Dungeons & Discord(s), various thoughts · 4:42pm Aug 27th, 2016
I'm just going to say I'm glad we've got another Discord episode. (By which I mean an episode where he's primarily the protagonist.) Some nice bonding, and quite a bit of fun. Discord shenanigans when he's written well and proper for his current role in the series; yay! With that said, I haven't much to say about this episode in terms of lore or significant character traits, well, beyond how much better I like his characterisation this time. For now, have a little something~
—Seems like Fluttershy and Discord know each other quite well at this point. Discord's not been feeling up to expanding his circle of friends, despite Make New Friends But Keep Discord, apparently, which loses points, but this time Fluttershy has a legitimate reason not to have told Discord about where she's going; because Tia is a butt.
—AJ specifying about her boots makes me think she just had a discussion with Rarity. Guess that can be taken in different ways.
—Discord likes swing, apparently. That's good to know.:3
—I like that Spike has a player character which excels in intelligence and perception. Twilight's love for Starswirl must have rubbed off on him. It has some interesting implications for his shift in values. Seems he's abandoned his obsession with the "noble dragon warrior" character he used to have.
—Discord seems a lot more mature as a character in this one. He's legitimately trying, and when he realises he's in the wrong, he tries making up for it.:3
—I went into the episode expecting maybe Shining Armour to be playing with him, because I know he at least in the comics plays tabletop RPGs. (I don't remember if it was ever mentioned that Spike does the same.) Though I feel the opportunity for some serious talk between the two of them, as well as some delectable character development was passed up, I'm glad Spike and Mac got some roles in this episode. Just three supporting characters having fun, and Discord at least overcoming an issue of his. This flavour was pretty nice, at least.
—Rainbow as a ninja. That's awesome!
—There's potentially a rather clever reference in the title of the episode. Of course, it's a reference to the game that Ogres & Oubliettes is based on, but Discord isn't just a dragon in relation to his part-species. He is a reformed villain, and in the context of the game when he makes himself the game master and terrorises Spike and Mac with the Squizard, he's kind of the foe that the two need to deal with in order to win the game. The midboss, kinda, while at the same time being the Big Bad for that scene. This article is what I'm referring to. Or, he would have been, if the resolution happened within the realised game world.
—This mare's design has implications. I get the feeling she's meant to be an entertainer, considering that exotic design, and her cutie mark, of all things, being bananas. 
—Fluttershy is adorable when she's comfortable being silly.
The faces are on-point.
Kinda hoping there is more of this, but I'll have to be satisfied with fanfiction. (eventually)
This episode goes into the ever expanding "MLP isn't just for lil girls" pile.
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Well, it never was. Lauren Faust intended to write it for a more "all-ages" approach, and the series got firmer and firmer rooted in that (and sufficiently mature) as the writers became comfortable with the characters and with doing new things.
Dash is best ninja. Pinkie is best bard.
https://derpibooru.org/1234975
https://derpibooru.org/1234900
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I agree.
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I like to post these when they're available. We're getting some jazzy and epic blend and miscellaneous this time.
Finally the Ogres & Oubliettes style stuff begins.
Back to jazz...
And an ominous epic score.