My Review of MLP: FIM season 9 episode 13 Between Dark and Dawn · 11:10pm Aug 21st, 2020
Grading Scale:
A (fantastic episode)
A- (an excellent episode with at least one flaw)
B+ (a great episode with a couple of flaws)
B (a good episode which still could have been better)
B- (a good episode with numerous flaws but still rewatchable)
C+ (a decent episode)
C (eh... it’s not terrible but not good either)
C- (it’s not worth rewatching although it does have good elements)
D+ (a bad episode with a few good things in it)
D (a really bad episode with wasted potential)
D- (a terrible episode with badly written characters and butchered moral)
F (horrible and unwatchable)
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Hey there. Here is my review of MLP: FIM season 9 episode 13 Between Dark and Dawn. To be honest with you all, I actually don’t hate this episode; in fact, it’s very hard for me to hate it as it had several heartwarming moments with our main characters. However, this episode still has a very silly premise and nonsensical execution. After all, this is the second episode that actually follows up and addresses the main story arch of the season—the princesses retirement and Twilight’s preparation to be the new ruler of Equestria. Because of that, this episode is far from perfect, but it is still slightly better than the two previous atrocious episodes. So here it is:
The episode starts with the Mane Six and Spike running through the woods to discover a humongous tortoise eating the trees. It is revealed that the beast belongs to Fluttershy and was named “Mr. Tortoise Snaps”. Hmm... quite an original name, eh? The tortoise releases his slimy tongue to snatch another tree which accidentally snatched Spike along with it. The ponies put forth their effort to save Spike from Fluttershy’s gluttonous pet. Just as they are about to teleport the beast away, Celestia and Luna suddenly intervene out of nowhere and does the job for them. Once again, Rainbow Dash puts it upon herself to voice the complaints of the fandom that Celestia and Luna are now suddenly helping out... except when the ponies did not ask for their aid.
Wow... it’s almost like the writer of this episode was sick and tired of hearing the fans’ complaints against the Royal Sisters and decided to take out their “true lousy characters” brains and replace them with the “intruding personal space under the guise of helping out others obnoxiously” brains. Now Celestia and Luna wanted to help out? After nine years of this show, they NOW want to do something for their subjects? They are now being active OUT of their thrones?? It appears that their majesties are going through a midlife crisis!
After the intro, we see the princesses taking upon themselves extreme measures of being helpful over the simplest of things such as repairing the bridge, baking goods for Pinkie and the others, taking fillies to a nearby camp... which was right before them. Why are they suddenly helping out everyone when nobody even asked for their aid?! They were probably like, “Look, the fans are still going on about us doing absolutely nothing throughout the series! Here, let’s now do something trivially helpful with a patronizing attitude to shut them up! That will definitely work!” Sorry, writer, that’s not going to work like that!
So after all that, they decide to have a break from their duties and handle whatever the outside world has to offer to them. Even worse, Twilight and her friends cover them and try to accomplish their duties in their absence! Great... I don’t see this going wrong in any possible way!
Oh, and why would Celestia hand over the amulet to Twilight without even giving her clear instructions as to how to clearly raise the sun with it? Twilight was on the verge of having a panic attack at that moment but nope! She just sucks it up and tries to handle it without any further help or asking for guidance. Ughhhh...
Afterwards, the Royal Sisters have their catchy but average song together as they have their little vacation and go through all sorts of fun activities that either one is interested. It didn’t take long until they got annoyed with each other for having different likes and tastes in what they love to do—Luna going to the post office, Celestia going to dangerous adventures, and so forth. They get into a fierce argument that resulted in them hurting each other’s feelings and left each other alone. Wow... they normally have stoic and very little personalities, but ever since around season 7, they began to expand their characters and started to have more lively personalities. That’s one of the things I actually like in this series. Great job for character development!
Meanwhile, Twilight has trouble in managing the “Swanafying Ceremony” as Fancy Pants and company try to help them, but she arrogantly dismisses them. Then she said this line to justify her actions, “If we call for help, it will look like we aren’t capable of ruling Equestria like Celestia and Luna are!” WHAT?! You literally said in The Beginning of the End that you will call for help going forward once you realize you need help!! Now you’re thinking it will make you look incompetent by doing so??? OUR FUTURE RULER, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!!
Of course, eventually, Fancy Pants tells them that the princesses never handle things on their own. Surprised by this fact, Twilight then orders her friends to delegate the ceremony. Once they do that, everyone functions in the way it should be. Wow... that was quick...
As for the sisters, they soon start to miss each other’s company and soon began to reunite and apologize to each other. I really have to admit that it’s very sweet that they come together like this. It’s always important for siblings to unite together, have bonding times with each other, and just have fun, you know? That’s what I took from this episode despite the fact that it is filled with a nonsensical plot, a couple of continuity issues, and overall just a bad episode. I don’t hate it, but it’s really not good although it does contain sweet moments with Celestia and Luna. I’ll give it a D+.
Peace.
I didn't understand Celestia's fear of Chickens. You?
I really don’t mind this episode. Not my favorite out there, but it one of those episodes I really like to see since we never see Celestia and Luna have their sister bonding time
5340450
It felt out of nowhere.
5340456
I know. Celestia is, or was, the all-powerful sovereign of Equestria. But a brainless bird brings her to her knees.
Welp, we are at the mid point of the Season now. :)
Can't wait for the fur, aka havoc of ranting, to fly when you start reviewing the 2nd half. x3
5340923
Boy, you know it. Glad you’re enjoying it.
5340928
I know I am. X3
Of course keeping an eye out for more mentions of me like back at the start of the season :3
5340929
Only when necessary.
5340930
Got it. :)
Now as for one of the things in the episode: Princess Celestia being afraid of Chickens.
Even though it came out of nowhere for her..... I have been thinking of doing it as say... one of the traits for of My Female Bat Pony Self to annoy Princess Celestia with all the time. XD
Because new fun fact from her: She does respect Princess Luna more than Princess Celestia because of being in the former's Lunar Guard. X3
5340932
Okay... interesting...
5340938
Cause after all: Princess Luna is way better than Princess Celestia any day. X3
Looking back on this episode (even though it’s been a long time since I last saw it), I can’t help but question why this episode couldn’t air as the fourth episode of the season rather than the 13th. The biggest reason is because the story clearly took place not long after the events of “The Beginning of the End”.
It openly feels like Hasbro was extremely disorganized with when to air certain episodes and didn’t take the time to make sure the continuity structure wasn’t out of whack.
5509217
In that case, I can agree with you. It still wouldn’t make this episode any better though.
Would you care to explain what they are?
5520849
I already explained them: Twilight relying on her own judgment instead of calling for assistance like she promised she would from the first episode and Celestia and Luna acting like teenagers going through a sugar rush whereas they never acted like this before.
Not only do they derail the continuity of their dialogue and progression but also assassinate their character to some degree especially with the way Celestia talked to Luna during their argument scene.