Episode Review: The One Where Pinkie Pie Knows

Because nobody likes it when you spoil their surprises.

And as Pinkie Pie told Twilight Sparkle way back in 'Green Isn't Your Colour,' there's no faster way to lose a friend's trust than to break a promise and share her or his secret.

Well, secrets are what this episode is about.

Or one secret in particular.

One which, in the audience's case, was at least partially spoiled in the merch ages ago. The secret in question?

Cadence and Shining Armour are going to have a baby.

The conflict?

They want to surprise Twilight with the news, and because Cup Cake dropped the letter with the order, Pinkie Pie knows. What makes this more challenging even than the fact that Pinkie loves to share news is that she Pinkie Promises not to, and this episode makes a point to show that she's been liberal with her Pinkie Promises.

It also makes a point of using ever conceivable method and gag to make Pinkie's job so hard that she invents all-new ways to make deliveries and break the laws of physics so she can avoid interacting with anypony and spoil the surprise inadvertently. And you know that's got to hurt because she's normally so social, and it hurts the worst because she has to avoid talking with her friends. Mind you, there's a funny part when she blames her knowledge on Pinkie Sense.

Fortunately, right when she's about to break, Cadence and Shining Armour save her. They send Twilight and her friends on a treasure hunt, which Twilight says she has always enjoyed, and then they share the news... and Pinkie falls to pieces in relief. Fortunately Cadence and Armour both thank her for her efforts. And then Pinkie breaks the fourth wall to share with us that it isn't easy not spoiling. Especially in light of the previous week's episode.

It was nice to see a lighter episode, and the gags were pretty funny. Pinkie wasn't the only one struggling with the news, as everypony involved in the hunt also clearly new, and wanted just as badly to share. But Pinkie managed to hang in after all, because she always wants to keep her friends happy.

Oh, and seeing Armour being as much of a geek as his sister was delightful. Adorkable Twilight is Best Twilight.

I appreciate this episode a great deal, and hope that Cadence's and Shining Armour's child is not Skyla, but a better thought out creation. Many of you may already know I have my own plans, involving three foals. Please look forward to it.

In the meantime, this episode can have a score of 8/10.