More on the Episode! · 8:52pm Aug 14th, 2017
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I think the reactions to the episode are just as funny. Because the people who take things seriously will continue to take them way to seriously and attack this episode because of it (just like the ponies outside the castle at the end of the episode).
Now it's obvious to me that people who aren't familiar with that part of the fandom would be really confused by this episode. It was a bit deceptive at first because I thought it was an odd premise, but I realized what was happening the moment they made the comment about Fluttershy not progressing, at which point, I started laughing, and the rest of the episode was hilarious.
I thought it was a really good episode because it responds to all of the critics in the more rabid part of the fanbase in a rather straight forward manner that teaches the lesson well. Sadly, we see that that part of the fanbase will continue to be angry about it, just as the ponies in the show.
In short, they nailed this episode. But they nailed it for the people who are familiar with the more aggressive fanbase but aren't themselves part of that aggressiveness.
Everyone else will probably get the sense that it was a weird, disconnected, or straight up offensive episode.
But in my experience, they hit the nail on the head, and did so in a hilarious way.
Essentially what the writers are saying is "We hear your critiques, but the expectations in them are wholly unrealistic, so we're going to continue making the show the way we feel is best. If you don't like it, oh well, at least we will."
A weird message for the writers to give, but I think it's the right message, and a philosophy that many experienced writers should take on. So long as you enjoy writing it, there will be others who enjoy your writing. Everyone else can be ignored.
And there were so many great moments in this episode, especially from Rarity and Fluttershy. Fluttershy because she actually teaches people about how real life works, and forces people to understand that their judgements of people can be a bit unfounded from reality. Rarity because of the absolutely hilarious silly moments from her part. "Right away, pony who still likes me!" "[I'm wearing] my emotions darling! Stress Couture!"
Marvelous.
But in the end, this isn't an episode for the sake of being a pony episode. This is an episode designed particularly to break the fourth wall and address the certainly annoying critiques from many fans. Something I think the episode excelled at.
Anyway, those are my thoughts.
I've been reading all the reactions, I just need to see it myself.
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Do eeeeeet!