Thoughts on "Forever Filly" and "Parental Glideance"

Who in Canada thought it was a good idea to air two new episodes a week? I think little kids can wait a week for a new episode--I know I survived a week between each new episode of (insert favorite childhood show here). And now the Internet has taken advantage of this schedule, and I gotta watch the episodes so I don't have to worry about spoilers... and post thoughts on them, because it's a thing I'm doing now.

There are still people who do gotta worry about spoilers, so I'll put a break down.

Forever Filly

~Oh, hi, Sassy Saddles! I haven't seen you for a couple of seasons. And I know, I'd freak out if I had to manage that mess! But you gotta love Rarity here, being on top of things like a boss.

~And now, we start phasing into the plot of the episode--sisterly bonding time! I've got two sisters, and bonding with them is fun. I've also got a brother, and we're cordial with each other and laugh together, but we're not exactly close, so...

~Why is it so much fun to watch Rarity cry? Also, I may have laughed a little too hard at Sassy's reaction to Rarity blowing into that tissue hard enough to turn it green. Yeah, I know, I'm weird.

~Crusaders be crusading. That sculptor colt is cute.

~I see that Big Mac and Cheerilee photo in the back. Reminds me of an upcoming episode where they're gonna ship him with another mare.

~Hey! It's that filly that looks like my youngest sister Marshmallow Wings: Zipporwhill! Only she hasn't grown very much while Marshy turned 14 a couple of months ago (though those new frames of hers are the same color as Marshy's old glasses). Heh, makes me think of the time when we watched Sisterhooves Social together when she was about... eight... dang it, I'm sad now...

~Now that I think about it, I think I've only seen a professional puppet show, like... once. As a part of a symphony at a concert hall. I barely remember it, I was nine.

~Oh, Zipp's puppy ain't exactly a puppy no more.

~Is Sweetie Belle gonna say she's too old for ice cream? You can never be too old for ice cream!
~Yikes, that scoop... and toppings... and even bowl are way too small! That's not even big enough for a baby.

~Why is that dog's yawn so satisfying to me? Not in the manner of making fun of Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Zipporwhill's efforts, but, like... how it's animated, the way the dog sounds... I don't know, there's just something about the execution of that dog yawn that's so perfect to me.

~Hey, look, a balloon modeler pony! I don't think he's Party Favor level, but those balloons are lovely.

~Another satisfying animation, though the way she's moving her lips like that is weird... eh, horses do weird things with their lips all the time. I've been a witness of bored horses playing weird lip games with themselves.

~Heh, I'm obviously not the only one who noticed that Sweetie's costumes are a younger version of Rarity's, but it's still amusing.

~I will admit, I was a little frustrated at the "puppy group" not realizing that Ripley was a grown up dog and playtime should be adjusted as such. I know, that's the point of the episode, but I was one step away from pulling my hair and yelling at the group for not seeing the obvious. I was more forgiving of Rarity because she was obviously in denial of Sweetie Belle growing up--much like how I can't believe one sister's an adult, and the other's a teenager... it still shocks me to this day to see my little sisters like that...

~And balloon guy's turned down. Aww, that was cute, and I feel bad for him.

~At least the dog plot tied in with the main plot and helped Rarity see what she was doing wrong. I know, Rares, I wish for the good old days of playing cute childish games with my sisters, only for them to wander off to more "sophisticated" activities...
~Not really sophisticated, to be honest--they're both big anime and online game (especially Overwatch) nerds, and I feel left out for not caring about either. Not to mention Marshy is going through crazy teenage hormones which have her be all moody and aloof. *sigh*

~Though Rarity still in the flower costume is pretty funny.

~Ha ha! Like I said, you're never too old for ice cream! At least the sundaes are bigger, because that tiny one was just embarrassing.

So, while it was slightly duller and less emotionally impactful that Sisterhooves Social, it was still a pretty good episode. The Rarity/Sweetie Belle episodes are always a treat, and I'm glad to have watched this one. Like I said, I'm pretty shocked and saddened by my sisters growing up, and I just want to go back to those days of childlike playtime and goofing around for a little girl and making memories.

And the clincher? Next week, my sister Artsy Notes is going to leave on an LDS mission to Arkansas for eighteen months. I'm really happy and proud of her, but I'm also sad that she's leaving, and it's going to get a little lonely without her around. And then my brother's leaving for Brazil to be with his wife, and well... I'll admit, I'm a little more angry about that one--mainly because nobody tells me anything!

At least Marshy's still going to be around. I think I'm gonna spoil her a little.

---

Parental Glideance

~Oh, my goodness, Scootaloo. XD Don't you know how dangerous slingshotting yourself to Cloudsdale like that is? Even your friends think it's crazy! Especially in light of those other options that they wise you up on. Too bad it's too late.

~Was Bow Hothoof (what the crap is that name) seriously mowing a cloud lawn?

~He looks like an older and more tired version of that other guy... or was it another guy? Is Rainbow Blaze Bow's brother (since the rest of the episode blatantly shows that RD's an only child)? Or was Rainbow Blaze retconned into this guy? The world may never know.

~I think my dad would be freaked out too if a random little girl that happened to be his daughter's biggest fan just popped up in his lawn as he was mowing it, and then started shrieking in excitement when she realized who he was. I really hope that if I do have fans that they don't suddenly pop out of my lawn like daisies. Let's just stick to talking to me over the internet...

~Oh, wow, they're plugging their ears with their wings.

~So, after Scoots is done screaming over their daughter at an insane volume, how do Bow and Windy react? Declare themselves even bigger fans of Rainbow Dash! Complete with yanking open shirt Superman Style and happy grins. Dang.

~Looking at that sandwich makes me hungry. I'm not a fan of potatoes, so it makes me crave a vegetarian lasagna. Though, I do not approve of Scoots just sticking half the sandwich in the album--just take a picture of it!

~Baby Dashie! Heh, she had a mohawk. I had a mohawk when I was a baby. My hair had a weird growth pattern, so I didn't have normal hair until I was about two. Some guy at church even asked my grandma if she cut it that way on purpose.

~That tortoise motivational poster is funny, given what becomes her pet later on. Also, I'm more amused that I should be by that narwhal poster on the wall there--thank you Artsy Notes for that inside joke that can't have me taking those sea unicorns seriously. Also, basketball hoop!

~Aaaaaand here's where it got creepy. Hilarious, but creepy. That diaper there is pushing things a bit. At least the door's music is funny. But, still, it comes as no surprise as to why Rainbow didn't tell them about the Wonderbolt thing.

~Holy cow, they're yelling so loud that they're disrupting practice! That's an academy record.

~Is this supposed to be cringe comedy? Because unlike Spike's Cloudsdale Theme or Rainbow Imitating her Friends from past episodes, I'm less cringing and more laughing at this utterly ridiculous display of parental affection. Poor Rainbow, I'm not even embarrassed for her. At least the Wonderbolts are being good sports, even if Dash's parents are being a little too in-your-face.

~Gah! Wingshake!

~Shed those manly tears, Bow. This is one of the few instances of a guy crying being played for comedy where I actually laugh instead of cringe. Of course, those are tears of joy instead of tears of sadness or despair, and his wife's holding him, so I feel better laughing in this case.

~I honestly question the necessity of recapping Wonderbolt Academy and Rarity Investigates (at least she didn't recap Newbie Dash--I shudder to think of how'd they react to Rainbow Crash). The scene could have started with Scootaloo just finishing telling them of Dash's accomplishments, and then leave room for more shenanigans with Mom and Dad.

~There are always those fans. Everyone else's reaction is priceless.

~Heh, I remember when I thought of the Wonderbolts as a generic flying group with generic flying patterns that I'd get bored of. But, wow, they're really doing some cool stuff here! The animation bumps over the seasons would benefit these guys, huh?

~Gah! Fireworks?! What are you trying to do, shoot your daughter out of the sky? Even Pinkie Pie knows acceptable boundaries.
~On another note, that cannon makes me think of the fruit-flavored fireworks from Brotherly Bonding Time. I wonder how well they'd sell all over Equestria. They're still launched at high speeds and they explode, but at least they're made in a way that the sparks don't burn your tongue and are delicious!

~Bow, autograph signing is not worthy of a shirt twirl.

~Rainbow accidentally cutting Spitfire's tail is the best part of this episode.

~Hey, look, Sky Stinger and Vapor Trial are back! I hope they're having a nice chat as we focus elsewhere.

~TOW-EL! TOW-EL! TOW-EL! ...I think I'm going to go annoy my sisters with that.

~Fleetfoot has the best face here.

~And Rainbow finally snaps. Ouch, she can be pretty harsh, even though I get why she's angry. Still, it kind of hurts to see Rainbow's parents start to cry, though, frankly, with the way they've been acting... somebody was bound to say something about it sometime. Reminds me of when I ended up making my mom cry... that wasn't fun.
~On another note, the animators were just having fun with the wings this episode, huh?

~Okay, flashback time, and I don't really trust it. Because one, Spitfire's captain, and if we're going for a military thing with the Wonderbolts, that would have to require years of being on the team, so I'm pretty sure that most of the 'bolts are older than Rainbow. And two, Rainbow and Lightning Dust first met at the academy, and there's no way that they'd forget seeing each other each year of this same competition. I want to come up with a third reason, but I've got none.
~I still hear the Lightning Dust fans screeching in absolute joy at her cameo as a filly.

~Okay, here's where the episode started to get a little... questionable for me. Yes, it's absolutely true that supportive parents are great for a child, but there's such a thing as being too supportive. It's good to praise their efforts and encourage them to work harder, but calling her the best at just about everything she does? No wonder she has fluctuating self esteem issues! Not to mention, they were firing fireworks at professional fliers! That's dangerous! If anything, they should tone the support down and learn that supporting your kids isn't about being all crazy like that. So stop guilt-tripping Rainbow with your parent issues, Scootaloo!
~And no, I don't buy the orphan Scootaloo fanon. I think she has emotionally neglectful parents... kind of like two of my version of Cheese Sandwich's father. Which, well, is still pretty sad and still worthy of giving sympathy hugs to Scoots.

~So, apologies are made, an private show is made for Bow and Windy, the family makes up, and Scootaloo gets support from the Dash family when she presents her report.

So... aside from that eyebrow-raising moment that's making me feel a teensy bit torn over Bow and Windy, I was laughing a lot at this episode. Rainbow Dash's parents are hilarious, and I really enjoyed their presence on screen. I just wish that maybe, just maybe, they learned to tone it down, because keeping your kid's diaper is just creepy and blasting the Wonderbolts with fireworks is just going too far. On the other hand, I am having a bit of fun imagining the scenarios of Rainbow dating somepony, getting married, having a foal... oh, boy, wouldn't those be awkward? Especially that last one, if they're in the room as it's happening. To say nothing about how they'd spoil their grandfoal.

Oh, boy, Puzzle Run's going to find both sides of his family embarrassing.

Okay, it looks like I'm done here. Have a nice day.