My Review of MLP: FIM season 8 episode 23 Sounds of Silence · 9:31pm Dec 9th, 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 episode review for today. This afternoon, I will be reviewing the twenty-third episode of season 8 entitled “Sounds of Silence”. I will say right off the bat that this is definitely the best episode of the season, without any doubt in my mind. The plot, the characters, the development, and even the moral were all excellently written in a relatable way, and it is the first episode of the season that actually didn’t make me roll my eyes at the end. That, in itself, speaks volumes of this episode.
The episode starts with Applejack and Fluttershy being summoned by the Friendship Map. Twilight shows them where the map is sending them: the Peaks of Peril. Fluttershy is freighted by this while Applejack is confident that they can handle this mission perfectly. For their second friendship mission, they prepare themselves for an unexpected adventure they have yet to take.
As they travel to the Peaks of Peril, Applejack decides to painstakingly go through the woods while she is unaware that Fluttershy isn’t with her. She goes all the way back to see her talking with the squirrels who had blue flowers with them. Fluttershy then shows her the shortcut to the Peaks of Peril thanks to the help of the critters.
This is where we meet new characters who at the very least stuck around for the series finale: the Kirins. The Kirins are creatures who are bound by kindness and truthfulness…who occasionally display their short-tempered nature. As it is revealed later in the episode, they loved to talk, sing, and laugh together until they all broke out in intense argument. As a result of their crumbling relationship due to hurtful words, they swore to never speak again by immersing themselves in the stream of silence.
Thus, they uphold their silent vow and display zero emotion during their interaction with one another. This entire situation highlights how extremely sensitive they are and how much they despise fighting. From my perspective, their actions separates them from the ponies; the Kirins are fully aware how words can hurt whereas most ponies say things won’t ever considering if others are receptive of them or not.
Such a shame. Anyway, there is one Kirin who could not stop talking and singing: Autumn Blaze. She’s a really good character in this episode, and although she doesn’t appear again for the final season (except in the series finale), she still left a positive impact due to how memorable her song is, how quirky she is, how lovable she is, and how relatable she is. All the new characters from season 9 pale in comparison to her.
Blaze once had a cure for herself so that she can talk again and stuff, but she used it all up eventually. Therefore, they must find a way to get them talking and feeling again. But here is where things take an interesting turn: Applejack and Fluttershy begin to argue while all the other Kirins surround them with concern. Hey, look! They’re actually emoting! They’re showing concern! Fear! That’s an emotion! Yet, at this point, they’re not supposed to feel? Looks like deep down, they’re not really emotionless whenever conflict is involved.
Blaze saves Apples and Flutters from being dipped into the stream of silence, mastering her anger. Thus, we learn that anger is a valid emotion to have; how we use it is what will make the difference. See, this lesson needs to be shared more often because many of us easily struggle with controlling our temper. Let’s be honest here. Remember, kids, it’s perfectly okay if you get angry over something. However, make sure that anger doesn’t make you say or do things that will make the situation worse.
Keep in mind, we learn so that we can be problem-solvers, not problem-makers.
Believe me, I’ve said some things in the past I deeply regret, and I’m sure you all can relate to that. I’ve learned over the years that it never hurts to talk about your feelings with people you trust and love; don’t bottle it up until you get provoked. Talk to someone and settle whatever disagreement you may have as civil individuals/adults. This episode re-enforced this moral perfectly.
Rachel Bloom did a fantastic job voicing this character and giving her such a likable personality. She’s like a cinnamon bun, if you will. Plus, she somewhat reminds me of Marcy from “Amphibia” as I think of how similar their personalities are.
Lastly, Gregory Bonsignore did a great job writing this episode, and it is the only one he ever wrote for this show. How is it that a guest writer did a significantly better job writing a kids’ cartoon episode than some of the other writers who wrote more than one episode?? That alone impresses me!
So Fluttershy and Applejack find the flowers, Blaze throws them into the fountain, the Kirins drink it, and they can finally feel and speak again. Thus, the ponies’ friendship mission is completed. And there you have it, I can be happy about it without being condescending or sarcastic. With that said, I give it a rare A! I admire the voice acting, the splendid animation, and the character development it brought forth. Surely, they won’t drop the ball after this…right?
Peace out.
Not only Sound of Silence is my favorite episode from season 8, but my favorite episode in generals.
I agree with you on this. Not only is “Sounds of Silence” the very best episode of Season 8, but it represents why I’ve enjoyed every MLP installment that was made before the 8th & 9th seasons came along.
Plus, thanks to it having zero reference or allusion to the rest of Season 8, it’s easy for me to classify the episode as both officially canon and something that takes place before the 2017 film.