Royal Problems · 2:02am May 22nd, 2017
Friendship is Magic first impressions review: Royal Problems (s07e10)
by Obake
(SPOILERS!)
Dear Princess Luna,
Today I watched a play titled Royal Problems. It depicts the time Starlight was sent to help solve a friendship problem between you and your sister. The play has received negative press from ponies who feel the premise sounded too far fetched. But I went in with an open mind.
I was suprised surprised that the play fell apart before the opening orchestra. The pre-title act involves the Cutie Map calling Starlight to the royal palace, and Princess Twilight being a nervous wreck. I understand that the map had never called just one pony to a place before then, and that being sent to the palace is a big order. But it seems odd that Twilight wouldn't trust her star pupil with the task, and even ponders whether the map's wrong.
Act II depicts Starlight in Canterlot. She finds that you don't appreciate the breakfasts your sister makes each morning, and your sister doesn't acknowledge the work you do helping ponies in their dreams. In a rash decision, Starlight switches your cutie marks.
In a letter I wrote on the play Hard to Say Anything, I admit to not being that much of a stickler for continuity in these plays. But Royal Problems contains too many conundrums not to have questions on. Like, how was Starlight able to manipulate cutie marks without the aid of the magic staff from The Cutie Map? Did switching your marks change your destinies like in Magical Mystery Cure? Neither are absolutely necessary to be answered. Starlight could have known the cutie mark switching spell before, but that brings questions of its own. If the play were funnier or more endearing, it would be easier to look past thees these issues.
The third act is you and your sister living a day in each others shoes. You find her tasks, like meeting dignitaries, and waving to ponies on the street, more burdensome than expected. You also inadvertently stop a school from raising funds for a field trip by frowning.
A question I have is why Celestia is surprised that raising the moon is easier than the sun. Shouldn't she already know, having raised both for a millenia during your banishment?
Celestia delves into ponies dreams, arriving into Starlight's. Starlight's dream is about Nightmare Moon returning because she failed her mission. I understand what is trying to be conveyed, that little misunderstandings between ponies can fester until they become something significant (think back to the first play, Friendship is Magic.) But Royal Problems does not convey this well. Fearing Nightmare Moon's return for not appreciating pancakes seems rather silly. Also encountered in the dream is Celestia's nightmare counterpart: Daybreaker, who I admit has a cool design.
During the battle between Daybreaker and Nightmare, when you and Luna reunite, you fear for Starlight's psyche. If I may ask, why didn't you just tell Starlight it was a dream, or try waking her up?
Then in the next scene, when she's awake, she asks whether it was a dream or not, which begs why she didn't ask you during it!
I was not a fan of this play. It was like a sequel to No Second Prances, in that it wasn't the worst thing ever, but it had a lot of inconsistencies, and not much else.
Your sincere reviewer,
Obake
p.s.
A few extra notes, like
1) Why is Twilight such a basket case, again? Her going crazy in plays like Lesson Zero was fun, and its worked in others like It's About Time. But as of late, a lot of her appearances have been nothing but her going unhinged, and it's worrying.
This case especially, when she appears as the figurine on that music box to chat with Starlight. Twilight is so exasperated. Just take a look at this line of hers: “You said 'princesses' and 'aren't the best' in the same sentence, and it's making me nervous.”
2) You have the two best gags in Royal Problems. I find it funny when you eat a pineapple without even peeling its shell, and eat a banana peel, and not the fruit.
3) The whole thing about you frowning at just the wrong moment during the photo shoot is strange. I mean, you smiling is so rare that you can't hold it for a few more seconds? I know you spend most of your nights alone, but surely you smile sometimes, especially when you get to help ponies in their dreams, right? I guess the ending gag of you telling your sister of the problems you caused is chuckle worthy.
4) Celestia's transition into the dream world is was kind of neat, though the scenes inside the bubbles are confusing. Derpy dreams of being queen? Cadence and/or Flurry (complete with sunglasses) dream of being at a DJ table? I'm not against these images, I just don't understand them.
5) I don't mind you and your sister having disputes. Siblings are not built perfect. I even liked the moment in Slice of Life when you and Luna Celestia argued. In Royal Problems, though, the dialogue and execution felt off.
