Friendship is Card Games: Cutie Blossom Bash · 11:41am Sep 24th, 2023
“Oh man,” I thought, “I’m not sure what I’ll be able to do this week given the state of the comics. I hope something comes out before Saturday.”
And a finger curled in on the monkey’s paw.
That’s right, Chapter 5 of Make Your Mark has premiered with all the fanfare of an assassin in the night, killing the expectations I had for my upcoming schedule. Hope you weren’t on the edge of your seat the next Moonstuck card blog, because that’s now been pushed back to the end of the year. At the earliest. In any case, let’s see what we are working with this week…
Hey guys? Sunny already is an alicorn. You don’t need to keep putting her in front of horn-and-wing designs for the purposes of unsubtle foreshadowing.
I do appreciate the slightly more subtle symbolism of Misty still trying to find her footing as one of the good guys.
“We’re giving you a surprise!”
“Oh. Great. What is it?”
“I’ll happily tell you in detail!”
On the one hand, Sunny isn’t good at surprises. On the other, she is good at recognizing when it’s better to ruin the surprise for the recipient’s peace of mind.
So… if this is an annual Cutie Blossom Bash, how many years has it been since the movie? Or is this the inaugural post-unification bash?
Ah, celebration of spring. Hence the “blossom” part. Also a mass cuteceañera… that apparently all the tribes had in one form or another. Which does make sense. As the various winter holidays demonstrated, all three cultures come from the same roots and haven’t completely diverged from that Old Equestrian base. (Of course, this also implies that Chapter 4 may largely happened over a single winter, but any attempt to make a reasonable timeline out of this franchise will surely end in madness.)
Also, consolidating all three festivals in Zephyr Heights. Just another none-too-subtle way Haven’s achieving culutral domination over the other tribes.
Yeaaaah, Misty isn’t exactly accustomed to the spotlight. Or communicating her concerns to others. Though apparently none of the ponies a few feet from her heard her panicked self-assurance.
Ah. The pegasi still haven’t gotten around to relearning weather control. (Of course, that does make things easier on the writers. 
)
… or it can just be a single isolated thunderhead. That Zipp decides to avoid by going directly under it.
“I just jinxed the whole ‘smooth sailing’ thing, didn’t I?”
Ah, she’s learning.
And Misty’s still at Opaline’s side in the intro. I suppose the budget is strapped enough as it is without adjusting that. Or maybe her ill-advised double agency is meant to justify not changing it.
I’m going to assume the song was a karaoke track. I know, this generation has had spontaneous musical numbers before, but the music cut-out was a little too perfect.
Status report on Sparky, who’s still recovering from Opaline siphoning his power. I do wonder if that degree of magic drain can be cured with bedrest. A quest for a way to cure Sparky would make for an interesting season-long plot arc… and I know just from the episode summaries that they’re not going to explore that possibility. Sigh.
Also, good to know that they actually do address who’s taking care of Sparky. Figgy probably appreciates having a far more exciting child than Hitch to deal with. (At least, I hope she will if/when Sparky starts feeling more energetic.)
Oh! We’re getting this generation’s “Cutie Mark Chronicles”! This will be a great way to gather data on just how the magic butt tattoos work in G5 (he said with unfounded hope and confidence.)
Sunny not being a popular foal makes a lot of sense. Working from a handicap just from who her father was. (Also, this may be the first sighting of Argyle in Make Your Mark, at least in motion.) I do appreciate how there’s a hint of unicorn in the stand’s illustration. Sunny working in the friendship propaganda from a young age, I see.
Solomon’s solution works much better when the dispute is over a liquid rather than, you know, a child.
Huh. I’m not sure if we saw Argyle’s own mark until now. Twilight’s star of magic leaving a rainbow in its wake says volumes… though given how Sunny’s own mark apparently came from a talent for mediation and compromise, it’s not clear just how much symbolic connection there needs to be between mark and talent in this generation.
Part of the problem is post hoc rationalization, but one still must consider the resulting consequences. Granted, it’s not like G4 ponies had perfectly clear connections between talent and mark. Most of the Bearers have some degree of abstraction themselves. And one could argue that the stars hinted towards the much greater destiny awaiting Sunny in time.
Also, I’m seeing the other potential problem with Misty’s upcoming time on stage; she’s going to be the oldest pony there by a matter of years. Definitely won’t do wonders for her confidence.
Oh goodness, the little cutie mark flag-saddle is adorable.
Ah, the sisters got their marks together? I wonder if that makes Zipp a late bloomer, Pipp an early one, or a little of both.
Zipp’s story of effectively inventing parkour doesn’t exactly mesh with the whole “Only the royal family can fly” narrative they had going at the time. Though it’s possible the onlookers thought she was on the verge of getting airborne and would begin getting proper lessons from her mother soon.
“That’s the day I got this little wonder-bolt.”
And Rainbow Dash nods in approval from the other side.
I’m skeptical of Pipp’s story, if only because I have to assume there were a number of private voice lessons that preceded this impromptu performance. To say nothing of preparation for the royal spotlight.
Okay, Haven blowing her nose on a puppy Cloudpuff is hilarious.
Also, apparently Pipp’s downy wings aren’t a sign of youth; they’re just a peculiar mutation. Maybe it’s the pegasus equivalent of a Hapsburg chin.
Of course Sprout was being an exclusionary little so-and-so when he was a colt.
Hitch saying “I did what any decent pony would do” before demonstrating vastly greater maturity and empathy than any other pony in his age bracket is a lovely touch… and one that I wish were better demonstrated in his actions prior to now.
Izzy going for the full Wayne’s World flashback noise is delightful. And she was unfairly adorable as a filly.
The umbrella coming and going during the junk pile time-lapse seems like the kind of thing that both should have been caught by the editor and easily fixed by reordering the bits of the montage.
Izzy inventing the concept of unicycling… I can’t decide whether that’s perfect or ridiculous.
I suppose Misty’s far better at speaking sotto voce than I’m giving her credit for. Or the audio balance, for that matter. Seriously, is this meant to be a theatrical thing, where were actually hearing the character’s internal monologue?
I had to replay that scene with Haven to hear the thunder. I only knew I’d missed it the first time because I had subtitles on. Between this and Misty’s very vocal private thoughts, the audio balance could be better in this episode.
“If it rains, everything will be ruined!”
I do appreciate the irony of a pegasus saying this. I hope that it will lead to rediscovering a lost bit of old magic… but I’m not putting money on that. Also, why would rain be an issue? The royal sisters’ bash was held indoors. I suppose the sheer quantity of newly marked ponies may have made them move venues, but this still feels unsupported.
Cloudpuff is part of the royal marketing team. Somehow, this doesn’t surprise me.
The look of complete bafflement on those guards is fascinating. They clearly have no idea what to make of being told to prepare for a grown mare’s cutie mark debut, and they don’t even stay by the mare in question, just following their sovereign so they can ask for details without having to look bad in front of the commoners.
Ah, the plight of the adopted introvert. Definite echoes of Starlight here, but at least she had some experience in the spotlight before regretting it.
Nice to see that the palace is purchasing Mane Melody-brand cosmetics. Nepotistic, sure, but in a heartwarming way.
Sunny ceding her opinion to Haven is interesting. I certainly would trust a queen whose entire reign relied on appearances as an aesthetic consultant, but the alicorn bowing to the pegasus queen now sets up precedent for more important decisions later.
Still, nice to get the origin of Misty’s new mane color.
Ah, not wanting to admit your discomfort because you’re afraid of ruining everyone else’s good time. I’ve certainly been there. Also, nice touch with Misty trying to psychologically distance the concept of “home” from Opaline’s castle.
I knew Opaline wasn’t talking about Misty. I didn’t expect her to name her manebrushes.
Ah, mark-brain. Even without obvious magic, young ponies still want to try to use their talents at all times.
Cutiesynthesis being triggered by “the magic of [a pony’s] personality” is an interesting take on it. The shift from “What do you do best?” to “Who are you?” is arguably healthier for an individual pony, and actually corresponds well to the waning influence of Harmony on pony lives in this era. Still, there’s a lot of overlap between the two.
And yes, the obvious problem with Misty’s markedly late mark makes itself known explicitly.
Ah, there’s an outdoor promenade between palace and stage. There’s where the weather becomes a concern. Though, you know, awnings are a thing. Which means you won’t have to incorporate umbrellas into the costume desgins.
“We didn’t even know it was possible for a pony your age could get a cutie mark for the first time.”
… How many marks is a pony expected to get? Are there some septuagenarians who finally got the mark on their left hip?
Oh good, Misty found a small child who knows what she’s doing. That can make all the difference. Haven’s quiet support is also a nice touch.
That said, “Cutie Blossom Bash Eve Dinner Soiree” is one of the most awkward names I’ve ever heard. Right up there with “Hyrule Castle Market Town.”
Also, counting Misty, a grand total of five ponies got their marks this year. The species remain on the verge of extinction.
Okay, confirmation that this is indeed the first integrated Cutie Blossom Bash. And, granted, it doesn’t necessarily have to be the one immediately after Sunny reunited the tribes. Hashing out the logistics could have taken a while.
How exactly does Seashell know which fork to use? She’s an earth filly, presumably born and raised in Maretime Bay. Were there etiquette courses before now that Misty missed? Is Glory the daughter of a member of the palace staff?
I’m sure Haven has seen much worse than flying carrots at various affairs of state. Also, while she’s handling the foals quite well, I imagine it’s something of a relief to have another adult at the table. (Or at least another fully grown pony.)
“You also have to tell everypony why you think it’s a butterfly.”
The “you think” there makes it sound more like cutie marks are a Rorschach test. I know the intent is that it’s asking for Misty’s personal interpretation of the shape of her soul, but the phrasing still feels off.
Opaline’s self-fulfilling prophecy in action: Deny a pony any experience with the outside world, then tell her it’s because she doesn’t belong there. It’ll be a while yet before Misty fully deprograms herself.
“I’m a pony as unique as every shell on the beach is!”
… And here we have the same problem as before of having your personal icon form during adolescence. Though who knows? Maybe Seashell has a future in marine biology.
Imagine if Misty really were in Opaline’s castle and poked her head out of her room just in time to hear Opaline admit that she never plans on giving her a cutie mark. Oh, the havoc that would ensue… though given how much power Opaline currently has at her disposal, it may just end in a greasy smear on the castle floor and looking for another lost foal.
Sunny has clearly spent too much time around Izzy given just how excited she is for the bash.
Izzy’s vendor voice drifting towards Brooklyn is wondrous and mildly concerning.
Ah. They did deploy awnings. Excellent. I wonder how it will go wrong. Probably didn’t account for cross breezes.
“You’re gonna stick out. In a good way.”
Izzy’s trying. Most of the sticking out she’s done in her life has been in a bad way, after all.
Interesting music choice during the procession. The light, innocent strings of spring and youth mesh oddly with the trap beats. 
Most of the crowd is just here to celebrate with you, Misty. (Posey may be here for schadenfreude, but even then, it’s a side benefit.)
I do appreciate both how Zipp still suspects Misty’s doing something sinister and how Misty shoots her down without even breaking the stride of her actual confession. This cycle of suspicion, evasion, and confession is just their dynamic now.
Pipp utterly unable to process not enjoying the spotlight is spot-on. The group has never really had a Fluttershy until now. It’s almost like having a delicate insect known for camouflage as a cutie mark indicates a degree of wariness and insularity.
The idea that Misty sees being shy as borderline criminal is downright tragic. And I do love how everything works out once she expresses her true feelings. I certainly could have used something like this back in the day.
I do love the Art Deco-winged statuary of Zephyr Heights. The city’s design is still the best aesthetic this generation has given us.
Yes, nothing indicates a sparkle has taken root quite like pegasi in midair.
Oh good. I was afraid Sunny would grow the tree into something towering in a matter of moments, which really would’ve ruined the message.
… Ah. Okay, having the whole group contribute, Misty included, does work.
I will say, this is one of the best songs of G5. Still not especially impressive, but one of the best it’s had to offer. Also, interesting to have a bunch of star-winged butterflies manifest as part of the growth spell.
A butterfly as a symbol of self-determination works quite well. Funnily enough, none of the interpretations I fielded during my “The Manesquerade Ball” review turned out to be the one they were going for, with the possible exception of the chaos butterfly. Misty flapping her metaphorical wings on her own terms will likely cause some ripples, after all.
“Opaline hasn’t been defeated yet. Not even close.”
How is this even remotely surprising? Sunny put her in a bubble and did nothing else to her. Did you ponies really believe she’d be stuck there for the rest of time? (Evidently yes, which does explain their actions, but still feels horrifically naive.)
“It’ll be hard to predict her next move. Opaline is unpredictable and mysterious.”
In other words, she’s insane. Or at least irrational. (Though some of that can be attributed to knowledge that the rest of the world has forgotten.)
Wait, the double agency is a surprise now? They left her in the castle! What did they think Misty was planning?
And, sure enough, weather magic never entered into the equation. Still, good to see a plan actually work.
Yes, Misty, you’ve found a good concealer for your mark. There’s still the matter of your dyed mane, to say nothing of never encountering moisture again in Opaline’s presence. This is a bad plan.
Especially with the photo!
Honestly, I feel like Zipp’s strongest counterargument would be pointing out how poorly Misty’s earlier attempts at infiltration went. And Opaline explicitly said her evil scheming’s been impeded by Misty’s absence. Still, it’s not like assembling an army to raze the ancient castle is on the table. Really, my big issue is how much ground of the previous episode this end bit had to retread. That being said, the main plot of the episode, while basic, was executed quite well. We even got some world- and character-building at levels hardly ever seen from G5 until now. I can’t complain too much about this one… though I can still complain a nonzero amount.
In any case, let’s see how I can make the most of this turn of events:
Mark of Protection 1W
Enchantment — Aura
Enchant creature you control
Enchanted creature gets +1/+1 and has vigilance.
If a source an opponent controls would deal noncombat damage to you or a permanent you control, prevent 1 of that damage.
Kindness is a shield that covers nations.
Royal Pampering 1W
Instant
Reveal Royal Pampering as you draft it. The player to your right choses a color, you choose another color, then the player to your left choses a third color.
Target creature you control gains protection from each color chosen as you drafted cards named Royal Pampering until end of turn.
Secure the Perimeter 1W
Instant
If a creature would enter the battlefield this turn, exile it instead. At the beginning of the next upkeep, put all cards exiled this way onto the battlefield under their owners’ control.
“We have enough problems as it is.”
—Princess Zipp Storm
Mark of Analysis 1U
Enchantment — Aura
Enchant creature you control
Enchanted creature has prowess. (Whenever you cast a noncreature spell, it gets +1/+1 until end of turn.)
Whenever enchanted creature attacks or blocks, scry X, where X is the number of noncreature spells you cast this turn.
Curse of Projection 2UU
Enchantment — Aura Curse
Enchant player
Enchanted player plays with the top card of their library revealed.
During the turn of each player other than enchanted player, the player whose turn it is may play lands and cast spells from the top of enchanted player’s library. Mana of any type can be spent to cast spells this way.
Opaline’s Secretary 3U
Creature — Unicorn Advisor
When Opaline’s Secretary enters the battlefield, choose one —
• Target creature you control connives 2. (Draw two cards, then discard two cards. Put a +1/+1 counter on that creature for each nonland card discarded this way.)
• Set a scheme in motion.
2/1
Mark of Performance 1B
Enchantment — Aura
Enchant creature you control
Whenever a triggered ability of enchanted creature triggers, if it isn’t a mana ability, create a tapped Treasure token. (It’s an artifact with “T, Sacrifice this artifact: Add one mana of any color.”)
Donating to Pipp’s stream is tax-deductible.
Search for Gertrude 1B
Sorcery
Choose a card name. Exile cards from the top of your library until you exile a card with the chosen name. Put that card into your hand. If the number of cards in your library is greater than the number of cards you own in exile, you lose half your life, rounded up.
Usual Suspects 2BB
Sorcery
Will of the council — Starting with you, each player votes for a creature card in a graveyard. Return each card with the most votes or tied for most votes to the battlefield under your control.
Even years later, Zipp still suspected Misty hadn’t told her everything.
Mark of Change 1R
Enchantment — Aura
Enchant creature you control
Enchanted creature has haste and “At the beginning of your upkeep, you may sacrifice this creature. If you do, reveal cards from the top of your library until you reveal a creature card, put that card onto the battlefield, then attach Mark of Change to it. Put the rest on the bottom of your library in a random order.”
Inspiring Performance 2R
Instant
For each attacking creature you control, exile the top card of your library. During any turn you attacked with that creature, you may play that card.
Zipp’s parkour kindled hope in the hearts of every pegasus who saw her.
Sudden Development 4RR
Instant
Split second (As long as this spell is on the stack, players can't cast spells or activate abilities that aren't mana abilities.)
Each player discards their hand, then draws seven cards.
The right word at the wrong time can forever change how you see the world.
Cutie Blossom Bash G
Instant
Put a +1/+1 counter on each creature that entered the battlefield this turn.
Hoofcraft — If you control three or more Ponies, Pegasi, and/or Unicorns, put two +1/+1 counters on each creature that entered the battlefield this turn instead.
The best day in every young pony’s life.
Mark of Reinvention 1G
Enchantment — Aura
Enchant creature you control
G, Exile two cards from your graveyard: Put a +1/+1 counter on enchanted creature.
During the Ebb of Magic, beauty left the soul of every unicorn… save one.
Vernal Feast 4G
Sorcery
Create a Food token for each land you control. (They’re artifacts with “2, T, Sacrifice this artifact: You gain 3 life.”)
Spring isn’t known for its rich harvests, but the royal caterers have their ways.
Floral Arrangement 2
Artifact
Floral Arrangement enters the battlefield tapped.
T: Add C.
Landfall — T: Add one mana of any color. Activate only if a land entered the battlefield under your control this turn.
The castle permits only the freshest blooms.
Personal Banner 3
Artifact — Equipment
Equipped creature gets +1/+1 for each of its colors.
Equipped creature has first strike as long as it’s white, flying as long as it’s blue, menace as long as it’s black, trample as long as it’s red, and vigilance as long as it’s green.
Equip 2
Trottie-Talkie 4
Artifact — Equipment
As long as Trottie-Talkie is attached to a creature, whenever an equipped creature you control deals combat damage to a player, draw a card.
Equip 1
In Zephyr Heights, you can put anything on a data plan.
Bedridden Dragon UR
Creature — Dragon
Flying, trample
Bedridden Dragon enters the battlefield tapped with four stun counters on it. (If it would become untapped, remove a stun counter from it instead.)
Whenever you cast a noncreature spell, untap Bedridden Dragon.
4/4
Mark of Compromise 1RW
Enchantment — Aura
Enchant creature you control
If a source an opponent controls would deal damage to enchanted creature, prevent half that damage rounded up. If damage is prevented this way, enchanted creature deals that much damage to that player.
Destiny protects its own.
Days of Yore 1GW
Sorcery
Return up to one target artifact card, up to one target legendary card, and up to one target Saga card from your graveyard to your hand.
“History lies just beneath our hooves if we care to look.”
—Argyle Starshine, journal
Royal Branchsinger 3GW
Creature — Pegasus Noble Druid
Flying
Whenever Royal Branchsinger deals combat damage to a player, search your library for a basic land card, reveal it, put it into your hand, then shuffle. If you’re the monarch, you may put a permanent card from your hand onto the battlefield.
3/3
Castle Grounds
Land
T: Add C.
T: Add CC. Activate only if you’re the monarch.
“It’s funny. Grow up surrounded by splendor and you don’t notice it until you move out.”
—Princess Zipp Storm
>Mark of performance
Um... Leonin Elder? Reckless Fireweaver? Yotian Dissident? If it's not a may, pretty sure it locks the game, and if it is, it's an arbitrarily large pile of mana.
Gotta give it to the curse, and slightly disappointed Days of Yore isn't lorehold colors.
The Pegasupremacy progresses perfectly as planned!
I've described it as similar to trying to locate Springfield, where anything the writers put in on purpose is actively f
ing with us. (Fun fact: the stuff they weren't paying attention to has narrowed it down to the specific Springfield Matt Groening grew up in because Bart is a self-insert.)
Of course, the whole point of that was nobody who deserves their child would actually agree to it. Politics means never taking anything at face value.
I repeat, of course the dog has video editing skills didn't you watch the EQG shorts?
Haven would start organizing that within minutes of finding out Opaline exists, no matter how many of the Mane 6 asked her not to. Just saying.
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Mark of Performance was admittedly a last-minute change. The original plan just had each opponent lose 1 life per trigger, but that felt wrong flavor-wise. Might have been the wiser option, though.
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"She threatened my babies? I'm going to mount her head on a spike."
"Mom, we don't do that anymore!"
"Yes, and we'd be a huge disappointment if Cozy Glow the First could see us now."
I don't know what sound editors are thinking these days, but it seems like almost everything I watch anymore has terrible balance. I keep subtitles on for everything because the dialogue is almost always buried under the music and sound effects. And I know I'm not the only one. I read something a while back explaining it. Didn't quite follow, but something like the streamers want things mixed as if for the cinema even tho that isn't where it's being watched? Don't remember exactly now, but it's annoying!
I thought this scene was a nice portrait of a filly who as had this detail explained to her for the event. She takes pride in getting it right, and telling Misty what to do, without realizing that it doesn't actually matter and just makes Misty even more nervous.
Yeah, this really snuck up on us, eh?
I'd even defaulted to thinking it was tomorrow it premiered, figuring Hasbro/Netflix would use the last Monday of September once again. But given both parties are already starting to sweep this show, and even this generation, under the rug, basically dumping the rest out to die is fitting.
Yeah… About that…
This was honestly one of Make Your Mark's best episodes, possibly even its best. Between Misty no longer having to be a terrible spy around the Mane 6 and giving us many cringe faceslap moments, the character arcs and plot being a logical progression both on last time and on how they progress here, and the "issue causes by the characters not communicating" having a logical and organic reason, in Misty not wanting to disappoint her friends she's now open with, it's actually an agreeable skeleton.
It doesn't stop there: while the cutie mark stories are pretty weak relative to the depth afforded in "The Cutie Mark Chronicles", being basic "I indulged in my future talent/virtue, and got it" 40-seconds things (plus whatever Hitch's was that mixes kindness up with authority and order that his shield represents), they still make for a three-minute stretch that largely works. The cutie mark lore is more agreeable that most in G5. And the song is one of the best in a while. It's easily above any of the pop pap in Chapter 4 that faded from the mind in the midst of watching/listening to them, at any rate.
All of that only gets it so far: even aside from the Opaline threat being so sanded down it never flies, and the receptiveness of the end decision by Misty (which we only see in practice in one episode in the rest of this chapter, we still have to combat CG tv animation that highlights all the seams and flaws above the merits (every new locale is so set-bound), phoney dialogue, mangled voice direction (and, yes, muddled audio mixing), and a flow/logic in the beat-by-beat writing and storyboarding/layout that is somehow both schizophrenic and lethargic at once (honestly, this is the thing I find ruins any possibility of immersion the most in this series).
But, for the first time, this had me hopeful for the show's following episodes, and that's no mean feat. "Portrait of a Princess" unquestionably still had the best scene in the "Portrait Day" song (oh, if only more songs weren't just diegetic in-universe pop pap written by Pipp's!), but I think overall, I'd give the win to this, as that has a lot of insufferable Pipp and grumpy Zipp to get through. Good on you, Misty!
That was straight-up the same shot used twice -- the same pony walks by the foreground both times while Izzy approaches the pile twice. I hope that was a last-minute desperation attempt to fill too much time with not enough rendered animation.
Over the course of this episode, I grew increasingly confused as to why the crew didn't just go with the tried-and-true "echoey dialogue while the character looks pensive indicates that we're hearing their thoughts." Given all the other concessions that have already been made in deference to time and budget, I don't think it would ruin the storytelling. And it would have saved the animators the time and effort of lip-syncing multiple sentences.
Excluding Gummy, did we ever hear the internal monologue of a G4 character? The only thing that's jumping to mind is the "angel and devil on each shoulder" bit that Pinkie underwent in "The Saddle Row Review."
Pipp's reaction was the first line that got an out-loud laugh from me in quite a while.
Also fairly murder-y.
Misty: "Twilight Sparkle's enchanted invisi-bubble can only keep Opaline out of Equestria for so long."
Wait, what? Did I miss this from a previous episode, or are they just now throwing in an explanation of why Opaline never tried infiltrating the lighthouse herself?
I think this was probably the weakest episode of this new chapter. The "The Cutie Mark Chronicles, but less so" vibe didn't do much for me. But as the chapter went on I got more into it. I particularly think the animation has improved. While the environment still have that plastic play set feel, I do think the character models are getting more animated and expressive. Even something as small as the brief shots of the Marestream zooming along in a later episode feels a lot sharper and snappier than previous chapters of MYM ever did.
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So amen to that. I kept pondering, "dudes, you can't even do what the 4Kids generation of anime dubbing managed in their sleep, what are you doing?"
The sleepover episode from Chapter 2 did state this offhand (or offhoof, as it were
) via Misty's tale when she was still unable to mentally process that Opaline wasn't totally right:
And that part, at least, is totally true. But even by that 6th episode, it was awfully late to address a plot hole never acknowledged in the prior five episodes.
Hmm, honestly not sure how I feel about that. On the one hand, I get that the previous way could smack of instrumentality - defining a pony primarily or solely by what they can do. Admittedly, I've always seen it less as "what are you best at?" and more as "what do you find most fulfilment in?" and giving them a boost in being able to (and, in as much as it includes the concept of destiny, it's not the thing you're forced to dedicate your life towards so much as the thing you would most want to), but that's very much my own interpretation and I can understand the decision to change it.
However, to be honest, this way feels... well, as counter-intuitive as it may seem, it feels a lot less meaningful to me. I'm not...entirely sure why, but I think it stems from feeling a lot less concrete and a lot more vague. Like, sure, FiM cutie marks could be non-obvious and metaphorical, sometimes even a little obtuse, but they were at least something definite and had a distinct meaning. Plus it was indicative of a Special Talent which, when you think about it, is kind of a low-key superpower (and not always that low-key) and losing the direct connection with that feels like it's de-emphasizing what make ponies a lot deeper and more powerful than they seem as a species. Which may not necessarily be a problem, but it still doesn't feel quite right to me.
Also, as much intricacy as they could have within them and the pony who had them, the basic idea of a Talent was generally simple enough that it could be summed up in a single image. A personality, though? Kinda seems like any symbol of that would be so reductive and nebulous as to be basically meaningless. I mean, I hate to pick apart the words of a child, but “as unique as every shell on the beach” seems like the most insubstantial description imaginable (not to mention either being a diss at every other pony or the kind of paradoxically generic description that'd send Syndrome into a laughing fit), yet it feels like this kind of thing this version of a Mark would invite.
I mean, I guess I'm kind of ruminating and babbling about nothing in the end (and doing so at my usual long-winded pace - sorry about that) since... well, let's be real: the first and only real reason why ponies have Cutie Marks is to give recognizable and marketable iconography to a toyline. Which is not in any way unreasonable and is something it does very well, but it means any in-universe explanation is going to be inherently retroactive. I guess it's just that, while I'm ninety-percent certain this is just a me-thing, this interpretation feels like much more flimsy a pretext.
And that wasn't even the part I was talking about; Haven would see in Opaline a rival claimant to the throne.
Just a quick heads-up: the latest rumors have Chapter 6 of Make Your Mark premiering on Thanksgiving.
EDIT: Chapter 6 will have 3 22-minute episodes plus Secrets of Starlight.
Actually, my current projections have you getting to Part 8 of Moonstuck on February 11, 2024.