My Little Pony: Make Your Mark - Chapter 6 Review Remastered

Hello, everybody.

We're gathered here today 'cause I owe this Chapter of MYM an apology. I didn't made a fair review back in November, and I think it's time to change that. But first of all, here's a few points I'll like to clear before we go down to review the chapter:

1- No, my opinion on it being a disappointment hasn't changed. It's still the second weakest chapter in my eyes, and no YouTube video nor well detailed explanation is ever gonna change my mind.

2- No, just because I'm giving it a more fair review it means I like it. I do recognize it is not as bad as I made it look back in November, but it still doesn't sell off for me.

3- NO, it won't be adapted to my story just because I'm making it a better review. I just wanna make justice to it, alright?

With that being shared, let's get down to revisit this Chapter and give it a better review than before:

Chapter 6: I'm still disappointed, yet it isn't that bad + Secrets of Starlight

Let's start talking, once again, from Episode 1 of this Chapter: The Isle of Scaly. I stated before that Spike felt disappointing design and personality-wise, yet I have to admit I worded what I wanted to in the wrong way. Yes, his design as an older dragon isn't pretty, but after a few days of thinking about it, I realize that this is the best they could do not only with a 3D version of the character, but also with a limited budget. Yes, the animation from Chapter 4 and onwards is amazing compared to Chapter 1, but it remains limited at the end of the day. So, Adult Spike and all the other dragons' designs are a thing I can easily forgive because it's a matter of how good they can make them look with such a limited budget.

As for his personality, it seems like I just needed to rewatch some episodes of FIM focused on Spike to realize that, well, he's literally the same character, just older. His quips, the way he talks about the good ol' days in G4, and that joke about "welp, that's it, Imma head back to sleep” is actually really in-character. Gotta say it: Just realizing how well studied and nailed Spike really is in this Chapter made his presence a lot better and entertaining for me to watch.

I can't say my opinion has changed regarding the rest of the episode, though. Yes, Sunny's got more screen time and actually got to be the focus of the episode (in the sense that she does feel like the main character of the episode), but I still think the dragons all feel like the same character personality-wise, except for Blaze. She does feel different because she's definitely tougher than the other dragons and doesn't just trust anyone, which gives her personality. Out of that? My opinion remains: This episode just feels a bit pointless, and I also believe that it made Twilight look like a horrible ruler. Then again, she sent her practically own son away and cursed him into a dream because there was no better solution, so while I don't like what she did, I understand why she did so.

Now let's move to Episode 2: Roots of all Evil Pt. 1. I'm still not happy with how the dragons fell right into the lion's den when it was obvious they were heading to a trap, and I highly believe Spike should've anticipated it. However, the way he teased Sunny on being a princess 'cause she's an Alicorn is really in brand with the character, so I can let it slip. Also, I really like that Sparky saved himself from getting controlled, which leads to him being one of the reasons Opaline is defeated. I feel like I should've said that I did enjoy Sparky being more relevant in the previous review, but I remember I added Chapter 6 as a last minute thing 'cause I wanted to have the review up in time, thank God I'm writing this days earlier this time.

And yes: My opinion regarding Hitch being the chadest he can be while holding back Opaline like the fucking GOAT he is remains intact as well. Seriously, they could just make Hitch look like a joke like in "The Rise and Fall" episode of TYT, but they instead made him justice and allowed him to make quite the fight against Opaline. Say what you want, but the fact he lasted THAT much with nothing but his Earth Pony magic is to admire.

Moving into Episode 3; Roots of all Evil Pt. 2, it definitely made the hype better. How Zipp and Pipp smartly distracted Opaline in an attempt to stop her, how Misty finally confronted Opaline and didn't seemed to mind losing her Cutie Mark if she could tell the Alicorn the truth (of course, she didn't gave a shit, but whatever), how Izzy was a queen and made quite the fight against Opaline, and I really love as well that Sunny didn't cared to go on her own knowing she was gonna lost anyways. I really hate that Sunny's magic is so limited, and I WILL FOREVER be angry that they gave Misty a character arc she DOESN'T need as much as Sunny does in TYT Season 2 (that is, learn some fucking magic and stop being useless with your tiny golden shields), but the fact she was still willing to fight Opaline on her own is awesome.

Now, I must say this loud and clear: As a villain, Opaline does the job. Not only she fucked up Equestria by causing the division between ponykind, but she also kidnapped a filly and brainwashed her for years, making a very severe trauma she's learning to let go just now; she kidnapped a baby and tried to kill it because of his magic, and soloed every single pony in Equestria almost without trying. I'm a huge believer that defeating a villain with a song can work if there's previous data that back it up. To put an example: In Trolls 3, there's this thing called "Family Harmony'' that's rumored to be able to shatter glass, and one of the important characters in the movie is trapped in a glass prison. Later on, that character is set free THANKS to the Family Harmony that was established SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE MOVIE.

In MYM, however, the Together Trees are revealed to give magic instead of taking it... 5 fucking minutes before defeating Opaline. That, ladies, gentleman and non-binary people, is what we call a "Deus Ex Machina": A thing that was established at last minute to vaguely solve the problem at hand. I don't mind the Together Trees sending magic to help Sunny take Opaline down, I don't mind a song putting her down for good - even though I do believe it's quite stupid, otherwise ask Wish 'cause that movie is hot garbage at its finest. My problem with Opaline's defeat is that it happened because they literally pulled out from their rears that the Trees can send magic with enough Unity from everypony. It was never established before, nothing hinted at it, NOTHING made you think it could be like that. They just found an empty space on the script, said "yeah, let's put the explanation here where nothing important is happening so something important can happen" and called it a day.

And Opaline being the reason for her own demise as she dumbly chases for her Cutie Mark towards the open spot in the tree instead of being tied up with vines like in TYT? Opaline might have everything a villain needs to be one, but she's not that smart if she killed herself. However, I do believe that Sparky saving the day by using the Dragonstone against Opaline was great. The little fella turned out to be pretty useful, huh? Props to them for giving Sparky a really useful moment. The Dragons, well, they could've done better with them, but I think they were neat regardless. The little interactions they had when sneaking into Opaline's liar got a chuckle out of me, to tell the truth. I definitely owe them an apology for thinking they were bad because, in reality, they were pretty neat!

I also owe an apology to Misty. Finding the courage to face up to the same bitch that messed up your childhood, teenage years and young adulthood couldn't have been easy, yet she still did it. Back then, I say she was stupid for facing a villain and expecting it to change with a few words. Today? She's got my respect: Not everyone is willing to face up against something or someone that ruined their lives, but she did, and that's something admirable.

Spike, my boy, the chadest dragon to ever exist in Equestria, I also owe you an apology. While it is true you did nothing useful beyond sharing the full picture on Opaline's goal and Twilight's sacrifice, you definitely stayed true to your character and remain as the same guy that might make terrible jokes, but gosh, I missed those. So again: Forgive me for treating you so harshly before.

And finally, Episode 4 and the last special of MYM: Secrets of Starlight. I didn't even review this episode 'cause I instead decided to bitch about how lame all the four specials are to the generation since they bring nothing useful to it. With the first three specials, that statement remains up to this day, but with Secrets of Starlight? Boy, that has changed DRASTICALLY after rewatching the whole Chapter to make this review. I feel that Secrets of Starlight is the only special out of the four that DOES matter and should NOT be skipped at all. Starlight Ridge isn't just a really beautiful looking place, but it also introduces two new characters that BOY, they're everything that's right with G5.

Violet Frost and Comet are the best ponies from the special, hands down. Izzy connecting with Comet so freaking fast is amazing and shipping material. Also, the introduction of Allura and Twitch as the new villains was great as well. I'm eager to know more about them both, and I hope that TYT starts to leave the pointless plots and repetitive lines (no, Misty, we don't need to know why your fucking Cutie Mark comes to life for the millionth time this month) to focus more on the story and on Allura and whatever plan she may have along her brother. If they're a duo of sadistic siblings, that'll be neat!

Secrets of Starlight, while having a weak story, does a good job introducing the new villains, we just need to know more about them to see if they're up to fill the shoes Opaline left behind... And hopefully they will.

As a whole, Chapter 6 remains to be the second weakest chapter in Make Your Mark, but now that I have rewatched it, I appreciate it a whole lot more. There's things I don't like and things I despise, but there's also things that allowed me to enjoy this Chapter a whole lot more now that it's been months since MYM came to an end...

Btw, I've seen people saying 3D G5 is gone, which clearly shows me you didn't pass first grade in school if you cannot understand reading comprehension. MYM is what ended, not 3D G5. There's a big difference, and I can't believe it has to be pointed out.

So, how does the Top 6 of the Chapters look with this new review? The exact same:

1 - Chapter 4: Remains as my absolute favorite, and Bridlewoodstock's still lame.
2 - Chapter 5: It's still the second best Chapter, but I still wished the last episode was better.
3 - Chapter 2: Still better than its successor Chapter and predecessor, yet kinda pointless.
4 - Chapter 3: Despite its pointless plot, it's still a fun and heartwarming special.
5 - Chapter 6: Yes, still disappointing, but I appreciate it and respect it more after my rewatch.
6 - Chapter 1: Do I really have to explain why I hate this Chapter again? I don't think so.

My conclusion to Make Your Mark also remains the same: It's a really heartwarming show with a good message. It isn't trying to be G4, it is not depending on it everytime, and that's the way it should be. Its story is consistent and, while it may make mistakes on the way, it's not a disappointing experience. The show remains with the 7.5/10 I give it back in the TYT Review.

But hey! That's just me, it's my opinion. What do you guys think about it? Let me know! I hope I did justice to Chapter 6 in this new review. It'll be great if you guys told me so!

Comments

[sunstar336]

its pronounced blaize. and will the dragons be appearing too, i want spike and knuckles to reunite.