Point of No Return/A Friendship is Magic Season 9 Review · 3:08pm Apr 29th, 2019

Believe it or not, this is better than her 'yearbook' photo.

Start at 1:17

(A mysterious man in a black robe, his face entirely hidden, proceeds to sing a few bars)

Past the point of no return
No backward glances
Our games of make believe
Are at an end...

(Suddenly there is a ringing phone, stopping him by the end of the verse. He turns to a phone sitting on a desk, with a sigh he pauses the video to answer the call.)

This is the Dramamaster, how may I help you?

(Murmuring is heard on the other end)

What's that? *Murmuring* I made the wrong reference? *Murmuring* It's actually the name of the episode?

(A single murmur confirms the news. The Dramamaster pauses, it slowly dawns on him).

Oh... Well let me just switch it up a bit. (Proceeds to cast the costume aside, his face still hidden)

Sorry about that folks; let's try that again.

GOOD MORNING, 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! I hope you can forgive the misinterpretation of the topic, then again it just goes to prove my point: Nobody is perfect. The thing on the subject of 'perfection' is... Well, there's really no such thing as 'perfection', it's like a subtle way of saying you are always in the right, everyone is dressed perfectly, everything is under control, and everyone is expected to have things go their way. But people who strive to achieve that degree end up becoming very miserable, thinking 'one' little mistake just 'one' will mean the end of the world.

But anyways, 'perfection' is the vital theme of last weekend's episode especially considering it's a Twilight Sparkle episode. While most of us love the Princess of Friendship and all her adorkable moments, we know for certain that when it comes to getting things in order and how she tends to flip out over the smallest little detail we've gotten used to this fact that it's pretty much accepted. Now granted some fans have grown a slight bored with this character trait, as if no matter how many lessons she's learned surrounding this issue it still hangs on her like a glove. And this week, it all centers on how an overdo book left a special pony in her life out of work and the great lengths she goes to just to set things right. And today, we're here to take a look how it all ends as we dive straight into:

Point of No Return

Warning: The following review will contain spoilers, if you haven’t seen the episode yet please skip this post now.

The Story

It's a regular day for Princess Twilight Sparkle when she and Spike receive an untimely arrival from everyone's favorite mail pony:

Don't forget to insert 'laugh track'

All laughs and Derpy Hooves moment aside, it turns out Princess Celestia had uncovered some of Twilight's old belongings from her old home and arranged for them to be sent to her... And not to poor Spike...

When you just want a letter from your family and instead it's fan mail for your best friend.

Right so with that, let's take a dive at some old materials that Twilight has been hoarding, I mean... 'Keeping' over the years (Totally what I meant to say...),

Hmm... Cute kindergarten project...

Obvious Generation 1 joke...

Overdo library book...

*Pause* Uh oh...

Cue 'Twilighting' plot device here.

From this moment, this is where the plot really kicks off: Initially Twilight Sparkle hoping to return the book back to the Canterlot Library despite how big the return fee might be. After all, if we know Twilight so well, she's not only desiring to keep her reputation as Princess of Friendship on a high note but she also wants to retain her title of 'Best Book Borrower' or something along the lines...

Okay I admit this was cute.

What I find creative about this episode how it's once again an episode that reflects on the show's earliest episodes from season's past and in this case, the first few scenes straight from the very first episode in Season 1...

Seems like ages when Twilight's major problem was making friends.

However, if there's one thing that did bug me slightly about this episode is that Twilight Sparkle chooses 'now' to avoid having ponies seeing she's going to the library on the terms that she's the 'princess' now...

EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT! PRINCESS TWILIGHT SPARKLE AT A LIBRARY! EXTRA!

Now had it been written out that Twilight doesn't want to be seen as the pony who didn't return a library book, I'd be very understanding about it. I mean I wouldn't nitpick over this one detail so much had it not been all the previous times Twilight had visited the library without that mindset (Amending Friends... Forgotten Friendship... Need I go on?). But I am willing to put that aside because there are bigger problems for Twilight Sparkle than unwanted press and it doesn't even involve borrowing anymore books...

This would be the town's reaction if Belle went into the library and not to borrow a book.

Anyways Twilight hopes to set things right by returning her book to this librarian she's known for years, Dusty Pages.

Dig the Elton John shades.

But as it turns out, Dusty Pages has no longer been working in the library in between the past few seasons and thus to return the book they must meet with the new head librarian, Fort Folio.

Oh hi 'Twilight Clone'... I mean... 'Moondancer', totally meant to say that.

After having gone through every restaurant in town searching for this Fort Folio, you'd think Twilight would just hand the book right here and now (Making for a rather short episode). But NOPE... Turns out Fort Folio unintentionally increased Twilight's anxiety not because the fees for the book are insanely large (In some pony's standards) but because Dusty Pages was rumored to have been forcibly fired due to an irresponsible pony not returning their book on time...

That face when you're sitting for three hours watching 'Endgame' but forgot to use the bathroom.

While I admit the new librarians we have seen come off as a bit harsh about Twilight's one mistake, as if her anxiety wasn't big enough, I will admit I feel bad for Twilight. Much like when she tried to make-up to Moondancer for being a terrible friend, we can't help but feel she's solely responsible that her favorite head librarian lost the career she loved. It's like if you cost your television idol their slot on a popular television show all because you wanted to meet with them for lunch (And getting them unintentionally late). I know folks have been bantering about how this plot device makes Twilight seem unfit to be ruler, with all the mistakes she's been making and her freakouts included, but when we really take the time to think about it: This is a major downer for nearly any person you may or may not know. Now comes the part where's this cross-country adventure to search for Dusty Pages so 'she' can return the book herself and secure her job.

Sounds easy... Right?

I admit I thought Dusty Pages was a bitter ex-librarian and put these signs to scare visitors.

TELL YOUR FRIENDS TO STOP SENDING FANMAIL TO MY HOUSE!

After several failed attempts to find Dusty Pages, marking off every place that has the word 'silver' in it...

Oh NOW this gag suddenly makes sense.

... And not to mention lugging a large back of Dusty's mail, they finally find her at the most appropriate place all elderly retirees would reside in.

Makes you wonder if this would be how 'Shady Oaks' from 'Up' would look like.

Fortunately, this retirement home is as inviting on the inside as it is on the outside. After coming upon the right place, Twilight Sparkle searches every corner of this complex with some surprising activities for quite an 'energetic' group of elders...

Don't mind me, Mr. Waddle. Just doing a review...

Dang I hope I'm this full of energy when I retire.

After several late arrivals and nearly every moment coming up short, we finally get to meet Dusty Pages outside of a photo and flashback and...

Yep... Definitely Elton John or John Lennon. In MOD we trust.

I will admit I was initially right 'and' wrong about this scenario in general. I initially thought Dusty Pages left the library to achieve a lifetime goal of becoming a rock star as I stated in an earlier blog. Turns out, ole Dusty is involved in a ton of activities since moving to this retirement joint. Initially, she is very happy to see Twilight Sparkle, almost similar to meeting old friends after a lengthy period of part. Of course, when Twilight goes to hand the book to Dusty hoping she can return it to the library and request to have her job back...

I don't do autographs!

As you can see, this went pear-shaped very quickly (No, I'm not referring to Grand Pear). Initially, we are led under this assumption that Dusty Page is either 'mad' at Twilight Sparkle for breaking her promise to be a good book-borrower or that she's mad at the library for taking her job away in the first place. In a way, I can relate to this scenario such as refusing to talk to 'any' of my exes because I was angry at them at the situation for the break-up (But I don't want to bore you with the details). But rather than give up after coming so far (And considering there's not enough time like in 'Amending Fences'), Twilight Sparkle stubbornly keeps to the task of approaching Dusty Pages and apologize for costing her everything she enjoyed. But turns out... Dusty Pages wasn't so mad at all...

Just look at this face and tell me she's not mad.

As with this entire episode in general, this whole scenario was once again just one big misunderstanding and once again Twilight Sparkle worrying for absolutely no reason.

OH! No shit, Sherlock!

*Clears throat* But all joking aside, apparently Twilight's mistake for not returning the book did Dusty Page a big favor and thus comes a set of morals. By allowing Dusty Page to be free from the road of 'perfection', to let it go and seek the life she truly wants, it stands to reason why we the fans shouldn't be focused on trying to achieve the impossible. But it's also important to make careful interpretations to what folks said, especially when First Folio said Dusty was 'fired' for not returning the book (Turns out she left on her own volition due to change in perspective). Which in a way reflected some of the mistakes 'I' made on this forum, taking a rumor and looking at things differently than I expected and for the most part... I'm actually pleased with what the team did put together. Because after all, I've grown to accept that as much as I hate making mistakes with a passion, while I can never be 'perfect' I am still a growing individual with much to learn just like everyone else.

Which leads to the biggest takeaway from the entire story:

"Perfection: The Impossible Pursuit"... Why is life so ironic?

Oh and there's that thing about Twilight's concern for paying an overdo late fee, but considering it's kind of been tossed around back and forth I didn't really put too much thought into it. Then again, just 28 bits for an overdo book, Spike if you'd help me...

25 cents every 2 bits... 2 multiple by four... 8 bits equals a dollar... Times three... Plus four bits... That's about...

Huh... 3 dollars and 50 cents in American dollars. Just like this episode in general, that wasn't so bad at all...

Not like 'Lesson Zero', am I right?
Heh heh... Let's never talk about that.

The Characters

Pros:

Initially I would've considered putting her on the 'cons' list for making a big fuss when it wasn't necessary, but the truth is: I can feel for Twilight's struggles. I wouldn't say I'd go to great lengths to make things right for a person I'd wrong, but I understand how it feels when dealing with overdo materials or if a person got in trouble because of anything 'unintended'. After all, even though we've only known this librarian just 'recently', it was very clear Twilight cared for this pony maybe not so much as a 'friend' but a very close acquaintance. It's no wonder why Twilight herself feels at home in the library, even going so far as making a bed out of books. I will admire that for all the lengths she goes to, she's willing to risk a large late fee to do something right for a pony (Even risking her framed 'Best Book Borrower' photo).

Plus I enjoy all the funny faces she makes during this episode:

Yeah... These images speak for themselves.

Once again Spike serves as the perfect foil for Twilight's 'twilighting' as he helps her fix the mess she feels responsible for. For every witty remark he's made and the times he felt Twilight has been fussing over nothing, once again her little brother proves why he's there to see this through to the end. Plus as mentioned before, Spike will always tell Twilight what she needs to know but as we know she hardly listens until the very end and once again a bit of respect for him putting up with her shenanigans. Still and all, Spike has had a few funny moments take place during the episode and he's not even the only one who presents the initial moral...

Move aside 'Dusty Katt', there's a new general on the TF2 field.

It's no wonder why we'd want Dusty Pages to be our librarian for our home town. I like that she comes off as the sweet old lady with a streak for wanting excitement in her life, but at the same time offering wisdom to Twilight when she tries her best to be 'perfect'. Yet had it not been for Twilight's mistake, Dusty wouldn't think to explore new activities even if she'd make mistakes there too. And while her quite 180 from sweet to angry may have popped from out of nowhere, turns out she was never mad at any pony else but herself for not having freed herself from the library sooner. Deep down we can relate to her situation: We all had hobbies and passions we really want to do, but the careers we are put on leave us forced to maintain this 'image' and strive for a solid record that it almost sucks the life out of anyone (Some occasions). While it's not likely we'll see her again during the series, she was a fun character to watch during the episode. Plus, the image we see of her as compared to her flashback symbolizes the change she needed to be the pony she wants to be and for me the short mane look definitely gives her the rock star look (No wonder I thought the band deal was going to be the focus, can you blame me?).

Cons:

While I admit there wasn't really much wrong with these characters per say, as they do have their charms, Fort Folio and the new Head Librarian (Seriously I don't know her name) didn't make Twilight's stress any better when they led on to how serious the situation was. I mean here Spike is telling Twilight if she just returned the book everything's cool, then this Head Librarian states overdo books this long have to be taken to the basement of 'Shame' (Way to rub it in lady). As if that wasn't enough, Fort Folio made it seem Twilight is responsible in being that 'irresponsible pony' who's overdo book caused Dusty to lose her job (She didn't realize she was talking about Twilight, but that's besides the point). While I wouldn't say they are 'bad' characters, we have to admit they steered Twilight the wrong way and in the end we know they are just in this episode to be a plot device for the princess of friendship. Otherwise... Every pony else I was pretty content with.

Overall, while the initial story does come off as predictable and maybe not a stirring followup to the 200th special, it does redeem itself with it's comedic timing and likable characters. Plus even though we groan whenever Twilight has to learn to not freak out over every detail, this is a moral that a ton of people can still relate on. That the pursuit of 'perfection' can lead us to driving ourselves crazy or leading to unnecessary expectations, when no matter how hard we try we are still just people who make mistakes... All the time. And being that this is one of the last few episodes written by a notable writer on this show, I will admit it's a very decent episode as it is. It may not be one of the strongest episodes, but for me it was still fun to watch especially when we finally get to meet Dusty Pages.

So now the big question remains: What did YOU think? Be sure to leave a comment below when you get the chance.

Until then, this is the Dramamaster829... Signing out!

Again, props on Moondancer's return even if it was very brief.