Doctor Perseus Reviews: MLP S7E8 "Hard to Say Anything" · 9:12pm May 29th, 2017
It's interesting how we've gotten a trilogy (of sorts) of episodes involving the CMC and their "siblings". First we get a Sweetie Belle/Rarity episode, then a Scootaloo/Rainbow Dash episode (I know they're not blood-related but they pretty much have a sister-like relationship by now), and now we get an Apple Bloom/Big Mac episode. It's always nice to delve more into that dynamic as, when pertaining to the Apple siblings, we've mostly focused on the Applejack/Apple Bloom sister relationship. Though we've of course gotten a couple episodes in the past involving Apple Bloom and Big Mac. Brotherhooves Social is a notable example as is this episode's spiritual predecessor: Hearts and Hooves Day. So what did I think of this episode? I liked it.
It's nice to once again delve into the Apple Bloom/Big Mac dynamic with the rest of the crusaders along for the ride. As I said, this episode is almost like a spiritual sequel to Hearts and Hooves Day. But, thankfully, the crusaders don't try to use another love potion this time (the moment where Big Mac angrily referenced the events of that episode was a particular favorite of mine). Because of this, this episode also manages to shatter many preferred Big Mac ships the fandom has gravitated towards over the years. Big Mac has been constantly shipped with Fluttershy and Cheerilee over the years (sometimes with Rainbow Dash too) and recently gained a new shipmate in Pinkie's twin sister: Marble Pie. But now all of those ships have been officially sunk as a new competitor has come into the fray: Sugar Belle, in her biggest role since the Season 5 premiere. I like this pairing and I was happy to see them get together by the end. No kissing yet but, hey, muzzle rubs are enough for now. Baby steps, people.
This is also the biggest presence Our Town has had since the Season 5 premiere (aside from appearing for a few scenes in the Season 6 finale). It's always interesting to occasionally check back in on the town to see how it's managed to change following Starlight's defeat/reformation. We're also introduced to Feather Bangs (who is voiced by Flash Sentry's VA). I was surprised with the direction they decided to take this character. They could have easily made him a stuck-up douchebag who foils Big Mac at every turn with an evil smirk. But he's merely just another determined suitor for Sugar Belle. And in the end turns out to have some insecure issues of his own. He may have been the antagonist of the episode but he wasn't a villain.
Speaking of Feather Bangs, the featured song in this episode "Battle for Sugar Belle" was an interesting mix-up of country and pop with Big Mac and Feather Bangs competing for Sugar Belle's affection. It's interesting just how deprived of songs Season 7 has been so far. Nearly half the season has been released and we've only got two songs. But I'm sure they'll make it up. The past couple seasons have each given us one musical episode. Magical Mystery Cure in Season 3, Pinkie Pride in Season 4, Crusaders of the Lost Mark in Season 5, and A Hearth's Warming Tail in Season 6. So I imagine we'll be getting a musical episode at some point this season.
Overall, I enjoyed this episode. Consider it a fine conclusion to the Season 7 CMC trilogy. Guess we should call it that. Season 5 had the Rarity trilogy so...yeah. I'll stick with that.
What did you think of Hard to Say Anything?
It's funny you mention Feather Bangs being voiced by Vincent Tong, considering Sugar Belle is voiced by Rebecca Shoichet aka Sunset Shimmer. No doubt this was a reference to Flash and Sunset's past relationship prior to the events of Equestria Girls. Speaking of voice actors, according to SuperPinkBrony12's own review, not only is this the first episode since On Your Marks to have none of the Mane 6 appear but it's the first of the entire series without any of their voice actresses. That's right, no Tara Strong (Twilight Sparkle), Ashleigh Ball (Applejack & Rainbow Dash), Tabitha St. Germain (Rarity), or Andrea Libman (Fluttershy & Pinkie Pie).
Also, this episode introduces another newcomer to the writing staff with Becky Wangberg. Like Josh Hamilton, she previously worked for Nickelodeon before coming to Discovery Family for MLP: FIM. In Becky's case, she wrote for The Fairly OddParents, T.U.F.F. Puppy and Bunsen Is a Beast, ironically all created by Butch Hartman.
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Took them a while to get to an episode like that but I think you can get away with it when you're seven seasons and tons of side characters in.
Did not realize that this is the first episode without the M6 VAs.
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Well, On Your Marks would've held that distinction along with the absence of all the Mane Six if not for Tabitha St. Germain providing the voices of Mrs. Cake and Hoofer Steps in that episode. Also, don't you just love the Casting Gag of Sugar Belle and Feather Bangs sharing the exact same VA as Sunset Shimmer and Flash Sentry respectively? I wonder if Rebecca Shoichet and Vincent Tong made jokes about this when recording their lines?
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They might have. But I don't know if the VAs record together.
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Then perhaps it was when they were rehearsing their lines together. Either way, someone needs to ask them.
I did not notice that.
I don't know if your read my review of this episode, but I also enjoyed it very much. (Though it had a very troubling moment.) It's fun to see MLP do romance every once in a while given that it's a topic they almost avoid like a plague.