What I Thought of "Rarity Investigates"

No. I'm not committing myself to reviews. I only blog when I feel like it. But with an episode like this, I feel the need to talk.

The frame-up is one of my least favorite stories. Although the bulk of my dislike stems from personal opinion, I believe there is some rationale to my point-of-view. As creative and subtle as some shows can get with clues, the truth is that such evidence in real life would lend itself to a very brief, stress-free investigation. It is very difficult to coordinate a false reality because the culprits don't live in a vacuum; there are a million things that can go wrong both before and after the crime is committed. Real detectives and forensics technology are skilled enough to find fishy tidbits in the blink of an eye. Even in settings that lack such resources, I feel like the slightest look or word is all it takes to resolve the conflict.

There have been a lot of shows that have had at least one frame-up episode: Ed, Edd, N Eddy, Foster's, Powerpuff Girls, Arthur, The Simpsons, the list goes on. My Little Pony Tales also had one and it was as bad and heavy-handed as ever. Part of Friendship is Magic's allure for me was that it looked like a safe haven from cliches, rotten storylines, and insensitivity. Sure some of the plots have been done before, but the writers always deviated from the standard in such a way that made it unique.

And now it chooses to do the frame-up story. How does it do?

As much as I would like to say disappointed, the truth is that my expectations for this episode were pretty low. Some of you might say that I've betrayed my view of the show so that I wouldn't be let down. It's complicated. I was initially disappointed when they announced the episode because the very idea of the show doing such an ugly story was enough to lower the bar. In the weeks leading up to the episode, I tried to remind myself of all the successes the show has done, but (for whatever reason) I refused to believe it. By the time today rolled around, there was a tiny spark that hoped for the best surrounded by low expectations.

The big problem with this episode is simple: it does little to deviate from this plot line. I had a mental checklist running of all the conventions that are used in the typical frame-up. By the end of the episode, almost all of those points were checked in without a hint of irony.

-- Special, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that will be put at stake (performing with the Wonderbolts)

-- Introduction of a new character (Wind Rider)

-- New character displays characteristics/backstory that will justify his/her attempt to frame someone (Wind Rider doesn't want to lose his record and fears Rainbow Dash's potential to steal it)

-- Disappearance (Spitfire)

-- Framed character inexplicably displays self-incriminating behavior (Rainbow Dash boasts when she hears about Spitfire's absence and gushes about her dream of performing in the ceremony)

-- A close companion plays the role of detective (Rarity)

-- Said companion wears detective outfit (Rarity, although she wears other costumes. Also, said costume changes are played for laughs)

As soon as I saw Wind Rider, I predicted that he was the culprit. As the episode went on, my guess gained more and more traction until it was revealed. All I could see in the episode were checkpoints that all fell in the same place.

The only things that were remotely enjoyable about this episode were the costume changes, the invoked jazz music, Rarity's inner monologues, and the black-and-white screen. Although I found these elements to be funny, they do not compensate for the stale, unpleasant experience I got watching everything else. This is easily my least favorite episode of the season so far.

I understand that not everyone will agree with me. As of writing this, I haven't read any other reviews or reactions so I don't know what the general opinion is going to be. But this is my opinion and I encourage all of you to share your own thoughts.

Good night.