking surprises and learning that she only likes them because they made Pinkie happy.
Indeed, it was nice that Pinkie realized (thanks to her other sisters) that Maud sees the gem inside her boyfriend and likes him for who he is. So they reconcile, she apologized, and they become friends. Later that evening, everyone has a great party in town while Pinkie, Maud, and Mudbriar sit together on a hill. Ugh, all that sappy stuff makes me cringe.
In conclusion, this was a below average episode with good voice acting and a great moral to live by. Still, it suffers from Pinkie acting OOC towards Mudbriar and being hypocritical and immature. Both Maud and Mudbriar were the highlights of the episode for me. Starlight didn’t need to be in this though as she contributed very little to nothing. If it was any other character like Twilight or Spike, nothing would’ve changed. It gets a C-.
Peace out!
Solid argument
I definitely understand where you’re coming from with how Pinkie was being portrayed. For me, it was also weird that Pinkie never saw Maud as a bland individual just like Mudbriar. It’s as if she sees her own sister as a completely different pony compared to how others saw her.
Suddenly, I’m wondering if there could’ve been an alternate way for Mudbriar to be introduced. And for the romance between him and Maud to come to light.