"The Times They Are a-Changeling" for real this time · 2:59am Aug 23rd, 2016
I'm conflicted.
On the one hoof, it's great that we have canon confirmation of Good Changelings. I mean, aside from Kevin from "Slice of Life". Okay, it's great that we have a Good Changeling who isn't a punchline. Also it's great that Spike got to be competent again.
On the other hoof, I'm not a huge fan of the execution. Thorax's backstory as the only changeling (that he knew of) who wasn't gung-ho about violence and predation is a neutral idea. But they communicated that to the audience by just having him narrate his history the instant a non-changeling gave him the time of day. It's clunky as hell—the sort of exposition you'd expect from fanfiction.
And then there's the the climax. The biggest complaint—"It happened too quick!" —is just a symptom of something deeper:
The pony/changeling conflict is a societal and political one, but the climax brushes over that and treats it like a purely personal problem.
Now, as much as I'd like the show to do a hard-hitting political thriller, I recognize the chance of that is nearly zero. So interpersonal solutions, rather than sociopolitical ones, should be expected. But in this specific case, treating it like a personal problem means just ignoring all the baggage that the changelings have from their last appearance on this very show.Changelings can brainwash others to do their bidding.[**] So, if you trust Spike's judgement of character, how can you trust Spike's actually in his right mind when he vouches for Thorax?The same baggage that makes it difficult to use changelings as a metaphor for any real-life group, unless you're willing to stretch your metaphors to the breaking point.
[**] Maybe that's something only Chrysalis can do? But even if that's the case, there's no way the ponies can know that.
Now, if you swapped almost any other species in place of changelings, this episode's climax would have worked just fine. Spike standing up for a troubled griffon teenager who's been falsely accused of a crime? Spike defending a friendly timberwolf? I'd buy it.
I also would have liked the climax better if the ponies were a little more cautious, while still accepting. Less, "Spike vouches for you, and that's good enough for me. Here, kiss my baby!" and more, "Spike vouches for you, so I'm going to give you the chance to earn my trust, too. You'll be staying at Twilight Sparkle's Halfway House for Reformed Villains!"
That said...
I will forgive everything if it later turns out that this was a huge misdirection. I don't mean Thorax turning out to be evil after all. I mean: everyone was so worried about a changeling targeting Flurry Heart. But what if the changelings already got to her? What if Flurry Heart was a changeling all along?
It would certainly explain why she was such an effective villain.
Like with any "i am the only nice one" origin it must be true that unreliable narrator is in effect, that Thorax was already a natural social outcast enough from his own kind that he has no way to know other less evil bugs existed, so he assumed the narrative of "i am special, please accept me".
Agreed. The concept was solid, but the execution was rushed and somewhat sloppy. I think this episode really would have benefited from being a two-parter. Maybe have part 1 end with the plan to disguise Thorax as Crystal Hoof failing and Thorax being run out of the Crystal Empire, then have part 2 be Spike running out into the cold alone to find Thorax with everyone else chasing after him. With the climax of part 2, maybe Twilight, Cadence, Shining, and the guards actually witness Thorax saving Spike the second time after overhearing Spike and Thorax's conversation. That would make their acceptance of Thorax feel a lot less rushed.
Changelings aren't the only ones who can magically brainwash ponies. Four words: Want-It-Need-It.
Perhaps Chrysalis's spell is something anybody with enough magic could do, if they knew how. We've only seen a changeling use it, but that needn't mean it's a changeling-only spell.
dat image tho XD
If I'm not mistaken, there's supposed to be an episode about a griffon coming up somewhere.
Best breakdown of the episode I've seen yet, and I agree with every one of your points.
*Just got around to watching the episode*
The episode itself felt ... a "bit" overdramatic, but not in an unenjoyable way.
Still, waiting to see some more "realistic" take on the events of the episode and its implications by way of the fanfiction community.
The episode presented Thorax as so hugable and lovable, that I'd imagine it'd be too much for some.
It's a viable strategy: Make yourself appear as adorable as possible, get lots of love.
Doesn't mean it's an act, just the changeling version of "puppy dog eyes".
If it works for fillies and colts...
??