So, how about that season premier? · 3:41am Nov 11th, 2012
Without spoiling anything I think I can safely say... I liked it. I thought it was pretty good. Not spectacular. Doesn't hold a candle to season 1 and 2, or even season 2's finale, but still really nice. I laughed a bit, and I was actually really nervous towards the end, so the dramatic tension is there. I saw that last twist coming from a mile away, but it was still nice. Celestia is best troll.
Speaking of which, I am taking Celestia's referring to Twilight as "dearest" as proof that Distance is canon. Applejack and Rarity is also canon. I'm just saying. You can argue with me about this but you will not win. Twilestia is best ship. Rarijack is up there.
(I also like Flarity, but it doesn't have to be canon, I'm comfortable with that being AU.)
Speaking of Distance, I need to get off my ass and finish chapter 2. Time for some ponies getting dirty...
There was so much support for Rarijack in these two episodes that I'm still kinda floored about it.
I will admit the Rarijack shippers just got new ammo
, but that does not rule out Flarity. 
All my yes on Rarijack. I noticed that one part and said aloud, "Shipping!" Thankfully, I was alone, so no judgements were given. THAT'S why I'm watching any MLP episodes alone... that, and the best time you can ever get me up on Saturdays is 11:30, since I pretty much stay up online until 1 a.m... like I'm doing now.
Oh, and did you see the commercial for future episodes... with Rarity and Applejack turned into fillies??? I wanted to scream, it was so cute. That episode just might kill me... and spawn numerous fanfictions.
I thought it was a good episode. It's the first episode I've watched as a brony, so it's pretty decent. Though Sombra really sucked as a character, if you can call him that. I don't even think he said above two words...
Pinkieshy is cannon if you watch season 1.
During Over a Barrel Flutterhsy tackles Pinkie instead of dash (her oldest friend) and then doesn't hug Dash, Pinkie then looks fluttershy up and down with a odd smile.
Also Pinkie is the only one who can help Fluttershy calm down in Dragonshy.
Rushed, with a pat ending. Sombra ended up disappointing. And uh, the MLP writers really need to learn what constitutes an empire.
All in all, not bad.
I accept Distance being cannon wholeheartedly. Unless REALLY bad thing happen later on. Then it won't be cannon to me.
Still gonna be great though.
How about dat Gak?
Cat fight time
A little bit too much singing for me, but otherwise the story was pretty good. The villain was quite dark/shocking for a child-cartoon (and remembers me someway of the antagonist of a Carebear-movie – I have no idea why).
And I somehow have the feeling that "it" was not the cristale empire or Sombra.
492653 Was "Rainbow Miriam Dash" ever actually canon?
It was nice to see Luna make an appearance, but was it just me, or did she feel a little distant?
Wish they'd worked on Sombra's characterization though. all the previous MLP villains had depth, but Sombra was like 'Show up! Make snarls and roars! Gets defeated!' I don't think i even heard him say anything at all.
I do hope that the history of Equestria from a thousand years ago would be revealed though. So much events that seem tied to that time period.
TIL the Cadance Cannon is the most powerful weapon in Equestria. Got super-villains? Throw your wife at them.
It was kinda deceiving...
All that waiting just for some stuff that got spoiled so BAD...
We see the protagonist and the rest...
The only surprise were the ending...
Deus Ex-Machina with Spike And Cadence...
492704
Not all threats require depth. He was a constant, omnipresent threat and the cause of their looming destruction. He didn't need a backstory, deep and thoughtful lines, or some sad history that led up to him being the bad guy he is. He is Aku, the shapeshifting master of darkness. You don't dress shit like that up, he's ALREADY pure gold.
492679
Naw, some fanfic writer started it.
492653
The Mane 6 barely have first and last names, let's not get ahead of ourselves here.
The premiere brings up a few minor questions, like HOW DID CADANCE SUDDENLY ACQUIRE AN EMPIRE, DID YOU SERIOUSLY JUST THROW YOUR WIFE LIKE A LAWN DART, and WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT BOOK AAARGH.
And it's RariShy, not Flarity! Goodness man "Flarity" sounds like a medical condition.
492727
Aku at least had a personality. Sombra is just... there's nothing to say about him, because there's nothing there. He's a complete blank.
I prefer Twiluna more than Twilestia. Plus Appledash and Flutterpie.
No way, man. Twiluna. Twi fricking luna.
And if you read this: Still haven't been able to start on the next chapter of "The Creatures that Came to Ponyville". Won't be able to for about another month.
Twixie forever!....Unless its Twixieshy, that's good too. : )
Didn't like it much, main villian didn't get much of a personality at all. Discord and even Nightmare moon had more behind them then this guy. I liked Pinkie in this episode and Fluttershy and Dash's interactions were pretty amusing. Not their best work, but not horrid either.
492761
Personality. Did we watch the same show? "Bwaha I am evil, you are all my slaves, oh shit it's Jack come to fuck me up. Gotta stop him. Oh crap, I can't, run away/get cut up." Sure, he was emotive, but he also lasted the whole damn series where Sombra had 45 minutes to share the spotlight with the actual stars of the show.
He was, as stated, a threat. He's not meant to be a fleshed-out character. He has no known connection to any other character. He was the danger that prompted them to fret and worry and struggle. He was 'conflict' given shape. I don't get why you people can't see these basic things. Sure, maybe if they added him to the cast Team Rocket-style, he'd get speaking lines, and personality, and a real story. But as it stands, he's fine as-is. He didn't NEED to be more... if he'd been further built up, the amount of people saying he's nothing right now would be saying they wasted too much time on a throwaway villain.
Basic truths to realize, people.
I liked it
. I was kinda expecting Shining Armor to have been replaced or at least possesed by Sombra, but I am so glad he wasn't. He was starting to live up to his protectful nature now that he wasn't under mind control.
(and the visual affects that went with it) and hoow Twilight learned how to use it as well by just looking at it. When I heard vampire magic, though, all I could think of was what Simon Belmont would do 
. 
. I'm just hooked up by how predetermined this is. What was she supposed to be ruling before? How is it that her mark is shaped like the Crystal? Was she a baby that was destined to ruled the knigdom before Sombra came to power and the Princesses have raised her all these years since her kingdom was gone (if Cadance is immortal too, then that would make the closest amount of sense). Any theories?
I was really fascinated by the fact that Celestia could use dark magic
There one thing that doesn't make sense, though. Cadance is supposed to be the Crystal Princess. I mean it makes sense by the fact that her powers revolve around love and hope, which is what the Crystal Ponies embody, but what are the odds that her Cutiemark is shaped like the Crystal Heart that was an ancient relic to a culture that vanished from history 1000 years ago
492624 Well, sometimes it's just good to have a straight-up bad guy. I was starting to get tired of the "over-confident, manipulative" type of character. Not every premier or finale needs to be a tear-jerker.
492704 I felt that that was characterization, actually. In Sombre's current state he's very animalistic, with only basic drives guiding him. Perhaps all that's really left of him is his dark power.
Spilight had so many moments that it was not even funny....and made me cry in joy! Also, I love Rarishy, and Flutterdash and Pinkiejack and......all other pairings of the Mane Six save Twilight/Rainbow Dash and Rarity, other then that I'm always down for whatever......plus Rarity was a bitch in this new season....then again she's always been a bitch in my eyes...hate her! And Spike is BEAST, bottom line...he's going to be mackin all the mares
Very disappointing and half-flanked on their part. But I still liked it because of fanfiction material and ponies.
492822
Yeah, I've gotta agree with you. I've already heard a bunch of people talk about how he wasn't fleshed out at all, but I think it's just the expectation that he was supposed to be like the other seasons' villains, with their quirks and personalities. Sombra wasn't like the others, he wasn't even so much of a character as he was a force. The conflict may as well have been classified as man (pony) vs nature, rather than man vs man because of the very nature of Sombra's involvement; he was a large, overbearing entity that the characters couldn't control through their own power, not a foil to be dealt, reckoned, or mingled with.
Besides, would you really take him that much more seriously if he was shrieking insults from the other side of Cadance's barrier?
Also, bonus points for the discourses on Aku. As much as I love Samurai Jack, Aku did not have much in way of development.
492843 Well, quite frankly, I just would have liked SOME kind of personality. I really don't care if it's a "tear-jerker," you know? I mean, besides "corrupted" and "creepy," can we really find any words to describe him?
Like I said in another blog, though: as a villain on his own, he's alright. He's okay. But compared to Discord, NMM, and Chrysalis, he's going to be shitted on, because he has no personality compared to these. That's the problem with him. He could have had some kind of personality, let it be arrogant or such, but they did not seem to bother. I guess it's fine, but really, we're the kind of fans who go nuts for villains with complex characterization, and this is what we are given. We cannot help but be disappointed.
492863
Yo, calm down with the Rarihate. It's only been the season premier, so far.
Besides, it's much more enjoyable when you love all of them~
Twilight's special talent of absorbing magic she observes is really scary. She saw Celestia demonstrate that dark magic ONCE. Exactly once. Thereafter she used it flawlessly(?). A talent like that must take effort to just keep in check. If Twilight sees a dangerous spell in use and doesn't seriously study up on it, it may not occur to her to fear the dangers when the opportunity to use the spell itself arises.
492891
Thank you, finally someone who can be bothered to look past the end of their own nose. Getting lonely on my soap box here these days.
492913 I can understand that. I'd like abit more personality too, but not what we've seen before, you know? Maybe give him some sort of backstory as to why he's evil: maybe the vampire magic corrupted and poisoned him, or maybe he was on the wire between good and evil before then something happened that made him want to conquer everything. Just as long as we see no more broken Twilight
I'm getting tired of crying everytime I see that (and I know there was the door illusion thing, but that was so obviously a ploy, and it wasn't as emotionally scarring for her as with Discord and the wedding rehersal scene. It was immediantly cleared up here).
I loved seeing shining armor throw his wife at the problem
Hated the songs (then again, the only song I really like from the show is the flim&flam one)
Pinkie in fluttershy suit was great (
's reaction really made the gag though)
Solid 7/10
Floam X Gak is my OTP
By Twilestia is best ship, I think you mean Twiluna is best ship.
I liked it better than the season 2 finale, but Discord is clearly a superior villain. Sombra really could have done with, you know, a personality.
492721
That was the best part. It even looked like he was just lifting her up to take off gracefully, but NOPE.
And yeah, the Rarijack shipping was pretty obvious. I liked AJ's more laid back attitude, esp. the hoofbump after RD's trolling Twilight. I liked how the Mane 6 calmly accepted Twilight's freak out and just let it go. Also, Spike gets to go on an epic adventure with the Mane 6? Finally!
What I didn't like was the voice acting while ponies where in a hurry. Twilight is GALLOPING up and down stairs and she calmly discusses the plan. No yelling or loss of breath or anything in her voice to indicate that she was physically active.
Overall emotional impact was mute, but that's more due to my current crippling depression (and consequent inability to enjoy the ponies like I once did) than the episode. On the other hand, it's very timely as I am about to take a test to see if I can advance to the next level (of graduate school), so that was cool.
Also, Sombra was totally a Mary Sue alicorn OC... he just didn't have wings
492822
Nightmare Moon, Discord, and Chrysalis could also be considered throwaway villains, seeing as how they only appeared once (not sure what to make of the rumors of Discord getting another appearance, but let's say they're just rumors). However, what defines them as good characters are the fact that they have 'purpose'. Their actions are backed by their own reasons, which were explained in some form or another. Even looking at Gilda or Trixie, the same applies.
Considering that this episode/s revolve around the fact that they're trying to prevent him from taking over the empire again, there's a huge blank as to why he took over in the first place. A character is not just about their actions, but also about their purpose. It would be the same as turning King Sombra into a bunch of dark clouds with evil eyes (like he was initially), call it 'The Shade'; it won't change how the audience views him.
But just give him a reason, such as wanting to cover the world with his dark crystals, would make us appreciate why the characters are fighting him instead of any random mook.
In fact, I am of the opinion that the unnamed librarian has more character than King Sombra. She couldn't help Twilight because she couldn't remember where the books were. Any pony could do that. But she goes on to wonder if she even is a librarian, because she couldn't remember such a detail. That gives her character, instead of being some run-of-the-mill pony.
Then again, that's just my opinion of what primary driving forces behind a plot should be like.
492914 No promises and I never liked Rarity to begin with, but that's my option.
493021
And again, as stated. It doesn't matter and it's not necessary. You don't need a complicated reason. He's evil, he wants power. Crystal Empire had powerful magic, and apparently no inherent guardian residing within to defend it, just the ponies' innate combined magics throwing the focusing crystal. He's already called them his slaves... he -requires- more justification than the lust for more power? Resources? Slaves?
Evil doesn't need a rhyme or reason. Just greed will do, and really separates "evil" from where people start trying to list a villain as being "misunderstood".
I mean we have Sombra, who had a mad lust for power. We had Nightmare Moon, who was a MALEVOLENT GENOCIDAL SPIRIT that possessed a veritable -god-... we had Discord, a fragment of eternal chaos and horrendous tyrant if context clues are to be believed and the nature of Chaos actually explored. Chrysalis' intentions were effectively the same as Sombra's from what we're shown... she had a desire to rule and reap the benefits that come with domination. Food, resources, material wealth, greater power.
When you get down to it, all villains are the same. Giving them expansive backstories and trains of thought and whatnot just serves to confuse the issue that Villain = Bad and must get their shit kicked in by Good or else everyone's gonna die/be enslaved/whatever. We don't need to feel for Sombra any more than Nightmare or Discord or Chrysalis, yet we have fools who argue saying NMM and Discord and Chrysalis just needed to be understood. Yeah, good job deluding yourselves and the issue, guys.
Regardless, as I also stated, NMM and Discord also had connections to more permanent characters, so of course they'd get more. Sombra is just an evil entity of awe-inspiring power who wanted to retake control of the innocent ponies and all their vast power for himself. If you need more than that, go find or write a fanfiction. Everyone complaining that he didn't get some special scenes all to himself with pointless exposition about his pointless reasons and history are forgetting just what a villain is supposed to be.
Conflict with a face.
A conflict that must be solved.
I'd say he got solved pretty damn hard! Case closed, everything happened as it should have.
493057
"Evil doesn't need a rhyme or reason.'
'Just greed will do'
'I mean we have Sombra, who had a mad lust for power.'
Greed is a reason, lust for power is a reason. That's what purpose is. In this case, you gave him a reason. The show didn't. That's the difference. It doesn't have to be complicated, but even Celestia making an off-hand remark about him taking over the empire because he wanted the power would be better than just saying 'Oh, he took over the empire before. Now go defeat him'.
493073
As I said, he doesn't need a reason. He wasn't given one. We have context clues for any who want to sit down and not demand everything be handed to them in an easy to swallow pill format. We don't need the step by step or the one-two-threes of why a villain does what they do, we're outside observers and the stars of the show are the side of the issue we're generally following. Which, typically speaking, are the good guys. And how often do they sit down to have tea with the evil mastermind or super-brute with indomitable powers to ask them about it?
Not bloody often. The fact there's so many of you complaining shows me that there's a vast number of people being spoiled here. Conflict rises, conflict is defeated. End-all of all plots, period. Sure, more conflicts will arise, some may not have a satisfying end, some may seem open-ended, but point is that it's the same basic formula for any plot.
Just because this one didn't have garnish and all the bells and whistles, because we didn't see anything from Sombra's side of the fence, now you all complain? What's the point? He fulfilled his role perfectly. Present an overbearing threat to the lives/livelihoods of the Good characters, and an obstacle to be overcome.
We HAVE villains who have some emotive touch, and schemes, or quirks. We have ONE who's just a greedy, powerful bastard and suddenly all I'm hearing all the way from here to youtube to tumblr and beyond is "Ahmigad dis ep sux villain so lame". Like children complaining they didn't get a present shinier than the last three, but instead something practical that still does what they need it to do.
It's annoying the ever-living hell out of me.
As for you Valk, at least you aren't just dissing because he wasn't sitting in a mass of expositional onslaught and spent half the episode talking about his plans and where he came from. You make more sense than the others I've heard from so far, but the subject itself has already gotten old to be complaining about with any sense of seriousness and vehemence.
OMOMGOMGOMGOMG! YOU NOTICED THE AJ BIT AT THE END! >XD
Yes, RariJack is CANON OTP!
Ok, got that out of my system. SO! yeah ~ that premier. Finally got to see it on the HUB on cable. figures the HD channels would derp ON PREMIER DAY! *ahem* But, yeah. The tension and the whole Spike being treated like a tool for most the series and ending up with some touching moments with Twilight was a great way to end the two parter. Queue in token pretty pink princess kite and her rusty armore and you pretty much knew they were going to be the true 'heroes' in the end.
The whole "IT'S THE CRYSTAL PRINCESS!", while come on people... who *didn't* see that coming? I sure as hay called that ending... but I digress, her back story is what has me. Princess Luna and Celestia may have failed from being able to save the kingdom from the curse once, but they were able to salvage at least one of the cystal ponies. Likely Cadance was left to Celestia's charge by Cadance's parents, but in my head-canon I say it was just Cadance from day one, and she's a wee~ bit older (a ton more) then Twi's bro.
General Hurricane and Private Pansy return? FlutterDash is adorable as always <333 those two CANNOT do anything without the other for too long ;3 (Dash is sooo overbearing! So in your face, geez! I hope she never really changes
)
493093
Well, we each have our own preferences on how we enjoy our stories, so I'll not go further into that topic. Good to know that i make more sense than other people. I try to make it a point that whatever i'm talking about doesn't end up being a dino riding a shark equipped with laser beams, or whatever that meme is.
On an unrelated note, I wonder if, in a different timeline/universe, Twilight's query of 'some sort of epic pony war' were closer to home then she expects...
edit: spelt 'note' as 'not'. Trying to multitask sucks.
493140
Given the sheer number of clues and little injection of deductive realism, I don't think it's in a different timeline/universe at all. The Hearth's Warming play is a giant metaphor for a very grim and likely bloody period of history. Likewise, Discord's reign could not have been cotton candy and chocolate milk.
Also the fact that war is even a subject, and that they have a militarized force tells you that Equestria is no stranger to war in its history.
492755
I was expecting some sort of dark magic possession side effects, like the shining armor bit.
493194
Hehe, I meant that what if Future Twilight really was involved in a war, which had been the result of Twilight being unable to get the Crystal Heart to Cadence on time.
493341
Aha, well. See, that falls under the list of things that's "Future Twilight's problem".
But seriously, that would be interesting. All the same, the "it" the royal guard mentioned returning has been theorized to not be the Crystal Empire. Frankly, it seemed a bit too personified for that. Hey, maybe we'll get an epic pony war eventually.
This may not be the best place to get an answer, but what is a "Gak"? I keep seeing it EVERYWHERE.
Anyway, yeah, it was pretty good. I'm just glad we actually got a new episode!
Aint there a trailer that kills any RD pariing other than RD/Wonderbolt?
Here's my official nonobjective pre-re-view review!
So much stuff!
On a large running-a-country scale, the plot has a few issues (neighboring country has large scale problems: send Personal Student and friends to deal with it. Tell PS with known panic issues that it is a test and she has to deal with it PERSONALLY. Do not include Elements.)
The villain was sadly, well.. less than I was expecting. He just didn't DO much except apply a passive threat. Seeing as this was a Test of some sort for Twilight, and even in-universe nobody had ever heard of the Kingdom, part of me suspects the whole thing was a set-up.
Then again, that's probably just me majorly over-thinking stuff as usual. I do that.
That stuff said: Loved every minute, main cast seemed in-character the whole way, special effects were awesome, and villain seemed believable, if a little.... absent.
Twilight in my book is now completely overpowered compared to the rest of the cast:
Self-levitation removes any advantages pegasi had over her, and gravity control, if applied in creative fashion, can be abused in many interesting ways.
Trixie showed us weather manipulation, so I assume Twi has it too.
No earth-pony muscles yet, but well.. superpowered levitation.
Pinkie pranks stood out for me: lots of amusing visual gags. Fluttersuit especially. Then again, I have a Pinkie bias.
Also loved the Rarity "two straws and a piece of string moment"
Actual character development will have to wait a bit till I watch it a second time: That stuff needs time to sink in for me.
Foreshadowing galore!
I wonder what our Dear Panicky Librarian is being prepared for....
Also looking forward to a Pinkie Horde now. So much Hijink Potential
EDIT after reading the discussion above:
I do not believe Sombra was necessarily a bad villain:
He was a mostly passive threat, and from what I saw in the episode his motivation for wanting the Kingdom can be gotten from implication.
(Crystal Kingdom appears to have a lot of influence on the emotional states of nearby countries, thereby offering a huge temptation for any would-be conqueror. Especially as Sombra's name and that trapped door imply he's skilled with emotion-influencing magic)
That said, he was a very different villain than the ones in the previous seasons: NMM, Discord and Chrysalis all had a lot of screen time in which to show off their character quirks. Umbra was kept out by Cadance till the end, and did not have any speaking role beyond a few words in the climax. This does not make him a bad villain, as he still created a sense of conflict and tension: it just makes him a villain with less canon personality.
I WANT A FLUGELHORN!
492822
We might have well have just used the cold weather to create the conflict here.