Episode Reviews Season VI: P.P.O.V (Pony Point of View)

Sorry this is late. I sat down to try and do this yesterday and my mind and body were all "lol nope" so here it is tonight. I'm going to be keeping it a little short because, really, there isn't a lot to talk about, really, since we've seen this kind of story before. Review after the break and all that. Also, I am ignoring the early airings, so don't expect reviews on that cacophony any time soon.

Feelings can be hurt and rifts torn in even the best of friends, espeically when good intentions go awry. It's also amazing how perspective and memory can change, even with the most honest of people, when someone feel so offended by the actions of others. The best way to resolve this situation? It's about the same as every interpersonal problem, where careful, measured discussion to clear the air after tempers have cooled. But what do you do when the hurt runs so deep that it seems even the best of friends won't speak to each other for a very long time because of the divide? Well, that's when a third party needs to step in.

That must have been a HELL of a Boat Tr- Oh wait, they're pissed at each other... It must have been a HELLISH boat trip.

P.P.O.V (Pony Point of View) comes into focus as Twilight and Spike are walking to the train station to meet Applejack, Rarity and Pinkie Pie from their boat trip. Sadly, Fluttershy and Rainbow had a flight school reunion to attend and Twilight was... I dunno, doing princess s(yay)? We never learn what. Anyway, excited by the prospect of documenting their experience, she waits for them at the train station, only to fine three wet, grimy, silent and angry mare waiting for her who walk off in completely different directions without even a syllable between them. Surprised, Twilight arranges a tea party for her friends after a day or so for them to recount their trip. However, when nopony shows up due to the fact the others will be there, Twilight gets angry at being blown off and decides to go to her friends for the story. First we visit Rarity, after a little bit of prodding to tell them what happened, who tells a story of her trying to bring about a little bit of class, sophistication and luxury for her friends, only to be done in by an extremely salty, irritable and arguably mad mariner by the name of Applejack whom threw her cucumber sandwich hors d'oeuvres overboard because they do not belong on a hardcore sea adventure. Pinkie lifts a Pinata up play with and Rarity is about to have a go at it when the ship starts to steer into a storm. She tells AJ to steer towards calmer waters, but when she refuses, they begin to argue over the map which Pinkie soon joins in. As they argue, the ship steers into a massive swell and the ships capsizes and sinks. Spike asks how they got back to shore, but is ignored as Rarity reaches for the ice cream and becomes inconsolable.

Knowing Rarity can... embellish stories, Twilight and Spike go to Sugarcube Corner to get Pinkie's side of the story. Though she is in the middle of baking, she gladly shares her version of events. Basically, Rarity when full-on materialistic, hiring an uncountable number of porters to bring aboard all of the things they need for a proper, luxury cruise. As soon as they set sail, Pinkie offers up some fun games and candy that she packed with her to make their boat trip fun, but Rarity rudely dismisses them as passe before putting down a platter of cucumber sandwiches, stuffing one in Pinkie's mouth but discards them overboard a few moments later, before AJ can have one, for being no longer in fashion. After Pinkie sets up a Pinata, she offers Rarity a turn, who rudely rejects her, though Applejack is game and takes a swing at it. Just as she blindfolds her, the ship starts heading into a storm where a tug-of-war erupts over the map. As Rarity comments that luxury cruises never sink, a giant swell appears, capsizing and sinking the boat. Spike asks how they got back to shore, but over the course of the story, Pinkie's muffins start burning. Dissatisfied with both versions of the story, Twilight and Spike go to Sweet Apple Acres for the definitive version of events. Applejack refutes both versions and, instead, paints a tale of her simply trying to bring a little adventure to the trip with a simple treasure hunt. However, BOTH Pinkie and Rarity wanted nothing to do with it and instead bring fru-fru snacks, candy, and a Pinata. Unfortunately, when Rarity brings out the cucumber sandwiches, AJ trips and falls into Rarity, knocking the sandwiches overboard.

After setting up the Pinata, Pinkie offers Rarity a turn, but she refuses so AJ takes her turn as the ship starts sailing into a sudden storm. AJ tries to use the map to adjust the ship's course, but Rarity wants to use it as a tablecloth and a fight soon erupts over the map which Pinkie joins in. As they argue, a sudden swell appears, capsizing and sinking the ship. Upon finishing her story, Applejack says that she'll NEVER talk to either of them again UNLESS they apologize, leaving to continue with her work on the farm. Back at the castle, Twilight mulls over the details of their stories and, in a flash of realization, figures out what happened on the boat. She then calls the three of them to the port town for a friendship emergency, but naturally, none of them are happy to see each other. Spike, still annoyed about not knowing how they got back, is finally told that the ship didn't sink in the deepest of waters and the mares simply walked to shore. Surprisingly, without any threat of dungeon time, she manages to convince them to get on the boat and explains, in detail, how the cucumber sandwiches attracted a Tri-horned Bunyip that inadvertently capsized their boat. She demonstrates with a sacrificial sandwich and summons the Bunyip, who is sorry that it ruined their boat. Twilight then explains that the girls were so focused on trying to get the others out of their element that they failed to see that the others were doing the same and signals got crossed. They hug and make up and the six of them, including the Bunyip and Spike, have the fun boat trip they should have had before. The end.

Howdy, Captain Applehab!

~*Talking Point*~

I miss Twilight Sparkle. Yes, I know, Princess Twilight Sparkle is in this episode and has a role... but this is arguably the most she had done all season so far. I understand that she has grown as a character and seldom needs to learn friendship lessons anymore, but she seems to be excluded from a lot of things now because Princess Duties or something of the like. I was hoping being a princess would OPEN UP new situations for her or let us have a peek at Equestrian Politics or the nobility or something, but so far, all it's done is LIMIT Twilight or PREVENT her from being in episodes to help and that feels... not right for a pony who USED TO BE the Main Character. I... I don't like Twilight as much as I used to. She may soon even no longer be Best Pony, I daresay, if things keep going like this.

Rarity, darling, that's a little... much, don't you think? (Yes, I know it's Pinkie's take, but still.)

~*Likes/Dislikes*~

+ Twilight is full-on adorkable bookworm in the beginning before it all goes to pot. I seriously miss this sort of thing coming from Twilight. That and how she keeps handing Spike a scroll and quill until the very end.
+ Wonderful animation for the boat scenes, especially when it enters the storm. It just goes to show, once again, how far and talented the animation team has come since season one.
+ Science saves the day once again. That and a not-so-faked Friendship Emergency. Also since when have pets been used to send messages? Is on strike or something?

+Bonus: At least Three Titanic references. Not exactly a fan of the movie for the romance, but for the ship itself! <3

- Twilight is actually useful for once in this episode. This is a bad thing because now she is feeling more and more... ancillary instead of being one of, if not THE main character.
- Except for salty Applejack, all the embellished pony personalities aren't anything new or interesting. I mean, you could try different angles next time, maybe?
- I thought Applejack lying was supposed to be next episode. I mean, I get that she's mad at them both, but this is AJ! She doesn't outright lie like this! OMG OOC (Kidding)

"Give that back, Rose! Ah mean, Rarity. o.o;;"

~*Conclusion*~

What Did We Learn Today?

Bunips exist in Equestria. And are surprisingly adorable.

That was the P.P.O.V (Pony Point of View) on that episode and it was... a little bit average for the season in my taste. It's the first time pony has tried a Rashomon-style episode and it worked out pretty well. (I was not expecting the boat to be an embellishment at least) Aside from a little nitpicks, there's nothing really WRONG with this episode, as it did deliver a couple of interesting images, lore, and lines of dialog. It's an episode I may find myself coming back to watch again later, but that's just about true of every other episode this season. So, if you were to trap me on a sinking ship, I would have to rate this episode a sea-worthy 84/100.

Next week, Applebloom tells a lie in order to cover up a mistake and is caught out on it. Sitting down with her little sister, Applejack tells her a story of how she came to value honesty when a series of lies nearly lead to ruin. Where the Apple Lies, we will see how one fib can snowball into something monstrous. Until then, this is Ciroton saying, "Celestia herself could not sink this ship!"

Sailing off until the sunset... kinda.