Doctor Perseus Reviews: "Party Pooped" *SPOILERS*

In this week's episode of MLP, Twilight is nervous about her attempt to form a friendship between Equestria and the northern region of Yakyakistan. However, the visiting yaks are displeased with Twilight and her friends' attempts to bring the comforts of Yakyakistan to Equestria. When the last hope rests with Pinkie Pie's party, Pinkie embarks on a quest to find a way to make the best party ever for the yaks while the possibility of war hangs in the balance...

Our first Pinkie Pie episode of Season 5. Well...I guess you could argue that this was a duel episode for Pinkie and Twilight. So what did I think of this episode? I really liked it!

Both Pinkie and Twilight got some incredibly fun moments throughout the episode. It was great seeing them both have slight mental breakdowns. It's easy to see that the animators were having a lot of fun with their expressions.

Pinkie's "epic" quest was definitely the highlight of the episode. One could question how she did all that in one afternoon but, c'mon, this is Pinkie Pie we're talking about. If she focused hard enough, she could break through the walls of reality and jump through our computer/television screens. It was great seeing Cherry Jubilee again. Man, this season is just doing wonders with the character returns. For a little while, I was expecting Cheese Sandwich to make a surprise appearance during Pinkie's quest. That would have been awesome but, sadly, this never came about. Moving on, Cadance got a nice little reappearance. Huh. I just noticed that this is the third episode in a row this season to have Cadance appear in it. Interesting. Pinkie's little montage with the Equestrian Beatles was an interesting and funny moment and her monologues throughout her quest were entertaining.

I was really surprised when Pinkie's quest ended up bringing her all the way back to where she began. Sure, it would have been nice to have seen a bit more of Yakyakistan aside from its entrance but Pinkie's reaction to sliding all the way back to Ponyville was priceless. This also led to a pretty good message involving Pinkie focusing on making Equestria feel more like a home to the yaks instead of making Equestria feel like Yakyakistan.

The rest of the Mane 6 had some pretty entertaining moments with the yaks. I'm surprised Rarity didn't faint when the yaks started destroying her boutique. Pinkie's party cave was fun to learn about. But, this is probably just the dark part of my mind speaking, I couldn't help but think of the hidden party cave as the show's light-hearted and canon answer to Pinkie's murder room in Cupcakes. I'm not sure if any of the writers have actually read or even heard of that story. Again, it's probably just the dark part of my mind thinking too much. Anyway, it was nice to get a look at how much work Pinkie really puts into her parties. She's pretty organized for a crazy party pony. That tidbit about Twilight being afraid of quesadillas was also a funny thing to learn.

I don't really have much to say about the yaks. They were entertaining additions to the episode. Of course, we got some more world building and that's always a plus. Their overreactions did get some chuckles out of me. I wouldn't mind seeing them again in the future. It was interesting to see them threaten Equestria with war. If I recall, I don't think the concept of war was brought up in the show until now. I mean, yeah, we've had invasions and attacks from powerful creatures but I don't recall the concept of war coming into play. Sorry if I'm forgetting it being mentioned earlier or something. Celestia's reaction to learning that Twilight almost unintentionally caused a war was pretty funny.

Overall, I really liked Party Pooped. It had some interesting world building, some funny moments, and some nice character reappearances.

Next week's episode is Amending Fences!

When Twilight realizes what a bad friend she was before moving to Ponyville, she and Spike return to Canterlot to make amends to her former friends.

What did the rest of you think of Party Pooped?

Comments

[Tobyc]

If I recall, I don't think the concept of war was brought up in the show until now.

Closest that comes to mind is Twilight asking her future self if her appearance is the result of some epic pony war in the distant future.

[MariusIoannesP]

But, this is probably just the dark part of my mind speaking, I couldn't help but think of the hidden party cave as the show's light-hearted and canon answer to Pinkie's murder room in Cupcakes.

Really. You have to bring up the Cupcakes.

It was interesting to see them threaten Equestria with war. If I recall, I don't think the concept of war was brought up in the show until now.

That is a valid point. I don't think I realized that in my review.

I also very much enjoyed this episode for many of the same reasons. Quite possibly, all the same reasons. I go into detail as to why in my review.

[comicfan616]

But, this is probably just the dark part of my mind speaking, I couldn't help but think of the hidden party cave as the show's light-hearted and canon answer to Pinkie's murder room in Cupcakes. I'm not sure if any of the writers have actually read or even heard of that story. Again, it's probably just the dark part of my mind thinking too much.

If it makes you feel any better, you're not the only one who caught the more-than-likely unintentional reference. That was the first thing that popped into my head when everypony fell through the trapdoor. I quickly dismissed it, though, because a) the writer's make it a good point to avoid all fanworks (hundredth episodes not withstanding) and b) it's Cupcakes! Only the most deranged of people would ever think it possible.

It was interesting to see them threaten Equestria with war. If I recall, I don't think the concept of war was brought up in the show until now.

Actually, I think the closest the show has ever come to that was the conflict between the Appaloosans and the Buffalo, just with pies.