Satan's Game [episode spoilers!] · 4:02pm Aug 27th, 2016
Reading the past week's analysis journals has led me to realize that I was mostly caught up in the "Oh my god, actually changelings!" hype with the last episode and that, no, it doesn't work out that well. As a story about Spike dealing with his celebrity status, it works well enough; it's certainly better than most Spike episode in portraying him, and I'll say the new writers did a better job with the characters than a lot of other new writers this season ("pen pal quill set", anyone?) But the ending is about as unsatisfying as most villain reformation episodes have been, and if nothing else, it seems in places like they went with no explanation for changeling canon, to avoid pissing off the fans. Never a good idea. I'm dropping it down my list a few paces. On the other hand, comparison to Gauntlet of Fire made me realize that that episode is even better than I gave it credit for, and it's been sitting at #2 in my season list for quite some time!
A propos of nothing, you know what I just realized? That bit about "Twilight's been an alicorn longer than she was a unicorn"? Well, she's actually been a unicorn in every episode. Watch the opening! Until she appears in front of the castle -- which only started in season four at the earliest -- she's a unicorn! Checkmate, atheists! :V
This week, we got another episode I'd been filled with cringeful anticipation over, just like Stranger Than Fan Fiction. :B Instead, we got, if not the best Discord episode ever, then certainly the funniest. Confalone has come a long way!
I find myself, on reflection, wondering what the deeper subtext of this episode is. What does it say about gamers and circles of friends?
I dunno, some other nerd will figure that out later. :B All I know is Discord loves jazz clubs and zoot suits, and that's the best thing ever. Also, they used Ogres and Oubliettes from the comics! Sweet validation!
Seriously, that's all I have to say about this one. I loved it. Let's hear it for lowered expectations!
(Oh yeah, and did anyone notice the Squizard has one of those S's for a beak? Y'know...)
A Hearth's Warming Tail
Gauntlet of Fire
Dungeons and Discords
No Second Prances
Spice Up Your Life
Stranger Than Fan Fiction
28 Pranks Later
The Times They Are a Changeling
Flutter Brutter
The Crystalling
The Cart Before the Ponies
Applejack's "Day" Off
The Saddle Row Review
On Your Marks
The Gift of the Maud Pie
Newbie Dash
Luna's Future
Say Goodbye to the Holiday
Seeds of the Past
Hearth's Warming Eve Is Here Once Again
It's Gonna Work
Pinkie's Present
A Changeling Can Change
Derby Racers
Can I Do It on My Own
Out on My Own
One of my favorite parts was legitimately Applejack mentioning her unattractive but functional hiking boots, as though best pony could make anything look bad.
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Outshined by Rainbow's adorable booties.
4175318 Well, what else do you expect with all that Wonderbolts boot polish?
Because it's definitely boot polish.
I'm impartial on this episode, to be frank.
And here I thought that the Fluttercord undertones in the first minute of the episode would make you gag.
Glad to hear that it's one of your favorites. I'd call it one of my favorites for this season, too - high praise, given that (after a VERY rough start, in my opinion) this has been a fantastic season.
Not sure I'm looking forward to the next few episodes after this, though save for - and this surprises even *me* - the CMC one.
-"Twilight's friend and Applejack's monosyllabic brother." "Fear not, your romantic delusions are safe with me." ...I laughed.
Nice bit of rapier wit in a setting that generally lacks it.
-Spike and Mac use the magic friendship table for D&D.
-"Because we feel sorry for you!"... Damn.
Good moment, and I can really see how they would arrive at that conclusion.
You know, I give Discord credit for actually trying to involve Mac and Spike in his version of fun. This is probably my favorite Discord episode, if for no other reason than I'm all for time spent away from the Mane 6. This was an unambitious, light, fun episode, and I really hope they continue having the three of them be friends.
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They're not undertones if you don't want to see them. :V
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Given the show's target demographic, I'm amazed that they managed to get away with these particular sentences. I know high school graduates who don't know what "delusions" means, much less "monosyllabic." Ahh, the joys of attending a school with a largely rural population. :u
There was some cringey feeling throughout, but that was more than overshadowed by the good comedy, unusually favorable portrayal of Spike for an episode where he's so in focus, and doing something fun with Big Mac. Also, I think it's one of the best Discord performances in a long time, probably because 1) Fluttershy mostly isn't there, so he can let loose a bit more and 2) he's dealing with his perceived inferiors in a way that isn't quite the case with alicorn princesses or people who stoned him with the Elements.
One minor bit that stands out as a bit worse on further thought is Twilight's "...whatever this is" at the end; I guess I can see her not recognizing them as O&O if she's seen it before, maybe, or maybe never having seen her brother play (comics), maybe, but the line might have been better coming from Rarity. Still a great line, though.
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I was thinking exactly the same thing! And based on his dialogue there's no denying that Discord is actually beginning to view Fluttershy as more that just a "friend"!
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Also, why bother with Fluttercord undertones when there are Dislestia undertones? :V "Cay-Cay", anyone?
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That was obviously a derisive "Cay-Cay", which supports my personal head canon that Discord and the duarch princesses are actual brother and sisters. So there!
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>Dislestia
>Not Fluttercord
>Not Twilestia
>Dislestia
>Dislestia
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Goddammit, Petri, why must you fail at shipping :V
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Rarity didn't have any lines in the whole episode (which is really bizarre, once you notice it and see Rarity doing her best silent era heroine impressions in the background of the episode) presumably because Tabitha was busy being dead at the time of recording. Fortunately death is merely a passing concern in the life of a voice actress.