To Change a Changeling

Friendship is Magic first impressions review: To Change a Changeling (s07e17)
by Obake

(SPOILERS!)

This episode is lame. All of the potential the Changelings had to still be interesting has been squandered under the heel of Hasbro's boot. Remember in Triple Threat, how we learned there were still rogue changelings in existence? According to this episode, Thorax has already converted all of them to be good, off screen, save for one. Talk about a let down.

Still, I expect there will be rogue changelings alongside Chrysalis, that Thorax did not know about. So there's still hope.

The only changeling Thorax has been unable to convert is his brother, Pharynx (voiced by Bill Newton). Pharynx has the same design as the changelings from season 2, except his eyes are purple, and he has a red mane. I understand that they want to differentiate him from other changelings, make him a little more intimidating. While it's odd that he stands out in a species known for homogeneous appearance, they could have explained it as him being a certain "type" of changeling, as real bug species have (worker and warrior bees, etc.) No dice, though I have nothing against his appearance.

This is a Starlight and Trixie episode, and they arrive at the reformed changeling hive to help keep a creature known as a "Dread Maulworth" from attacking. The Maulworth, a giant star-nosed mole-like creature with thick hide, keeps eating the plants the changelings use to decorate.

It does not help that Pharynx continually harasses the other changelings, but he has a point: the decorating and activities they do are of no help to ward off threats. The hive's patrol unit, which Pharynx used to be captain of, disbanded after their reformation. Why? Even peaceful societies still need warriors and guards. The episode makes the changelings so pathetic. Not one of them besides Thorax and his brother do anything to help ward off the Maulworth until the end.

What I am most perplexed by is the climax. Starlight and Trixie are unable to stop the Maulworth's assault. So Pharynx comes upon a strategy utilizing the old "why are you hitting yourself" routine he used to use on Thorax as a kid, making the Maulworth punch its own face, bite its own hand, etc. Not once do they use their ability to transform. An earlier flashback showed that even as a child, Pharynx could transform into a massive spider (to be fair, this could have been exaggeration on Thorax's part.) We know for certain that Thorax can transform into a bear monster, from Triple Threat. Yet they don't even try this strategy. Are the changelings forgetting their own powers?

As stated, Starlight and Trixie play major roles, offering to help Pharynx change his ways, which they ultimately do. Yes, Pharynx metamorphoses at the end, becoming a mix between a stag beetle and a devil with red horns. He does have a better design than Thorax, so that is a plus. I still do not like the implications of the changelings being forced into a new appearance upon becoming good, however. Nor am I a fan of them not feeding on love at all. Wouldn't it have had so much more impact to see the hive turning against Chrysalis, yet keeping their appearance and culture? Imagine changelings wanting to associate with more peaceful societies, yet having to deal with being feared because of their appearance. Imagine them having to making compromises with ponies to feed on love, while agreeing to not actually harm anyone. Then look at the changelings as they are in the episode. Which sound more interesting?

Extra notes:
-Starlight and Trixie have a lot of banter, none of which is really funny. I like Trixie best when her boasting comes off as inadvertent and unintentional, as in the end of season 3's Magic Duel ("The humble and penitent Trixie!") Here her personality just grows tiring, and she does not get to do any of her showman stuff until the end. Starlight is...well, there. She does lead the Maulworth closer to the hive to give Pharynx a chance to prove himself as a protector, so there's that. Honestly either could have been written out of the episode with no impact.
-If the changelings are going to become peace-loving hippie types, that's fine. Just make sure their reformation makes sense, and that they still retain some form of their old selves. Sadly, that is not the case.
-I do give credit to Bill Newton's performance as Pharynx. He gives him the right, raspy sort of voice that makes him intimidating without being over-the-top.
-Pharynx's adult design is fine. I am not so much a fan of the baby changeling designs. Their heads are too big, and they suffer from trying to be too cutesy, when they should attempt to be a little more creepy crawly.
-Overall, this is a rather sad episode. Not the worst or most unpleasant, just dumb.