My thoughts on the Finale Episodes. · 4:05pm Oct 12th, 2019
(reposted from the discussion page on The Writer's Group)
I know I already made a summary (if you could call it that; I don't think JonTron memes count as thoughts) of my thoughts on "The Ending of the End", but I figured I might as well go a bit more in depth so as to get my personal thoughts out there.
I thought "The Ending of the End" was great overall. I know some people have been saying they were disappointed, but to be honest, I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. I, like probably everyone else, was completely taken aback by the reveal that Discord was Grogar all along. I know there's a million and one ways to unpack why that's a terrible idea, both in-character and from a writing stand-point, but strangely, I don't feel upset by it at all. Perhaps it has to do, in part, with the simple fact that I never cared for Grogar in the first place. And I think it's fitting that the cast's final battle is against their most dangerous opponents rather than some new ancient evil.
The action was terrific, I thought. The Starlight vs. Chrysalis battle was pretty much exactly the kind of magic-user battle that I've been wanting to see, with the teleporting and the using the environment to their advantage and what-not. And seeing almost every major supporting character and species charging into battle at the end was a sight to behold. I can't possibly be the only one to notice the cameos from Little Strongheart and her father.
I'm also glad to see that Celestia and Luna not only helped a lot more this time around, but actually lived through the finale. It may sound weird, but part of me was legitimately concerned that they would die. Long story, I won't bore you with it. I'm just happy that Best Moon Horse is alive and well.
Also, Alicorn Cozy Glow. Just...just Alicorn Cozy Glow. And Chaos Magic Pinkie. And Tempest Shadow! Oh, and Changelings spit that gooey stuff from their mouths. Headcanon confirmed.
Overall, "The Ending of the End" left me exhilarated, happy, and the exact opposite of disappointed. It had problems, to be sure, but in the end, I find it impossible to be mad or upset over it.
As for "The Last Problem"...to be honest, I didn't really have high hopes for this episode. Not that I thought it was bad, I just wasn't as hyped for it as I was for the previous two. It kind of felt like a calm after a storm, if that makes any sense. But that song at the end...I'm still trying to process the feelings I felt during it. The show ending with closing the very same book that introduced us to the wonderful world of Equestria is exactly how I wanted the show to end. By the way, am I the only one to catch on that Pinkie Pie apparently married Cheese Sandwich? Or that Gallus is a member of Twilight's Royal Guard?
In summary...I'm happy. I know other people might not be, and some may be quite vocal about it, but I for one am happy.
What were your thoughts on what was done with Lyra and Bon Bon? And the scenes with Rainbow and AJ, and Fluttershy and Discord?
What do you think the latter two could mean exactly?
What really makes the last shot for me is the fact that the book from Episode 1 was about the history of Equestria.
The Mane Six and Spike have certainly made their mark.
I'm going to be honest:
I saw it coming that Grogar was Discord in disguise. It's not a secret that Discord's personality borrows certain traits from ST:TNG's Omipresent Mentor/Troll, Q. It's the sort of thing I expected to be pulled for the end of the series.
5135972
Indeed they have. Not just in their fictional world, but in ours as well.
5135961
Honestly, Lyra + Bon Bon has been tossed around so much in the fandom that I honestly was just kind of "meh" on it.
Don't really mind Discord + Fluttershy. I don't know, it just never rubbed me the wrong way or anything.
I am kind of hoping that there wasn't supposed to be any AppleDash subtext in "The Last Problem". And you were right, that conversation could have been interpreted in any number of ways. But I kind of have a sneaking suspicion that something will be confirmed. I just can't get it out of my head.
5136545
As I've said numerous times, Rainbow and Applejack had never shown any romantic interaction to begin with, so I really don't see them being a couple. The same with Fluttershy and Discord. Though I definitely want to see what the show staff says about it.
5136047
Not gonna lie, I kept expecting the real Grogar to show up at some point up until Discord did his big reveal.
Oh, well. At least it's better than that one twist I had a nightmare about, where Celestia turned out to be some sort of sun-eating cosmic monstrosity that was only teaching Twilight the ways of friendship so she could feed on Equestria's love and gain power all this time.
I'm not even kidding, that was an actual nightmare I had. And no Luna to get rid of it, either. :(
5136694
Honestly, I'm about 85% certain at this point that the producers will confirm it. I just can't shake that feeling away. I hope they don't, but it's honestly taking more effort on my part to believe they're not a couple than it is to simply apply Occam's Razor (that is, the simplest solution or answer is likely the correct one, or something like that).
5136868
Tell me about it.
That’s the trouble with the world these days. The more they incorporate homosexuality into television and films, the harder it becomes to tell whether or not two people of the same gender in one place are either a couple or just friends. That, and it would just encourage people to do some rather inappropriate things to another.
5136701
Why do I have the suspicion that you've had other pony-related nightmares?
5136701
Ouch
And I thought that 'Molestia' was bad. That's pretty dark.
5137107
Believe it or not, I actually rarely get them. The only other one I distinctly remember having was about me and Luna in an empty cityscape at night. I don't remember what we were doing together, or why we were there. I just remember that it was a really good dream.
5137138
Yeah, that wasn't a fun dream.
5136991
Jim Miller had this to say:
So they're leaving it ambiguous.
5138032
Excellent! That leaves us all tons of opportunity to come up with certain ideas.
5138032
Where do you find it, by any chance?
5138117
derpicdn.net/img/view/2019/10/13/2167659.png
5138128
Thanks. I think BradyBunch will be happy to know about this.
5136047
Looking back, I suppose him showing up only after it was revealed that Twilight would be taking over and his "she really is ready" line in "The Summer Sun Set-Back" should have been some early warning signs.