A Hearth's Warming Tail, various thoughts · 4:09pm May 14th, 2016
Well, this was a lovely episode. More on the story-telling than the interaction, which is an all right approach, and though it would have benefited from extended time for things to be fleshed out, I thoroughly enjoyed this episode. Even if it's another A Christmas Carol type of episode. Mostly for being a musical episode with quite a bit of feeling and superb animation. I don't have much to say for the moment, though that may change. Regardless, on to the thoughts!
—Twilight being a proper mentor again is good. Obviously, she wanted to read this particular story for Starlight's benefit, so she could have a chance to see the worthwhile things with Hearth's Warming Eve, but hopefully it could also work as a general lesson in friendship as well. I figure Twilight was betting on that.
—Speaking of Twilight and Starlight, it's nice to see them bond, although connecting more with the other friends would be lovely to see. And while we've seen this for a bit, I'm curious what sort of dynamics that surface when it's just the two, Starlight and other character, for the duration of an entire episode.
—Depending on what way Snowfall was planning to erase the holiday, it might mean that this particular day is only warded from the return of the Windigoes through celebrating Hearth's Warming. That's concerning, but then again doesn't make all that much sense since, as far as I can remember, the harsh winterland weather pre-Equestria was not controlled by the pegasi.
If what keeps the Windigoes and the harsh cold of disharmony away is just this story of the union of the three races, that has implications for how the respective parts of the government pertaining to the three see each other.
—Imagining Twilight doing the voices for all the characters in the story when reading is incredible and really really adorable. And given she ended one session on Presents' last lines in her song, that might mean Twilight was actually singing all the songs in the story. Including Say Goodbye To The Holiday.
—Oh my gosh that second musical number. It's so malicious and exciting and evil and I love it. And AJ's singing is still beautiful.
—Starlight as Snowfall reminds me of Edgeworth. Look at that attire! Also, "Flutterholly"? "Snow Dash"? I actually like those names. I'm so on board with these two being the ancestors.
—Aaaaaaaaaa Vinyl and Octavia's characters performing together and Twilight's Pinkie-pie voice what even so adorbs aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
—LUNA'S SINGING SO COLDLY AND OMINOUSLY
—Okay guys, I think it might be imperative to mention I like opera. I loved Les Miserables. The style of music associated with it is so lovely. On that note, Luna as the Ghost of Future is a nice choice considering what she's associated with, the moon, which is again typically associated with fate and destiny. And it's rather akin to the role she's played before, such as in For Whom the Sweetie Belle Toils. Also, despite the weird proportions of her body, she succeeds in being rather impressive and imposing. Must be the mystical effect of her robes appearing to be a part of her.
Seriously the musical numbers this episode are so top-notch. I almost got chills. And I'm still hyper-ventilating a bit. Although having some minor characters join in as soloists would have been the best thing.
And now I have chills.
—There is a serious distinction between Starlight, or rather, the voice actor singing a villain song and Starlight singing with earnest joy. It's even more pronounced when both sides are shown in the same episode.
—For some reason, I really like Presents' outfit.
I only liked the Luna song really, that and the episode makes me wish Starlight remained a villain.
Oh, and these two were cute:
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I rather liked AJ's (or Past's) number myself. And absolutely Say Goodbye To The Holiday. Those three are so amazing. (As well as Presents'. All the songs this episode I found great.)
Just to put it into perspective.