Honest Apple

Friendship is Magic first impressions review: Honest Apple (s07e09)
by Obake

(SPOILERS!)

Rarity chooses Applejack as one of the judges for her latest fashion contest. That last sentence sounds ridiculous, but the episode offers a reasonable excuse: Applejack has a keen eye for practicality, something regular judges tend to lack. When she finally accepts the offer, it is believable. The setup is quickly established, and everyone is in character. The first few scenes are great.

Things start to devolve around the halfway mark. This is another instance of the show pushing a character's bad traits too far to drive a point. It is not as bad as The Carts Before the Ponies, as there is at least buildup this time. Plus, Honest Apple redeems itself in some areas.

But first, more details. The other judges are Photo Finish and Hoity Toity, both welcome returning characters. I like Photo's mannerisms of saying actions out loud (“kiss, kiss!”, “I faint!”). It's a trait that sounds like it would get annoying, but the episode does not overplay it. Hoity, as arrogant and posh he may seem, is actually fairly genial.

The designers in the fashion contest are run of the mill archtypes, though still entertaining. There's Lily Rose, a valley girl (the show's had a number of them lately), Starstreak, a future-obsessed stallion, and Inky Rose (not Ink, Inky), a goth whose appearance may take inspiration from Wednesday Addams. The winner of the contest gets to have their line of clothes featured in the Carousel Boutique. Rarity makes this contest all on her own to help aspiring designers get their foot in the industry, an example of her generosity, and a point awarded for the episode.

It loses points with Applejack. The judges meet the contestants twice before the contest to give their opinions. Unlike Hoity and Photo, Applejack is extremely critical, which is something I don't mind. It's important to the story, and makes sense. The problem is that some of her actions go beyond being harsh to uncharacteristically mean and ignorant. She forces Inkyrose to take all of the buttons off of one her dress designs, one by one (while none of the other judges or Rarity intervene.) Then, she violently shakes the feathers out of a hat Lily took hours making. The contestants are noticeably crushed, but Applejack behaves cool, like nothing happened. She may not be the brightest bulb, but Applejack is supposed to have some levels of restraint, not just be a monster.

After the contest is called off, Applejack realizes her mistakes and gets the contestants and judges back together. This is where the episode starts redeeming itself. The contest goes on without a hitch, and Applejack gets the deciding vote of which contestant wins. She chooses...all three. Yeah, it's a cop out, but it's a higher note for the episode to end on than one might expect.

What also helps are good jokes. There are quite a few of them here, from a running gag with the construction ponies setting up the show, to small talk between Photo and Hoity. My absolute favorite is Rarity playing guitar. She goes into full metal mode, complete with fiery background. It's quick and silly, and may be my favorite so far this season.

In summary, were Applejack's behavior built up to be bad but not outrageous, this episode would be really good. As it is, it's on the good side mainly because of the gags.

Extras:
-The pre-title scene starts with Rarity and Spike hanging fliers. Rarity says how lucky she was to find him just outside as she left, which causes him to blush. It is implied that Spike secretly waits around her home...perhaps even spying in. It's likely an innocent gag, but the execution could have been better. The ending bit of the characters saying “what?” is cleverly done, however.
-Applejack may be referencing Somepony to Watch Over Me when she explains her lack of fashion sense. (“My closet's nothing but 20 versions of this hat.”)
-Save for a few small moments, and Applejack's sudden meanness, everyone is in character. Even Pinkie, who has a tendency to be nonstop hyperactive, is given restraint. My favorite moment with her is her reaction to Rarity's guitar solo. It's great.
-There's only one Pinkie moment that irks me, and it is when Applejack has the deciding vote. Pinkie shouts exactly what's happened, for no reason.
-Applejack's criticisms of fashion are often on point. A dress made to look like a disco ball is silly. Rarity's explanation of how it is supposed to be a statement on fashion is funny. Also, anyone else notice AJ sounds a lot like Reba McEntire?
-The judges first meeting with Inky is confusing. Applejack calls her clothes depressing, which should be a compliment to a goth, right? Inky seems to like Hoity's praise that the buttons on her next outfit convey “sadness.” It's not a huge deal, but it does come off as inconsistent.
-There are a number of fun moments as Applejack rounds up the judges and contestants (she even gets to use a lasso.) My favorite is the reveal that the contestants are still tied up.
-As difficult some parts of this episode are to watch, it at least ends on a high note.