Rarity Investigates · 3:26am Sep 20th, 2015
A new episode featuring Objectively Best Horse?
Well, I suppose it would be awfully churlish of me to turn it down. Why not, then? No musical numbers this time, alas, but I'll find the strength to endure. Somehow.
Spoilery ramblings below the page break and fancy picture.
Starting the episode right in Canterlot Boutique was a welcome slice of continuity from last week's episode, as was Sassy Saddles' brief appearance. It also establishes the future prospects of that store as a base from which to spawn future episodes in and around Canterlot, in addition to the usual fare around Ponyville. The show's never lacked for excuses to drop the cast in Canterlot before, in all fairness, but an extra inroad and source of plot hooks never hurts. That compliment paid, though, it did seem like a bit of the episode that could have been cut or streamlined - it's a relatively slow start-up for this episode, with the main action not really starting until nearly halfway in.
But that action was more than worth it. Rarity going through the motions and internal monologue of a noir protagonist is a thing of beauty to behold, especially when it runs head-long into exciting tangents like a fabulous pair of curtains or accidentally becoming an external monologue. It played well into the effort to clear Rainbow Dash's good(ish) name - who was no slouch herself for producing or inspiring a few good moments. ("Do you know what I do when I sleep? I sure don't!")
Another episode worth the watching. Accept that as the totally unbiased conclusion that it is.
Ooo, that's a good point. It should just as well for fics, too.
Loved it myself. Yes, the set-up took its time, and the mystery was only slightly more mysterious than your average Columbo outing (I at least entertained the possibility that Spitfire purposefully bowed out to let Dash fly, up until the frame up evidence surfaced), but once the noir bits started rolling, the episode was all gold.
I too like the possibilities offered by the Canterlot Carousel. Between Twilight and Rarity there is never a need to do much set-up for a Canterlot story.
On a side note, seeing Spitfire's mom really drove home how we've never seen Twilight's Parents used as background ponies in Canterlot. I mean, don't they ever score invites to functions that aren't specifically making royalty out of their children?
This was a really, really fun episode. I loved Rarity hamming it up as the detective, and the mystery made sense and had suitably high stakes. And yeah, it's nice to see that both Rarity and Rainbow are getting closer to realizing their ambitions.
3405620
Yep. The show and fandom's never lacked for excuses to stick the cast in Canterlot, but an extra inroad and source of story potential certainly never goes amiss.
3405673
A pity about Twilight's parents never amounting to anything more than window dressing for a set. I'm not actually sure if we've ever heard them so much as speak. Hopefully, they can address that some time later this season or next.
3406073
Ever-so-incrementally closer to fulfilling their ambitions. If you've got a good driving interest for your characters, where's the fun in just giving it to them?
The only totally unbiased conclusions I know of are about Sunset Shimmer being the best
3406540
I shan't question that conclusion. But I shall point out that that's a really odd way to spell 'Rarity'.
Film Noir. Rarity was made for it. Then again they could have done it like Sin City...
3406669
I will allow you to continue believing Rarity is best horse. However, Sunset is best character.
3406924
That would have been a good alternative take, true. Though the quantity of violence might throw off the target audience. Throw off, enthrall, either/or.
3406945
She's a good character, no denying that. Still technically falls within the 'Horse' category, though.
3407508 bet we see a Fan Video eventually like it.
3407508
Last I checked, she was a human. Just sayin'
3407622
I'd be less than surprised if there wasn't one already out there.
3408277
The shell of her is, yep. Mentally and originally, though ...
derpicdn.net/img/2014/11/5/758656/large.jpg
3408287
Tsk... how can you post a picture of pony Sunset that isn't her best picture.
derpicdn.net/img/view/2013/9/21/431858__safe_idw_sunset+shimmer_spoiler-colon-comic.jpg
3411009
Oh my. That is a lovely picture indeed.