Horse Play Review · 4:34pm Apr 28th, 2018
With last week's episode debuting a new writer, this week's episode is following suit. Kaita Mpambara penned this episode, having previously written for stuff like Ultimate Spider-Man (Kevin and Chris used to write for it, and now write for the 2017 cartoon that is a much better product). With the focus being on Princess Celestia, who got a ton of development last season, and last week's episode being debatable in quality (from a character, moral, and visual perspective it was pretty good, but the story felt almost like an afterthought), was it the right call to debut a new writer here? Well, let's find out.
We begin with Twilight and Spike visiting Celestia in Canterlot, informing her that they're holding a play to celebrate the anniversary of her first sunrise. Celestia is overjoyed at the idea, revealing that she's always had a fondness for the theater and longed to be part of a play. That gives Twilight the idea to cast her in the lead role, a decision that does not exactly settle well with her friends and fellow crew mates.
Speaking of which, Fluttershy is the narrator, Spike is the director, Applejack manages the backdrops, Rarity handles costumes, and Pinkie Pie works special effects. And let's just say, she has a tendency to overdo.
The play more or less draws on the backstory for Celestia provided in The Journal of the Two Sisters, particularly that Celestia took over raising the sun because it used to take several unicorn sorcerers and Starswirl the Bearded to do it. All seems to be going well until Celestia arrives, for it seems she can't act. Twilight tries to give her directions, including showing more emotion and speaking more loudly, which allows us to see what Celestia sounds like in her royal Canterlot voice.
Applejack suggests they just tell Celestia the truth, but Twilight insists they can still make it work. At first the others suggest replacing Celestia or even shutting down the play, but it turns out that isn't an option, because Rainbow Dash went and talked up the show per her instructions. So now everyone's going to be there. With that dilemma presenting itself, Twilight takes Celestia to see the Method Mares, and get some instructions from the pros. A bit of a dilemma, as they reveal that they make up it as they go, and demonstrate a level of showponyness that Celestia isn't familiar with.
There's also a problem with the special effects, namely that Celestia accidentally destroyed the glowing disco ball they planned to use for the sun. So Pinkie tries to use various replacements, including a giant, flaming marshmallow. At last, the night of the play arrives, and Twilight is close to losing it as the play appears to be a disaster in the making. Things go from bad to worse when Pinkie shows off a giant huddle of fireworks she bought from Trixie in a back alley.
Twilight loses it and rants about everything going wrong, including Celestia being a terrible actor, right as the backdrop behind her falls and Celestia overhears. She is understandably furious at Twilight for not telling her the truth and storms off, Twilight goes after her while Spike is forced to entertain the crowd to distract them. And he gets pelted with tomatoes.
Twilight apologizes to Celestia for not being truthful with her, finally admitting to her idol worship of her that has plagued her for so many years. Celestia then assures Twilight that "The show must go on", and comes up with a way for the play to continue, without her being in the lead role. In fact, she passes the lead role to Fluttershy, probably because she already played Princess Celestia once before.
So what does Celestia does now that she isn't in the play (even the friendship students join in, with Sandbar playing Starswirl the Bearded)? She provides the sun with her magic of course, but everypony thinks it's a special effect, even though Celestia is standing where you should be able to see her (they only have a few clouds for a backdrop).
The play is a success, and then Celestia pulls one last troll move on Twilight when she jokes about stepping down from her throne to devote all her time to the theater.
And that's the story, so what do I think of the episode? It's pretty good, it's a wonderful continuation of the character development Celestia got in the past season. And Nicole Oliver definitely had a blast, it's not hard to tell. I also like how they finally addressed Twilight's hero worship of Celestia, and the dangers that come with putting someone on a pedestal. Plus, unlike "Secrets and Pies" or "Leap of Faith", this episode does the "Tell the truth" story properly. It even drops a pretty strong (if somewhat questionable) moral about how the truth is better than a well meant lie. Unlike every episode since the premiere, this episode doesn't feel padded out, it feels like it fits the run time properly. If anything, it feels a tad rushed in spots. The mane six are in character for the most part, though I imagine some people might get annoyed with Pinkie messing up the stage with her special effects, and Rainbow Dash seeming to ignore Celestia storming off in favor of the huge crowd she drew. But I appreciate that someone other than Starlight is trying to talk sense into Twilight, and it makes me wish we'd get a proper TwiJack episode to see how they'd interact. The only thing I really have to complain about, is the Spike abuse bit where he's forced to go out on stage to stall for time. Was there really no way for them to just have one of the mane six do something, like maybe have Rainbow Dash perform her aerial tricks? In the end though, I think this episode is pretty solid and easily the best episode of Season 8 thus far. I give it an A+.
Next week will be an interesting episode. It's "The Parent Map", in which Starlight and Sunburst are called by the map to solve a friendship problem between their parents. Like with "Surf and/or Turf", I don't see why that has to be a map mission, and I don't know if they're gonna be able to stretch Sunburst of all ponies getting called by the map. But it seems they're finally going to ellaborate on Starlight's backstory, and that looks promising.
This is the only episode where I manage to like Celestia.
For me, it's the third best
While it's definitely great, I like Surf and/or Turf and School Daze a bit more.
4849251 Really? Even "Celestial Advice" and "School Daze" didn't do it for you?
4849746
Celestia Advice was more of a Twilight-Starlight episode and don't get me started on School Daze, which is more of a Mane Six episode.
Just out of curiosity, maybe I am reading too much into it, but did anyone notice Luna frown, when Celestia rose the sun for the play? Do you think that might be hinting to anything in the future?
4850746 I think she's more hurt that when she tried to block the sun, she got banished. And now her sister is blocking her moon for the sake of a play.
Yep, I have nothing much to say except best episode of the season so far.
The new writer did a very good job as well, I think we'll be seeing more episodes from Kaita in the future. 
4850843
Ah, that's a good deduction. I thought she was thinking more along the lines of, 'You just had to show off, didn't you sister?'
Well, they best give Luna another episode focused around her to give her some spotlight among Equestria. I DEMAND ANOTHER LUNA EP- *anvil falls on head.*
Hasbro: YOU'LL GET NOTHING AND LIKE IT!!!
Me: Oooh wooah... gather round kiddies... and Uncle Nighty will tell you the story of Goldimare and the Three Excruciating Head Impacts. *passes out on Lunar pillow.