Dawn of a New Day · 7:43pm Feb 16th, 2013
Well, we've walked into the solarium, and we've gotten our answer. And, at least so far as I see, it's "(provisionally) yes".
It seems that, perhaps, we have not suffered so terrible a fate as we may have thought.
We're not standing on top of our grand tower listening to dark brooding piano as it all burns, but on the other hoof we're not dancing through the streets in glorious victory, either. But I'll call it as hedged toward the better side of neutral.
My thoughts are, I expect, not all that different from most. It was rushed as all get-out, and very much should have been a two-parter (and that's putting aside the potential continuation coming later per Meghan McCarthy's twitter teasing).
That aside, we finally find out where Daniel Ingram has been keeping all the good ponysongs locked away.
Celestia singing was technically very good, thematically somewhat flat. But then, the whole episode has that problem, with its relying so heavily on destiny / inexorable fate, which I've always considered a bullshit idea. Also, she and Twilight walking through the astral realm has totally co-opted one of my story ideas (to a degree, at least).
Finally, we learn that Star Swirl the Bearded was all of two lines off creating an alicorn ascension spell via the Elements of Harmony when he died. There's a story in there, if someone wants to dig it out.
...And I'm sure that everything is perfectly fine...
Also, I do have to agree with you on the fact that it could have been a two-parter, with the cutie mark switching being one and the coronation being the second, but in order to extend the coronation, there would have to be a lot of existential and inner conflict, some of which I don't think the target demographic would entirely get.
Yeah, people are loving the astral walk part, and... it bored me, because it sort of undercut the hyped concept that Twilight had caused her own ascension... now she looks more like a pawn. *shrugs* It is what it is. Everything I've read/heard firsthand is that it was a huge hit with girls, so the staff did a good job there.
I'm just part of a demographic that wants the story to be told a different way for selfish reasons.
Just watched it intoxicated. So I thought it was brilliant. My feels go out to Star Swirl though. Poor guy made an entire book that was a mere paragraph short of alicorn ascension. Then Twilight comes along and takes all the glory
Edit: Nothing too important. Figured it would be interesting to note that they skipped the intro in an attempt to further cram in as much as they possibly could. Considering the time limit they had, and the set goal, I'd say they did a swell job. I still would have preferred a 2 two-parter regardless.
I admit it: I really liked the astral walk scene. I understand the complaints you have, but I still liked it. Plus, I'm not as averse to the whole destiny thing either, though if it's overdone or really cliche you'll catch me rolling the ol' eyeballs. I mean, I didn't like the destiny card being played with such finality when the show still has 26 (at least) more episodes to go. I was just happy they actually built up to twicorn a bit, rather than zam-bow pony princess right at the end.
I'm really interested in that comment by McCarthy too; hope she's planning good things.
834654 The funny thing is if you really pay attention it's clear Celestia didn't actually do jack. The magic came from Twilight herself, yes Celestia did something impressive right before but her horn wasn't lit up. I think she figured out how things were going a while ago, but Clestia isn't really responsible at all.
As to Destiny. They're using it wrong. It's clear you actually form your own destiny in the ponyverse, even if the magic tatto that you get once you chose your future is wrong. In other words cutie mark doesn't determine destiny, the pony determines their own fate and cutie mark once they know how they want to live the rest of their life.
837384
You know, this is one place where there seems to be a big disparity in perception. I thought there was essentially no buildup- we had the "if she's ready" line and the book in Ep 1, but that was all for this season. I'm genuinely curious- what other buildup did you see in the show, as opposed to rumors and promos and such? And I understand liking it- a lot of people did. A large part of why I didn't like it is that I disagree with the entire reason for the scene to begin with. It's hard to be enthusiastic about something that's part of an event you don't want to see happen, but I really am glad others in the fandom are enjoying it so much. I have a very different opinion, but it doesn't mean I have to be all sour grapes about it- I'm really trying not to be, but I'm about as stubborn as a mule, so it'll take me some time. I just hope it doesn't make for untenable changes in the future of the show.
839934
Well, since she didn't transform until Celestia had finished all of her singing/exposition, it seemed to me that Celestia had some measure of control. Note, I didn't say it was all Celestia's doing- just that it undercut Twilight's role. I had expected it to happen right away, not after her mentor had a chance to review with her why she was being elevated to demi-god status. I don't think there's a right or wrong here- it's another case of perception. The big thing is, Twilight became an Alicorn and this is a minor detail in the face of that series-changing event... which was squeezed into 22 minutes.
I know I'm engaging in a bit of overthinking, but that's what this fandom is about, isn't it- finding logic and meaning in a show that's supposed to be aimed at a different audience?
We've got a live one here. And there might even be a story being written somewhere right now dealing with just this idea...
I'm going to headcanon here. That headcanon being, as above, Twilight completed Star Swirl's Elements-based Ascension spell. Celestia's involvement extends as far as, given her position as solar deity, being able to permit or deny said ascension (but not simply inspire it herself; Twilight had to
be manipulated intodo that).And who knows? There might be a story being written right now dealing with just that idea!
840162
Hmmmmmmmm... I like how you put that, it works very well, thanks for putting that thought up.
Well, I can safely say that I shall be interested to see what take is taken when this is taken into account!!
839958
Ha, well don't give me wrong, I despise the idea of twicorn and princess twilight. I've just never liked it. But I wasn't exactly given much of a choice, and the past two to three weeks since the official reveal has been full of trying to "get over it," and "accept it," and just generally approach the whole thing with an open mind. I mean, we still don't know exactly how much this will change things, so in the future I may end up hating it far more. Of course, I would've prefered none of it happen at all, but nothing to do about that now. Disappointments happen when you're a part of a fandom like this. I'm a Sonic fan: I've been living with them for a over a decade.
What I meant by "buildup" was this: given the fact it was one episode, and knowing there was supposed to be a problem, solution, and a big ol' coronation event, I was severely worried that they would just whip out alicorn twilight in a jiff as soon as the cutie mark problem was solved. And they almost did; she writes the spell, and suddenly bam, its time to get blasted by the elements. I expected her to pop out with wings, though I didn't like the idea of it happening so abruptly. But then they didn't do that. Instead we got to see Celestia, and find out there something big on its way (though we knew what it was). Basically, when it came to the part I was really worried about, the episode slowed down some and handled it with some care (though I'm sure opinions differ on that). We got a few minutes of buildup, rather than no buildup, so that once she did begin to transform, I actually enjoyed it. That's not the only reason I liked that scene, but there ya go.
As far as seasonal buildup; yeah, they could've done a lot more. I mean, there were snippets here and there, but it wasn't much.
I think the biggest reason I was able to enjoy the princess twicorn thing as much as I did, despite my distaste for the idea (putting aside the skill with which I think it was handled by the staff, given their limitations) is that it didn't get into what really matters about the whole thing to begin with; that is, how will it change the show? We haven't seen that yet. So it's very easy to just fill it in with a very wished-for answer: it won't. But come season 4, if they answer that question in a poor way, I'l react accordingly. For now I can hope (though for some that may be pretend).
840162
Really? I have NO idea who could be writing that!
841809
I see what you mean by buildup, now. As for Alicorn Twilight, in theory I'm not opposed, at the right time. It is clear that there's been a destiny building for her, but... with such a short season, and what I thought were so many other ideas for good adventures and such, I just didn't feel it was the right time. Too soon, and it makes such an abrupt change it's hard to tell what it will lead to, so the worry about how it would change the 'friendship' dynamic (see people's concerns about the bowing) is a big part of my dislike. For me as well, the last few weeks have been full of "Okay, I really need to give this a chance!" but sometimes I'm too stuck in my ways for my own good.
I just want friendly, flawed, limited Ponies who overcome those limitations by getting help from their friends.
842665
Yeah, pretty much how I feel, though the bowing thing didn't bother me, since I've seen things like it before (ie, Lord of the Rings). One thing's for sure; it's gonna be a loooong wait.