Oct
28th
2017
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Alright guys please don’t fight and let’s have a peaceful discussion.
Interesting how Stygian's story parallels Nightmare Moon's.
4710182 And ruin a brony tradition?
I liked the episode. It was a cool adventure style ending, and it was built up well. I saw it when it was leaked, but I still watched it today. I give it a 9/10. I didn't love the soundtrack (or how weird some of the old ponies looked lol)
“It'd take a whole team of ponies to clear away all this brush.”
:looks ahead: Or one Rarity, apparently.
Me and a curator from the amino collaborated on an Analysis about a week ago on this
http://aminoapps.com/p/05mbhg
RIP Star Swirl headcanons.
Which characters did the writers assign the idiot ball to in this episode(s)?
Was there multiple idiot balls, or just one swapped around from character to character?
Bring on Season 8!
You know, so we can see if Flzzlepop Berrytwist makes an appearance.
So many potential fun spur-of-the-moment conversations and flame wars ruined by a leak.
Oh well. *shrug*
4710192
Now why in Equestria would we ruin it for you like that and not let you pick 'em out on your own?
This one comment from EqD sums up my thoughts on this two-parter perfectly:
Probably my second favorite finale, just behind Twilight's Kingdom.
4710192
I personally feel Twilight got the idiot ball the most.
But that is just personal opinion really.
The real moral of this finale is that if Starlight Glimmer, the Queen of Bad Ideas, tells you your idea isn't great, you should probably listen to her.
I've been having this conversation with a friend since the leak. This season has been the best by far in terms of lore, which built everything up properly over the course of the season, even if it was mainly over 4 episodes. It also tied in Castle Mane-ia's mention of the PoS (I don't really want to use that acronym, but eh) in season 4, which Josh Haber wrote. This either could have actually been pre-planned, but I'm pretty sure Haber just used it as an opportunity to tie up his plot line.
Overall, I loved this finale.
So far it seems pretty peaceful good. Alright now back on topic. This was easily my favorite season and finale for MLP. Not only did they tie the side Legends together into the finale they even foreshadowed the fate of the Pillars of Equestria in MLP FIM #58 when they said Meadowbrook suddenly vanished. They also managed foreshadowed Starswirl’s book all the way from the end of MLP FIM #53 From the Shadows where we saw the Pony of Shadows for the first time. Not to mention now the reason Shadowlock was erasing the history books in that arc makes sense. He was trying to erase Starswirl’s book so somepony like Twilight won’t accidentally release the Pony of Shadows. Also a bonus that they incorporated the Sirens into both the comics and the show.
4710210
Starlight Glimmer, the Alicorn of ISLAGIATT
4710218
...Please elaborate.
I liked this finale a lot, more than the season 5 finale, and more consistently than the season 6 finale. I love To Where and Back Again Part 1 more than either part of Shadow Play, but I dislike part 2.
Shadow Play got a lot done without feeling rushed. It set up elements of not only Princess Twilight Sparkle, but even the series premiere. I was bothered when Princess Twilight Sparkle, the only two parter I don't like, dropped the Tree of Harmony on us without much explanation, so having that now is satisfying. Plus, we got an explanation for the Elements of Harmony, and got to see Starswirl in pony, and they still made time for a good character story! Shadow Play is really good on its own, but also importantly for a finale, it benefits the series as a whole, providing some explanations while opening up new doors with Starswirl and the legendary crew.
Now for some nice nerdy numbers. I've got the season ranked from favorite to least favorite episode with a number score for each. If I give above a 5, I liked the episode and below a 5 is dislike. If these numbers look low to you, they're not. I loved this season, I just don't score as high as a lot of people.
1. Fluttershy Leans In - 9.5
2. Discordant Harmony - 9
3. Shadow Play Part 2 - 8.5
4. Fame and Misfortune - 8.5
5. A Royal Problem - 8.5
6. Campire Tales - 8
7. Marks and Recreation - 8
8. Shadow Play Part 1 - 7.5
9. Parental Glideance - 7.5
10. The Perfect Pair - 7.5
11. A Health of Information - 7.5
12. Rock Solid Friendship - 7
13. Honest Apple - 7
14. Uncommon Bond - 7
15. Celestial Advice - 7
16. It Isn't the Mane Thing About You - 6.5
17. Hard to Say Anything - 6.5
18. Forever Filly - 6
19. Daring Done - 6
20. Triple Threat - 6
21. Al Bottled Up - 5.5
22. To Change a Changeling - 5
23. Not Asking For Trouble - 4.5
24. Once Upon a Zeppelin - 4.5
25. Secrets and Pies - 3
26. A Flurry of Emotions - 1.5
Overall, I give this season a high 9, which could move up to a 9.5 with some rewatching. It's my favorite season since season one. Wonderful consistency, only disliked 4 episodes. Fluttershy Leans In is my favorite episode since Pinkie Pride.
One last note, this was the season where I decided FiM is my favorite show of all time, which is a bigger deal for me than it would be for some, as The Simspons and Digimon are also two of the best things that have ever happened to me.
Dun dun dunnnnnnnnn
As if nobody saw that coming.
4710222
Man, this is a weird ranking. Fluttershy Leans in 9.5?!
It's a good episode.
But what's really disappointing is that the show's main villains are mostly Unicorns. It would be really cool if there's an Earth Pony or a Pegasus villain with magical powers.
Oh yeah, and Equestria really needs to upgrade their military (or self defense force) and stop being a doormat.
4710226
I have weird taste most seasons, except maybe seasons 3 and 4.
I loved Fluttershy Leans In. I saw it as a perfect exclamation point at the end of her character arc, or what felt like the end at the time, considering A Health of Information impressively managed to find a new angle. She was the right balance of kind and assertive. I also like how little conflict there is. It's the closest the series has gotten to a no conflict episode, a concept I've been interested in for years. It such a serene, down to earth, gently paced, innocent quality, much like season one, only maybe more so. I cared about Fluttershy's vision, and I cared when she told her friends how much they helped her evolve, because it rung so true. I especially loved the little montage at the end. It reminded of the one at the end of Winter Wrap Up, which was one of my favorite moments of the series.
When I look at Fluttershy's problems with learning to be assertive as a multi season conflict, Fluttershy Leans In feels like the happy resolution. I know it's one of the least popular season 7 episodes, but I also loved Party Pooped and 28 Pranks Later, so I have a history of odd taste.
OH SHIT! MOVIE TIE-IN!
Didn't notice that the first time! And it's been confirmed that the movie is supposed to take place between seasons 7 and 8, so I'm pretty sure that was intentional.
4710227
I know, right? The major unicorn villains are pretty much the only holdover that supports the faulty "unicorn supremacist" meme. The show does have a few minor earth pony and pegasus antagonists, but none with powerful magic. Maud Pie is powerful, however, and I think she has potential to be corrupted by the Alicorn Amulet or something similar, given her line in "Rock Solid Friendship." "With the right stone, you could rule all of Equestria if you wanted to." Why couldn't Maud rule all of Equestria instead? And imagine the drama if Pinkie is forced to fight her own sister!
As for a major pegasus villain, it would have to be an entirely new character, maybe somepony mucking with the weather, creating hurricanes and floods and other natural disasters.
I never imagined that Staswirl the Bearded would be a Knight Templar though considering the Sirens story from Fiendship is Magic, I should have seen it coming.
4710227 Horns are the number one causes and solutions of all problems in Equestria.
Something I noticed and thought was cool, although it might be a coincidence, is how Twilights actions when saving Stygian from the shadows coincide with her special her magical talent as stated in the show bible: "Casts light in the darkness, to illuminate, lights the way"
Well, I was surprised. Great tie in with previous episode. But Man!! Twilight was making some cute and hilarious facial expressions!! I did get upset that Starswirl was rude to Twilight though. I hope that Chrysalis gets reformed in season 8, and that there are a few more seasons to go.
Everyone’s still gushing over the episode that they’ve forgotten that Equestria Girls IS canon with FIM now...
4710244
Not just EQG but some of the comics and some of the chapter books as well. This is the ultimate tie in season.
4710247
I know.
Surely, this finale will have the biggest impact on the show since Twilight got her wings back in Season 3...
I know that everyone is truly showing that friendship is INDEED magic...but honestly when I saw this, I really see a lot of potential parallels between Syrigan and Spike.
Take a closer look at it, and think about it if you have time. I have to go to work, so for now that is all I really can say about it...
4710186
4710202
4710214
4710216
Yeah, I agree with this 100%. This finale is by far one of the more well-balenced ones in my opinion, all of the mane six got to play their part, the show expanded upon the lore of Equestria, Starlight got her own role that didn't feel forced or OOC, we got to see the Legends in the flesh, and we finally got an origin for the Elements of Harmony!
Now I know a few fans are going to state that this messes up the established timeline for what happened1000 years ago, but I think i have the perfect way to tie it all together.
4710222
Hmmm... nice list.
4710238
It makes sense, Celestia said he didn't quite understand friendship the way Twilight did. Plus there's the fact that he came from a much harsher time for Equestria as opposed to what it has developed into.
On another note Legends of magic Issue 6 has rendered that issue of Fiendship is Magic non-canon.
4710190
Meh, good 95.5% of them claimed that he was Discord the entire time.
4710192
None really. Everyone was in-character.
4710193
Considering there was that little nod towards the movie mentioning Seaponies, I hope so!
4710204
There are always ways to work around certain canonical factors in the show. Word of advice: the flexible your head-canons are, the more fun you can have adapting the canon material to them!
4710237
I think unicorns are used more because it's easier for them to go mad with power. I mean, have you ever tried going mad without power? It's boring, no-one listens to you.
4710244
Oh, no-one has forgotten. In fact, I've been holding on to this for a while:
derpicdn.net/img/view/2017/10/8/1555325__safe_artist-colon-jdmiles_screencap_adagio+dazzle_aria+blaze_somnambula_sonata+dusk_star+swirl+the+bearded_equestria+girls_rainbow+rocks_shado.png
4710250
Right now I hope they make some of FIENDship is Magic canon as well. I really want to see reformed King Sombra, Radiant Hope, and Shadowlock on the show. They also have perfect jobs for the new Friendship school in Season 8.
King Sombra can be the security guard for the school since he can nullify magic.
Radiant Hope can be the nurse or healer since her healing talent is so powerful she can literally recreate entire bodies for a Pony.
Shadowlock can be a history chaperone since he can literally send ponies into old hisotry where they can experience what happened in the past themselves.
Not to mention all the interaction they can have.
4710233
That line made me wonder if there are seaponies that aren't transformed hippogriffs.
4710262
Not a bad idea... but at the moment only the Legends of Magic comics are directly canon to the series. That's why they made them a separate comic series instead of just having it take place in the main comic lineup. As I see it: anything outside of the show is only "semi-canon" until the show fully acknowledges it.
4710262
Hmm...
4710267
They have made MLP FIM Issue #51 and on canon with all the foreshadowing so there is a possibility they can make some of the other comics canon as well. Although some people might not be happy if that happens.
This one's a pretty tightly-knit story that hits all the right notes for me. Fun interactions between all of the characters, world-building, and the resolution of a thousand-year-old friendship problem, all with what feels like relatively minimal contrivance.
It's a little odd that they didn't enlist the help of the princesses before going after the Pony of Shadows, but, eh, I'll take that over them somehow getting captured or incapacitated.
All in all, a good way to end the season.
4710220
ISLAGIATT (aka ISLAGATT) =
It Seemed Like A Good Idea At The Time
4710273
THANK YOU.
That was one of the only things that bothered me about this finale. This was almost a complete parallel with Nightmare Moon, and they didn't think to call in Luna for help? She would have been the BEST one to consult.
I mean yes, save the world now, reunion later, but seriously. This would have covered both.
4710277
Ha! I like, I like.
4710266
It would not surprise me in the slightest if they were introduced in Season 8.
4710270
I'm not saying there isn't, after all they also had issue 59 tie in to "Secrets and Pies", I'm all for it. Like I said, I prefer to wait until the show directly acknowledges it as canon.
4710190 I like canon Starswirl, but it's another plotbuster having him loose in Equestria. Now everytime some crisis arises, the author has to answer, "Why doesn't Celestia handle it? Why doesn't Luna handle it? Why doesn't Discord handle it? Why doesn't Starswirl handle it?" We have too many super-powerful friendly non-protagonists on the loose for a show that routinely has the Mane 6 tackle existential threats to Equestria. All these episodes have to spend more and more time as the show progresses explaining why all the existing supers don't deal with the threat. Or else just pretend they don't exist, like this episode did.
4710273 4710278 Just another example of having too many supers. Obviously Twilight should have called in Celestia and Luna before putting the entire world at risk, but that would complicate the plot a lot, so the writers just gave her the idiot ball.
Some nice things about the episode, but MLP has yet to do a decent villain redemption, because they have trouble showing real villainy, or showing the kind of real-world ugliness that can make someone a villain, or doing a realistic psychological exploration of horrible things, or taking the time needed for that great amount of change in a pony. They should stop trying, and get back to friendship problems, which is what they're good at.
Genuinely the best season finale
I liked this finale a lot, I really did, but I feel these episodes more than any really highlight the show's need to adopt a serial format. Soooo much stuff was crammed into this finale that could've stood to be fleshed out more. More interactions between the Mane 6, their respective Pillars, Stygian, and the others would've gone a long way toward filling out the narrative and given the final confrontation with the PoS the weight it was trying to convey. Starlight rises up and becomes the voice of reason and understanding, ultimately using her past experience as a paradigm to show Starswirl that Stygian can be reasoned with. That's superb character development!
But everything rushed by so fast that I couldn't get absorbed into the story, as sound as it was. It's an issue that the show's had ever since MMC, but now it's come to a point where my interest is noticeably waning. I crave fleshed out narratives, is what I'm saying, and the show's denied it to me for longer than I think I can put up with. It's a subjective criticism, of course, but I don't feel like it's asking too much out of Hasbro to take the serial approach moving forward. Other children's shows have done it and been successful (Avatar, for example) as well as all the big, famous animes.
tl;dr The episode was good, but it should've been double or even triple the episode count.
4710288
Lol, when I was reading your post, I thought you were calling the Pony of Shadows something else!
Great analysis, by the way.
4710284 And it's only going to get more pronounced as the show goes on. At their rate of amassing new allies, they'll soon need a Thanos-level villain to pose a credible threat if everyone is available.
Or they could just worf everyone as usual. That takes far less effort.
The thing that bugs me here is that the entire conflict basically starts because Twilight has a death grip on the idiot ball. She spends days trying to find a way to set Starswirl and his friends free, and yet at no point does she even consider the possibility that doing so would also release the Pony of Shadows. It's like... the only reason why the PoS is imprisoned is Starswirl and his friends also being imprisoned, so if you freed one wouldn't that also free the other?
Of course it would!
But Twilight and her dumb ass didn't think that would happen, even though it's such an obvious example of cause-and-effect that even a kindergartner would be able to understand it. So yeah, that's basically how the conflict gets kicked off.
This special is a step up from both season 5 and 6's finales. There is a lot to like here, even if the overall package felt a bit messy.
4710284 4710300
Agreed on all counts. It seems the key is (and will continue to be) making sure the other supers aren't available so the problem falls to the main protagonists. It seemed this time around it was "There's no time, we need to figure this out RIGHT THIS SECOND WITH NO TIME TO CONTACT THE PRINCESSES." Going forward, all the rest of the Pillars will likely be scattered around Equestria (if not farther) which will make it difficult to call them in for assistance. Even then, there would be possibilities, but that's something that various writers will likely not delve into, which is indeed a shame.