S:5 Ep.3

So were back again for another week of pony! Oh, it feels good to be back

So the episode….

This was actually rather cute. It was rather simple but actually quite touching and funny.

[Spoilers]

It opens with Twilight helping Fluttershy clean her animals. Twilight sticks around after dark, even though Fluttershy tries to subtlety tell her to go away in the nicest way possible. Reminds me of the person who sticks around a party too long. Go home Twilight, for Celestia’s sake. Twilight wins some brownie points for abusing Angle Bunny.

Twilight’s friends gather in the castle to enjoy pastries. They all agree that Twilight is hiding an issue from them. Twilight falls asleep in cake due to exhaustion from not sleeping. Her friends confront her and she admits that she doesn’t like living in the hideous castle. Surprise of suuprises. Doesn’t Twilight have any servants? Or is she really expected to run her entire dominion on her own? Thanks, Celestia.

Twilight has been using her friends to find any excuse to stay away from it. Rarity doesn’t understand how Twilight could hate the castle. Yes Twilight how could you ever hate a home you didn't ask for because your original home was destroyed by a power crazed lunatic along with all your possessions? I mean there is absolutely no concievable way that you may be slightly traumatized by events that have occoured? Rarity is a good friend ladys and gentlemen.

Her friends send her to the spa because she is filthy and Rarity emotional manipulates Spike to keep her away, while they fix the castle.

Much to my consternation, the characters go down the stereotypical road and fill the castle with useless items they enjoy, instead of stuff that Twilight enjoys. Including a few funny bits regarding to animals and dirt that Fluttershy and Applejack brought in respectively. Though at least they didn’t try and fill the palace with books, it's a bit refreshing not to be swamped by the fact that Twilight does indeed enjoy books.

Spike has some quite good scenes where he stalls Twilight. We get a first speaking role from the Spa sisters and a Bulk Biceps cameo. Apparently he works at the spa. That’s pretty funny.

The Friends then have a massive fallout because they filled the throne room with junk. I have to find it humorous that Rainbow Dash fills the castle with posters and trophies of herself. The group remove the clutter and ponder on what to do. Suddenly they remember ‘Wow maybe we should decorate it like what Twilight wants!’ You've cracked the case Holmes…

Twilight and Spike actually have quite a nice moment reflecting on the tree, which was touching considering the episodes generally light tone.

Spike stalls some more and the group decides to do something with the fallen library. Later, they reveal that they have used the roots of the treehouse to make a memorial kind of thing with all of Twilights best memories of her time in Ponyville. It looks okay and while the sentiment is nice, I feel they could have really done more.

It ends with some tears and the episode wraps up nicely from there.

Not as snarky from me as the last time. That’s mainly due to the fact that I rather enjoyed this episode. It was comical but with a nice few sentimental moments.

My main problem is still the castle. Let’s not dally on it, it looks horrible. It’s gaudy, ugly and sticks out terribly from its surroundings. Even with the improvements it still has no real purpose bar the map and Hasbro's insitence on a new toy to sell. Twilight’s home was warm and inviting, the castle is the opposite.

Another problem is that while the castle may signify Twilight’s change into a princess, bar a few references Twilight rarely seems to do anything relating to a person in the position of authority. She is still in many ways, the leader of the town, but she has been since about the start of season 1. I wish the writers would at least try to address this. Wasn’t the whole point of the season 4 finale, that Twilight lacked purpose and wanted more from her job? I wouldn’t describe putting out small flare ups of evil as princessly, considering she had done the same thing even before she got her title and castle.

Anyway, I'm too cynical. The episode was good and I really look forward to more.

8/10