Updating Friendship - Part 7 · 7:38pm Sep 26th, 2020
Back on track with posting on Saturday! This one is going to be a bit longer because I'm including the big Movie in this set.
Onto Season 7: Friendship Legends!
Ep. 1 “Celestial Advice, Part 1” – Same as canon, but stretch out to a two-parter to fit with the rest of the series’ premieres and finales. At a formal ceremony for the rescue team saving the Elements of Harmony and the royals from Chrysalis, Twilight realizes after a conversation with Discord that she hasn’t figured out the next step in Starlight’s friendship lessons, and seeks Celestia’s advice on the matter.
Ep. 2 “Celestial Advice, Part 2” – Continuing from the first part, Celestia walks through various scenarios with Twilight about Starlight’s next step, recounting Twilight’s own journey as Celestia’s student. In the end, Twilight decides that Starlight is ready to graduate. Returning to the party, she publicly declares Starlight’s studies to be finished and the next part is up to her. Starlight decides to stay at the castle, believing she still has plenty to learn. This second part also eliminates Secrets and Pies from the roster.
Ep. 3 “All Bottled Up” – Same as canon, but edit Starlight and Trixie’s friendship so it appears less problematic. Show Trixie actually takes Starlight’s concerns seriously.
Ep. 4 “A Flurry of Emotions” – Same as canon to show Twilight’s role as an aunt to Flurry Heart.
Ep. 5 “Rock Solid Friendship” – Same as canon to set up Maud as a Ponyville resident.
Ep. 6 “Fluttershy Leans In” – Same as canon to progress Fluttershy’s career as an animal caretaker.
Ep. 7 “Forever Filly” – Same as canon to expand on Rarity and Sweetie Belle’s sisterhood and explore Sweetie Belle’s newer interests.
Ep. 8 “Parental Glideance”- Same basic concept, but edit so that Rainbow’s parents are the ones apologizing for being obnoxious instead of Rainbow when she was completely right.
Ep. 9 “Hard to Say Anything” – Same as canon, except now it’s clear that the Big Macintosh and Cheerilee ship is over so nobody is confused about Big Macintosh pursuing Sugar Belle as a romantic interest.
Ep. 10 “Honest Opinions” – Same as canon, but replace Applejack as a judge with Sassy Saddles or Coco Pommel as a judge since they are fashion designers in training. Perhaps Suri returns as an antagonist.
Ep. 11 “A Royal Problem” – Same as canon, but perhaps explain Starlight’s calling by the map as the map growing stronger with every friendship problem solved. This episode also warns Celestia and Luna that they are falling into old habits that led to Nightmare Moon’s rise, making them realize they need to communicate better. This episode continues the Map Mission saga.
Ep. 12 “Not Asking for Trouble” – Same as canon to explore yak culture. Possible cameo from Yona if she doesn’t appear in Party Pooped.
Ep. 13 “Discordant Harmony” – Same as canon to progress Discord’s character arc and reveal he needs to create chaos to exist.
Ep. 14 “The Perfect Pear” – Same as canon to explore Apple siblings’ parentage.
Ep. 15 “Fame and Misfortune” – Same basic concept, but less specific jabs at the fans and make the moral end on a happier note.
Ep. 16 “Triple Threat” – Same basic concept, but edit so there’s less secondhand embarrassment for Spike. Make the lingering thread of rogue changelings actually go somewhere later.
Ep. 17 “Campfire Tales” – Same as canon to set up the season finale with the Pillars.
Ep. 18 “To Change a Changeling” – Same as canon to establish Pharynx as the Princess Luna to Thorax’s Princess Celestia.
Ep. 19 “Daring Done?” – Same as canon, except don’t make Rainbow a damsel in distress. This episode helps set up the season finale.
Ep. 20 “It Isn’t the Mane Thing About You” – Same as canon for filler.
Ep. 21 “A Health of Information” – Same as canon to set up the season finale.
Ep. 22 “Marks and Recreation” – Same as canon, but give the Crusaders an adult to watch over their camp with them. They may be old enough to run the camp, but they still need supervision for this kind of thing.
Ep. 23 “Once Upon a Zeppelin” – Same as canon, but Spike is on vacation with the family since he’s their brother.
"Secrets and Pies" - Delete because everyone hates this one.
Ep. 24 “Uncommon Bond” – Same as canon to explore Starlight’s friendship with Sunburst and set up the season finale.
Ep. 25 “Shadow Play, Part 1” – Same as canon. Sunburst’s bargain barrel is revealed to hold a journal written by Star Swirl himself. Once his terrible horn-writing is deciphered, it reveals what truly happened to the Pillars. Using clues found in his writing, the mane cast discover that relics from the stories told throughout the season and locate them to bring the Pillars back. The episode ends with the Pillars being released along with the Pony of Shadows.
Ep. 26 “Shadow Play, Part 2” – Same as canon, but put more focus on Star Swirl’s toxic ‘once a villain, always a villain’ mentality. With the help of her friends, Twilight finally realizes her idol isn’t as great as she was led to believe, and rightfully chews him out for his assumptions. During the final confrontation with the Pony of Shadows, the mane cast discover Stygian, an ally of the Pillars, was only trying to be as strong as his friends so he could help in their adventures. The Pillars see the error in their judgment, and help free Stygian. Stygian and the Pillars are welcomed into the modern Equestria, and settle where they fit best.
Movie 5 “My Little Pony: The Movie” – Same as canon with some edits for extra awesome. Months after Shadow Play, the mane cast arrange a Festival of Friendship in Canterlot, trying to build bridges between them, the Crystal Empire’s crystal ponies, the Changeling Hive, Yakyakistan, Griffonstone, and the Dragon Lands. The army of the Storm King invades, targeting the princesses for their alicorn magic. With the festival in chaos, the mane cast is able to escape. Advised by Celestia in the midst of battle to seek out the hippogriffs for aid, Twilight and friends set out, regretfully leaving Applejack, Fluttershy, and Starlight behind to free their relatives and other friends. Applejack and Fluttershy did next to nothing in the movie and would be better used here forming a decent opposition against the Storm King’s army. Along the way to the hippogriffs, Rarity shows generosity to Capper, a con artist cat from Abyssinia, Rainbow inspires Captain Celaeno and her pirate crew to return to their roots, and Pinkie easily befriends Princess Skystar of the hippogriffs. Meanwhile in Canterlot, Applejack frees her family, Fluttershy has her animals assist in freeing others, and Starlight uses her magic to distract the army.
In Seaquestria, Spike is given a sea dragon form instead of a pufferfish to be less insulting to dragons. Twilight attempts to steal the Pearl of Transformation out of desperation and causes a rift with her friends. Twilight gets captured by Tempest, who reveals her backstory of a broken horn leaving her friendless. With help from Capper, Skystar, and Celaeno’s crew, the rest of the mane cast hurry back to Equestria to rescue Twilight. Tempest delivers Twilight to the Storm King, who takes Twilight’s magic with the other three princesses’ and reveals his true intentions. The mane cast reunites in Canterlot, and once Twilight’s capture is revealed to the resistance, they begin the second attack to reclaim their home and rescue the princesses. Twilight saves Tempest, earning her friendship and returns the princesses’ power to them while freeing them from stone. With the Storm King in pieces, the Festival of Friendship resumes and the victory against the Storm King is celebrated.
On the topic of changes, I'm not sure how I would stretch Celestial Problems out to a two-parter, but it definitely should've been. Among the season premieres and finales, that was one of the ones that stuck out because it was only a single part. The season had some strong episodes with A Royal Problem, The Perfect Pear, and all the episodes that related to the Pillars. Then there were the ones that flopped like Parental Glideance, which could've been solid if they had addressed the conflicts such as Rainbow's parents being obnoxious and acknowledging it instead of making Rainbow apologize, or Triple Threat made Spike look foolish when he should be treated better for managing to befriend two new kingdom leaders. For the movie, I felt it was lacking a subplot back in Canterlot, and given Applejack and Fluttershy had almost zero presence on the journey, they made sense to leave behind to prepare the rebellion for the third act. I also added the presence of the other kingdoms to give a reason for the Festival of Friendship to happen instead of being a glorified party as well as a reason for Celestia to tell Twilight to seek the hippogriffs' help specifically.
Tell me what you think of the changes I've made to the season and the movie below. While you do that, let me know if you would like me to outline a tenth season to round out the show. I've got an idea for the season premiere to center around Shining Armor and his role in the grand scheme of things, as well as an idea for the season's overall theme. Please let me know because this decision will help me decide how to approach the ninth season.
Until next week, where I discuss Season 8: Class Chaos!
I’m curious as to wondering when you will be able to make a fan made Equestria Girls movie that introduces another Sunset Shimmer and maybe even characters in Equestria that didn’t have Equestria Girls counterparts like Starlight Glimmer?
I was hoping that Pony of Shadows would gain a personality and represents the betrayal of Friendship because of the Pillars' egos for the accusations they made against Stygian
Can I suggest something that would make the Mane 6 side of the plot of the episode a little better? ^^
5364768
Since part 8 has the Best Gift Ever special and the Rainbow Roadtrip special, I'll probably include that in part 9. Any thoughts on the extra season? Yay or nay?
5364799
I dunno. I thought the Pony of Shadows was a nice metaphor for how deep Stygian had fallen, and his friends saw the error of their ways enough to pull him out. Any thoughts on the extra season? Yay or nay?
5364895
What do you have in mind?
5365023
I would like an extra season. Maybe use the whole “Luna takes over for Celestia” plot for the premiere episode.
5365023
I say yay for one reason. When the Main 6 are in Tartarus and Pinkie annoyed Tirek. He shouldn't have give in easily, he should insult Pinkie by saying that she's nothing more than a cheap pretender of Discord
5365023
It would be this:
As we all know, The Mane 6 sang the Song Best Friends Until the End of Time during their Friendship Retreat, of which they did it a little prematurely which caused them to not beat the Griffons record in the Manehattan Escapes activity.
However... what if that was changed? It would be like this: The Mane 6 are able to beat the Griffons record in Manehattan Escapes and thus.... they sing Best Friends Until the End of Time as victory.
How's that? I mean come on though: I have yet to see anyone do that and of course: To make sure it was done right ^^
5365055
Maybe.
5365183
You underestimate Pinkie's ability to annoy people.
5365384
Nah. Part of the joke is they wasted time singing the song when they could've locked in their time and beat the other group. If they did the song AFTER they won, then that'd just be gloating.
Did you guys like how I changed the Movie? I really thought it would've benefitted from an Applejack and Fluttershy subplot, and the other species being at the festival made it less of a glorified party and more of a valid reason for the heroes to seek out the hippogriffs.
5369900
It's called Victory, not gloating. Completely two different terms.
5369917
If they didn't sing a song right after beating a record, then yes that would be victory. But singing a song about how the Best of Friends they are, that could be seen as gloating.
5369919
Eh, I doubt it.
Btw....
Heh... wanna see a story from this website that has the episode end on a happy note instead of a bad note? :3
I feel like in the show, Celestial Advice added salt to the wounds of how Spike got robbed big time from that finale.
Like HE was the one who befriended Thorax(which ultimately led the changelings reformed) but the writers had Starlight take everything that should have been Spike's there in that changeling scenario.
The award ceremony just adds salt to the wound for him..
Kind of worse with how Luna got no credit/acknowledgement for her warning Starlight in her dream there.
For To Change a Changeling, would Spike be in there? Felt like with how its just Starlight and Trixie there helping out with Thorax's problem adds more salt to the wound that the writers had Starlight took everyone that should have been Spike's from the finale there.
Like Spike not getting to be involved more with Thorax and such.
For Triple Threat, I liked the changes you made there. That episode in the show sure added insult to Spike's injury there.
After he got robbed in TWABA, he didn't get to properly interact with Thorax or other changeling development. The only other "interaction" being this embarrassing episode. Doesn't help that it was the only time he got called for a friendship mission but it turns out to be something he caused.(Along with I am pretty sure its Twilight and Starlight's fault for giving him the advice of keeping Thorax and Ember separated but they didn't get any of the blame at all.) The writers sure screwed with Spike there.
As for Shadow Play, did Luna and Celestia get involved? What's ridiculous is how there was no excuse for sidelining the sisters there.
Like there was clearly enough time to ask them for help too. It was a huge miss oppertunity on how would Luna react to Starswirl's "once a villain, always a villain" attitude due to her dark past of Nightmare Moon there. Like imagine how would the interactions would have gone.
Another issues is how while Spike was with the gang the whole time, he suddenly doesn't get to go with them when they go to confront the POS there. Like.. the Cutie Map is not an excuse since the Pillars, Starlight and Sunburst got to go despite the map only called the Mane 6. And Sunburst got to go despite I am pretty sure he didn't really do anything at all when at POS's hideout.
The issue of Spike suddenly get left out for no reason happened again in Beginning Of The End where he's suddenly not with the girls when they put the Elements back in the tree and it bit Spike in the flank HARD with he ends up brainwashed like everyone else and shoved into the Mane 6's shadows there.
About the movie, is there anything for the Royal Sisters or its just the same in the actual movie where they end up taken out and look like failures big time? I remember many fans not liking how the movie handled Luna and Celestia there due to that.
It hurts that it looked like Luna could have escaped and have a actual role in the movie but instead the writers just toss out logic and had Tempest statue her while she was flying, really reckless since Luna could have shattered to bits falling from mid-air like that and they be one Alicorn short. The scene just screams the writers pulling all the stops to ensure all the alicorns not named "Twilight Sparkle" to get taken out.
Whats worse is how this failure got brushed aside really hard. Like I am pretty sure getting taken out infront of ALL of Equestria and it falling to a actual invading military country for 3 days would have some effect on the Royal Sisters. This kind of failure would most likely make Luna feel awful big time. But instead the writers had the sisters brush this aside, this is not something they should act like nothing happened. This is a huge failure on the Royal Sisters' image there and Luna really suffers worse due to her track record looks worse than Celestia's due to losing a 1000 years of ruling.
I did like the change you made on how Spike is a seadragon instead of a pufferfish there. The pufferfish bs is something I really didn't like in the movie aside from them shafting Luna hard there.
For All Bottled Up, did Spike get to go with the girls on their trip too?
How the writers just made him not want to go just makes no sense at all. We clearly see he wants to be included with the girls at times, such as how he added in a torn off pic of himself to one of the pics with the Mane 6, showing he feels like he wants to be included.
And the reason for him choose to not go is just iffy, he could always just read his comics during the trip or just wait till he gets back(since the freaking comics are not going anywhere).
Its like the writers knew many fans didn't like how Spike keeps getting left out but instead of fixing this, they just screw with them by flipping a switch and making Spike not wanting to go despite it makes no flipping sense there.
5380402
Given that I would extend Celestial Advice to a two-parter, but am not sure how much I could stretch it out. There would definitely be time to acknowledge Spike and Luna's contributions.
I'm not sure if Spike would still go on the retreat. Usually those escape room things have a group limit.
I see your point about the trip to the Changeling Hive with Starlight and Trixie. He could be there.
Yeah, if we were to cut down the search for the Pony of Shadows or one of the other longer sequences, there would be room for Celestia and Luna to be included. Star Swirl would face a lot of heat especially once Luna told him about Nightmare Moon and question how his mindset applied to her, his own student. Sunburst went because like Starlight he has magic he could add to the two Elements of Harmony groups' magic to pull Stygian free. Not sure if Spike could help there.
For the movie, perhaps Luna could be involved in Applejack and Fluttershy's side plot of forming a bigger resistance than the one the movie had. But at some later point, she would have to get captured so the Storm King gaining all that power could raise the stakes.
5380581
Pretty sure the room can allow for one more dragon though.
Sunburst got to go but he did nothing.
So Spike could be allowed too.
Heck, Spike shares much in common with Stygian
Did Luna get statued or she avoided that when captured?