Thoughts on "A Royal Problem"

This is one of the few things on my wishlist that I can safely say was on everyone else's.

At least I have an episode of reference for any Celestia-focused thingamabubbies that I could write in the future... or maybe could use for tweaking the Canterlot arc of Brotherly Bonding Time, because Celestia was a big reason I was having trouble writing that. Funny, that arc also had a switcharoo plot... a body swap sort of switcharoo with Cheese Sandwich, but a switcharoo nonetheless.

That said, I have an awful sunburn (this is the third week in a row!), and I know just who to blame.

~And to everyone's shock, Starlight has been called on a map mission! Incredible that the map's extending beyond the Mane Six, though whether any non-Starlight ponies are called in future episodes is up for debate. This is not helping your case with your haters, Star...

~Twilight, I suppose your lack of fights with Shining Armor may have been a detriment to your worldview, because siblings fighting is a part of life. Then again, the princesses' last big fight ended with one of them stuck in the moon for a millenium. Not even the Sandwiches had that bad a fight.

~Celestia and Luna are at least smart enough not to let it bleed into their duties, though not talking to each other about their problems in private... well, that's not gonna blow up later, is it?

~Twilight, you may be cute as a ballerina, but you're still a naggy overprotective mom.

~Celestia can cook? Dang, those pancakes look good, and I don't even like pancakes! Nice.

~Luna is a grumpy teenager, and she reminds me of a couple of my siblings who had a tendency to sleep in (and neither one is here right now, with one in Brazil with his wife and the other in Arkansas on a mission). Also, her pineapple munching skills are amazing... I swear, every time I think of pineapples I think of SpongeBob or my cousin's running joke character, the Pineapple Frog.

~Luna, that doesn't look like lavender, that looks more like lilac. On the bright side, lilac is one of my favorite flowers, and my absolute favorite smell!

~Siblings not communicating? Must... not... mention... Sandwiches... Dang it, I already mentioned them. Me and my tendency to get stuck in my own fanfic 'verse.

~Whoa, Luna, now you're eating the peel? Yikes.

~Yay! They're talking! ...oh, wait, they're bickering. Of course... backhanded apologies and accusations are part of the sibling experience.

~I... can't believe Starlight just did that. To ROYALTY.

~Role reversal! Because shenanigans never happened when it came to that. *is poked by the Canterlot, Seaddle, and possibly Our Town arcs*

~Heh, of course Twilight panics when it comes to this. Just as she did in--
*slaps myself* NO!

~Celestia has a long list. Oh, Luna, you have a hard day ahead of you.

~Let's see... that smile looks physically painful. And why the heck are those scissors dull? Then there's a scowl at the absolute wrong time--a picture... with foals!
~Wow, that newspaper was published really fast.

~Bahahahaha! That Royal Canterlot Voice cracks me up. That's not the voice you use to reassure people that there's no danger, Lulu.

~And after settling that argument between those two stallions, Luna is done. I got a little exhausted myself watching Luna perform Celestia's duties.

~Celestia, you've been raising the moon for the thousand years Luna was stuck in it. Sheesh.

~Those dream orbs are coo--WAIT A MINUTE IS THAT BABY APPLEJACK BEING HELD BY HER PARENTS?! OMIGOSH!

~Heh, it's a good thing that canon doesn't have those dream gremlins that my 'verse had--if they found out about this switch, they would have taken advantage of this and pulled some body-switching stunts on random ponies! Then again... who says that they haven't while Celestia was dealing with that one dream...

~Those pancakes are creepy now. They care...

~Le gasp! Nightmare Moon is back! ...and now I don't care. Seriously, I see so much Nightmare Moon, I'm tired of it and seeing it in canon is just annoying at this point.

~LE GASP! IT'S EVIL CELESTIA!

~Daybreaker? Why do I feel like that sounds like that belongs in a song?

~"I should've destroyed you!" Ouch, harsh.

~Starlight's talk of balance makes me think of the Force. Either that or Avatar.

~Heh, Daybreaker's so insane that it's both hilarious and terrifying at the same time. Special mention to the "Ugh, so much black; we get it, you're sad" thing.

~"You could really use some sun!" No thanks, I had enough of that yesterday. In fact, I'm blaming you for my sunburn, my arms are killing me!

~Say, I wonder if Celestia can use fire powers without going Daybreaker? If so, awesome. If not... *thinks back to Canterlot arc of BBT and screams*

~Gah! Creepy chanting foals! Gah! Teeth falling out! Hallelujah, Celestia will save Luna (and us) from the creepiness!

~Looks like Daybreaker's the winner in that fight. However, she is no match for the real Celestia! And thus, goodbye Nightmare versions of Royal Sisters! And I'm glad to see that the real ones learned something from this insanity.

~Gah! Luna's pancakes look horrifying.

~And overexcited Mama Twilight has returned! Seriously, Twi, you're acting a like a mom. And that's Spike's toothbrush.

~Oh, yeah, Celly's got a couple of Luna's gaffes to clean up... ehuehuehue...

Overall, this episode was a blast. It was the best this season had so far, and I really loved taking a deeper look at the Royal Sisters and their relationship. I kind of wish that this episode had been a thing back when I was writing the Canterlot arc of Brotherly Bonding Time, so that I didn't run around in circles and scream incoherently over whether or not I was doing anything right with Celestia. Of course, it wouldn't have solved my frustration with politics, but it would have been a little easier.

And thus, I hope the rest of you have a nice day.

Comments

[FanOfMostEverything]

I don't even like pancakes!

Huh. I didn't think it was possible to combine those words in that order.

That's not the voice you use to reassure people that there's no danger, Lulu.

No, but it may work to convince them that there's nothing worse than you.

Daybreaker? Why do I feel like that sounds like that belongs in a song?

I know I keep thinking of one...

And yeah, this episode was incredible.