Random Thoughts: Parental Glideance

Warning: Spoilers abound. Proceed with caution.

Just so you know, I will be following the American broadcast schedule. I dunno what it is, but whenever I try to view the Canadian broadcast uploads, there's some kind of audio issue that's really distracting.

So, with that out of the way, we come to one of those episodes where I don't have just one thing to say about it, but quite a lot to say. It was nice to finally meet Rainbow Dash's parents (meaning we now know the family tree of the entire Mane 6. Huzzah! ), but that's not the only discussion point, nor should it be. So, follow me below the break, and let's get through my thoughts one by one.

1. Scootaloo's reaction to meeting Rainbow Dash's parents = My reaction to meeting Rainbow Dash's parents. Yes, I knew this was going to happen ahead of time because of Canada's weird schedule, but it doesn't make their introduction any less significant (at least to me). As I said above, it now means we know the family tree of the entire Mane 6!

2. That being said, I can sense some grumbles from people who wanted Rainbow Dash's mom to be Firefly. Guys, Firefly was already the founder of the Wonderbolts nine hundred and ninety-nine years before Season 1. I think that headcanon perished a long time ago.

3. A potato and pasta sandwich, huh? Never knew Rainbow Dash had my eating habits.

...

No, really. I once put mashed potatoes on a bagel for breakfast. I have very weird tastes.

4. Once we saw the Rainbow Dash award collection, I knew something fishy was going on. And lo and behold, my suspicions were confirmed the moment they interrupted Rainbow Dash's flight practice. You know not what you hath wrought, Scootaloo.

5. Though speaking of which, I'm surprised Rainbow Dash's parents were kept in the dark for this long. They must really rely on their daughter to keep them apprised to current events.

6. I wanna know how Scootaloo got photos of the events from the episodes Wonderbolts Academy and Rarity Investigates!, especially since she wasn't there for either of them. She must've been really researching her flank off for this paper.

7. Okay, I know Rainbow Dash is supposed to be in the wrong for lashing out at her parents, but two things. One, she was stressed and aggravated. Of course she's gonna explode like that. Two, she's kinda right. Supporting your children is one thing, but Bow Hothoof and Windy Whistles's behavior was well beyond reasonable! It almost gives me the impression that they're too easy to impress (and them complimenting Scootaloo on her blindfolds in a later scene only reinforces that). I mean, they even praised Rainbow Dash for how she called them out! Was there ever a point in their life when they were disappointed with their daughter?

...

Actually, if the answer to that question is "no," that explains so much.

8. So, did Rainbow Dash end up growing up alongside Spitfire and Lightning Dust, or were the animators too lazy to make new character models for that flashback? I mean, they technically are new character models, but you know what I mean.

9. Scootaloo: No one ever gave me that kind of encouragement growing up.

Me: You mean besides your teachers (Cheerilee and Twilight) and your fellow Crusaders, or are you talking strictly about family? Because if it's the latter, maybe there is some truth to the whole "Scootaloo's an orphan" theory. I mean, a more direct answer would be lovely, and considering the topics this show has covered (the grieving process, marketing psychology, identity politics, etc.), it wouldn't be entirely out of the question to tell that story in the show. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

10. I love how accepting the Wonderbolts are of Rainbow Dash's situation, especially after how many people criticized their behavior in Newbie Dash. Here, they don't razz her or anything; in fact, they end up helping her with her apology show. I almost wonder if Spitfire went through something similar with he own mom. Heh, and people say the Wonderbolts aren't empathetic.

So, in conclusion. The troubling implications of encouraging the behavior of Rainbow Dash's parents might be a bit of a sticking point for some viewers, and that does hold the whole thing back for me. However, I have a feeling that's not the message they were going for, and I appreciate what we got. Solid humor, great character insight, and a good moral that could've been handled better. I give this a B+.

Woo~! Metool Bard, Metool Bard~!

Oh, for crying out loud.

Comments

[zimmerwald1915]

"I once put mashed potatoes on a bagel for breakfast."
So? That's basically a knish.

[superfun]

Scootaloo's reaction to meeting Rainbow Dash's parents = My reaction to meeting Rainbow Dash's parents.  Yes, I knew this was going to happen ahead of time because of Canada's weird schedule, but it doesn't make their introduction any less significant (at least to me).  As I said above, it now means we know the family tree of the entire Mane 6!

1. Not quite.
There's still the episode about AJ's parents that's coming up.
2. That was my reaction to the CMC getting their marks, and will be my reaction when Scootaloo finally flies.

I wanna know how Scootaloo got photos of the event from the episodes Wonderbolts Academy and Rarity Investigates!, especially since she wasn't there for either of them.  She must've been really researching her flank off for this paper.

Either:
1. She's THAT dedicated to stalking RD, and found ways to get to each of those locations while remaining hidden
2. She's related to Pinkie somehow and is aware of the fourth wall.

So, did Rainbow Dash end up growing up alongside Spitfire and Lightning Dust, or were the animators too lazy to make new character models for that flashback?  I mean, they technically are new character models, but you know what I mean

Considering that RD said she was the youngest on the Senor Competitive circuit, they were likely slightly older than her already, the age difference was just too small for them to use models that are too different.

Scootaloo: No one ever gave me that kind of encouragement growing up.
Me: You mean besides your teachers (Cheerilee and Twilight) and your fellow Crusaders, or are you talking strictly about family?  Because if it's the latter, maybe there is some truth to the whole "Scootaloo's and orphan" theory. 

There are two possibilities with that line:
1. Her parents are alive, but they don't have time for her.
2. She really IS an orphan.
For me, personally, the second option is the less depressing of the two.

For me, personally, this WAS the best episode of the season and the second best episode of the entire series... Than Royal Problems aired in Canada, knocking it down one spot in each.

[Imperator Knoedel]

Have you tried the Dailymotion links? As far as I know the audio issues are only on YouTube and are there on purpose to throw off auto-takedown-bots.

identity politics

Huh? When was that?

[Metool Bard]

4541121 The Times They Are A-Changeling. The whole point of that episode was that Thorax is defined by who he is, not what he is.

Also, YouTube uploads never had this problem before. And it's true; Dailymotion has been giving me a better experience. I might look into it.

[Imperator Knoedel]

4541194

The Times They Are A-Changeling. The whole point of that episode was that Thorax is defined by who he is, not what he is.

Huh, I guess that is true, but wouldn't Season 2's Dragon Quest be a better example?

[Metool Bard]

4541900 ...

Huh. I suppose it would be. Can't believe it took me this long to get that. Then again, I wasn't as aware of identity politics back in 2012 as I am now.