Friendship is Forever Card Games: A-Dressing Memories · 11:17am May 24th, 2020
Hey, this isn’t the first time I’ve reworked the blog title. And if the studio’s going to milk this generation for all it’s worth, it’s only right that I return the favor. 
But yeah, this should be an interesting exercise in both analysis and seeing how well I can work with the provided source material. I’ve been doing FiCG since… November of 2013, good God. 
Ahem. Point is, there are plenty of Magic mechanics I can put to use that weren’t available back when most of this footage aired, and there are a few new bits to look at as well. This should be fun.
Oh, and while I can’t point you to the video myself due to site policy, I’m sure anyone who knows where to look can find pony in the series of tubes.
And we open during the coronation prep, between “Ending of the End” and the flashbacks of “The Last Problem.” After all, there was a lot of setup to make that disaster as epic as it was. (I wonder if anyone ever made a stained glass window of Twilight’s faceplant…)
Those are some absurdly sharp scissors to go through the that fabric like that. I can’t help but see an element of threat to it. “Starlight, darling, if you don’t leave, you’re next.” Rarity being on the fourteenth version of the coronation gown can’t be helping matters.
Ah, the origin of the Potteresque memory scrapbook. And apparently “ancient spells” were involved in its creation, which explains why we never saw moving pictures before. Given Starlight’s track record, I suppose we should be grateful that the thing never devoured entire minds. As far as we know.
If we go by Skywriter’s “Alicorns are physically proportional to their domain” theory, then Twilight may well be growing enough to necessitate all these fittings. Or, if not, she may start shooting up to Celestial proportions within weeks of her accession.
Certainly an interesting method to gather the memories. And it works well to generate a little drama. “Keep Twilight in the dark” might get old for a whole miniseries, but the different characters keeping her from paying attention to the mare behind the curtain should offer some variety.
“We get it, Starlight, you’re good at magic.”
This is actually a very interesting character note. How does Rarity feel about being an average unicorn surrounded by magically adept Skylight Lightverbs? And if she ever heard about how even her little sister managed to teleport…
“Well, I’m far from the most generous pony in Equestria.”
Rarity fishes as much as her father. She just aims for compliments.
It’s really interesting to see Early Installment Weirdness like Steven Magnet after so many years. Yes, he showed up in “Slice of Life” and we can hardly skip Rarity’s test of character on the quest for the Elements, but flamboyant river serpents are the sort of D&D weirdness that declined in later seasons. (Though they hardly vanished completely. The bufogren was one of the few redeeming features of “The End in Friend.”)
Perhaps even more weird is hearing Ashleigh Ball’s early Applejack voice. It did take her a few episodes to find her stride there.
Speaking of Rarity’s magic, we never see her perform hair grafts after this either. (Never mind the whole “mane magic is tricky” thing. And no, I’m not letting that go any more than I am Shining Armor popping into existence.)
Seeing an ad for the pony version of Cats takes on a new level of surreality after the movie version of the play. And, in-universe, after learning that Abyssinians are a thing. And that Autumn Blaze is apparently this world’s Andrew Lloyd Webber, at least in terms of Phantom. Always interesting to see the references collide.
Kind of awkward to see Spike hauling luggage on the edge of the frame without any mention made of it. Somehow worse than the show poking fun at him. At least that’s acknolwedgement…
Ha! They left in alicorn Neon Lights. I guess he’s canon now, right up there with the Prince of Air Traffic Control from “Grannies Gone Wild.”
Dash lampshading spontaneous musical numbers as the music starts will never not be funny.
Telephones are also definitely canon. I maintain that Manehattan has small in-office switchboards. At most, the network covers the city. That kind of telecommunications technology short-circuits way too many plots otherwise. (At least the telegrams from “Family Appreciation Day” have a bit of delay involved.)
Huh. Okay, I guess we do see Rarity perform grafts later on, given the magical wheel repair. 
I do appreciate the immediate cut from Rarity’s heights in “Rarity Takes Manehattan” to the time she turned her friends and hotel room into a sweatshop in the very same episode. Good to see them not gloss over her missteps.
“Congratu-pony-lations” is another timeless bit from this episode.
And cut to “The Cart Before the Ponies.” Yeah, definitely not Rarity’s finest moment.
I do appreciate Sweetie Belle correctly using “To whom?” She’s not just a dictionary, she’s also a grammar guide!
Best. Pony.
Never mind that she also competed on the Cloudsdale racing circuit around that age. Derp transcends continuity.
I do wonder how long it took for Rarity’s reputation to recover after she chased a bunch of Canterlotters out of the shop to go work on a go-cart.
I do have to love the marshmelodramatic harpsichord. You know you’ve made it when you have a signature instrument.
Ah yes, the Swanlestia cart. Glorious.
Discord’s temptation is hardly fair to include as one of Rarity’s low points. A lot of extenuating circumstances and failed Will saves there. Still, it does nicely exemplify the tension between helping others and self-fulfillment that has always been a defining part of her character.
Also, there is the question of whether Rarity could always dig through solid stone with her bare hooves or if Discord turned all of the Mane Six into earth ponies for his labyrinth.
Um, guys? Are you sure you want to save the girls’ struggle in the hedge maze? Maybe this is a “look back on it and laugh” situation.
To be fair to Starlight, it’s been several years since the last time she stalked Twilight. She’s out of practice.
“You’ve always been an inspiration to me.”
I don’t ship it, but I’ve read enough Raritwi to identify some of the cheers by voice.
We get context for the raccoons. Less so the spoon claws.
I do still love how ponies who had saved the world multiple times by that point, including an alicorn, still got described as a “ragtag group of ne’er-do-wells.” Oh, Manehattan.
Ah, yes. It’s one thing to pass by Sweetie Belle; we’re focusing on the relationship between Rarity and Twilight here. But between those two, it’s hard not to bring up Spike.
It is fascinating to compare fantasy Beefspike and his post-timeskip form. Less definition, but he didn’t skip leg day. And for all we know, he has armor, a cape, and a lance stashed away somewhere. Picturing him astride Purplestia-sized Twilight actually seems pretty fantastic.
The show did dreadfully little with the Diamond Dogs. Still, leaves plenty of untapped potential for us to work with.
Huh. Wasn’t expecting Best Gift Ever to be included. I guess this means the gift-giving reindeer are definitely canon as well. Neat!
In hindsight, it’s kind of a shame that Rarity snubbed Coco Pommel—you know, her Manehattanite friend and colleague with a hat for a cutie mark—for the sake of name recognition. Of course, this was after they couldn’t say Coco’s first name, so there’s that. For all we know, she changed her name to Fedora Felt for legal reasons.
“Over the years, my relationship with Spike has changed, but it will always be very special.”
There are a lot of ways to interpret that one. And both “Secret of My Excess” and “Dragon Dropped” feel conspicuous in their absence. Of course, one must remember that Rarity knows Spike is in the room. She has to tread carefully here.
“You’re more than just a knack for design, Rarity!”
Cut to her seducing three Royal Guards. 
Okay, I never expected them to include Rarity shredding on guitar, but I am tremendously glad that they did. (Now if only it made her tail disappear, her mane shorten, and her ears change shape and move to the sides of her head. )
And a reminder that yes, a rock really was Rarity’s destiny.
Rarity finished the gown weeks in advance, but that star spidersilk sash, not so much… though she does explicitly say inspiration struck at the last moment in “The Last Problem.” Yeah, that checks out.
“Add that to the list of things I’ll never forget about you, Rarity.”
Okay, wow. Wow. Did they have to phrase that in a way that basically says Twilight has made peace with her friends all dying eventually? (I’m still holding out hope for a few more ascensions. Call it hopeless optimism if you must.)
And iris out. I was worried I might not have enough material to work with, but the broad swaths of conceptual coverage mean I can get a full article out of each of these. And on that note, let’s see what fabulosity I can work from this:
Jellicle Contest W
Instant
Exile target creature with the greatest power among creatures on the battlefield. Its controller gains life equal to its power.
Abyssinian rituals can seem bizarre, even incomprehensible to outsiders.
Celestia’s Irregulars 2W
Creature — Pegasus Soldier
Flying
At the beginning of combat, any opponent may have you create a Food token. If a player does, Celestia’s Irregulars can’t attack or block this turn. (A Food token is an artifact with “2, T, Sacrifice this artifact: You gain 3 life.”)
3/3
Switchboard Operator 1UU
Creature — Pony Artificer
Flash
When Switchboard Operator enters the battlefield, you may change the targets of target spell.
“Transferring your call now, sir.”
2/1
Rise of the Carousel 2UU
Enchantment — Saga
(As this Saga enters and after your draw step, add a lore counter. Sacrifice after III.)
I — Search your library for an artifact card, reveal it, and put it into your hand. Then shuffle your library.
II — You may put an artifact card from your hand onto the battlefield.
III — Create two tokens that are copies of target artifact you control.
Mythos of Rarity 4U
Instant
You may cast target nonland card from your graveyard without paying its mana cost if it’s an instant or sorcery card or if WB was spent to cast this spell. Exile Mythos of Rarity.
“Time became just another fabric to her.”
—Tales of the Harmonolith
Floodthrash Serpent 4U
Creature — Serpent
Landfall — Floodthrash Serpent can’t attack unless a land entered the battlefield under your control this turn.
Like the river waters, he only leaves the banks when disaster strikes.
5/5
Avatar of Generosity 6UU
Creature — Avatar
This spell cost 6 less to cast if an opponent has eight or more cards in hand.
Flying
Forecast — 1U, Reveal Avatar of Generosity from your hand: Each player draws a card. (Activate this ability only during your upkeep and only once each turn.)
6/5
Nightmare Fog 1B
Sorcery
Escalate 2 (Pay this cost for each mode chosen beyond the first.)
Choose one or more —
• Target player discards a card.
• Target player sacrifices a creature.
• Target player sacrifices an enchantment.
Nostalgia Collector 2B
Creature — Unicorn Rogue
Whenever another creature dies, surveil 1. (Look at the top card of your library. You may put that card into your graveyard.)
“We can’t let all those precious memories go to waste, now can we?”
3/1
Hauler Dragon 2R
Creature — Dragon
Whenever you discard a card, exile that card from your graveyard.
When Hauler Dragon dies, return all cards exiled with it to their owner’s hand.
“‘I’ll pack light this time,’ she said…”
2/3
Road Terror 2R
Creature — Unicorn Pilot
Menace
Whenever Road Terror crews a Vehicle, that Vehicle gains menace until end of turn.
“Traffic lanes are a social construct. Speed limits doubly so.”
2/2
Tunnel Curs 2R
Creature — Hound Warrior
Whenever Tunnel Curs is dealt damage, it deals that much damage to you.
The only thing worse than facing down a pack of charging Diamond Dogs is getting them back to work afterwards.
5/2
Steelscale Lancer 3RR
Creature — Dragon Knight
First strike, trample
Some dragons earn their damsels.
4/4
Fervent Flames 2R
Sorcery — Adventure
Fervent Flames deals 2 damage to each non-Knight creature. (Then exile this card. You may cast the creature later from exile.)
Dedicated Rockbreaker 4R
Creature — Pony Warrior
When Dedicated Rockbreaker enters the battlefield, each player sacrifices an artifact or land.
“We call it ‘gravel fever.’ Some days you start smashing and just can’t stop.”
—Limestone Pie, rock farmer
3/2
Down in Flames 4R
Sorcery
Down in Flames deals 4 damage to target creature. When that creature dies this turn, Down in Flames deals 2 damage to each creature its controller controls.
Blazes of glory are a matter of perspective.
Phantom Raccoon 2G
Creature — Raccoon Spirit
Phantom Raccoon enters the battlefield with two +1/+1 counters on it.
Whenever an artifact enters the battlefield under an opponent’s control, put a +1/+1 counter on Phantom Raccoon.
If damage would be dealt to Phantom Raccoon while it has a +1/+1 counter on it, prevent that damage and remove a +1/+1 counter from it.
0/0
Tempt with Tom 4GG
Sorcery
Tempting offer — Create a green Elemental creature token with “This creature’s power and toughness are each equal to the number of lands you control.” Each opponent may create one of those tokens. For each opponent who does, create one of those tokens.
Memory Album 5
Artifact
T: Target instant or sorcery card in your graveyard gains flashback until end of turn. The flashback cost is equal to its mana cost.
Q, Put two cards Memory Album’s controller owns from exile into that player’s graveyard: Return target card from your graveyard to your hand. Only any opponent may activate this ability. (Q is the untap symbol.)
Vorpal Shears BR
Artifact — Equipment
Equipped creature has deathtouch.
Damage that would be dealt by equipped creature can’t be prevented.
Equip 1
They go through pinafores and plate mail with equal ease.
Urbane Prince 1GW
Creature — Noble
Alicorn (This card is also a Pony Pegasus Unicorn.)
Flying
Whenever a Gate enters the battlefield under your control, untap it.
In Manehattan, having a horn and wings just means you have options on your commute.
2/2
Sweatshop Manager 2BR
Creature — Unicorn Rogue
Sacrifice another creature: Add CC.
Manehattan’s Garment District is home to some of its most affluent citizens… and some of its most exploited.
2/2
Manehattan Crossroads
Land — Island Swamp Mountain
(T: Add U, B, or R.)
Manehattan Crossroads enters the battlefield tapped.
Cycling 3 (3, Discard this card: Draw a card.)
The heights and depths of equine nature cover every inch of Manehattan Island.
Here's a theory: Equestrian Cats is actually more like real-life The Mikado, a satire of close to home foibles projected onto a distant and, back then, mostly unknown land.
What are you referencing with the first part of this? Did they release some kind of voiced-over screenshot log?
It does so in real life as well, but that doesn't stop writers from continuing to use those plots anyway.
Inside Baseball Alert: We appear to be filling out certain cycles that the mainline will take some time to get to.
Inside Baseball Alert: As of third edition, the bag of holding does in fact have limits on how much it can carry. Rarity treating Spike like one is nonetheless not her finest most-of-the-series.
I don't know why they'd even need to ascend, it's Equestria. Who knows how many immortality cures there are lying around.
I really think it's worth noting that in addition to that S9 double teleportation feat, Sweetie Belle's magic seems to actually have a basis for being rather impressive, regarding the last few seasons, whether it's her being I think the youngest unicorn (not counting the alicorn that is Flurry Heart) to make a magical barrier in S7, weak as it may be, and that she's casted Accelero to go fast in Surf and/or Turf in S8, in an extremely easy to miss moment. Her horn pointedly lit up during that moment that looked like "Cartoon Physics," but it actually wasn't, that was her magic making her go fast in that moment, which I think is one of the reasons Terramar, Scootaloo, and Apple Bloom seemed confused arguably. (timestamped the video for that moment if you want to look carefully)
I'd imagine she'd be quite comfortably adept with magic as an adult, considering she arguably does have an interest in it for its own sake (Twilight did canonically mentor her, going off of Twilight Time).
She just might be a rather underrated mage in the making, considering she's still a child for all of the above mentioned stuff, except when artificially aged up. Probably does have notably more magical potential than her older sister, and I think she'd be more likely to see it as more of an interest, than just a tool, which Rarity likely does.
Who doesn't appreciate it when characters have a decent grasp on the
EnglishEquestrian language?I really would like to think that Cadance and Flurry Heart are ageless too, semi-related note.
derpicdn.net/img/view/2020/2/11/2270980__safe_artist-colon-bunniiibabe_princess+cadance_princess+flurry+heart_twilight+sparkle_alicorn_pony_spoiler-colon-s09e26_crown_female_gray+background_he.jpg
(really, we wouldn't complain about at least one of her friends ascending, would we)
5268259
Whoa, I never spotted that!
5268266
Quite honestly, I thought it was BS when people said it happened, relatively soon after it aired, because I think I looked for it, didn't see it... and in the last two-three weeks or so, I checked again because "oh why not, still wondering how a few people got that idea," and saw it actually happened, because it turned out I didn't actually look hard enough the first time.
It really is the epitome of a Freeze-Frame Bonus.
Nice.
One of the staff did tweet something to the effect of the rest of the Mane 6 possibly being immortal. I forgot the context but hey.
Granted they still visibly age.
5268248
It's a series of clip shows made back during Season 9's production but only released much more recently, as I understand it.
I haven't managed to track this episode down online yet, but I couldn't help read this blog post anyway. And now I definitely do want to track it down.
I love the story of Rise of the Carousel. Interesting choice to have the final chapter be the part that Rarity really doesn't like, the mass production. (Also, I didn't think Carousel Boutique sold Blightsteel Colossi, but maybe I missed that episode.)
And I'm over the moon to see Mythos of Rarity. Superb work finding a colour pie slot for two related effects in mono-U and WUB. I'm utterly eager to see you explore the other four.
Uhh. Tom is able to attack (and is a huge beatstick)? That caught me by surprise.
I do love that Urbane Prince is probably your first non-rare Alicorn. (I don't have my Cockatrice file to hand as I write this.) It's perfectly fitting that he has such a marginal ability.
5268245
I am entirely in favor of this, not least because I got my username by misremembering The Mikado. (Fan of Everything Else just doesn't have the same ring to it.)
5268248
As 5268686 said, it's a six-part clipshow bridged by some new bits, collectively known as "MLP: Friendship is Forever."
5268249
True. It really just takes the "This entire plot could be resolved by people actually talking to one another" problem and removes the excuse of distance.
Harsh but very true.
5268250
Fair point. And i have an interesting bit to add on that theme... in August. Though if you want to see it early, I'll slip it behind spoilers.
One very interesting line to look back on shows up in the final installment of Friendship is Forever. It's part of Twilight's pre-rainbow dissertation in "Friendship is Magic," "The spirits of the Elements are right here!" Suppose we take that in a less figurative sense and a more Discord-esque one...
5268259
Okay, Sweetie actually accelerating herself to near-Pinkie velocities is an amazing Easter egg. And it is entirely possible that she's a potent mage in the making. Somepony has to be the School of Friendship's professor of Magic post-timeskip, and Starlight may not try to pull double duty as both headmare and lecturer.
Mind you, if Rarity's jealous of Starlight's arcane capabilities...
And sure, Cadence and Flurry are likely immortal as well, but they're family. It's a different dynamic.
5268289
I am quite happy with that one.
5268470
This paints a fascinating mental image of five liches and an alicorn having a lovely gossip session a few centuries down the line.
5269036
Hey, expanding into two new locations means you're going to repeat a few things.
They're imported from Grand Couturier Rarity's Aesthetic Orthodoxy. The Infinite Carousel doesn't have a supply chain so much as a supply web. Especially the driders.
I'm quite happy with all six parts of the Bearer Mythos cycle. Some of them were definitely easier than others; I only finalized Twilight's this morning.
You don't have to say "Look out! Here comes Tom!" every time you attack with the token, but I do recommend it. (And hey, if chunks of statuary can attack, I see no reason why rocks can't get in on the fun.
)
As for Urbane Prince's rarity, Witless Royal is definitely sub-rare. But yeah, alicorns themselves are rare, so it's not like I have an opportunity to make many less than remarkable ones.
5268259
Had to watch the linked video at 0.25x speed at max resolution before I could notice it. Wow.