Sensible Thoughts on Season 4 · 3:43pm Jun 27th, 2014
Well, we are once again in the hiatus period of MLP:FiM, that means it is time to integrate new canon. Now, I'll admit, some things this last season, particularly the finale, threw me for a loop. I'm not ashamed to admit I had a kneejerk reaction to some issues. So now I shall publish my new, improved,sensible thoughts on Season 4.
First of all, I loved it. A full 26 episodes again and all but one of them were what I have come to expect. The opener removed a lot of fears that had developed in the long hiatus period, keeping our dear Twilight Sparkle the lovable, and adorkable bookworm we remember. The wings were just that, wings. No move to Canterlot, no abandoning her friends. Discord too looked great as a sort of neutral character. The 'loss' of the Elements was a bold move but as we now know they are still in use, merely in an alternative form.
Continuing on, the first few regular episodes took an interesting direction, focusing more on adventure than before, but still keeping the morals, albeit in the form of a diary. 'Castle Mania' was good for a laugh and gave us a glimpse of our new diabolical villain. 'Daring Don't' and 'Flight to the Finish' certainly sunk a few headcanons, whilst 'Power Ponies' gave Spike screen time and character building he had not received since saving the Crystal Empire. nice to see he's more than a magic fax machine.
Then came the first great episode 'Rarity takes Manehatten' giving us a look at a new locale and introducing us to the super adorable Coco Pommel as well as being the first hint of the mysterious Rainbow Power.
Unfortunately, not long after came the only bad egg, wherein the pink alicorn OC reared her ugly head. A limited storyline that was painful to endure, not even a singing Discord could save it. 'Three's a Crowd' was there simply to put Cadence out yet again.
Luckily though, this was quickly reversed by several great episodes that brought us back to Season 2 territory. Without listing and analysing them all, I'm sure you'll agree they were pretty damn good, with world building, good stories and new characters. Then of course, Princess Luna made her seasonal appearance, this time to Sweetie Belle again fulfilling her role as guardian of dreams. And of course, who could forget the rarest of finds, 'Leap of Faith' that gave Applejack her own brilliant episode.
Then a slight let down. 'Equestria Games' was not what we had been expecting, turning to a Spike character story rather than a ponified London 2012. Then though came the finale.
A new, if recycled Tirek appeared and for the first time, we saw a villain team up, with Discord turning traitor and playing second fiddle (a move I honestly thought would have been below him). We were then treated to an epic fight scene marred only by the loss of the library. While I accept this as a necessary evil, I shall still miss that old tree. Tirek himself was a villain, like Chrysalis, I really loved to hate, and for the first time all of our beloved Equestria was in peril, with almost everypony drained of their innate magic. Then though, we got our new Elements of Harmony 2.0, aka Rainbow Power. After consulting the newly published 'Journal of the Two Sisters' I can confirm that the box was essentially a one time use of the Elements. The whole hairdo thing seemed to lean a bit towards more pony merch, but I can live with that, we still blasted the problem with magical rainbows of friendship.
Finally of course, we had our new tree. A bit big and maybe a little gaudy, I am interested to see what Twilight does with it. I expect that, like Twilicorn we've blown things out of proportion and that it will just be a bigger version of the library, with cool chairs. Season 5 is still without an airdate, but with any luck, we'll know before Hearth's Warming.
Anyway, that's what I have to say. My revised thoughts on Season 4 after I had calmed down and thought. What does everypony else think? Did Season 4 pass or has McCarthy taken a wrong turn? Any episodes that you loved or simply despised? Am I wrong, feel free to tell me. Comment below.
i would say refurbished over recycled. i mean, what could the original tirek do? his only power was holding a bag with a evil shadow in it. the new one was capable of far more threat.
the journal of the pony sisters mentioned the box? are they unable to use the tree to access the power or something? cause, if you think about it, the Tree IS the box.... box was a seed.
2274087 In the book, Twilight refers to the Elements during Tirek's defeat, with no reference to the Rainbow Power tag line. Since the tree spawned the Elements as its fruit, it is fair to say that the box could be considered a seed. It may even be the case that the bearers themselves have become the Elements.
2274254 from what i saw the transfered power into them directly with help of the box. of course tiwlight would not be refering to the power boost as the rainbow power though. that is probably something pinkie would come up with.
what i can guess is that the castle tree contains a fair portion of that power. thus giving the mane six power to continue protecting harmony even when the elements must remain where they are..... though i would note that elementso f harmony 2.0 have a distinct lack of mobility in comparison to those necklaces. though i honestly would not mind seeing the rianbow powers again, if only occasionally. seeing them enough times i grown used to them, even fond of some designs, and if the power has grown a bit more limited it would mean it is a power up to help fight baddies over a end the episode lser.
overall i think people are delusional to think mccarthy's command has ruined mlp, if anyhting it only grows greater.
2274819 Rainbow power is just an alternative form of the Elements and probably better, since their no need for the necklaces and crown as the Mane Six may effectively be the Elements. As for McCarthy, I think she learned her lesson with 'A Canterlot Wedding'. While we've had dark episodes since, we've never gone as far as the season 2 finale, which I always see as going too far in terms of what is allowed.
2274864 except it seems the power in contained in the castle itself, which i highly doubt they can just slip into a saddlebag.
the canterlot wedding i never ofund that dark. largely because luna had yet to show up.... had a sneaking suspicion that chrysalis was going by bluff after overpowering celestia as i do not remember her using magic again aterwards.
2274904 It just went too far for me. I mean, the mane six captured despite Twilight being able to turn into a magical Gatling gun, Celestia not only beaten but encased in a cocoon, and Luna absent with no explanation? If Celestia had been beat and the mane six saved her, I'd be fine with it. Hell, if they just had the princesses away somewhere I'd be fine with it. It's just the Chrysalis effectively won despite everything, that ought never to happen. A villain can come close, such as Sombra or Tirek, but they should never win, gloat in song and then be defeated, and not completely at that.