041 Frenemies Talk: Make New Friends But Keep Discord feat. Miss Spectrum · 7:52pm May 17th, 2015
041 Frenemies Talk: Make New Friends But Keep Discord feat. Miss Spectrum
When we've met two weeks ago our review blog had two dudes. They were sitting by the campfire in a somewhat western setting, and had an honest talk about their feelings over the broken backbone of the last episode. Today, I'm pleased to inform that the mountain of complains is behind us, and we've managed to invite a feminine touch from a place which Vin Diesel announces the best. Please welcome Miss Spectrum, and check out our collective thoughts about the chaos, ooze, and positive vibes!
By now it should be obvious that there will be spoilers to S05EP07 below.
"Bonjour, Mademoiselle. Would you and your date like to taste our famous green jelly? It tastes like envy with a subtle touch of possessiveness."
Prane: Perhaps it’s because I’ve had to wait longer than the usual hiatus for this episode; or because I didn’t like that Appleloosa one; or wasn’t too fond of the last one featuring Discord (Three’s A Crowd), but I have to admit I really enjoyed this year’s Grand Galloping Gala!
While it’s true it resembled the season one finale with the obligatory “all hell breaks loose” moment, I guess they needed a big event in order for the plot to work, and I’m glad they chose that one instead of coming up with something else. It’s worth mentioning that this time around the party went actually pretty well! The incident with an oozing fellow was more amusing than life-threatening (at least compared to that furry stampede of doom the guests had to survive last time), and its resolution was handed very neatly by nopony from the main cast, but a newly introduced secondary character. I loved how it worked out in the season opener, and I look forward to more of these. Let’s be honest, the friendship lesson was still delivered by Fluttershy, but it didn’t require her to do Celestia knows what to save the day.
Let’s start with your general thoughts about the episode, and especially on our relaxed heroine called Tree Hugger - don’t you all think that her radical vibe is, like, in rhythm with her serene nature?
Gulheru: I shall avoid falling into the trap of positive vibes and other, quasi-spiritual hoodoos, especially coming from characters like this. Not to say that I am unimpressed with including such a pony in the show. I think it’s an intriguing homage to this specific sub-culture, having Tree Hugger around, but as a person with the Aura of Sarcasm stuck permanently in the “on” position, I will step back from her. As not to cause a little storm between the emanations.
Still, I am happy that we have another secondary character becoming the hero of the evening, rather than somepony from the Mane 6. It makes me feel like our dearest heroines are not absolutely necessary to deal with all the problems in Equestria. And that’s a good thing! Perhaps there is still hope for the nation, if they can actually muster some sense and not address Princess Twilight and her paragons of virtue to deal with everything.
:gentle buzzing of the Aura in the background:
Miss Spectrum: Tree Hugger is the best new character on this season so far. Her voice and her look just fits with what she is, I have to admit this time they done a really well made character. And I would love to know how was Fluttershy and Tree first meeting. Who would say that she actually knew her since last season?
Now talking about the episode itself, it was, for me, so far the best episode in this season (but I’m sure that the background pony episode will be even more better). I always love any episode with Discord after all, so I really expected a lot from it, but not that much! I loved every single minute of it. Discord all jealous over Tree and Fluttershy was so damn funny (mainly because Tree Hugger is female, if you know what I mean). And seeing Smooze there was awesome, I remember when I watched the Smooze episode when I was a kid. He was really weird back there, even more than today, however his (their?) effects were pretty more… dark.
I loved where Discord lives. His “Chaotic Dimension” is just so good, and is also something really good to know for future writing. And Discord cleaning his house and the dishes was pure gold! Now, everypony, please press “F” to pay respects to his mail-pony. But after all, nopony said he could replace Derpy!
Writing Tips: Jokes and references which make you laugh may have different impact on each and every one of your readers.
Gulheru: Ah, Discord, Discord, Discord… For a Spirit of Chaos, he tends to get worked up pretty quickly, considering that the millennia of lifetime should account for his insight. Then again, Friendship is complicated, isn’t it? Even he can get confused by it.
That being said, I adore him in this episode. The hidden references are fantastic– all the styles of stand-up comedy, the portal to another, strangely realistic “pocket/sock puppet dimension”, the Mark of Chaos on his staff (Could he be a manifestation of Tzeentch in the MLP universe?). Also, I like his household, it appears like it is taking a bit from Fluttershy’s cottage in its looks and interior.
I can safely say that, for me, any episode with him is absolutely golden. John de Lancie is doing such a splendid job I could go into a full-blown rant. “Why is this so late?” – little of that old villain experience coming out, hmmm? Good, keep at that. Might prove handy.
What are your opinions on the God of Chaos in the recent episode, friends?
Miss Spectrum: I just died when Discord tried starting telling jokes, but then suddenly Maud Pie just said something to Discord that is the best ‘Turn Down for What’ ever! “You are the most basic of jokes.” *start playing Turn Down For What* Isn’t it beautiful? But, as always, Maud Pie is rocking! *no one laughs* Okay, I’ll be back into my hole now… Anyways, seeing how Discord made a ‘rage quit’ when Fluttershy hugged Tree Hugger and said she was the best with animals was just the best thing ever. And then… the most random thing in the show just appeared out of nothing… our dimension? A puppet dimension? I dunno. That was just so weird.
Also: Discord being in control of anything he wants is canon now. He just scratched a place and a freaking portal for another dimension just appeared there. And that’s why kids you should never mess up with Discord and his feelings for somepony! I must admit I was like Tree Hugger looking at the portal, like… “What the heck is that?!”
Prane: Discord’s place seems cozy. It is certainly an improvement after being trapped in stone at the Canterlot sculpture garden, and the purples and blues swirling in the background looked quite mesmerizing, if ominous.
All those weird trees, bridges leading to nowhere, floating islands, and especially dust bunnies fit Discord as we know him. The overall living conditions may appear tough for an average pony, but what interests me the most is that ponies like Parcel Post can physically enter this private realm of his without any magic. It suggests there’s an entrance somewhere in Equestria, like that portal to the homeland of the Breezies. Probably near Ponyville, but where exactly? How often does one stumble down this rabbit hole? What besides flying badgers await those who venture there? How often will Discord have unexpected guests from now on? I need fanfictions on that, right now!
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Discord for being such a lousy stand-up comedian in this episode, because thanks to that build-up Maud’s line was an absolute killer. Sick burn, Maud-bro!
"Enough with the drama, Rarity! My own sister is drownin' in this green thingy and you don't see me gettin' all panicky about it!"
Miss Spectrum: Smooze is cute. You may find him weird and boring, but I find his new look way better now and not giving him a voice was a good choice. I think I find him rather more enjoyfull without any weird voice or bad song (you sure know what I’m talking about, yeah, that one G1 song). Of course he needed some personality, but I think that a creature that doesn’t really won’t get a personality in the show (yes, I’m talking not only about our Lord Smooze here, but back ponies). But at least he got nice dance moves!
Prane: I know nothing of G1, but I agree that making him voiceless was the right thing to do. Otherwise we’d have to through all that most likely forced character development where he says how downhearted he is because Discord first invited him and then ditched like some kind of a trophy goo (is that even a thing?). I like that like any professional goo he eats shiny things in his vicinity, and when I saw him for the first time I immediately thought of all those poor adventurers and their gear swallowed by countless gelatinous cubes. There isn’t a D&D campaign which couldn’t be made better by your players’ blank faces before they realize that what you claimed to be an empty room isn’t empty at all. Good times, good times.
Gulheru: I think I expected a little bit more… character from Smooze. That being said, he is a cracking fellow. A bit primordial, slightly clingy, and he has a tad problem with ravenous appetite. However, what is quite unique, for a creature without a voice, or full face for that matter, he has a surprising amount of personality. Perhaps he is not the best of partners for a conversation about the nature of the universe, but I would not mind hearing his opinion on jewelry and other shining things. He seems to have an ey—a mouth for those.
Congratulations, Reader! You've just won a room cleaning service from Discord. Are you brave enough to let him in?
Miss Spectrum: Discord receiving a smooch from Smooze was simply so cute, don’t you think? Really, I do. And seeing Celestia being more… I dunno, maybe less formal was really great. I like to see that fun side of her personality, that makes me enjoy her way more. And that also makes me think that we really need a episode only for Princess Celestia, just like they did back on Season Two with Princess Luna (not that just one was good, we also need more of Moonbutt).
So yeah, 10/10 on that episode! I really do hope episodes keep going just like that and showing us good new characters and better and whole new versions of G1 characters. That makes me wonder if Discord was always there, not only now on G4, but I think they’re trying to show how Discord meet a lot of G1 guys back someday. First Tirek and now Smooze, who’s next Dizzy? Maybe he can give us Grogar! That would be awesome to see, I really love how Grogar is a darn dark looking character, maybe we can see him on Season Finale!
I’m excited for next week with some world building ahead of us with Pinkie and Dash. Anyways, allons-y! *enters in a car and goes away*
Prane: After Pinkie Apple Pie and Ain’t Easy Being Breezies, Natasha Levinger retains her episode satisfaction rate at 100%. Discord was chaotic, but not obnoxious in his doings, while Tree Hugger and Smooze were interesting each in their own way, and I only wish that Celestia was portrayed as a bigger badass from time to time. Heck, I want an episode about her so we could learn if she actually has it in her. Please, benevolent writers, make her save the day, just once! It doesn’t have to be set in the present Equestria. Show me her and Sunset Shimmer solving a magical conundrum together and I’ll start throwing money at the screen (like I wasn’t already doing that whenever I see Sunset, but that’s a different story).
A couple of loose thoughts about the episode: CMC are terrible plus ones, but the Royal Castle must have hired a new dress designer for the Princesses. Somehow they looked better than during the wedding. Oh, and the MGS cardboard box reference, that was neat too!
Gulheru: Smooze’s triumphant, slimy return could open up the possibility for someone like Grogar to come back and, frankly, I would adore to see him in the rogue’s gallery. He could really stir up some dark magic trouble. Maybe conjure Sombra back. I miss the stallion.
All in all, a wonderful episode. Good premise, brilliant execution, intriguing characters and Discord. I hope that Dave Polsky has seen this after his “Appleloosa’s Most Wanted”.
And, yeah, Celestia loosening up, calling a normal Gala a dull affair and actually happy about the chaos around… I’m done, I don’t need this.
:vanishes in the mist:
That's all for today from me, folks!
OR IS IT
I'm actually close to finishing a story featuring Twilight, Spike, and Silver Spoon which is set roughly fifteen years after what we know from the show. Stay tuned for this craziness, I may actually publish it later today.
Your panelists for today (drop by their profiles/stories/blogs and say hello!):
- Miss Spectrum
- Gulheru
- and yours truly.
See you next time!
~Prane
Tune in next time, say pony time say pony channel! Great review as always guys and gal.