An Analysis of Scare Master

Hello, Everybrony!

Yes, I didn’t analyze the last two episodes. Here’s why:
1. The One Where Pinkie Knows didn’t stand out
2. Hearthbreakers didn’t move me enough to convince me to take time out of my busy schedule

Now both of the episodes are worth reviewing, but I don’t have time to review every episode, so I’ve been sticking to the important ones.

Now this episode…
Seems standard…
Getting boring…
Selective humor…
Wait, what…
Huh?
Hold on!

You know the drill.
COMENCE THE REVIEW!

Part 1: Plot
So this episode starts out with Fluttershy preparing for (the apacolypse) Nightmare Night. Given that Fluttershy doesn’t seem like the type enjoy a night of screaming and terror, this makes sense.

But wait, is this consistent with Luna Eclisped, the first episode to feature Nightmare Night?

I did some quick research and yes, it is. In that episode Fluttershy is not in costume and was in her cottage. Granted, she wasn’t said to be “hiding” from Nightmare Night, but at least there were no obvious contradictions between the two episodes.

Moving on!

Fluttershy is forced to brave the terrors of Nightmare Night to give her spoiled rabbit some carrots. But after running from a horror-driven town and seeking refuge in a spooky crystal tower, she meets a two-headed dragon who convinces her to join her friends for a night of terror-inducing activities.

And then comes Scardeyshy, who’s so scared of everything Nightmare Night related that she kills all the fun. I mean seriously, she’s even scared of the vision impairment caused by masks!

So Twilight comes up with a great idea.
“Why don’t you scare us?”

Yeah, like that’s going to work.

*A few cringeworthy minutes later*

Well, that happened.

Fluttershy goes back to her cottage yada yada yada and the Mane 6 go to the scary corn maze. And then stuff starts happening. A mysterious figure stalks them. Ghosts chase them. They are sealed in some underground tunnel. The creature from the Black Lagoon attacks. A giant spider webs nearly spells their doom. A vampire batpony savage rips off one of the dragon’s heads as she goes for the kill!

That was exhilarating! Can we do this again?

Wait, you’re not going to scare us all silly next year because you don’t want to?

Well, at least you gave it a shot.

You’ll be missed Flutterbat. Not really you’ve been overused so many times to the point that the effect is lost. Shutting up now.

Part 2: Characters
Okay, for the most part I think I’ll be talking about costumes. Can’t help it.

Pinkie Pie: that costume is so Pinkie. Bright colors, built for moving, and what’s up with that hair?
Oh, and she did a good job being funny and random but not too overbearing in this episode. (Unlike in Filli Vanilli)

Rarity: Shoo be do. Shoo Shoo be do!
Oh, and I didn’t find any complaints about her character.

Twilight Sparkle: At first I thought she dressed up as a Royal Guard (Shining Armor anyone?) but a quick search informed that her costume was based off a Hoplite, a Greek soldier from days of old. Not sure how this adds to Equestrian world building, so let’s just call her a soldier.
I need to call attention to Twilight in this episode. She didn’t get a lot of spotlight since this was a Main 6 episode focusing on Fluttershy, but she took a lead helping Fluttershy try new things.
Though I really don’t think encouraging the others to lie about Fluttershy’s… lack of bravery was the best move. But you can’t win them all, even if you’re Ash Ketchum. (Sorry random reference moving on)

Rainbow Dash: I dislike Rainbow Dash because I can’t relate to her and she’s a jerk. An honest jerk, but still, she needs a leash on her mouth. Though to be fair, I found her brutal honesty refreshing when Fluttershy was acting particularly ridiculous.
Oh, and her costume kinda suited her. After all, she already spent a lot of time with her head in the clouds. About time she reached the next level.

Applejack: Why is AJ a lion? It’s a nice costume and all… but why?
AJ is arguably the most mature of the Mane 6. Twilight has become pretty responsible herself, but when spooky things start happening, Applejack is ready to put up a bold face and come up with a logical reason behind everything. Until, of course, her theory comes apart. Then it’s time for plan B.
Gotta go fast!

Derpy: Please tell me that you guys noticed Derpy. I mean, she was dressed as Twilight, complete with the toilet paper roll! Best costume!

Other characters: Alright, I can’t just focus on the Mane 6 (and Derpy’s) costumes. We had Sailor Moon, He-Man, Skelator, a Changeling, a Platypus (Perry?); you know what? Just look at the list this is taking way too long.
Excellent costumes though!

Fluttershy: Ah, finally time for the mare of the hour: Fluttershy/Scardeyshy/Flutterbat.

Sit tight folks, this is going to be long:

I think using Fluttershy as the focus of a Nightmare Night story was a risky move. Most kid shows have these kinds of stories focus on the one who’s not into the holiday, and they usually end up the same way. They learn that although they don’t like to be scared all the time they’ll make an exception for this day because of their friends and they’ll giggle at the ghostlies every Halloween and maybe some other times as well.
But Fluttershy didn’t take that route. Sure, she volunteered to try new things and ended up scaring her friends, but that’s where the cliché ends. She did not have a miraculous, “I know how to scare everyone properly now” moment. She asked for help to accomplish what she knew she couldn’t do alone. That’s the magic of evil vampire bunnies Friendship. And after she scared her friends, she didn’t relish in the satisfaction of scaring them. Instead, she felt sorry for putting them through the experience, even though they liked it when it was all said and done.
This is one reason why I like Fluttershy. Some people may get annoyed that she doesn’t grow a spine overnight and start acting like everyone else, but Fluttershy takes baby steps. Thanks to her friends she’s willing to try new things, but she doesn’t automatically overcome every obstacle, fear-related or otherwise. This is realistic. It’s not how most people act, but it’s true to her character. Changing that would be an insult to Lauren Faust.
I know I personally don’t care for Halloween. My parents weren’t raised in America, and they never got hitched to the holiday when they moved. Just like my parents, I never saw the point in the holiday, so even that I’m “on my own” on a college campus, I don’t feel the need to dress up for Halloween. Maybe I’ll try it when I have the time/money/energy to participate, but for now, I’ll stick with my life as is. Tonight I’ll be writing pony fanfiction and essays people!
And that’s what Fluttershy does. Not the fanfition writing, but the baby steps. She tests the waters of Nightmare Night, and she discovers that with a little help she’s an excellent contribution to the festivities. However, it’s NOT HER THING.
People never seem to get that there are just some things that people don’t want to do. I’m going to avoid getting into a rant, so I’ll just stick with what’s relevant. Halloween is fun for most (Americans) people. The horror movies, the elaborate costumes, the creepy haunted houses, most people take it as a given that the 31st of October is best spent doing these and similar activities. Which makes it hard for them to understand when some people don’t participate in the “fun”. Horror isn’t for everyone. And although I’m not going to be hiding from the terrors of the night, I’m going to take Fluttershy’s example and spend my night in my room where I can do what I want to do.
Fluttershy is my favorite of the mane 6, and it’s episodes like these that prove she deserves the spot.

Part 3: Overall thoughts
I already covered a lot of my thoughts when I went on and on in attempt analyze Fluttershy’s actions in the episode. The majority of the clichés were avoided and the resolution was excellent.

The humor is nothing to sneeze at either. Costume Malfunctions, background pony costumes, Princess Derpy, Rainbow jerk. This might’ve been a Halloween episode with a thrilling chase seen, but this episode was more funny than dark.

All they needed was for Twilight to say, “Let’s split up, gang.”

And before I forget, did anyone notice that Fluttershy was able to sit up on a pillow under her bed while Harry the bear could barely fit his head inside? What kind of reality distorting powers is this?

Probably a gift from Discord. Now Fluttershy can hde under her bed comfortably thanks to chaos.

Speaking of Discord, where was he in this episode? Spreading terror across Equestria?

Well, he’s in the next episode, so that’s something to look forward to.

Now for the Pros and Cons:

Pros:
Well-rounded humor
Fluttershy character development
Moral
Visual Aesthetic (costumes and such)
Avoided deadly clichés

Cons:
Clichéd premise
Moderately predictable plot

Overall rating: A- (rating subject to change)

This episode could have gotten a solid A+ if the story was built on the most overused children’s Halloween episode plotline ever. Still loved it though.

Oh, and I almost forgot about this episode writer! Natasha Levinger is relatively new to the team, but I think she’s an above average writer. Her best work so far is rather this episode or Make New Friends but Keep Discord.

You know, I didn’t actual think the episode was that good when I first watched. It seemed pretty standard quality. But as I delved into the specificities and formulated more thoughts about it, I realized that the episode was a jewel in disguise. It may not have been a very complex story, but I won’t be forgetting it any time soon.

‘Till next time!
-RainEStar

Comments

[Odd_Sarge]

*slumps over his desk tired*
I'm going to finish this review, finish the next 3 chapters of some stories, then die.

I'm just going to die here and stay for a while.

happy halloween RainE

[RainEStar]

What is death but the absence of life?
Where else can one find complete peace without the struggles born of life?
Death is an extremely relaxing experience.
And you don't have to worry about it ever ending.
Because death is permeant.

May your Spooky Hollows be Shot with Happiness.