Friendship is Card Games: Fake It 'Til You Make It · 10:56am Apr 8th, 2018
This week, Fluttershy takes her self-confidence too far in the other direction, and she doesn’t even need a minotaur to do it.
Once again, deer are treated as animals rather than sophonts… though given what we’ve seen of civilized deer in the comments, that’s hardly a bad thing. And no one said the two couldn’t coexist. The Goofy-Pluto phenomenon is a curiosity but not a contradiction.
A bit of character growth for Angel: His salad demands have gotten more reasosnable since “Putting Your Hoof Down.”
That tea cozy bothers me. For one, there’s Fluttershy’s “freaky knowledge of sewing” from way back in Season 1, though knitting and sewing are far from the same thing, On the other hand, there’s the Chamber of Extreme Knitting, but comic continuity has always been strictly optional for the show. Still, the gag didn’t feel worth it, and I’m willing to ignore it if you are.
That said, the comics do answer a question that springs up regarding Rarity’s predicament: Where’s Coco in all of this? Well, if you go by one of the latest issues, she has her own shop to look after. (Alternately, her first name is now so verboten that’s she’s been removed from existence entirely.)
The montage has a lot of enjoyable moments (especially the record scratch sound as Vinyl shakes her head,) though some of the ponies Rarity asked before Fluttershy are as surprising as they are kind of insulting. Dash first? Really?
Also, apparently Twilight built the school, gathered students, and got provisional EEA approval before she actually wrote a curriculum. Dash wasn’t kidding when she said they were going too fast.
I love how Rarity’s adapted Twilight’s original Rarity For You sorting system into something that may just be even more ludicrous. Though I’m sure her SCP system is Euclid-class at absolute worst.
I have to think the “easy part” is much easier with telekinesis. Especially tying bows. At least Fluttershy has wing fingers.
Oh dear God, I hope Rarity never laughs like that again.
I do appreciate how even the characters acknowledge that Fluttershy has had a lot of confidence-building episodes over the years.
Odd how all of the power poses are bipedal. I wonder if they’re part of an Iron Will program.
Given the degree to which the fashionistas all need to rush, it’s a good thing Dash gave them that race back in “The Saddle Row Review.” (Though apparently Rarity has time for a few more minutes of pep talk.)
Fluttershy’s first power outfit does in fact have wing holes. Nice detail.
According to the credits, the stallion inquiring about thread count apparently does have a name: Bracer Britches. Just in case you were wondering.
Also, I don’t take issue with Fluttershy not knowing thread count when she was rattling off fashion terms in “Suited for Success.” I know I’ve forgotten plenty of things when stressed.
From that second commercial break, I suspected we were heading for another round of Fluttershy overcompensating, but I never imagined it would turn out the way it did.
That was some glorious bull honkery. “A Rarity cut with triple-cut stitched hem and a guacamole chevka pattern fabric.” It’s a good thing Discord wasn’t listening in or he might have made the guacamole part literal.
Yes-men are dangerous things, no matter what their species might be.
Good Lord. How bold and shiny do you need when the mare who’s never met a bolt of fabric she couldn’t gem-encrust can’t satisfy you?
I am so conflicted with Hipstershy. I can’t tell if she’s more hilarious or cringe-inducing.
I do like the goth pony. Really, all the goth designs DHX comes up with are enjoyable. Heck, we even get to see Moonlight Raven show up again, which is a treat.
So… how exactly did the raccoons get to Ponyville so fast? Did they buy tickets for a train? Are they getting paid? Do they get as much pay as ponies? So many questions.
I’m less concerned with the question of how the Mane Six shuttled back and forth between cities. Even Twilight can make the flight from Ponyville to Canterlot in good time. With Rainbow Dash involved, all they need is an off-screen chariot and they basically have access to fast travel. (Remember how quickly Dash went from Canterlot to the Crystal Mountains and back in “Rarity Investigates!”) And that’s assuming Twilight didn’t copy Neighsay’s portal spell.
Interesting to note that Starlight didn’t get included in trying to knock some sense back into Fluttershy. She was with some friendship students during the early montage. I suppose somepony has to look after them.
Fluttershy’s cottage may technically be outside of Ponyville city limits. Not an especially important bit of trivia, but notable. Given how she lives next to the Everfree, I think she technically qualifies as a monster, for tax purposes if nothing else.
Raccoons are not rodents, but carnivorans. More specifically procyonids, a family that includes olingos and coatis, neither of which I’d heard of until the episode got me to look up raccoon taxonomy.
Huh. Rarity’s model in the Canterlot show is very close to Fluttershy in her coloration. I suppose even now, Photo Finish’s legendary Ponyville find is still influencing the industry.
Given the back-and-forth of the various Fluttersonas, either she’s subconsciously accessing speed on par with Rainbow “hide a pie in the blink of an eye” Dash, Discord’s had a bit more influence on her than we realize, or Pinkie’s been contaminating her friends with radiated party magic this whole time. Which would actually explain a lot. (At least, I hope it was radiated…)
That last moment was amazing. And makes me shudder to imagine how human Fluttershy conducts herself during online arguments on topics she cares about.
In all, this was a tremendously entertaining episode. A little “Putting Your Hoof Down,” a little “Saddle Row Review,” (“What would Rarity do?”) and a little No Sale in the third act.
Now, let’s see if you deserve these designs…
Saddle Row Hipster 1WW
Creature — Pegasus Citizen
Flying
Spells each player casts cost 1 more to cast for each card with the same name as that spell in that player’s graveyard.
”Oh my Celestia, that locket is so yesterday.”
2/1
Modern Classical 2W
Enchantment — Aura
Enchant creature
Enchanted creature gets +1/+1 for each historic permanent you control., (Artifacts, legendaries, and Sagas are historic.)
“Some looks are truly timeless.”
—Rarity, Bearer of Generosity
Warrior of Inner Strength 3W
Creature — Pegasus Warrior
Flying
2G: Warrior of Inner Strength assigns combat damage equal to its toughness rather than its power this turn.
All pegasi are born for battle, but not for the same battlefield.
1/4
Condescending Fashionista 4W
Creature — Pegasus Citizen
Flying
When Condescending Fashionista enters the battlefield, destroy up to one target Aura and return up to one target Aura card from your graveyard to your hand.
It’s easy to look down on ponies from the air.
2/2
Them 2UU
Legendary Creature — Advisor
Whenever you cast a spell, if that spell’s flavor text is a quotation, you may draw a card. If you do, discard a card. (A quotation is text in quotation marks, possibly followed by an attribution.)
“That’s what we say.”
2/3
Mare of Many Faces 3UU
Creature — Pegasus
Flying
At the beginning of your upkeep, you may have Mare of Many Faces become a copy of another creature, except it’s still a Pegasus. If you do, Mare of Many Faces gains flying and this ability.
Changelings aren’t Ungula’s only shapeshifters.
2/2
Confident Facade 1B
Enchantment — Aura
Enchant creature
Enchanted creature gets +3/+2.
When Confident Facade leaves the battlefield, enchanted creature’s controller sacrifices it.
The only difference between true and false confidence is what happens when neither remains.
Nihilistic Clerk 1B
Creature — Pegasus Citizen
Flying
At the beginning of your upkeep, sacrifice Nihilistic Clerk unless you exile a card from your graveyard.
An airborne void that sucks away hope, optimism, and eyeliner.
2/1
Judgemental Manehattanite 2B
Creature — Unicorn Citizen
Whenever a player casts a nonhistoric spell, Judgemental Manehattanite deals 1 damage to that player.
”Plebeian at best. Don’t you have anything worth looking at?”
3/2
Pointy Accessories 1R
Enchantment — Aura
Enchant creature
Whenever a creature blocks or becomes blocked by enchanted creature, Pointy Accessories deals damage to that creature equal to the number of permanents attached to enchanted creature.
They make a statement. Usually, it’s “Ouch.”
Encourage G
Instant
Buyback 3 (You may pay an additional 3 as you cast this spell. If you do, put this card into your hand as it resolves.)
Put a +1/+1 counter on target creature.
Every little bit helps.
Supportive Raccoons GG
Creature — Raccoon
Spells can’t be countered by spells and abilities. Any player may pay 2 for that player to ignore this effect until end of turn.
”They’re just so cute. Who could possibly want to upset them?”
—Fluttershy, Bearer of Kindness
2/2
Ask Around 1G
Sorcery
Reveal the top four cards of your library. You may put a permanent card from among them into your hand. Put the rest into your graveyard.
”You wouldn’t happen to have a spare cartouche on hoof, would you?”
Power Pose 1G
Instant
Kicker 3G (You may pay an additional 3G as you cast this spell.)
Untap target creature you control. It gets +2/+2 until end of turn. If this spell was kicked, untap all other creatures you control and they get +2/+2 until end of turn.
Sweetfeather Picnickers 4G
Creature — Beast
Whenever you gain life, create a 2/2 green Beast creature token.
These days, Fluttershy gets most of her exercise from hauling enough baskets for everyone.
4/4
Void Scarf 1
Artifact — Equipment
Equipped creature gets +1/+0.
If a creature dealt damage by equipped creature this turn would die, exile it instead.
Equip 1
As devoid of meaning as the fashion industry itself.
Proper Business Attire 2
Artifact — Equipment
Whenever you activate an ability of a creature that isn’t a mana ability, equipped creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn.
Equip 1
”Thank you for your transaction.”
Centerpiece Outfit 3
Artifact — Equipment
Equipped creature gets +1/+1 for each attached Equipment you control.
Equip 2
Any entry into the Royal Fashion Show must have a central theme and a dress that encapsulates it.
Repeat Customer WB
Creature — Pony Citizen
Whenever you cast an Aura or Equipment spell, you may return Repeat Customer from your graveyard to your hand.
”Ensuring customer loyalty is one of my top priorities.”
—Rarity, Bearer of Generosity
2/2
Fashion Psychic 1WU
Creature — Unicorn Wizard
Whenever you cast an Aura or Equipment spell, scry 1.
”Fate is a vast tapestry, complex beyond measure. But I can see the color of a few threads.”
2/3
Render Unspeakable 1WU
Instant
Return target creature to its owner’s hand. That player can’t cast spells with the same name as that creature until your next turn.
Le Nouveau Pommel does excellent business, though nopony’s seen the proprietress lately.
Become the Mask 3GU
Instant
Return target creature you control to its owner’s hand. You may put a creature card that doesn’t have the same name as that creature from your hand onto the battlefield.
Identity is malleable even without magic.
I liked how insulted everyone was that Fluttershy miscategorized them.
I enjoyed the first half of this episode, but the second half wore out its welcome, at least for me. It felt too forced and the humor made me cringe more than it made me laugh out loud. Humor is subjective and I'd hate to take away anyone's enjoyment of this episode. It doesn't piss me off the way "28 Pranks Later" or "Cart Before the Ponies" does, but at the same time, I can't think of any reason I'd want to rewatch this episode either.
Plus, I think this was a missed opportunity to teach kids about how to practice good customer service. As it is, I'm not sure what the lesson was supposed to be besides "be yourself" and "be confident," which has been covered in other episodes.
I really enjoyed this episode. It felt like they were just letting loose and having fun.
4835830
Yeah... The episode really confused me.
I'd have totally bought it if some sort of dark magic, magically charged fabric, amulet, or moderately evil changelings were involved somewhere along the way, but without it the episode is just about Fluttershy literally going insane, developing a three-way split personality, running Rarity's business into the ground for no good reason, and then inexplicably treating her friends like garbage.
This wasn't even like the Iron Will episode - there, Fluttershy realized she had gone too far when Rarity and Pinkie ran away crying, and she felt like a monster. Here, she only snaps out of it once her imaginary personalities are fired. That... what? How does that even... what??
"Be yourself" is not the moral here. I don't know what is, but that has nothing to do with what happened here.
Heck, even the "ending joke" didn't even fit this supposed "moral", and just makes me think Fluttershy has some serious mental problem that neither got resolved nor even properly adressed.
How did any of this... anything... what?? What just happened???? I'm so confused.
This is another cucumber sea monster episode, isn't it?
At least we already have stories exploring Fluttershy's mental state.
A joy as always.
4835830
Are you for real? The season's theme is about how we as a society spend entirely too much time and too many resources teaching kids skills for the job market and too little time and too few resources on teaching kids how to live life. If you want to learn how to practice customer service, you can always watch a Wal-Mart training video.
4835890
Yes, I'm for real. Good customer service has helped Rartity's business and reputation, and a more practical approach would have benefited Fluttershy in not driving away clientele even if she couldn't answer all of their questions.
Besides, that lesson would have been better than the one the episode gave us. I still haven't seen anyone who liked the episode explain what the lesson was.
4835912
I didn't actually like the episode, but what I took away from it was that New York has become a hipster theme park and that such places turn their denizens odious if they don't guard against the tendency. Which, as a sometime New Yorker, I'd agree with. I disagree, however, with the Solonic philosophy of acting presented in this episode.
But I stand by my position that an episode dedicated to teaching one of the more dehumanizing "marketable skills" would not be any better. And that really, teaching "marketable skills" is beside the point of general education. No skill learned through a 13-year general curriculum will be as applicable to any given job as a two-week course taught between hiring and work-starting by someone who actually knows the ropes. Even professional education isn't as effective as practical learning, as, for example, the entire legal academy knows. General education ought to be about shaping the kind of person we want in society. And the kind of person we ought to want in society should be very different from the kind of overstressed, unhappy, downtrodden, and maladroit person produced by our general education system today.
4835916
Um...I don't understand why you're debating this when I didn't even mention the education system. I would agree that the US education system fails to prepare people for real life in a lot of ways and that hands on training in the field is very helpful for most people. And starting a business or taking on a season retail job can be useful for many people too. They are not mutually exclusive.
While I do find the sewing thing annoying, even allowing for what you say, I think I might have enjoyed the episode more anyway if only it hadn't -- as 4835830 said -- overstayed its welcome. We had what felt like one joke hammered into the ground. It got to the stage where I just wanted the episode to get to the endgame quickly so I could enjoy the inevitable making-up with Rarity.
Actually, though, that ties into my real complaint: I badly wanted a Fluttershy/Rarity episode as there have been so few, but I wanted them to be together, not necessarily for map reasons -- I'd have been happy with something like what Flutters and Pinkie had in "Buckball Season". But above all, I wanted cute RariShy friendshipping, and except for a few brief moments that bookended the episode, I didn't get it. Given that FiM's days are numbered, there may never be another chance.
I'm about to rewatch the episode to see if I like it better this time -- and to be fair, it wasn't down in "What About Discord?" territory -- but it's not the story I'd been hoping for and I feel sad about that.
Man, these designs are on point. I see what you did there with the Saddle Row Hipster.
Does "Them" trigger itself when cast?
4835983
The first one won't, since it isn't on the battlefield when you cast it. Casting a second copy of Them will trigger the first, but once the other Them enters the battlefield, the legend rule will force you to sacrifice one of them. Ironically, They don't work well in plurals.
Hmm. This is not going to be the first, last or most major example of show-comic retcontinuity. At this point, I'm starting to expect retcons to be more likely than confirmations when the show and comic tread the same ground -- just going by past precedent, that seems like the most likely way these situations play out.
That was honestly some pretty impressive improv on Fluttershy's part. Confidence is one of the biggest parts of acting -- you know the old adage that no one will question what you're doing somewhere as long as you act like you have every right to be there? Same thing here -- if you don't know the first thing about what you're talking about, bullshit shamelessly, look confident and act like the other person's a rookie for not knowing what you're talking about. If I'd meant chevron, I'd have said chevron. Now are you going to buy something or waste more of my time with dumb questions?
All right, that got a laugh out of me.
Those were some bits of clever writing. It's both impressive and mildly unnerving how well they got the idea of racism across -- especially the bit where Severeshy was telling the raccoons to either do their job better or "go back to the forest".
At the end of it all... this was a very good comedy episode: I feel that the humor was good, the character interactions nicely amusing and the wackiness well-done. On the other hand, the moral got hopelessly lost in all the shenanigans. I get the intention of giving a "be yourself" message, but the way it was executed makes it really difficult to glean the actual lesson from it all, or get any real way to apply it to real life. If anything, it seemed like a lesson against the dangers of going overboard with method acting, or something to do with multiple personality disorder.
4836005
Not working well together? Yeah that's just like Them.