My Thoughts on MLP Episodes 25-26 The Cutie Remark! (Definitely Spoilers, probably.) · 8:45am Dec 10th, 2015
My last blog post this morning was really random and poorly thought out. I thought I'd counter that with something more substantial, or at least more coherent.
The Cutie Remark was an interesting pair of episodes, to be sure. And now, a week and a half later, I feel like it's settled in my mind enough to actually say my piece.
So. The premise, dealing with Starlight's Revenge with a healthy dose of the butterfly effect, was awesome! I loved every second of the AU scenes... even though I was questioning the show at every turn due to the dark nature in the contents of them. I also really liked most of Starlight Glimmer's screentime in these. Her air of snark, pretentiousness, and venom was a perfect addition to the atmosphere of the episode, and her playing off Twilight was delightful. If this was all the episode ended up being, I'd have had this post out that Sunday, at least.
But something about the episode bugged me. Not the song, because Daniel did great again, and I particularly enjoyed Kelly Sheridan's solo part- but more to do with Starlight. Yes, one of my favorite contributors to the finale was its greatest failing. First- her backstory. How Sunburst's Markening caused her spiral into the depths of being an Equalist. I had a hard time caring. Didn't she try to send letters? Or talk to him at all? And how selfish are you, Starlight? Fixating on the negatives instead of being happy for your friend who found his calling in life. It all seemed hilariously petty. My friends have moved away, because they found what they want to do. But instead of getting bitter, I try to keep in touch! How true was their friendship, anyway, if he did ditch her? But that? That part is ignorable. I can forgive that sorry excuse of a backstory.
But Starlight pulled a redemption in five minutes after being not only willing, but overjoyed at the prospect of stranding Twilight in a ruined timeline. I can't believe that. Discord had an entire episode focused on his reformation, (which may have been only mostly successful), as did Diamond Tiara, and Gilda, and any other major reformed villain in the series. If you're going to pull the Sunset Shimmer Approach again, DHX, her next outing better be damn good.
Overall, I've decided I do like the finale. The pros outweigh the cons by quite a bit, even if the ending was waaaay too rushed. It's probably my favorite Haber episode to date.
PS: No, I do not consider Trixie 'reformed' until we see a marked change in attitude.
PPS: I also don't have too high an opinion of Haber's episodes. All of them seemed 'meh' to me, with the exception of this and The Cutie Map.