Huh, and after all this time, I thought I was clever
Lol
Well in the end, good thing the challenge wasn't too challenging after all. If it was, you guys wouldn't be able to get this sneak peek:) Did you guys have fun or was that little challenge completely silly and pointless?XD Let meMiss Koi Reviews "Times are a Changeling" · 2:16am Aug 21st, 2016
So....Beautiful...!
10 hearts out of 10 <3, enough said, and now you can leave me in my exaggerated emotional feels:P Haha lol jk! What would the fun be in that?;) Lol!
This is not only my top favorite number 1 episode of this season so far, but this is my favorite Spike episode ever:D Man, Spike has been killing it with this season with great episodes:D! First Gauntlet of Fire, and now this<3
This episode truly shows Spike at his best, at his lowest, with a genuinely hard conflict for his character to battle, and showing Spike solving this problem in the best way possible: Spike's way <3
I know, I know. I know what you Maud Pie Fans must be thinking: "Sinner! How dare you trump this episode over the episode 'The Gift of Maud Pie'!" I'm sorry!X0 My feelings for this episode trumped my love for Maud Pie! Forgive me Maud, for I have sinnedX0!
Anyway, let's get back to the episode shall we?;) I think the reason why this episode really lingered in me emotionally and connected me so deeply is because of several reasons: 1) I'm a sucker for odd friendships forming stories,
(Eh, whatcha going to do with me?;))
2) it's well done story structure and pacing that's a result to it's deep connection to the emotional core of the episode itself: Thorax and his friendship with Spike.
Oh my gosh, Thorax is my top favorite number 1 S6 character :3 What can I say? I'm a sucker for shy little sweeties that just want to be loved:3
And his friendship with Spike is just the cutest guy friendship/bromance ever:3! I need more of this in my life...seriously -_- Lol! Anyway, I knew that I was going to let this friendship from the moment of the synopsis was announced, from the moment I saw the promos and saw the sneak peek Thursday:3 I swear, Spike and Fluttershy are killing it with their friendships skills:D Sorry Twilight, you may be the princess of Friendship, but Fluttershy and Spike are the Super Mans of Friendship;)
Anyway, I also deeply enjoyed Thorax's back story:) It shows that it is possible for changelings (or maybe this is a beginning of) to be born more emotionally sensitive, less aggressive, and have the ability to think for themselves instead of for a hive & their queen. It also shows how much the small actions of friendship/the Mane Six dynamic can change the lives of others like Thorax, who was sensitive from the start to these kinds of actions.
It's funny, his voice and personality kinda reminds me of Mothball from Daughter of Discord
The only problem I have with Thorax is that he doesn't have that Changeling/vibrating sound effect to his voice, but then again, it's been this way since the S5 finale:/
The third and final reason why this episode is soooo dang good is because of it's moral. Spike had to potentially sacrifice his status as a hero, celebrity, and his title as "Spike the Brave & Glorious" by standing up for Thorax & his friendship with him. In other words, the moral/lesson is about true sacrifice for friendship, making one reflect heavily on what is truly important and what isn't, sacrificing what one truly wants/what is personal to them (despite how shallow or selfish this thing is) in order to truly do the right thing and be a hero. This is all perfectly personified in my favorite number song of Season 6 & the finale of this episode:
Go Spike in his first solo song!:D Also, I just love how Thorax (like Ember) will possibly start a new age for Changelings by possibly teaching them about how to truly get love and maybe even provide some in return. Maybe become his own leader of a colony someday?;) I'm not saying Changelings will reform, and certainly Chrystal won't, but maybe Thorax can start a new subspecies of Changelings from the changelings that are like him (less aggressive, more emotional sensitive, things like that). Also, uncle Thorax with wittle Flurry is sooooo cute!:3 I also deeply appreciated that whole thematic theme of Cadence and Shining Armor learning how to accept Thorax, showing how they had to go through alot like the Canterlot Wedding in order to open their hearts and hooves to Thorax:) It brings a nice conclusion to The Canterlot Wedding when you think about it:)
Well, all that I can say is, I hope that this episode is a big foreshadowing to the return of Chrysalis and her army in the Season 6 finale;)
Anyway, I am sooooo super mega hyped for Spike in the next episode, for Discord in the next episode, and just the next episode in general!:D Oh please give us the next sneak peek sooooonnX0!
*Finishes watching this episode.* And the Shark breaths a long sigh of relief. *Sigh* Yay, there's nothing in here that will force me to scrap some of my plans in TPwPwF!
Yes, I admit it. One of the reasons I've been taking longer than I hoped writing Chapter 6 is because there are some elements in that chapter that I was afraid would conflict with the information we'd get in this episode. Thankfully that was not the case. And I know I shouldn't worry about that sort of thing so much, and just focus on writing a good story, but *shrugs sheepishly* sometimes that's easier said than done. (Screwjob: "Unlike moi, Screwjob Superstar Showstopper. I'm easier done than said." *Loud chorus of boos and groans*)
But enough of that. My thoughts on the episode itself:
I enjoyed it. I love Spike but I'm always a bit worried when it comes to his episodes. I've often felt Spike works best as the snarky side character, kind of the Alfred to most of the other character's Batman, if you know what I mean. (Though I do love the way he and Twilight tend to tag-team each other when it comes to who's being sensible and who's being silly.) So I've found most of his starring episodes tend to be hit-and-miss.
While I found this episode's plot fairly predictable, it didn't really bother me, because they handled Spike really well in this one, and gave him an interesting conflict, what with having to chose between being a good friend and hanging onto his hero position. It's something I can really relate to since I tend to want everyone to like me, to the point where I'm sometimes tempted to bend on things I can't and shouldn't bend on just so people will still like me. (Tad ironic considering I also want the thick skin to handle deserved criticism when it comes to my writing.)
It didn't hurt that he got a great song in this episode. Sorry, Diamond Tiara, Spike has got you beat.
EDIT TO ADD:
Ha ha, I see what you did there.
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Yay! Phew! Thank goodness that this chapter is not going to force you to scrap your plans for the story!:D I was about to say, I agree, this episode shouldn't change some of the elements in your story because one, let's just say that the information Thorax presents does not change much of what we know canon wise about certain world building elements; and two, your story is alternate universe; and three, the elements in your story is a combination of certain things which gives you free range like the alternate universe tag. I mean, you have Discord tattooed for Pete's Sake;) Lol! But regardless, this is making me hyped for Chapter 6 now:D Hehe no pressure to rush or publish the chapter or anything
But I'm sorry that this episode kinda gave you a mini panic attack for your story:(
I do not blame ya, like you said, Spike episodes have always been a hit n'miss with me and the rest of the MLP fandom;) Fun fact: my favorite Spike episode used to be the one where Spike become a giant Godzilla dragon. Well, not anymore!
Same here because not only am I a sucker for odd friendship stories, but the predictable format seemed fresh because of the whole changeling angle and the interesting conflict Spike had to deal with you said:)
Yeah he did!
In your face Diamond Tiara!
HA!
Tehee, *Missy's mischievous laughter in the background* 
