Uprooted/A Friendship is Magic Season 9 Review · 12:10pm Apr 16th, 2019
(Please start at 1:10 on video)
And so, it is with great sadness that we the FiM community mourn the sudden departure of a beloved relic in Equestrian history. The Tree of Harmony, a cherished symbol of what the land itself stands for, taken from us so tragically on the very eve of the ninth season of one of the most beloved programs in television history. May it's legacy live on in the hearts of the masses who continue to show support for our favorite ponies, for always and eternally...
(Pause for effect, takes a deep breath)
Okay then... Back to business.
GOOD MORNING AFTERNOON, FIMFICTION FANATICS!!! This is the Dramamaster829; Critic, Actor, Writer, Motivational Speaker, and Occasional Singer, keeping you up to date with the latest news for the final season of MLP! As we have witnessed during the premier several weekends ago, we not only witnessed the return of King Sombra (As well as his inevitable demise) but in his quest to takeover Equestria he destroyed not just the Tree of Harmony, but the very elements themselves. True King Sombra still lost to the Mane Six, but the impact that he had left upon Equestria has struck some chords leaving many to wonder what will become of their home and how to prepare for the next attack (Neither pony knowing of an even grander scheme at work). Our next episode takes place on the aftermath of King Sombra's assault, only this episode marks a story made specifically for the Young Six (Or Student Six as some fans refer to) and so we prepare to dive in to what our first twenty-minute episode of the season has in store for the fans in a story appropriate titled:
Uprooted
Warning: If you don't wish to read any spoilers, especially if you have yet to see the episode, please skip this post now.
The Story
Interestingly enough, the episode chooses to open up with this scene which I've always assumed would take place at the 'end' of the episode (Though I also thought this would happen during the premier) and as it turns out... It's a dream sequence. In this way we get to learn a bit about the Young Six, not just in regards of their deepest desires... But also their deepest 'fears'.
Almost every new employee's concern when they get their first big project on the first day
In all manner of seriousness, Silverstream's case is quite a double-edged sword. On one hand, being the first non-Pegasus to become a Wonderbolt 'would' make her family proud... But would she be ready for the task, that's just it. It would be even more awkward if the day she becomes a Wonderbolt is also the day they must defend Equestria from Grogar's latest concoction.
I'm late, I'm late! For a very important date!
You know? That's 'kind of' how I am when I am trying to get to school or work. But poor Ocellus, if we thought the Princess of Friendship's 'Twilighting' is bad, for Ocellus fearing to miss a class and preparing for a final for graduation isn't stressful enough just imagine if she doesn't get her degree. Then at least from here on out, we get your 'familiar' kind of nightmares:
Why do pony adventure always start with a fall!
I'm sorry, but I cannot take her seriously in that dress.
Remind me not to sign him up for spelunking.
As silly as this is, I feel for him... The struggle is real.
Turns out this nightmare was the spirit of the Tree of Harmony to summon the Young Six together, proving that in some way there is still life in the tree yet (But barely). A great danger requires their immediate attention and given the kids having experienced the tree's callings during the previous season, the kids are more than eager to help. After all, with King Sombra's defeat, what's the worse issue currently happening in Equestria these days?
You're laughing now, but wait till she's flipping out over number two pencils.
Now as honorable as it is for the kids to get this opportunity at a friendship quest, having been responsible for sending a deranged student to Tartarus, things get awkward when Twilight Sparkle reveals what had happened since they've been on summer break. So wait... She chooses 'now' to tell the kids about the tree's demise? I get that with everything going on, with Sombra and Twilight freaking out over taking over the kingdom, this is nearly equivalent to telling a member of your meet-up group that a trip to a movie got cancelled even though you just paid for a ticket. Yeah... I've been there. Anyways, the episode does take the time to address that this is a very sad moment for everyone and even the kids feel responsible for not being there when the tree needed them.
Look at this face and tell me you weren't feeling sad for her.
Interestingly enough, you'd think they'd be going under the school where all the tree's roots were because that was where the students were summoned last time. But no... Instead we go to the very spot where the tree formerly sat beneath the grounds of the Castle of the Two Sisters. But to be 'fair', this was where the Students were first brought together when the school had opened. So how can you expect the kids to help the tree when figuring out what it summoned them for to begin with? Well, when something breaks and it wasn't meant to happen this way, there's only one thing to do in these difficult times:
Build a memorial.
I'm not joking with you: From this episode on, the kids decide to make something as a symbol of how they remember the tree (Even though they'd barely remember what it looks like). But of course, no school-based episode would be complete with 'permission slips'. Now as unexciting as that may be, you'd be impressed with everything these kids have to do just to convince their guardians to stick around and make this happen:
Funny they chose to do this instead of tail-wrestling... But I'm pretty sure the results would still end the same.
Where was Yona when the town was buried in an avalanche?
Be glad the old bird didn't stick it where the sun don't shine.
And to think we used to be scared of these little guys.
It's times I wish I can remember my dreams just as vividly as Silverstream.
And after that is over, you'd think we can proceed with making some progress on how to make the tree memorable for the new generation... You'd wish it were that easy.
You had one job, Sandbar! One... Bucking... JOB!
One miscommunication later, now our Young Six find themselves scrambling to find out how they can help Equestria remember the importance of this tree. But sure enough, we get this one plot element where our group can't agree on anything, they ignore one of their friends who does have a solution (Yona out of them all), and sure enough their attempts only lead to disaster.
Man, the landlord is gonna throw a fit!
Now even though the story itself has a similar feel to when Twilight’s friends couldn’t agree on how to make her castle more inviting or the lengths they went to just to get her tickets, like these previous stories they all reflect on a common element: A story is coming to an end and we want a way to keep a memory intact. Much like the ‘Tree of Harmony’, deep down we know this show won’t last forever and the announcement that this would be the final season proves it. Heck to this day, the debate continues as to whether this show stands as the superior version or if one generation doesn’t get enough credit or how the next generation will not look good before giving it a chance. It’s not even just ‘My Little Pony’ alone, it’s happened in various other shows (Transformers, TMNT, even ‘Power Rangers’). We all argue about which is the best version of our favorite show, which program had the best cast, the best stories, or lack thereof… But there’s one thing this episode especially teaches us that most of us take for granted:
A series should be remembered for what it was, not what it is.
The Characters
Pros: This episode marked an opportunity for the Young Six a chance to shine, proving that not every episode should be centered on the main story. We do get a few brief scenes with Twilight and Spike in the opening and the finish, at least one particular scene was funny, but the end it was all about the students. But I do believe out of all the students, one truly shines above the rest:
At the height of the moment, it was Yona who knew the answer all along and that arguing over what should be done wasn't going to solve anything. True the essential plot of the story took the predictable route, but fortunately Yona didn't essentially fall into the trap most of her friends fell into. It's amazing even so that to feature Yona as the voice of reason for this episode is not something we'd expect, as we often know her for smashing into things, saying how all Yaks are good at things, or being part of some silly moments while being adorable at the same time. And yet it was Yona who reminded us of what a true Yak stands for: Smashing and rebuilding. Even as one thing crumbles, anything can be rebuilt much like the Tree of Harmony once they finally got their heads together:
A bit of a fixer upper, but you get the point.
Now as much flake as I can give to most of the students, the one essential part was that we got to learn a slight bit of their personality through the separate plans they made to honor the Tree itself. Whether it's Gallus setting up a museum and promoting 'real' stories...
How many bits will you bet he took lessons from the Flim-Flam Brothers?
Smolder sculpting a monument in the tree's honor...
Well, nobody's perfect.
Silverstream's artistic viewpoint...
If the Wonderbolt thing doesn't work out, I can see her doing pop art in some way.
Or even Ocellus... Meditation route?
Suddenly that sequence in season seven makes more sense.
Even when most of these tactics weren't guaranteed to work, we can tell they had the same idea. For me they reflect the artistic differences a community has, even for a team of artists putting together a project. And while their clashing viewpoints will instantly remind us of how the ponies were butting heads previous times, the humor put in these sequences nearly redeems the episode. Whether it's the dream sequence showing their insecurities or their hobbies that give off some of their character to what ultimately brings them together (In a song I'll discuss later), the Tree of Harmony ultimately brought these six together because they carry something far more important than what they planned for. Even their headmare Twilight said it best,
I'd say your friendship is more powerful than you know...That definitely needs to be on a T-Shirt.
Cons: Now as much praise I give to most of the Students, there is the 'one' Elephant in the Room that kind of set off the fuse to what nearly led to an implosion amongst friends,
Don't give me that look, you know what you did.
If we had to have that one 'Spike' in the Young Six, sadly it ends up being the only pony in the group. Now granted, I shouldn't be too hard on him because after all he did try to help as much as his friends did and his intentions were good. But just when the group goes through all the trouble of getting their parental figures to sign their slips (Leading me to think Ember is kind of an aunt or sister figure to Smolder, I don't know), they see Sandbar 'move' the pieces of the tree thinking he can simply plant a new one. Course we do find out what actually became of the pieces, but we got to admit Sandbar was essentially written merely to build up the conflict. It's no wonder the guys often poke fun at him for some of the blunders he did throughout the episode.
WHY?!?!?!?!?! (Props if you get the reference)
The Music
While we didn't get to open the show with a musical number, which I was a bit disappointed about, thankfully this season offers us it's first musical number and... I have to admit I find it entertaining:
When we hear a song like this, instantly we do think of something that the Mane Six would sing. About coming together, to the place where the team was form, and working together to build something beautiful. To symbolize the fact that the show was going to end and we won't always have the Mane Six protecting Equestria, in a way I'm glad that the Tree of Harmony could count on the Young Six to help keep the memory of it's legacy intact. After all, it was at this very spot where the six truly became friends and it was the tree who chose to test them to determine if friendship is truly in their nature. The road to repairing the tree wasn't easy, but when they all come together in the end something beautiful is bound to emerge:
Tell me you weren't thinking of the new castle from the 80s feature.
Overall, the episode may not be considered perfect with it's predictable plot device and the senseless arguing, but I will admit it's a slightly decent follow-up to the more impressive premier. Some may call this merely a filler episode, but for me I want to believe that it's all being set-up for something. After all, the spirit claimed this would be a place of solace, for the friendship of future generations, where everyone can be safe within it's walls (Don't tell me this is an excuse to sell toys, I won't take it). Each of the Young Six got to have their moments, that make us laugh, that make us cringe, but any chance to see a brief bit of development for these students is well and good for my book. Like I said, this episode was more of a 'work-in-process' just like trying to determine a memorial for this tree, but it's all to remind us that with a few good hands and a stick or two, the toughest task can ultimately turn into a work of art.
So now the question remains: What do YOU think? Be sure to leave a comment below when you get the chance.
Until then, this is the Dramamaster829... Signing out!
Can we just agree that Silverstream does look 'awesome' in that Wonderbolt get-up?
Like a certain Jedi Master said.
No one's ever really gone.
We'll always be with you.
And Sandbar, you are such a encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSAuaDF57VWcBZSfKvFXiUrdcbJbQHUe1DHP3ZoCM7llxQZGp_aKweJPCqNMA
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Yeah this certainly wasn't one of Sandbar's best episode, even thinking that simply planting a new tree, a 'real' tree I might add, could ever replace the 'Tree of Harmony'. But then again, the thing with Sandbar is that he takes one thing and makes it feel like a big deal. Like his idea of a scary story was how his Heartswarming Doll almost landed in the fireplace (Although to be fair I wouldn't want that either). Even his worst nightmare is making decisions over which cupcake to eat (But again, as pointed out in my review, I can relate to the difficulty of choosing). And add to the fact that he didn't actually get rid of the Tree of Harmony, but moved it off to the side... And only when his friends were at his worse did he suddenly decide to tell them. Oooh boy...