Applejack's 'Day' Off, various thoughts · 4:36pm May 28th, 2016
Another low-key, but positive episode I liked. I hope the writers will get back to the more significant type of episode that tends to contribute to the status quo soon, but as said, I enjoyed this.:3 Unto the few thoughts, then!
—Applejack's been having spa time with Rarity before. I really like the off-screen bonding being brought attention to. And even Rainbow's gotten used to hooficures and regularly goes there. And even though she's a little embarrassed in front of her friends, she's able to enjoy herself doing "uncool" or "girly, frou-frou" things. That's progress.:3 Speaking off, seems like Rarity enjoys spa time with multiple friends. Who other than Rainbow hasn't had at least one trip with Rarity, I wonder?
—I saw Carrot Cake getting a backwalk massage by Bulk. Ouch. That stallion's sturdier than we thought, even if Bulk seems to have tried to lessen his weight.
—Applejack deducing the spa's problem is actually pretty awesome. I know it's simple logic, but good grief, the people that characterise AJ as less intelligent can SUCK IT (no hard feelings, though, I hope)
I'd love for for there to be an episode with the main six all doing detective work (or Ace Attorney work) the entire episode, like in a season premiere with the friends in different settings.
—I'm curious what Twilight and Spike have been up to during that hour. There must have been some shenanigans.
—Spoiled Rich is still her humble self, it seems, although she's not making much issue of having to wait. Has she learnt a bit of humility, or does she just have that much respect for the spa ponies? She's acting less obnoxious, at least. Makes me wonder if Diamond's home situation is any better. I mean, she's been happy and all, but...
—It's probably an animation error, but I find it interesting that Spoiled is the only pony in line to wear shoes only on her hind legs, unlike as is common, on the forelegs. (I say error, since she was first seen with all hooves shod, then with none, and finally with just the hind legs, and there would be very little reason for her to take the shoes of at any time.) The only reason I can think of is that she actually gave them to somepony else whose hooves were cold, then later received a pair from somepony else. (Or pairs were being shared?) Nice character development there, if so!
—Mr. "Just waiting for the steam to build up" reminds me of Fashion Plate. Is it him? 
If so, thank you so much for actually bringing back characters you've introduced! This gives me hope that Diamond, and Gilda, and Trixie will return again soon. And Sunburst, naturally.
—Evidently, horns are made of cartilage. I guess that means they're not quite sturdy enough to pierce things without hurting the unicorn? And as such can't really be used to stab something?`That... is potentially concerning. I mean, do horns grow back if they're somehow broken? What happens to a unicorn's psyche following this? I can only hope they're sturdier when they're not wet. Still, the thought of some unicorn being made wet specifically to have their horn broken is rather terrifying.
—Apparently, in Equestria, pigs are stupid. This is odd, considering pigs in our world are actually pretty intelligent, being one of the only animals for instance that can recognise themselves in the mirror. I guess maybe they're not that much in a world where all animals are sapient (albeit non-verbal) anyway? Much like how humans are an intelligent and crafty species most of the time, but can grow silly and short-sighted with passiveness? :P Well, to be fair, we've got fewer of the problems we used to have, so Equestria being the mostly idyllic place that it is probably created that sort of indolent situation for them.
—Birch Bucket is so precious. Why are all the stallions so cute nowadays? 
?
—Twilight's become a pretty good flyer. I wonder if she ever races Rainbow?
—Judging by the angle of her body, mere centimeters away, were it not for cartoon physics I think Twilight would likely have needed to go to the hospital or a chiropractor if she actually hit the ground.
—I like this shot.
It looks very homely, and heartful.:3
—Who is this? The cut makes it looks like she's got dull eyes of unhappiness. That's going to be my headcanon; she's blind or she's dead.
Her cutie mark seems to be a mirror, so I figure she's in the fashion or make-up industry? Or, she could be a model. The abstract interpretation of her talent must mean something like; "show other ponies who they truly are." Which, naturally, could also be attributed to an actress.
It was all right.
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You know, the mane six all doing different investigative styles could be fun.
We had Twi doing a Sherlock's pastiche (1880's).
Rarity was noir (30's)
How about Fluttershy as Agatha Christie style pastoral/psychology mystery? Or using the Stare to interrogate witnesses.
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Yup, Fluttershy with that kind of approach, or alternatively something like Jessica Fletcher would be rather interesting.
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Yeah, same. Not bad, but not much to bring home, so to speak. :/
The score is pretty great this time too~
...aside from Applejack, who is scary. But yes, super good.
I hope the writers will get back to the more significant type of episode that tends to contribute to the status quo soon, but as said, I enjoyed this.:3 Unto the few thoughts, then!
Yes, this was a solid Rarijack Development episode and brought with it all that entails, such as establishing a deeper personal bond between the two, with regards to them spending alone time together when they aren't on Official Government Business keeping the peace in the Monarchy as enforcers of the Royal Sisters.
Instead of a fun-loving prankster, Discord's a rogue intelligence officer selling secrets to the Griffonskaya Federatsyia, Trixie is a corrupt show business corporate executive involved in scandals, Starlight's a self-serving politician like Frank Underwood from House of Cards...
Further evidence for my theory that ponies are very tough. They are probably like Neutron stars and have a lot of mass and density.
And Applejack can be the cold-eyed, steely Western Cowgirl cigar-smoking gunfighter who hates people. She can even gain the nickname of Blondie that Clint Eastwood's character had in the Dollars Trilogy.
Goofing off, probably.
Or maybe her doctor gave her a prescription for something.
And on that day, Spoiled's heart grew three sizes larger.
Amusingly, all the things you mentioned did happen.
On the other hand, now all the headcanons about ponies spiking each other like cobs of meat on a kebab aren't valid anymore, to an extent. People will still write about this, but it isn't really canon.
A disturbing element, indeed. Even more disturbing when you consider how closely related pigs and humans are, biologically speaking. You can grow human organs in pigs for use in transplants, and human flesh is said to taste like pork - hence, 'long pork'.
He really is. You just want to squeeze him and protect him from everything bad.
I'm sure Rainbow gives her training exercises, since Rainbow is now a military pony and training civilians would fall under her mission.
Equestria's Universal Healthcare Legislation would cover that.
Besides, if we go by my theory of ponies being really dense and high in mass, the issue lies more with whatever she hits.
As an aside, in some fics I am writing, I usually have Pegasids literally hurling themselves at the enemy like heat-seeking missiles and causing an impact/shockwave equivalent to the explosive force of said missiles. The pegasids themselves are unhurt because they're too solid to take harm from the impact.
Every Frame A Painting.
Pretty grim.
I like it.
Or an investigative reporter!