Pipe Land 15 & 16 · 4:22pm Aug 31st, 2017
Hey, you guys remember that time I forgot to rewatch the episode and just did not give a fuck? :B That happened. Time to make up for it with two episodes and two EQG summer shorts! Below.
Pipe Land did not have 15 stages. <.<
Get the Show on the Road
Well, that was amusing, if stupid. Not actually a music video, but a musical montage with a non-musical intro, I was entertained up until the point where Dash starts rapping. :B Seriously, they need to knock that shit off.
Dat intro graphic tho! And I'm pretty sure Sci-Twi just walks around with blueprints of her dream bus all the time. But yeah, Big Mac and AJ pulling up in the redneckest short bus you ever saw was really something. (You know that fucker's been sitting around the farm, gathering trees and shit and Mac's always been 'meaning to fix it up'.) Also pleased they were using various superpowers in the fixing-up process. Overall, not too bad, and blessedly short. :)
Leaping Off the Page
Apparently this hasn't actually aired yet, as of this writing, but it's on EQD, so who gives a fuck, these are light on canon. :B Anyway, this one could have stood to be longer. Like, an episode longer, because it was pretty fucking good but amounted to diddly squat. :B
And yes, they're just dipping into episodes again, but at least they gave us a different Daring Do book! And it's at least something like the actual Forbidden City of Clouds.
But it also wins because it reminded me of this video, at around 0:53. Just, watch it after seeing the short, and you'll know what I mean. XD
Episodes!
Triple Threat
I keep writing it as "Triple Thread", I don't know what's up with that.
Why hasn't anyone written a fic called "Dragons Don't Like Flowers" yet? Like, that's ripe for Tsundember shenanigans.
Thank you, Starlight, for saying what the audience is thinking. Also, damn, I've been appreciating your presence in episodes a lot more, recently. <.<
Holy shit, she gave Twilight hella bedroom eyes, and Twilight was not okay with that. c.c
Y'know, I realize all this pomp, with the no-flowers and the gay flame of friendship and all, Spike obviously learned diddly shit from the yak episode. Was he even in that one? Maybe that would explain it. Someone shoulda told him to knock the shit off.
I'll say this for this episode: making Spike an actual dragon ambassador is great.
"What's this flame thingy? Ohh, it's pretty!" The life of a bug pony is hard. :B Also, this is why I said he's an idiot. Seriously, he's bubble-headed as fuck, and it's kind of adorable.
Does anyone else think it's weird that Thorax doesn't really do any friend-type interacting with Starlight, despite the fact that they are also friends?
Oh my god, he's just a huge dope. I never really cared about Thorax until now.
I still say a dragon/changeling war would be epic. :V
He just starts in with "I have indigestion". XD God, he's autistic as fuck.
Yeah, the superhero landing is great.
And am I the only one who thinks the trumpet mares in the front of both lines look like Trixie and an old Sweetie Belle? Are any of them background characters we might know? No cutie marks, can't tell. >:B
That time Ember almost ate a pony.
Ember not being totally okay with hugs is great.
And now everything in Ponyville will also be the color of ash. :V
Ember is also autistic, just in a different way. :B
I do appreciate that Ember is not willing to put up with Spike's shit.
Bedroom. Eyes. God, Starlight will just fuck anything.
Ember eating the bowl is every bit as funny as ponies eating flowers on a date. :D
I really hope "Twilight likes chairs" does not catch on as a meme. :B
So around 7:20 into the episode, the map happens. And that's neat: it's not the start of the plot, it summons a non-pony for the first time, and it summons one character for the second time. It makes me wonder what other races' 'cutie mark glow' might be. But it's also wrapped around yet another crappy episode about Spike causing all of his own problems. I mean, it's fine to have characters make their own problems now and again, but when it's pretty much all that one particular character does? You start to wonder.
Also, the map is being a cheeky little fuck, asking Spike to solve his own friendship problem like that. :V
So why was that guy digging a hole in the middle of nowhere in particular?
The "Yes! Fighting!" line is very Lesson Zero. :|
Although, again, Ember is seeing right the fuck through everything and only holding back because she knows she's still new to friendship. Like, points, good for her, she wins this fucking episode.
That's castle food, from the castleteria. :V Also, who the fuck made all that food?
Hooray for Spike saving Lyra and Bon-Bon's marriage!
I love how Starlight just sinks out of that shot.
Yeah, Thorax's first leadership problem is coming to Spike for leadership advice. <.<
So okay, like, "This is how we've been doing things for hundreds of years." Is that just meant in a culture sense, that changelings have been around for hundreds of years? Or that they live for hundreds of years, and were feeding off of love under Chrysalis's rule, specifically? So much to unpack!
Man, I did not even realize Derpy was eating a muffin. D: I feel pandered to.
Ember's eyebrows. XD
I could, in other universes, put blame on this episode for devoting so much time to Ember's pony-blindness, except that it's fucking hysterical and the best part of this episode. Well, maybe second-best after the shipfuel.
So, we've seen that changelings hatch in swarms. What is the concept of siblinghood to them? I can't imagine Thorax has only one brother, so why would referring to him as "my brother" be indicative of any one changeling? :B
Okay, but points to Spike for actually bringing his own chair over for them to use. He's a good kid, and he deserves better than the episodes he gets.
Those are not muffins, though. :B
Thorax whining into the tabletop is so funny, though. XD
"Mine's more of a glimmer!" This is one of the cheekiest things a pony has ever said.
Okay but seriously, finding out that A) changelings can still change, and B) they can turn into stuff other than sapient beings (granted, this is Equestria, potentially any living creature could have some measure of sapience) opens up so much potential.
Man, they were right next to each other, but we get this cool long-distance battle charge animation that goes on forever.
"Did you say you're not gonna let me harm Spike?" The way she says this, I am willing to believe she was ready to beat Spike up. :V
Regardless of the shit I have given them previously, both Ember and Thorax prove they are considerably more mature than Spike. This is not an easy bar to clear. >.>
Thorax is just such a sadsack though! I can't help but like him a lot because of this episode.
"Shh! Stop talking!" And then I believed that a changeling could love a dragon. :V
"You're the leader for a reason." But I dunno, is he really? <.<
Why is this scene so good when the rest of the episode is so not?
I do love that she combines the feat of strength with the fire.
"I think I'm allergic to feelings." The best tsundere line from the best tsundere dragon.
Yeah, as someone pointed out, Thorax gives zero indication he felt any of that fire. c.c Something's up with those antlers.
She has to stretch before talking about her feelings. XD This could be running a joke into the ground, but it's just so funny, you guys.
Thank you, Starlight, for once again speaking for the audience. :V
And then Ember, with the episode format critique. XD
Man, but why didn't they call him "Pack Leader"? >:B I'm still confused as to why changelings come in packs…
Great, now all I can think about is Thorax going around in disguise, mumbling how he heard "Thorax has a six-pack". >.<
Ugh, bleh. It's got a lot of funny moments, but the story just doesn't amount to anything really worth seeing, because we've seen it all before. 2.5/5
Campfire Tales
So I have just found a place where I can read the Guardians of Harmony (Legends of Magic?) comics. I am really hoping they will shed some light on this episode, but given Daedalus Aegle's (I think) recent post, I don't think they will.
Why "Big Sister/Little Sister Camping Trip"? Why not something more like "Sisterhooves"? :B
I love how they just take some time out of the episode to rag on Rarity. Especially since Apple Bloom starts it.
I love how Rainbow Dash is willing to just shove any old thing into her mouth. Even I knew what she was doing wasn't a good idea.
Also, this is the start of Scootaloo's terrible characterization. She's freaking out over that book like a little nerd. <.< I just can't reconcile her reaction with the filly we saw in Parental Glideance, for one.
Like, what if she had been like "Oh boy, Rainbow Dash, you're the best at picking berries!" and then they all ate them and got sick, and spent what was supposed to be a great camping trip to Winsome Falls in gut-wrenching agony, telling each other stories to try and take their minds off the pain? May not have been TV-Y, but it might've been more interesting.
Also, it seems like Scootaloo is now afraid of being outdoors? Out in the woods? Whereas before, she was afraid of the scary stories and her nightmares. <.< They do a lot of jerking off Sleepless in Ponyville in this episode, and yet, I have to wonder if they even watched it.
"You've got a big sister this time!" I find myself wondering if this is still honorary, or if Rainbow's parents actually did adopt Scootaloo, which would be great.
Leave it to the dictionary to pronounce the 'slash' in the title. :V
I'm surprised I haven't seen a comically censored version of the scene where Sweetie gets white stuff in her eye yet. <.<
Okay, but would ponies sitting around, clutching their stomachs and moaning really be less TV-Y than ponies covered in cringe-inducing bug bites? D:
Sweetie's shield spell though! Like, man, that's really great!
"Oh, apple rot!" Language, Apple Bloom! D:
Okay, so, looking at the zoomed-out shot of the cave they're in, I suppose it's possible the cave continues on to the right, off-screen. But there's literally no indication that they're in anything other than a cul-de-sac, so I'm still calling shenanigans on the later reveal. :|
How do you lift and carry an entire fire? c.c
GOD THAT FACE D:
Apple Bloom really oversells this legend. Either that, or she legitimately thinks it's the best story ever because she's just that boring. :V
Apple Bloom and Applejack: sons of a farmer. V:
I really do love the Icelandic Viking setting for this story. There's even one of those round long halls!
Rockhoof's special talent apparently involves three triangles. <.<
The Mighty Helm seem to be more concerned with laughing than with protecting.
Who puts stars on their outhouses? c.c Is there a difference between the moon and star ones?
I do like the "Eeeee!" transition.
I will never understand people who would rather die to an avoidable natural disaster than evacuate.
I love Rainbow and Scoot poking holes in the story, though it kind of does point out that it's not all that great.
I guess Rockhoof could have dug into some sort of strength-granting stone that just happened to be buried up on that ridge, but I prefer to think that his sudden growth is AJ doing an ass-pull because Rainbow called her out on the story making zero sense. :V
That's not a hug, that's "Let me join your team or I will crush you."
GODDAMMIT SHADOW PUPPETRY DOES NOT WORK LIKE THAT
This is the part of the episode I missed the first time, fyi. :B
They really should have called this episode Campfire Legends.
Man, why all the Asian unicorns gotta have curved horns? Is that racist? :C
That was a really bad joke, Apple Bloom. All the jokes in between legend scenes are really bad. :| That's what makes this episode so bad.
Y'know, the Empress has a really good point here: Mistmane is a total Mary-Sue, it's hard not to hate her. :V
This really is the best of the three legends. Mistmane's sacrifice is compelling, and there's also this cool magic battle.
"Thanks fer showin' up, kid, you get a flower crown."
I really love that final shot. The flowers growing in Mistmane's wake give her a distinct mythical flavor.
Rainbow Dash, would you say these flying things won't listen? No, not one little bit? :V
Like I said in someone's else's blog, Dash blocking up the entrance with a cave-in is perfectly bone-headed for her character. It's AJ I'm disappointed in. I'll say it again: DON'T LIGHT A FIRE IN A BLOCKED-OFF CAVE. D:
And this is where Scootaloo gets exasperating.
The face-down ponyloaf pose is exceedingly adorable, and Rainbow Dash knows this.
I do love that one of the dragons is obviously a younger Torch. :)
Why is the dragon's lair shaped like a dragon face? XD Is this the 80's again?
I will say, I'm impressed that Dash is telling a story about a pony solving problems with his head.
"I can't think of a worthier flank for the Titus to protect." And then he doesn't put it on his butt. :V
ANGRY GOOSE HONK
And then we get back to the regular ponies, and everything sucks. I don't know how this is. Especially since Dash's legend is kind of a low point to end on. I mean, I don't get it. I have always been in love with stories about how ancient pegasi were warriors and so forth. And I am in total love with those armor designs! I don't know if they're based on anything, but that single foreleg guard is a fantastic touch. And yet, the legend does nothing for me. :/ How could they make that boring?
All of them just jumping into the water like that is only the third most bone-headed thing that's happened all trip.
Am I the only one getting major RariJack vibes off this final scene? >.>
Okay, so, here's how it goes. Rainbow Dash blocks up the cave to keep the flyders out. AJ relights the fire and Rainbow Dash launches into her legend. The fire slowly consumes the air in the cave while simultaneously asphyxiating them with smoke. They don't notice, because legend. They all die; that's why they can't hear the bugs anymore. The cave that appears behind them, which, as I said, was not there before, leads to the underworld. The river is Styx, or something like it. I mean, you're not supposed to jump into it, but whatever. Point is, they emerge in a sunny area, high in the sky, full of bountiful trees and rainbows. It's gonna be devastating for those they left behind, and it's tragic three fillies were taken so young, but at least the six of them have friends and family by their sides, and Rarity and Applejack can finally explore the forbidden desires that have been percolating between them for some time now. :V The end.
I'm doing the VA lookup thing and mostly coming up empty. Though Mistmane was Dunwing in the Redwall animated series, which you should see if you haven't already. Flash Magnus's commander is voiced by the guy who did Sideways in Transformers Armada? Oh, now we're getting somewhere, aside from being a bunch of characters in the Unicron Trilogy, he was also Matrix, aka edgy, grown-up Enzo, in Reboot. :D But yeah, coming up short.
Anyway, I don't think I can add much to the discourse about this episode. The legends are a mixed bag, trending towards bad, and the framing story of the episode is just bland as hell. 2/5, not looking forward to another of these things.
Yeah. Let's all address the elephant in the room. Only Mist Mane's story has any sort of psuedo-realism to it.
We can't seriously expect to believe that digging up one little speck of magic dirt can turn you into a strongman, or that a shield smaller than your ow face can repel dragonfire.
Apart from Mist Mane, this was boring as fuck, dull, and just another example of why the CMCs and their big sisters should not spend any time together after the Cart Before the Ponies fiasco.
Triple Threat
I do like this episode, but it has all to do with Ember and hopeless but adorable Thorax. Ember for all the things you pointed out and Thorax for just being such a sad sack that I can't help but feel for him. I think this is the first episode where I actually gave a shit about Thorax. This week's episode has another chance for me to pull for him.
I didn't get so much "thorax is autistic af" as "thorax is gay, possibly for spike"... anyone else?
Well, since you asked so nicely.
Though I'm not quite sure it was what you were looking for
https://www.fimfiction.net/group/91/rarijack/thread/331207/campfire-tales-s7e16-spoilers#comment/6083579
Nnnope.
IIRC, the fact there was a back exit to the caves didn't come as a big reveal - it was a "whelp, let's get out this way." Lighting a fire isn't super unreasonable when you have a large cave network to work with, especially when you need to explore said caves to escape.
Triple threat was cringey, predictable shite. Spike gets pounded in it way too badly for the fact no adults could be bothered to correct him, and I kinda feel bad for the fandom hate Thorax earned - shy, wishy-washy types get loved relentlessly when they're female, shat on endlessly when otherwise.
I found Campfire Tales to be watchable for Mist Mane, Rarijack, low-stakes slice of life, and lack of cringe. Pleasant and inoffensive, with a mature lesson of sacrifice tied into Mist Mane's story.
4653888
If you think about it less as a "fireproof shield" and more as it imbuing the wielder with fire resistance, much as a magical shield from D&D or the like might do, then it becomes a case of making "can't be fire" look a bit more impressive than it otherwise might. :B
I mean, if it only protected what was directly behind it, being fireproof wouldn't be of much use.
4653938
100% with you on Thorax, there.
4654044
Oh god XD
I figured Scootaloo subconsciously (and consciously) associated that area with terror, sleeplessness, and nearly falling down a waterfall to her death. I can't really blame her for being nervous under those circumstances.
Personally I think Mistmane was the most interesting not just becuasue I'm fond of all things Asian, but we got a hint what was up with Sombra's weird curved horn. It suggests there is there this really interesting story there.
4655206
You know, that's an interesting connection I never considered. :O
I'm telling you, he's like Woody Allen with all the good parts taken out.
(e.g. this from about 1:32 and esp. ~2:38 - 3:05)
(Also works as response to this: "Thorax is just such a sadsack though! I can't help but like him a lot because of this episode.")
>> Me, every time. :(
Well... depends on if it's a Spike episode. :V
Nope, it's pure sequel to comic.
Continuity is haaaaarrrrd. DX
When you're Rainbow Dash, duh. :V
Never underestimate the boringness of the Apple family. ;D
Also, airing last weekend was a reeeeaaal bad time for a natural disaster episode...
I thought that gag was the best thing in the episode. XD
I don't know, but it's different and I don't like it. :V
QFT
4655582
Something something Woody Allen ponification starring Thorax.