Thoughts on Gauntlet of Fire · 3:14am Jul 30th, 2023
This is my favorite episode of Season Six, and the biggest reason is we get introduced to a new side character Ember. The story begins with Spike, who's basiclly forced to compete in a race for a scepter to see who will become the new Dragon Lord for the dragons. The drakes were summoned to attend, but he only competed because he feared any other dragon winning that title and the danger they possess to Equestria.
Another reason I love this episode is seeing dragon culture more, with the dragons following a kaiju-sized dragon as their chief. His daughter Ember wants to compete, but the chief forbids her to try even though she does anyway, wearing armor as a disguise. During the first trial, Spike helps Garble, who gets trapped beneath a boulder, and then he starts to sniff the air as Twilight and Rarity follow Spike again, like in season 2. But Ember comes to help keep him from finding them, and then the two sort of help each other. Ember is reluctant but proves she's different from the other dragons and seems to see value in friendship. During the last trial, Spike gets the scepter and gives it to Ember to rule. Seeing that Ember was so taken aback by Spike willingly giving it to her was pretty funny.
What I like about this episode is that the story was somewhat nuanced, with it being a different take than the last episode with the dragons in season 2. The previous one was a very negative look at dragons being ferocious and selfish in nature. This episode shows the same, but with Ember presenting an idea of changing them for the better, especially how her father perpetuated this behavior, believing only the strong should rule, unlike Ember, who sees value in more things than just strength and is the first dragon born in that culture to be open to new ideas. I loved the action in this episode and how well Spike and Ember worked together even when they didn't fully trust each other. Overall, this episode was well written, expanding the world-building and giving us a new side character that elevates this episode. Also, I'm glad to see Spike has grown a lot since his last bout with the dragons and that he's learn to stand up for himself and the ponies of Ponyville and even gave Ember a chance.
It was a great episode, but kinda pissed they never explored more on dragons though. Its funny but its because of that episode that I created the Dragon Lord Series.