Second Thoughts: Triple Threat

More things to talk about!

First off, the map aspect. Because among other things, this episode gave us new information about the inner workings of the map, and I enjoy speculating about its nature and motivations.

First of all, Spike got his first mission! We can argue about whether that means anyone can get a mission, or if all ponies can get missions and Spike counts as a pony because of his close connections to ponies, or if it's only the gang that brought the castle and map to fruition to begin with (including Spike), which means Starlight was the odd one out (and got in either because she's gotten close to Twilight and the gang or because her destiny was closely entwined with the map to begin with). But no matter what, it opens up wider possibilities. How about a Crusaders map mission? Or a Discord map mission

But that's not all of it either. The map deviates from its usual mode of behavior in other ways as well. This is the first map episode where the mission hasn't appeared at the very start, as the setup for the episode.

After "A Royal Problem", some suggested that the map had demonstrated striking foresight in not inviting Twilight, because the map seemed to know that if she were not invited she would still meddle just enough to freak Starlight out, triggering the nightmare that led the sisters to finally talk together.

At the time I was not fully on board with this interpretation (Celestia was already showing signs of cracking under the strain of nocturnal solitude, she would have gotten there). But this latest episode has the map not just demonstrating awareness, but snark. Note that the map mission appears while Spike and Twilight are in the throne room together discussing their situation, and the mission appears at the exact moment when Twilight agrees with Spike's plan. The map is listening to their conversation. It was clearly waiting for Twilight to tell Spike that things were getting out of hand and he should just talk to them, and decided to intervene only when it saw that Twilight wasn't going to step up.

I'm starting to think that the map is actually growing more powerful over time, as successful missions strengthen Equestria's protective magic of friendship, and as it grows it gets smarter At some point, if this goes on, it's going to grow into a straight up genius loci (warning: tvtropes link).

But what about the episode itself? ...Well, I have mixed feelings. I can't help but feel that Ember and Thorax, two very strong characters, were poorly used with a fairly weak, standard sitcom plot. Plus there's a hint of cringe in it, in Spike having to avoid having his foolish mistake revealed, and in Thorax being sad and pathetic and being ignored by his friend in his time of trouble, which we are apparently supposed to think is funny On top of that I got a poor first impression because I was in a bad mood for unrelated reasons the first time I saw the episode, which I had to overcome. But on the positive side, in spite of the stock "double-booked date" plot the script was good. The pacing was good, and the episode never felt rushed or dragged out. There were a lot of funny gags. Ember got a lot of good ones in particular, between wall food, not being able to tell Twilight and Starlight apart, and STOP TALKING.

Also, I love Thorax's line early on about his indigestion: "I'm not sure if it's the new diet, or stress, or maybe it's both." It's subtle, but it's hilarious.

Meanwhile, work on editing Clover continues, and the word count continues to grow. I am on scene 7. The second act and probable first chapter ends with scene 8. The full length is now close to 24k words. Celestia help us all.

Comments

[FanOfMostEverything]

The full length is now close to 24k words. Celestia help us all.
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You say that like it's a bad thing.

In any case, I'd never considered the possibility of the Map growing in power and intelligence with each successful mission, though it certainly follows from the way it got progressively more damaged each time Twilight failed to stop Starlight in "The Cutie Re-Mark." That might also explain how and why it's branching out to people other than the Mane Six now; it's acquired enough power to do so. Definite food for thought.

And I'm entirely in favor of Twilight living in a sapient castle.

[Daedalus Aegle]

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I now have the idea that this was a new and improved feature Starlight added when they restored the map in season 6. Because Starlight accidentally creating Magical Friendship Skynet feels right.

ETA: Speaking of Starlight, I note this was the second episode in a row where she tried to help solve a problem and didn't use mind control. She's learning!

[Georg]

The entire group of friends stared at the crystal map for a very, very long time before any of them dared to speak. Of course, it was Starlight Glimmer.

"I'm afraid I don't recognize the cutie mark that's floating around Twilight's castle next to her cutie mark there on the map."

"That's--" Spike cut off at Twilight’s fierce glare.

"--None of your business," finished Twilight Sparkle. "The map is obviously broken. I'll work on it this afternoon." She glared at her own cutie mark, which was strobing quietly.

"You've been working for weeks without a break," said Starlight, casting a quick look at the rest of Twilight's friends, who universally were keeping their mouths shut. "You're stressed out to the point of losing it, and if there's anything that--" She pointed to the map, then paused. "I should know that mark," she mused quietly. "Why don't you let me look over the map while you take a break, Twilight. Go make some tea, take a nap or something. I've never seen another pony so much in need of getting laid before in my life."

"Princess Twilight!" Flash Sentry's voice echoed through the castle, along with the rapid clatter of his hooves somewhere out in the main hallway. "This is an emergency! My cutie mark started flashing, and Cadence sent me here to find out what was wrong. Oh, and she sent along a bottle of wine and a box of chocolates. Do you know what's going on?"

[FanOfMostEverything]

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The crystalline torso that had once been the Cutie Map opened its eyes. Within them, lights danced as unfathomable thoughts coursed through the harmonious neurostructure that suffused its body. Those glittering, ineffable eyes fell upon Starlight, who cowered and quailed under their scrutiny.

The entity's faceted lips curled into as soft a smile it could manage. "Hi, Mom."

"What." The nonquestion came from everyone else in the throne room, save for Pinkie, who dove into her nearest birthday party emergency stash.

[resonance]

i thought the table was just an extension of the force "harmony" and the castle was physically the new tree. so to me, i was treating it as the table being harmony's hands of destiny and what not.

as for spike getting a mission, he did get a seat at the table from the beginning.

[Daedalus Aegle]

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4644752
This is awesome, and I'm pretty sure I was supposed to get an "Achievement Unlocked" notification somewhere.

[Georg]

4644742 When Starlight showed up with those two arguing little fillies, I so, so, so wanted them to have a thousand yard 'mindbent' stare.

'Hello, citizens of Ponyville. We were wanting to tell you about friendship, and how it helped us."

"Yes, it did help us. And now it can help you. Is that not right, Coconut Squirrel?"

"Yes, Buttercreme Something. Friendship can solve anything. With enough magic."

[Naughty_Ranko]

Well, I still don't see the map as sentient.

But we know that the Tree of Harmony is in some way connected to it. Now I do believe the Tree of Harmony is already sapient, but it has lain dormant for the last thousand years as it has been disconnected from the Elements.

I think what we might be seeing is the Tree of Harmony returning to its full strength, which hasn't happened in a snap when it got the Elements back in Season 4, but which has been an ongoing process as it learned to interact with the world in this new way through the map.

Now, I admit this is hairsplitting to a degree, but from that standpoint the Tree of Harmony was listening in to their conversation. Which would make the map nothing more than a giant, glowing listening device.

[Daedalus Aegle]

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Nopony can escape the sight of the Panopticon of Friendship

[iisaw]

Yeah, I'm betting on a full-out genius loci. Heavens forfend it ever develops a sense of humor!

The episode was pretty much as you describe, but there were several jokes that elevated it above the standard double-booked date trope. I particularly enjoyed Ember setting Thorax on fire. (a bit)

[howard035]

As the pony who has both hacked and repaired the Crystal Map, it makes sense Starlight is also connected to it. She's probably still got administrator access.

Overall this episode was ok, Ember was awesome but I found Thorax to be really irritating.

[SIGAWESOME]

I'm starting to think that the map is actually growing more powerful over time

4644732

In any case, I'd never considered the possibility of the Map growing in power and intelligence with each successful mission

Significant Other pointed out that this is application of Zawinski's Law:
"Every [computer] program attempts to expand until it can read mail."

[Shrink Laureate]

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$ friendship-mission
Permission denied

$ sudo friendship-mission