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A JD Review: MLP Season 8 Episode 24 - "Father Knows Beast" · 7:21pm Oct 7th, 2018
The one where Spike is still an orphan. Kinda.
Knew it the second he came on screen. And the leaks. Damn the leaks.
Alllllllllriiiiiight. This was a strange one. MLP digs into uncharted territory by trying to delve into Spike's backstory, and his parents (something I've wanted to see since I first started watching the show back in 2012). So much potential for this episode... and it was kind of wasted... but then again... not really. That's why it's strange. Let me explain. First of all, a dragon named Sludge crashes into Ponyville like a meteor (also like Tony Stark did in my first Avengers crossover, check it out if you haven't read it yet. Shameless promotion, I know). Then, we learn that he claims to Spike's biological father, something leaked to me from footage from a comic-con I think, so that ruined the surprise for me. 
Then, Sludge tries to teach Spike on how to be a real dragon, which only further drives Spike away from Twilight and his closest friends.
Don't get me wrong, the show pretty much confirming that Twilight is Spike's surrogate mother was amazing. I loved that scene (especially the heartbreak scene with Twilight), and it was something I've pretty much worked with in almost all of my stories, so there's another plus for the episode. What I didn't like was Sludge, and just the notion that we may never get to see Spike's actual parents in the future. This episode could have ACTUALLY brought in Spike's ACTUAL parents, work in an entirely different conflict, and come out with that amazing outcome of Spike accepting Twilight as his mother (I don't know, Fanfic writers, get to it!). I may have cried if that was the case.
Overall, pretty good episode. 8/10. What were your thoughts?
I agree totally! Spike is a dragon among ponies, but i wouldn't have him ANY other way!
I honestly wish that there was more to Sludge. He wouldn’t even have to be his real father. Maybe he lost his original son and after spending time in ponyville recovering he grew to want Spike as a son that could have been interesting.
But even the. What we got was still good. Got some nice Spike and Twi moments (seriously that heartbreak actually hurt me) and some pretty good Spike and Smoulder moments.
I just want to see Hulk give that lazy lying MotherF***er what he gave to Loki https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31ZjnrHR8EA
Even if this was a wasted premise, Spike’s outburst at Twilight and them making amends at the end were still great scenes. I felt that heartbreak.
4950044
Search your feelings, you know it to be true.
4949793
4949893 Even THAT sounds like a really interesting premise.
4949925 Splendid.
4950008 Poor Twi...
4950141 WHO ARE YOU PEOPLE?!
4950194
Though man Sludge has to be one of the most unlikable characters in the show taking advantage of the poor kid like that.
4950194
Ha! Imagine if Spike realizes they're not his parents he'd be like "Sludge? (Whoever is his "mom")? WHO ARE YOU PEOPLE!?