S9E01/02: "The Beginning of the End" · 8:35pm Apr 6th, 2019
As usual, my longer review will be up on Louder Yay (probably on Monday, but possibly on Tuesday), but there's a brief summary after the break.
One of those episodes where you can tell they threw everything at it. This does mean that some things were left behind a bit, and I suspect this is an episode where it's not wise to look at the fine details of the plot under a microscope. It also felt a bit breathless, as if it were a three-parter squashed into two episodes. Still, it was anything but boring, and I was very pleased with Grogar as a villain. He seems really evil, and also really powerful. And he hasn't even faced the Mane Six yet -- all they've had to deal with so far is Sombra Act Two. Tirek, Chrysalis and Cozy haven't done a great deal so far, though Tirek flicking Cozy away may have been the most amusing thing in the ep. Discord is not my favourite character, but he did all right here. Probably my third favourite premiere after S2's and S5's. ★★★★
Mm, yeah, that seems about right. Can't hold a candle to Return of Harmony or The Cutie Map, season premieres where the threat is more psychological, but stacked up against most of the others it fares better. A bit breathless from being as jammed as it was, but it proved to be very entertaining. That's not a given - School Raze was overstuffed, and was a largely boring chaotic mess. I don't think rewatching and analysis will be all that favourable for this one, and it still has other issues of later seasons (over neurotic Twilight being one). But, my feelings are largely positive, something I cannot say for either of season 8's two-parters that I also experienced anew when they debuted.
5039691
I'm one of those awkward people who wasn't impressed with "School Daze" but did like "School Raze". That said, I haven't rewatched either for some time, so I don't know how they'd fare in my affections now. I will be rewatching "The Beginning of the End", as I feel I need to see it again before I write up my review, but a day probably isn't enough for my opinion to change much.
5039778
Gah, I meant to say School Raze! That’s how little I regard those episodes, I got the titles mixed up! Fixed. I hold neither in high regard, but Raze annoys me more to be honest; for the most part, I’m not in the Cozy Glow camp. But, that’s neirher here nor there.
I too will rewatch this before review, mostly to be sure of some opinions then because I actually see my overall stance on the episode changing much. Sure, you know yourself.
5039691
You're allowed to be wrong, I suppose.
I loved it when Cozy Glow says, "The name Grogar? It doesn't ring any bells."
Also when Tirek flicked her off his shoulder like a fly!
5039926
...about... what, exactly?
Besides, I believe everyone, be they human, pony, or ghost like myself, is entitled to their opinion.
5040201
I'm just being sarcastic. But I do disagree with the assertion that Season 8 as a whole was bad.