Thoughts on "Growing Up is Hard to Do" and "The Big Mac Question" · 3:51am Oct 7th, 2019
And I did it again! Well, at least after the finale I won't have to do these episode thoughts anymore; some of these things are hard for me to write thoughts on because barely anything pushes any kind of happy or angry buttons.
Growing Up is Hard to Do
It's weird, really, even though all three CMCs were affected by that wish, Sweetie Belle was the only one I really thought looked like she did grow up. I have to say, she turned out quite lovely, much like her sister, and I'm willing to bet that she'd turn a lot of heads once she really for real grows up.
Despite the CMC being a little dumber than usual, this episode was fun, though a little light on substance so I have nothing to say.
The Big Mac Question
Welcome to another episode of "Does Sugar Belle get a personality now?"! So, we ask the usual question of... does she have a personality now?
Well... uh... there's taking some initiative with her side of the story, that's an improvement... and she has those words of wisdom at the end... and... uh... huh, I'm having a little trouble thinking of anything else. She still remains as generically sweet as ever, baking is still the only hobby she seems to have, and her life outside of baking still revolves around Big Mac. Riveting. 
Good to know the animators remembered that these guys still exist, but it's not really meaningful when throughout the SugarMac relationship we never see Sugar Belle interact with them. What, were the writers afraid that if Sugar Belle had actual friends made independently from Big Mac that fans might find better chemistry between her and any of those three and disregard the ship they were going for? I'm just saying, her friendship with those three would have at least highlighted personality traits outside of baking and generic nice girlfriend.
For that matter, working with Mrs. Cake, she should have had scenes with Mr. Cake, the twins, and Pinkie Pie. Why are they ignoring these possible interactions, even in the background implying a friendship with them, for cliche romance schlock that doesn't let her be more than a cardboard cutout on wheels for Big Mac to stroll with?
Where's her family at the wedding?! Then again, it doesn't trample on my headcanon of jerk dad and dead mom for her...
I swear, she's the poster pony for wasted potential.
Buuuuuut, everyone else was hilarious--especially Discord and his apple shenanigans. I laughed out loud during the scenes with the apple gremlins and the big apple monster (especially those singing apples at the end), and while it took me a bit to get the Star Trek reference (it bears repeating that I have little interest in Star Trek), I still found it a little giggle-worthy given Grand Pear's voice actor. And Spike, still as awesomely supportive as always, though he burnt desserts in a funny roundabout way I didn't expect and I giggled. I thought it was weird that Mrs. Cake was baking all those treats by herself, and I wondered where the heck every other resident of Sugarcube Corner went. Regardless, the side characters' shenanigans at least kept me entertained through the episode.
And lastly... to end this on a high note, I'm going to propose a stupid crack crossover ship:
Discord's Apple Monster
And Posey the Vampire Potato from Darkwing Duck:
I'm probably gonna die from a plant duck shooting me with a bazooka, but who cares?
I figured Mr. Cake was taking the twins to visit their grandparents. Pinkie was needed elsewhere; she may even have been helping Cheese find his smile again.
And yes, the applebomination was the high point of the episode. I'm still a little disappointed Discord didn't sic Flutterbat on it.
I mean, both these episodes were pretty good.