/pone/ - World of Equestria

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 >>/12206/
Twilight Sparkle's Cutie Mark Story
> Yesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes
Twilight Sparkle's story I probably could find a lot to comment on, and I did! I like the Summer Sun Celebration and... whatever that happens with Celestia. Looks like a flag or a code of arms. A cool one! It projects power. I don't know if it was intended to resemble a flag or if it was just something born out of the limitation of their medium/chosen art style(let's make Celestia be in a silhouette! Solid flat color with no shading or gradient that gives shape to her). Anyways, it gives an important moment, both in Twilight's love/reverence for Celestia and mgaic itself. Cool moment. Now onto the entrance exam! Spike's egg. This has been theorized to death but I'll leave my too bits here. Baring weird implications from dragon's being a sentient race, if a hatching a dragon egg is a requirement to enter the School for Gifted Unicorns, why aren't their more baby dragons like Spike running around?  (cool alt universe fanfic idea: ponies raise dragon's because they are too greedy and selfish to raise their own as adults. Conflict for Spike. Fits into ponies being stewards of world better. OH, WHY ISN'T THAT CANON!?) Does this go into the theory that Twilight brought Spike to life and the hatching test is supposed to fail or not go that exact way? Heh, maybe a point for Twilight being Spike's mother afterall, though still mostly hinging on a question that we don't have much information on right now and pure crazy speculation. 

You have a very special gift. I don't think I've ever come across a unicorn with your raw abilities.
Even in the limited context of the show we have at this point. This is a very big compliment from Celestia, a being who is at least 1000 years old and runs a school for gifted unicorns. I enjoy how Twilight awkwardly realizes she got more than a little carried away at her reminiscing, too.   


Pinkie Pie's story
> I'd never felt joy like that before! It felt so good I just wanted to keep smiling forever! And I wanted everyone I knew to smile too, but rainbows don't come along that often. I wondered, how else could I create some smiles?
Pinkie Pie, I liked seeing all the details of her life. More than the others: her parents AND siblings, their occupation and living conditions. I do like Pinkie Pie this odd happy pony and them accepting her. That reaction to her party though seems suggestive that smiles are seldom and almost hard to process. Rock farm. Never decided if  I wanted to to accept it as some sort of mining or rationalize it as earth pony magic working the ground.  Though lately I've also had sympathy  to just saying: "Hey, this is a whimsical kid's show, who cares?" but I still enjoy trying to make it work. I guess because I did a lot of fanfic writing in the past, and, as I've stated before, I think this is both fun and people can be overly dismissive on certain implications and logic. 

Speaking of logic, 
> And that's how Equestria was made.
It is Pinkie Pie after all.   

Rainbow Dash
> Most people thought that the sonic rainboom was just an old mare's tale. But that day... The day I discovered racing... I proved that the legends were true. I made the impossible happen!
Where it all unites. This story is the first sonic rainboom! My first thought is of course the fact that this conflicts with the episode Sonic Rainboom. Continuity broken! I might pick this up more in Odds and Ends on how one might try to explain it away. As the story itself. No complaints. Rainbow Dash is young Rainbow Dash here. Her bullies, the same from Sonic Rainboom, are humiliated pretty handily. I think the Sonic Rainboom here is a more impressive looking then the one in Sonic Rainboom the episode, albeit they were just reusing the same effect and it has more to do with the scale of things I bet.

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 >>/12207/
I think overall I'd rate each of the Mane 6's Cutie Mark stories in this order:
1:Rarity, don't ask me why this edges out, just barely, Twilight Sparkle's, but I for whatever reason enjoyed this the most.
2:Twilight Sparkle's. Lore! and pre Season 1 Canterlot. Haunting from a certain point of view.
3:Rainbow Dash's, very important to harmony or whatever. I liked the Rainboom. 
4:Pinkie Pie's, though the latter three I'm not sure I have much placement or reasoning. I am just placing this here because of all the characters and backstory we get.
5:Fluttershy's, barely edges out Applejack's because of song. 
6:Applejack's, themes of family and home should put this one higher. 

Okay, now with that little notation aside, time to wrap up this way longer than expected review. This was very cool in how it was an anthology that was, in my mind, pretty well put together without being hard for children to follow. I thought this won an award but cursory googling (and duckduckgoing) have yielded no mention of one. 

Okay, how do I rate this episode? Right now, I feel like 7.9/10. Part of me wants to put it higher but that is where I am arbitrarily at.

< LOL, I can see my usual train wreck grammatical inconsistencies is back, at least this time I my formatting is good.

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 >>/12208/
I wasn't sure I wanted to do an Odds and Ends but had enough side observations to go ahead.

Sonic Rainboom Continuity
This episode does seem to contradict with Sonic Rainboom. I think I can explain away no one knowing or making the connection of Rainbow Dash being the one to have done the sonic rainboom and ponies relative disbelief in it as it being taken as a freak accident or odd thing that happened. Not many believe Rainbow when she claims to have be at the center of that because she was just a filly and a braggart at that. The problem with this view is her bullies, who were present in both episodes. I guess I could say that if no one else believed it, why would they tell otherwise? If Rainbow Dash couldn't replicate it, they probably would go ahead and might even decide that themselves regardless of their own eyes. 

< but what about Fluttershy?!
Surely Rainbow Dash would've bragged about it to her, why wouldn't she put two and two... er, nevermind. 

Sonic Rainbooms as a weapon
Even if we take Equestria as a smaller land in this, being able to split rock from miles away ain't no small feat. My sometimes militaristic mind can't help but think in the ways that this could be weaponized.  This Rainboom seems special though compared to most of the others I can recall in the series, I will note for now. 

Latin Alphabet!!!
I don't think many remember this. I have seen some bring up the point that this and the poorly made welcome Princess Celest sign from Swarm of the Century. Wow: >>/10841/ can't believe I didn't note that in Odds and Ends there, so here it is here. I will be on the look out for more instances of the latin alphabet for sure though!

Pinkie Pie's family
Looks very Amish. Going from a strictly Season 1 perspective, I think it was mainly done to make them out to be serious and not ones to normally smile. I wonder how many other cultural inferences I can make with that though?

Spike's Previous Zip Lining Experience
Scootaloo at the beginning of the episode mentions that Spike told her that zip lining was awesome. Possibly he was the source of that idea. I wonder where and when would've Spike have done zip lining and this feels like something that goes with previous implied lines of him having some sort of life outside of being Twilight's assistant as it feels something that would be weird for for him to have done with Twilight Sparkle at any point before Season 1. Heck, it feels a little weird that it would've been something Celestia would have taken to personally, but that information is more vague and she clearly is more laid back than she is treated. 

Stupid Crack Theory
Hornless Lyra is Lyra's earth pony mother. 
< occams razor, a logical enough in universe explanation is that she is some random lookalike. Same for the others. 

Bonus observation 
 >>/12176/
With how the Sonic Rainboom affected her, at first what I thought was going on was that the Rainboom itself somehow imbued Twilight with her power. I rather disliked this idea 
I think the most logic is what you state, that Twilight Sparkle was startled. I never took it that the Rainboom imbued her with power so much as it being awakened at that moment. Fate and their connection.

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 >>/12206/
 >>/12207/
 >>/12208/
 >>/12209/
This review was a lot bigger than I expected. I wanted to do something slightly special since this episode is kind of important (Arguably the most important besides the opening two parters in lore this season.). Though I also didn't want to do anything overly complicated. So I figured, "eh, I'll just write down my thoughts on each Cutie Mark story as is in a casual manner." Probably with some rewording for succinctness I could've fit this into two parts over three (or four, if you count Odds and Ends). 
> Alright, brain disorderly, 
*Cough:
> first four stories are labled "cutie mark story" but Pinkie Pie's is labeled "Pinkie Pie's story".
> Rainbow Dash is just Rainbow Dash in Rainbow text
> Inconsistent capitalization of my lists
> Sonic Rainbooms as a weapon
> Spike's Previous Zip Lining Experience
Along with some grammatical errors like this. 
Yeah, I've been scatterbrained. Though a lot of my reviews are trainwrecks a bit this one feels more glaring for whatever reason. I am often in a bit of a rush to do it before being distracted, I will note.  Maybe I should finally take the chatgpt pill for copy editing? (Or could I use a local LLM? Will see what I can run on weaker hardware). Anyways, I still like this format and will be trying it again if the opportunity arises, just with a bit more quality control hopefully. 

 >>/12176/
 >>/12177/
> Spike told her that ziplining is awesome, and I could definitely see Canterlot having ziplining.
Perhaps overthinking this my point on that, it is a mountain city after all. 

>  explaining Twilight’s sometimes quite extreme loyalty and devotion to Celestia
Heck, if it had been just a flashback devoted to that it probably would still be number 2 this season for lore importance!

> I really can’t even guess as to the function of the rock farm. I’ll have to look up theories after because I’ve never really thought about what exactly the rock farm does or produces before.
As I've stated earlier, I've heard mainly, or I guess I should say, seen in fanfics, either some special earth pony function or just mining of sorts (or just a strange thing that nopony outside of the Pie family/maybe Earth Ponies have any understanding of). But, I've only read fics haphazardly since 2014 and haven't kept up with anything new on that front. 

> Fate linking these six ponies together is an idea which perhaps takes some of the wind out of the sails of them befriending 


> provided we don’t assume that these six becoming the Elements of Harmony was also predestined, 
> I prefer to think that this sort of thing happens for a lot of ponies, fateful friendships – in this case it just so happened to be extra significant). 
Interesting, I've always sort of thought of it as predestined to some extent but never gave it much thought. As in, I took it for granted. I guess because of episodes like this, and certainly fanfiction. I can understand this view though and it is...
> We were meant to do this
> We did this!
Does have a different feeling. Choice and agency. Is my friendship genuine? Lots of food for thought, lol.    

>  I’m going to give it a 9.2 – in my mind it’s comparable to the pilot, coming close to that great group dynamic we got to see there but not quite reaching the same level, with a couple of rough patches in terms of how you interpret this episode compared to the pilot too.
Storywise, it is certainly a 9/10 for sure! My 7.9 is just based on enjoyment levels.

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 >>/12191/
 >>/12192/
 >>/12193/
Howdy, and welcome to the thread! As you can see, it can be quite slow at times. I do have some stuff to comment here too but will get so in a bit. 

Also, you're welcome to join in if you wish, the more the merrier (though we might have to start namefagging, lol).

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The sunset (heh) establishing shot is comfy – early evening as Twilight and Spike prepare for the viewing of the meteor shower. Spike sneezing and burning the book is something I would have thought would happen more often. In a way, it’s impressive that he manages to be such a good assistant in a library that’s entirely made of flammable wood and is filled with flammable materials in the form of books. There’s a beautiful view from the hilltop as Twilight and Spike make their way to join the other ponies, with some foothills rising into mountains in the distance and what looks like a river running down from them. There’s only so many ways to say it, but the whole beginning of the episode is some peak comfy, some of the best we’ve gotten in season 1 – even the BGM stands out to me as comfy here. Owlowicscious’s introduction falls within the same comfyzone.

The next morning, Spike among other things suggests grass pancakes for Twilight’s breakfast, I’d be interested to see that particular dish. A cursory search suggests we never actually see them on the show.

Spike’s anxiety about being replaced, his eagerness to help Twilight and be part of her life all strikes me as the sort of thing that might reflect the behaviour of little brothers – younger siblings often want to feel included, and getting to ‘help’ is a way to be included. Ultimately though I’m the oldest sibling, so I wouldn’t really know. 

Spike’s Snidely Whiplash get-up made me chuckle, along with the silent-movie style piano sting. It’s an almost unrelated note but I love all of Joe Rinaudo’s videos of him playing the American Fotoplayer, the all-in-one piano-roll based instrument for both musical and sound-effect accompaniment to pre-talkies. 
https://youtube.com/watch?v=eRGVYwobPDk
This one’s my favorite. I don’t know if anybody ever figured out what The Big Chase was from though – I would be interested in knowing, but I’ve never been quite interested enough to dig into where it could come from. Perhaps one day.

Anyway, that tangent aside – even if plausibility is stretched a little bit (ketchup lasting long enough on Spike’s feet to leave tracks all the way to the Everfree, a dragon seemingly so nearby to Ponyville when the last time a dragon was this close it was a much larger problem) I enjoyed the conclusion to this episode. There isn’t as much that I can say about it perhaps, but Spike deserved his spotlight episode and it was a pretty good time all round. I’d give it a rating of 8.3.

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Who?
Owl's Well That Ends Well!

Hehe, sorry for the slightly stupid joke. This episode was one I really did not remember well. I mean, vague outlet, yeah, but a lot of details I forgot, more so than other episodes. I think this episode has a slightly negative reputation... IDK, I recall people being against Twilight Sparkle actions somewhat, but not strongly so. I don't remember the fandom reception very well though. 

As for my feelings? I think the lesson is handled okay. Not great, not terrible. My best guess is people who would intemperate Owlowiscious overshadowing Spike and Twilight Sparkle's ignorance of it in comparison to various IRL slights and high school drama (or high school style drama still being carried on into the adult age). I don't Twilight Sparkle necessarily committed any wrong action other than being ignorant. Spike clearly derives meaning and purpose from being her 'number one assistant' though I suppose there could be some psychological childhood abuse dynamic thing that someone might nitpick, to which I think we read too much into fiction having to conform to our are reality here and Twilight was just technically trying to help Spike. I am not sure I'd call myself a full throated  Twilight Sparkle defender here, but that is the framework I look at this. Spike is just being a dumb kid and Twilight is just being a ignorant older sister/teen mother/friend/pet owner and she can be a bit ignorant in some situations (Rarity and Applejack's tensions during a slumber party come to mind). 

I enjoyed this episode moderately well, actually, I did like the mix of drama with mild adventure at the end and the slightly mature jokes surprised me; "Spiked the punch" yeah, I think I recall some mentioning this one and yeah, I agree that is one of those jokes that does go over children's heads but is a bit mature for what the show is in Season 1. Spike trying to fake a field mouse being killed and partly eaten using ketchup as blood I had completely forgotten about it. They may have not used the word "blood" and it was completely kid tier but feels.. IDK, darker than I would expect. Not calling it amazing or bad, just noting it.  

Humor was fine. I understand the "who" joke not being everyone's cup of tea but it got a chuckle out of me. Lesson is okay but maybe suggestions for better execution. Like the touch of adventure, even if the green dragon (very forgotten Season 1 character, do we even know his name!?) was a recycled and recolored villain (actually, I like characters who are like this!). I am going to place it at a 7/10 for now, though I feel like I really could raise or lower this later.

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 >>/12215/
Comfy Scenes
A whole, whole lot of comfy scenes in this episode. I like the Golden Oaks Library, so Twilight Sparkle waking up, or studying at night there, is automatically comfy. Though the highlight of comfy scenes is probably the meteor shower. Probably the most screen caps and references to this episode I've seen is actually this. I think it's because it provides a lot of group shots of the mane six with some family and leads itself for use in PMVs and what not. 

Spike in Sugercube Corner or...'
This is me probably overthinking something, but bare with me...
Spike is has 4 scenes looking for a quill for Twilight before leaving Golden Oaks Library to look around Ponyville for a quill. One of these scenes though appears to be in Sugercube Corner. Yet, it is clearly established afterwards of him leaving with Twilight Sparkle trying to tell him to wait after this scene and Spike went to Sugercube Corner later and tried to ask Pinkie Pie for some quills. Was the scene in Sugercube Corner out of sequence or did they just reuse Sugercube Corner for a kitchen scene possibly intended to take place in Golden Oak's Library?  

Rainbow Dash Recognizing Spike's Jealousy.
A small moment, but, considering how Rainbow Dash can be a bit dense and insensitive (remember Pinkie Pie being the one telling her not to prank Fluttershy? Her lifelong friend?) so I am surprised at Rainbow Dash being the one to notice that in Spike here. Show a slight perceptive side. Maybe she knows jealousy all too well? 

Comets
Twilight's scientific description of comets is only interesting in the context of magical horses with stars seemingly under Luna's command. Some celestial objects are natural and what we expect them to be (or close).   

Green Dragon
I wonder if this Green Dragon has any names or fics about him? He certainly seems like a forgotten character. Maybe I can do something? lol!

Spike. Sure, I was disappointed, but you are my number one assistant! And friend. And you always will be
I consider this line in the context of Twilight having a familial relation to Spike, this doesn't disprove it, clearly Spike is close to Twilight like family, but where fandom and show sometimes went later, I consider this phrasing interesting. Again, IIRC, Faust said Celestia was a mother figure to Spike. 

Animation
...seemed slightly choppier in some of the action scenes, might just be my tired eyes. Don't have time to rewatch it intently right now. 

 >>/12215/
> Who
Or should I say, "Hoo!" I guess it would be better phrased as a hoo joke.

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 >>/12213/
> The sunset (heh) establishing shot is comfy 
It really shimmered, didn't it?

> There’s only so many ways to say it, but the whole beginning of the episode is some peak comfy
> even the BGM stands out to me as comfy here. 
> comfyzone.
We're on the same page here! Lots of comfy scenes. I especially enjoyed when Owlowiscious showed up with Twilight studying at night. 

> pancakes for Twilight’s breakfast, I’d be interested to see that particular dish. A cursory search suggests we never actually see them on the show.
Yeah, because (I think) we have seen what appears to be normal pancakes already and flour being an ingredient. Inconsistent levels of horse realism is afoot (ahoof). I would reckon that grass pancakes might be a more traditional dish before flour (or a fancy Canterlot trend pretending to be?).

> I would be interested in knowing, but I’ve never been quite interested enough to dig into where it could come from. Perhaps one day.
Might take you up on that. 

> Ponyville when the last time a dragon was this close it was a much larger problem
This was a low smoke dragon. :D Though, for an attempt on my part to rationalize/theorize, that dragon was taking a very long nap on a mountain (and the weather is different in the everfree?).

> Spike deserved his spotlight episode and it was a pretty good time all round. I’d give it a rating of 8.3.
Yeah. My memories of this episode being slightly controversial are very hazy, I must point out. 

> Ultimately though I’m the oldest sibling, so I wouldn’t really know. 
Me as well, and weirdly, I could somewhat relate to Spike's plight as someone who was often a caretaker and derived meaning from that perhaps too much at times.

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Alright, anon, now finally replying to you, like I said earlier: >>/12211/
 >>/12191/
 >>/12192/
 >>/12193/
> I absolutely loved this episode. It was the first episode that I watched, 
Interesting first episode! I know a lot of the Season 1 first episodes have people who came in at specific  points like that but this feels like an interesting minor one to come in and decide you were hooked. 

>  but it does establish that dungeons and banishment are things that are not unknown to the tiny horses, and given that Celestia had reigned for a thousand years it would seem likely that she herself would have prescribed those punishments at some point in history. 
I take the show as a bit more innocent but you do make a good point there. Early on, a lot of the fandom would portray Equestria as some sort of utopia that did not know these things at all. My argument has been that they did, but much less than earth, at least, now.   As for prescribing punishments, I think it's plausible that those things still existed but were rare and the upper end of what Celestia would dole out on somepony. 

> Faust, Gen 1 fangirl that she is, retained some of that early-80s brutality.
IRRC, Faust didn't like the G1 show much. 

> that Fluttershy actually is a child and Celestia is just calling her what she is. To quote Faust in her show bible, "(O)ur ponies, though independent, have an emotional range of anywhere between 10 and 15 with most seemingly about 12." The Season 1 Mane Six were early adolescents
10 star point right there. Yeah, that is another context to look at it. (I suppose another is that Celestia is so freaking old that all the young ponies are children to her). 

>  I have heard it mentioned (can't recall where) that Rainbow Dash was originally supposed to be very short.
Yeah, I recall that Faust wanted the mane 6 to have slightly different heights and body shapes but couldn't easily make it work for animation, don't recall where either. 

>  Twilight Twinkle's which involved a late-night study session after she had already become Celestia's student.
Show bible reference here I presume? Interesting. I don't recall that one. 

>  I greatly prefer the original concept where Rainbow Dash flies fast enough to create a vapor trail that causes a rainbow to appear. The idea was that pegasus ponies gathered bunches of clouds to create rainbows that would then serve as solid bridges, which is why Cloudsdale looks the way it does
I still like the rainboom, but fair.

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 >>/12191/
> The were in-jokes that flew over the heads of 90+% of the audience.
They certainly went over my head!
> Yeah, one thing that I did dislike about the episode--and it was a complaint that I had about several Season 1 episodes--was how utterly frustrating Fluttershy often was. Just say something instead of dragging the story on by being a wimp
I think I've come to appreciate more the balance the show had with the mane 6 in their paired up episodes, trying to be evenhanded - because I would side much more with Fluttershy in this episode and it was Rarity I found annoying. So really, the episode had to be fair to both otherwise one side of the viewers would end up feeling alienated, I think. 
 >>/12192/
> It would figure if Faust, Gen 1 fangirl that she is, retained some of that early-80s brutality.
From her other work I think she also understood why that brutality was present to begin with - there's few tools as powerful as juxtaposition to illustrate your themes, and having the dangers present in both g1 and g4 make the fun, innocent moments all the more safe and cozy. It's the same principle as snuggling next to a warm fire during a storm: you could do it on any night, but the wind and rain make it cozier. 
 >>/12193/
> You have this city on terraces attached to the side of a mountain, and most of its residents cannot fly. 
I was actually thinking more from the perspective of how Canterlot is more modern and cosmopolitan (but in a good way) and so more likely to have ziplining hobby-type areas, but that idea works too!
> Apart from just shamelessly ripping off Olympus from Disney's Hercules, that is.
I would posit that Cloudsdale looks Greek because the Pegasus is a figure of Greek legend - iirc, the Pegasus rises from out of the fallen corpse of Medusa? Regardless, it's part of classical Greek mythological canon, so the same origin point as Olympus - and since Olympus is the home of Gods who are Greek, a Greek flair to cloudy architecture naturally makes sense for any Olympian-type imagery, not just the movie Hercules - though I do quite like that movie's take on aspects of Greek myth!
 >>/12206/
> You know, I wouldn't have gotten my cutie mark if it weren't for her. C'mon, she'd have to go to the ground at one point if it was her natural talent and place in life, right? 
It is a character's statement, so it could reflect a mistaken belief about how cutie marks work - I don't know if even during the later seasons we ever got an answer to whether adult ponies without cutie marks exist or not. I also wonder whether cutie marks preexisted the advent of Harmony with the first Hearth's Warming - if cutie marks are a function of Harmony, then like Harmony itself they're malleable rather than tied to a deterministic idea of fate, and I would assume your cutie mark would vary based on the talent that best suits the path one is going down and the most opportune time for you to discover it. I'm not so married to that theory that I'd be upset to see it proven wrong, though.
 >>/12207/
> I don't know if it was intended to resemble a flag or if it was just something born out of the limitation of their medium/chosen art style(let's make Celestia be in a silhouette! Solid flat color with no shading or gradient that gives shape to her). 
I'd assume it's meant to look like it's being presented as something like a symbol or a flag, since the stage deliberately frames Celestia to be silhouetted against the sun relative to the audience.

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 >>/12207/
>  Baring weird implications from dragon's being a sentient race, if a hatching a dragon egg is a requirement to enter the School for Gifted Unicorns, why aren't their more baby dragons like Spike running around?
So, I would assume there's several schools for gifted unicorns in Equestria - this, however, is THE genuine article, a school for gifted unicorns in the capital under the personal tutelage of Celestia. Even at this stage of the show where Equestria is a perhaps slightly smaller nation that it will be depicted to be later, it's still a nation of multiple cities. Cities too were smaller in the human past so we can reasonably infer that pony cities might also be smaller than modern human cities in terms of population, however! Even with all that, you're dealing with a population at least in the low millions, I think. We only see Celestia take Twilight on as a personal protege, that is to say, one apprentice at a time at most. All of this is to say that I think it's likely a school with a minuscule student body, as elite as Oxford or Cambridge during the most elitist eras of their history but without the fast-track system of money, clout or class, instead an examination system that a middle-class unicorn like Twilight is able to gain entry from. So: I imagine that the exams aren't set, that is, that they're not all the same. If it was the same test every time, you could practice for it, which would not be optimal for identifying really, truly outstanding talent. It's not like the Imperial Chinese civil service, you really are wanting to minimize the number actually passing the examination. All of this is strictly speculative, of course, but at least my interpretation or headcanon is that it's sort of like a short assigned dissertation, examiners deliberately setting new, somewhat random and creative challenges for potential entrants to try and solve. If I'm honest, I also like the idea of this interpretation, I'm biased on it; it would also make Twilight's background with Spike potentially unique and a happy coincidence, which I like as an idea.
> Rock farm. Never decided if I wanted to to accept it as some sort of mining or rationalize it as earth pony magic working the ground.
It's also a question of what the rocks are actually useful for, since they're not being refined (which would make the 'farm' either a kind of factory or a mine) - I think in later seasons we see them eating rock soup? There's an old story of a soup-stone where a homeless person tricks someone into giving him soup by pretending his rock makes soup taste better, from that idea could come special rocks that absorb energy from the sun and somehow through that process give out edible flavor and nutrients when boiled in water. That's about as charitable a reading as I can possibly give it I think!
> Though lately I've also had sympathy to just saying: "Hey, this is a whimsical kid's show, who cares?" but I still enjoy trying to make it work.
Oftentimes the two can work together to some extent. Magic lets you bend a few rules in a useful way too. Charles Fourier, a fully grown reasonably learned man, once suggested in all seriousness a project to turn the Earth's oceans into lemonade, so with a little bit of fiction and magic to smudge the details I think applying aspects of deeper thinking and reason to these things can make them come alive to a certain degree without simply deflating them with a 'that's not realistic'.
 >>/12208/
> 2:Twilight Sparkle's. Lore! and pre Season 1 Canterlot.
I don't know where the rest would be for me but Twilight's adorable "yes yes yes yes yes!!" would absolutely put it at number one!

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 >>/12358/
Whoops, forgot the name field... Old habits die hard, as they say.
 >>/12209/
> I guess I could say that if no one else believed it, why would they tell otherwise? If Rainbow Dash couldn't replicate it, they probably would go ahead and might even decide that themselves regardless of their own eyes. 
Being charitable here as I was with the rock farm: how many ponies actually saw Rainbow Dash directly causing the sonic rainboom, and how many saw just the sonic rainboom? The way the sonic rainboom is framed in every part of the show where it's been brought up so far, it is presented as something a pegasus directly causes, but at least theoretically it could either be something which can also occur as a freak accident of nature or is BELIEVED to sometimes occur as a freak accident of nature (I could possibly see some snooty unicorn scientists proposing this purely out of disdain for theories of earth pony and pegasi magical abilities, at least those beyond the ones that are indisputable (and arguably none of earth pony magic is indisputable!)). So, again being extra charitable and stretching my suspension of disbelief to the limit, MAYBE the spectators and even the bullies were for the most part convinced/convinced themselves that it was all a big coincidence. It's flimsy but that's all I got - if I treat this as a reality that I've been presented with rather than a show that's been artificially constructed, then I'd simply say that there's clear a deficit of information somewhere, that there's some big missing pieces that create, in their absence, this apparent contradiction. That's I guess the second way I could be charitable, simply assuming the world is real in the same way we assume our world is real and going from there. In fairness, there are irl plotholes (such as the incongruities between general relativity and quantum mechanics, or the uncertainty principle)
> My sometimes militaristic mind can't help but think in the ways that this could be weaponized.
It's sort of the question of weaponizing superheroes in a way, since (iirc) only Rainbow Dash is ever able to perform a rainboom. The Super Mario series raises a similar question: are the Toad Guards effectively a ceremonial military (given their perfect track record of failure in even slightly hindering the Koopa armed forces) and the Mario brothers essentially the two-man army of the entire (rather large!) Mushroom Kingdom? There's a couple of exceptions possibly but seemingly Princess Peach's defense policy rests entirely on relying upon two superheroes. Luckily, in spite of Equestria's occasional reliance on the elements of harmony, it never gets quite as silly as aspects of the Mario series do, we can clearly extrapolate that the Equestrian military exists and does effectively deal with some threats even if we see very little of it. 
> I wonder how many other cultural inferences I can make with that though?
We have a bit of a precedent for it from Winter Wrap-Up, where Ponyville traditions bar the use of magic (which I believe I theorized at the time later had an exception added for Pegasi, since weather manipulation seems rather obviously to be Pegasus magic at least to me) - if we just make that principle slightly more extreme, and assume that Ponyville was founded on those principles for a reason, it would make sense to me that Pinkie's family might well be purists of this kind of philosophy. In fact, I could even see this potentially justifying the rock farm: Earth pony magic primarily deals with plants and animals seemingly, so farming rocks could potentially be a way of subsisting without even the use of Earth pony magic, a totally nonmagical way of life. As to what the reasons or rationale for this way of life would be, I have absolutely no idea, and I don't even feel that I have enough of a basis to speculate really.

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 >>/12209/
> I think the most logic is what you state, that Twilight Sparkle was startled. 
There's some precedent for the idea that being panicked or startled can 'boost' Twilight's abilities from The Ticket Master, where she's able to teleport away from that crowd, so maybe possible?
 >>/12210/
> Maybe I should finally take the chatgpt pill for copy editing? 
It's totally your choice, though for my part I think it would be a shame to use any AI at all. I'm interested in what you have to say, not some computer, and even if it's just an editor, editing has a much bigger impact on what's said than many people realize. As I say though, it is totally up to you and I won't begrudge you using AI either - I won't even begrudge the AI, since I doubt it would care for my grudges one way or the other. 
> As I've stated earlier, I've heard mainly, or I guess I should say, seen in fanfics, either some special earth pony function or just mining of sorts (or just a strange thing that nopony outside of the Pie family/maybe Earth Ponies have any understanding of). But, I've only read fics haphazardly since 2014 and haven't kept up with anything new on that front. 
The soup idea I suggested earlier is honestly my best crack at it. I'd be surprised if a fan theory really changed the way I looked at the rock farm - but then, I have been surprised before!
> Storywise, it is certainly a 9/10 for sure! My 7.9 is just based on enjoyment levels.
My ratings are all based on enjoyment levels too. If I were trying to judge quality, my inclination would be to say everything in season 1 is 10/10 and that it's my enjoyment which is falling short of it, which is why I just judge my personal enjoyment instead!
 >>/12215/
> I don't Twilight Sparkle necessarily committed any wrong action other than being ignorant. 
This is very much my view too. I wouldn't want to blame Spike, per se, but everything that went wrong was due to him overreacting and blowing things out of proportion, and I think putting the emphasis on Twilight to defuse the situation before it gets out of hand is applying audience knowledge. We see things from Spike's perspective here, so naturally we ask why Twilight can't see what's going on and intervene, because that's what Spike is asking. But that's not seeing things from Twilight's perspective. I think then that at best you could argue Twilight should have been more empathetic and spent more time with Spike, but that's all very general. 
> I am not sure I'd call myself a full throated Twilight Sparkle defender here
Not even Twilight Sparkle would be a full-throated TS defender here I think, considering she apologized to Spike at the end of the episode!
 >>/12216/
> Was the scene in Sugercube Corner out of sequence or did they just reuse Sugercube Corner for a kitchen scene possibly intended to take place in Golden Oak's Library?
They might mention it on the DVD commentary, but I expect they just thought looking through cupboards in a kitchen would work well for the scene and put it in without thinking so much about whether the assets fitted the scene properly, and then it just slipped by into the episode from there. It almost certainly can't be implying he went and searched around in Sugarcube Corner, since he went there later and asked Pinkie for a quill, as you pointed out. I'd chalk it up to a complex animation/continuity error, of sorts.

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 >>/12217/
> It really shimmered, didn't it?
One might say that!
> Might take you up on that. 
Sadly, the best bet is it goes with a silent movie which has since been destroyed, since that was the fate of pretty much most of the old silent films. The other complicated element is that musical accompaniment for movies, if any particular instructions came from the studio at all, would essentially be mere suggestions since the 'soundtrack' back then was just a guy playing music live, which was Joe Rinaudo's old job and how he knows how to play the Fotoplayer! So even if one finds a movie that was paired with that piece, it could just be reusing it from a previous movie and we'd never know, music was just sort of used where it fit serviceably enough. You can even see this same sort of thing happen today - there used to be (might still be up) an upload of the 1916 movie 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea on youtube which used Kevin MacLeod music, because of course the movie itself doesn't come with music, so the uploader just picked whatever fitted well enough. Very good movie by the by, it mixes sources a bit drawing from Verne's The Mysterious Island as well as 20,000 Leagues, but nonetheless very technically impressive for it's day and most likely the very first movie ever to feature genuine underwater footage shot on location. 

Gonna watch the next ep now!

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PoLS. Working on getting things back together after a minor technical issue. The gist of it is just the main computer I was doing reviews and /endpone/ stuff on got damaged. Not serious and I am working on fixing up my replacement for it.

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The Pinkie episode! I love the singing party telegram (even though I would hate to actually have to receive one) and notably, Pinkie gets tired out from doing it, even with the Twinkling Balloon to help her get around. In a meta sense this is when Pinkie’s reality-bending powers are less a relied-upon cliché, making her efforts more real – but could this also be in-universe her being not yet as acquainted with her unawareness-dependent Earth pony magic as she will be later in the series, carrying on from my earlier theories about her abilities??… No, I think stretching it that far is silly, though I do still have my eyes peeping around for anything that confirms or indeed denies my pet theory on the subject. Having said all that, this episode is where I think things perhaps start to really take a turn for the worse with Pinkie Pie’s characterization: not in terms of within this episode specifically, as such, but for a potential precedent being set. I think within this episode the paranoia angle is really about playing out overthinking such a low-stakes problem as comedy, and Pinkie Pie’s repeated use of her reality-bending powers to a more extreme extent than usual also I think goes along with the overall comedic theme of the episode, but these both help establish two things that later become much more core parts of Pinkie’s character, namely her paranoia and her ‘powers’. Having said that, I think an alternative interpretation is also possible: namely, that perhaps this is sort of always what she was planned to be, and this is an early manifestation of that. Later in the show’s development, this becomes the staff’s answer on Magical Mystery Cure, so I have a feeling the same might be said by them about this episode and Pinkie Pie’s later characterisation. So I suppose it’s ultimately a matter of interpretation. Furthermore, this kind of paranoid thinking is the kind of thing I’m very used to doing, and it leads me to be more isolated and I was an introvert to begin with, so for Pinkie Pie to manifest it is unusual, perhaps comedic in juxtaposing it with her more normal nature (the way she interrogates Spike and the party she holds with the inanimate objects, for instance, show that even in her biggest breakdowns she can only think within quite innocent, Ponylike parameters, reinforcing the comedy of Pinkie of all people acting this way). Although of course, the extremes of her hyperactivity does also lend her character to that kind of interpretation even before this episode, as Cupcakes (which came out before this episode) demonstrates. I guess, frankly, I would have redone Pinkie’s character just slightly even for season 1 if I could have, because she’s already edging closer to flanderization already just with this episode and the show’s only in it’s first season. Though again, outside of the context of the wider show, I don’t think this episode breaks Pinkie’s character (just lays the foundation for it to be broken later) and the whole setup is very funny. I think if it weren’t for the comedy potential of having this situation happen to Pinkie, this would have been a Twilight episode.

Other highlights: the rest of the Mane 6’s refusals being set up as if they genuinely don’t want to attend by having Pinkie pull pranks on Applejack and Rainbow Dash (resulting in Gummy getting to essentially kiss Rainbow Dash – I wonder if Dashie waifufags get jealous during this scene), gross out Rarity, and knock down Twilight and Fluttershy; Spike taking Rarity’s bins out and being smitten even by her insulting description of his smell; and Pinkie Pie doing all the voices for her imaginary friends. I rate this episode 7.4, solidly enjoyable and funny.

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I'm FINALLY BACK!

Starting out, once again I am greeted with the prospect of finding little moments from Season 1 that I used to not think much of I now find more charming than I recalled. In the form of Pinkie Pie’s singing telegram invitations. It is not an amazing moment, but it is cute and endearing. It was also kind of nice to see Pinkie Pie actually get tired from doing it she had a different outfit each time, of course she would! My reasoning for liking this will be explained in a moment. 

The party goes on okay. I mildly chuckled Pinkie’s antics. Not even sure it’s worth noting but in the battle between wanting to organize this into some list format and just type freely I am just choosing to type freely today. Anyways, main conflict: Pinkie Pie slowly figuring out her friends are up to something. Of course the first couple don’t phase her much, but after everypony does she gets naturally suspicious, and like any sane person on the way to conspiracy town, there is something that rightly doesn’t add up. Her detecting something off is completely correct even if she is starting run with it. 

I perhaps could make a point about this being almost the inverse of Twilight Sparkle with Pinkie Pie following her friends somewhat covertly but I am not sure the comparison with Feeling Pinkie Keen holds fully. Pinkie Pie isn’t being humiliated and is still, especially with Rainbow Dash, the one being contended with rather than the one being on the receiving end of "punishment". The most I laughed during this episode  was when Rainbow Dash casually said, “Hey Pinkie” when Pinkie Pie was in the hay bale disguise, no doubt used to seeing her in such a get up from their mutual pranking. I had forgotten that detail.

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 >>/12411/
This next scene is very important for Pinkie Pie's character.At least in the sense of illustrating something that is lost on many (including the show latter on to some extent).

I couldn’t help but notice in Pinkie Pie’s interrogation with Spike, while Pinkie Pie is acting with a relative impulsive manner, she isn’t outright stupid. Spike is, understandably clueless, and confesses to his various “sins”, Pinkie Pie gets more frustrated. While Pinkie Pie is a naive and carefree, she isn’t stupid and random. This is one of the things that does set the show apart from others at the time, and even now, Pinkie Pie was a certain archetype but not the stereotype that the silly carefree happy character had turned into even at that time: stupid for stupid’s sake. She isn’t even the most naive one here. Spike doesn’t fully understand that conversation and him taking “taking about his friends” literally is something that would be associated more with Pinkie Pie (even in this season perhaps!). 

The short of everything I just said is, I think Pinkie Pie is a real rounded character here and this is her at her best in this episode, even with her freakout. This is also why I liked the detail of her getting tired with her singing invitations. She is silly, carefree and a little weird but not just stupid and random. 

Speaking of her freakout I do enjoy this scene still, the most famous moment from this episode. Pinkie Pie is in her own imaginary world acting out things. I associate this with more of a soft mental break from betrayal and just a more extreme version of the sort of fantasy a lot of people have after being bullied or hurt, over implying any in universe lee creepy pasta mental illness. Albeit, the theory of when a pony cannot fulfill their cutie mark causing severe mental distress is still one that has appeal to me.  


This episode’s enjoyment level for me was a 7.5/10. This is one that could rise through the ranks on rewatch I feel like. I can’t complain in the slightest!

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Heh, accidentally left board owner on again. Forgot to namefag too. 

 >>/12412/
>  I can’t complain in the slightest!

...except I’m mixed on the lesson. At least the wording.
> Always expect the best from your friends, and never assume the worst. Rest assured that a good friend always has your best interests at heart.

Part of me thinks this is, while not bad in intend, bad phrasing, as kids, especially in this day and age, your friends certainly NOT have your best interests at heart even if you think there your good friends. Yet… how many times have I see (from afar usually) friendships destroyed over stupid assumptions and or buying into some stupid rumor? Plenty! It is either perfect and I am a little too low trust, jaded and calculating or it is something that needs a significant tweaking. Regardless, as I have said I often think that people over scrutinize the phrasing of this lessons and don’t think it’s a major blow but part of me would’ve liked the wording there to have put more emphasis on not jumping to conclusions with limited information.   


Odds and Ends!

Party Music
The party music from the Call of the Cutie is once again reused here at Pinkie’s birthday party. If I can get my act well enough together I will try to track these motifs better. Call of Cutie, The Showstoppers (probably most famous use where it was sometimes a defacto secondary theme for the CMC within the fandom. Someone had even wrote lyrics to it but I have already searched for it before I couldn’t find it). I thought another episode this season I also noticed having this music but I can't recall. 

Hair
Hair! Rarity calls her mane, her hair! Not the first time this season someone has refereed to mane as hair. I look forward to seeing what human terminology still coexisted and what was later ponified in future seasons. 

Streetlight
I spy with my little eye a streetlight, or I guess what maybe more propperly termed street lantern?. I don’t recall noticing these before. They could have easily been in the background and I could’ve missed it. I wonder, magical, oil, gas, or electric? 

Liars
Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy were the best liars of the bunch. They even improvised and Pinkie Pie bought the lie as legit. Applejack was the worst and most hilarious.

Pinkie's Peculiar Party Pals  
I need to check on what other appearances on MLP media they had, if any. I am drawn to obscure secondary characters (if they could be called characters) like this because in a fandom that ran with background appearances and small implications, there is a lot more material for us to work with. My favorite is probably  Madame le Flour followed by Mr Turnip. I just like the voice she does for Madame. For Mr Turnip it is more of his “design” that I like.

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 >>/12370/
>  this episode is where I think things perhaps start to really take a turn for the worse with Pinkie Pie’s characterization: not in terms of within this episode specifically, as such, but for a potential precedent being set. 

Wow! Funny that two people can watch the same thing and come with completely opposite conclusions. That is the fun of talking with others though! 

> I think within this episode the paranoia angle is really about playing out overthinking such a low-stakes problem as comedy, and Pinkie Pie’s repeated use of her reality-bending powers to a more extreme extent than usual also I think goes along with the overall comedic theme of the episode, but these both help establish two things that later become much more core parts of Pinkie’s character, namely her paranoia and her ‘powers

For her powers, I disagree, I think here these things would be more of gags in a season 1 context and not be definitively reality bending    and more of a cartoon "gags". Now keep in mind I do look at things from a similar lens where I try to figure out how cartoon gags work in canon and certainly latter canon did imply more to this. I would aruge that Feeling Pinkie Keen still is what broadly established Pinkie Pie having said powers that they would run with later. 

On paranoia, you have a point there for sure. 

> Furthermore, this kind of paranoid thinking is the kind of thing I’m very used to doing, and it leads me to be more isolated and I was an introvert to begin with, 

You're not the only one.

> I think if it weren’t for the comedy potential of having this situation happen to Pinkie, this would have been a Twilight episode.

100% agreed. 

>  and Pinkie Pie doing all the voices for her imaginary friends. I rate this episode 7.4, solidly enjoyable and funny.

Our ratings are close despite our wildly different takes. This does give me something to think about in future appearances going forward with Pinkie's appearances.

...wow, has it been over a month since I was last in this thread? Goodness, though I know IRL stuff happens to both of us more in a PM sooner or later. I am just happy to be back. Will try to get to some of the other stuff soon!

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 >>/12358/
> is that it's sort of like a short assigned dissertation, examiners deliberately setting new, somewhat random and creative challenges for potential entrants to try and solve. If I'm honest, I also like the idea of this interpretation, I'm biased on it; it would also make Twilight's background with Spike potentially unique and a happy coincidence, which I like as an idea.

As cool as having several dozen dragon assistants would be runing around and as Season 1 kino it would be to have the dragon's own reproduction dependent on the ponies I think I might prefer this as well. Plus or minus my partial temptation of Twilight Sparkle being Spike's mother somehow by creating life in the egg. Though I suppose those could coexist.


 >>/12359/
> how many ponies actually saw Rainbow Dash directly causing the sonic rainboom, and how many saw just the sonic rainboom? 

> but at least theoretically it could either be something which can also occur as a freak accident of nature 

> MAYBE the spectators and even the bullies were for the most part convinced/convinced themselves that it was all a big coincidence. 

Actually, now that I think about it:
> Rainbow Dash does a Sonic Rainboom

 but most don't see her.
> Even among those that do, they may not believe a filly pulled that off.

> Bullies lie to themselves enough to dismiss it.

> Especially if nearly everyone doubted her. 

> Rainbow Dash is a braggart after all. 

Yeah, that might work after all. 

> Whoops, forgot the name field... Old habits die hard, as they say.

Hey, not as bad as:
 >>/12411/
 >>/12412/
I'm the BO anon.
 >>/12413/
Now I'm Bridge.
 >>/12414/
Now I'm just anon (often don't post with JS enabled, which is what got me that time). 


 >>/12361/
> though for my part I think it would be a shame to use any AI at all. I'm interested in what you have to say, not some computer, and even if it's just an editor, editing has a much bigger impact on what's said than many people realize. 

I'll be upfront in saying that I am afraid of AI robbing me of my voice, my skills, and what it means to be human  by the outsourcing of our creativity and all of its messy imperfections and sincerity to a machine that speaks with it's own voice, and style. I don't hate the components themselves; the pursuit of AI art, agentic assistants, and automation of certain tasks is helpful/might be a worthy ends unto themselves but it's all happening too fast and in a bad way (all controlled by a handful of companies with lots of compute.) So, my thoughts on this is less chatGPT and more like running the leanest and somewhat stupid LLM that I can get on the best CPU I have as a glorified spell checker that would catch obvious grammatical mistakes but not change whole sentences (it's "there, not they're").

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And here we are at last, the end of season 1. What we do past here in the thread I imagine will be up for reflection and discussion – whether we need a new thread, whether we keep going or not, etc, but for my part I’d like to keep going into season 2, even if it’s just me and we then just discuss the episodes, although I imagine others will still want to join in. Possibly we could go for more of a pick-and-choose model going forward where people chime in for episodes they’re interested in whilst skipping over others. But for now, I’m going to focus on the actual episode. 

We’ve been waiting for it ever since episode 3, and it’s finally here, the Grand Galloping Gala! The intro sets us up with an allusion to Cinderella, which I think sets the mood for what the Gala is going to be like fairly well: this is a night where our six mares get to feel like princesses – at least in theory! An aspect of this I really like is that in contrast to Cinderella, here a whole group of friends get to be special. Cinderella doesn’t go to the ball along with her sisters, albeit through no fault of her own, and with her magical assistance she’s really the sole beneficiary of all the attention. It also, intentionally or not, gives us a clue as to the outcome of the episode: just as Cinderella loses track of time and so feels she has to flee the ball at midnight, thus ending her evening in disappointment, our Mane Six will also end the night feeling disappointed. The intro also rather skilfully gives most (not all, but that would be a tall order in the tight time window) of the Six something to contribute. Pinkie introduces the scene, Twilight’s magic is the focal point, Fluttershy provides the mice, and Rarity provides the replacement for the mice. We tend to not get all six in one opening, and I think that’s because it’s a hard act to pull off, but it’s done great here and I appreciate it for that – one of my favorite aspects of Cutie Mark Chronicles was how it kept all of the Mane Six in focus for the story, and I think it’s something that I enjoy very much in general. When all of the Mane Six are given relatively equal focus, it reminds me of the first three episodes, as well as Dragonshy, and feels somehow more like the ‘core show’, rather than a spotlight episode – which is not to say I don’t enjoy spotlight episodes, but I’ll confess that I think I slightly prefer the ‘equal focus’ approach, at least in balance (I.e not every episode) and absent other factors of a given episode.

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After the opening is over and Spike is let into the room the Mane Six are preparing in at Carousel Boutique, Spike refers to Canterlot as his and Twilight’s ‘hometown’. I think it would be fair to say, taking off our Season-1-Canon goggles for just a moment, that at some point down the line Spike and Twilight come to see Ponyville as their hometown – I wonder at what point that would be? It’s probably not possible to pinpoint exactly, but it occurred to me as a question. It also, from that, occurred to me that by the end of the show, Twilight has returned to Canterlot, and goes on to rule from there. In the grand scheme of her life, the years in Ponyville would then make up a gap between growing up in Canterlot, and ruling in Canterlot. Anyway, aside over, goggles back on. We cut to Spike as the driver of the carriage in his tuxedo, and he says he wants to show Rarity the crown jewels. Celestia of course wears her crown and her collar (best term I can think of for whatever the gold thing round her neck is), so I think this is suggesting the existence of other, accompanying items. Common ones I know of would be things like an orb, a scepter, and/or a sword. I’d love to know the history of them, I quite like those sort of artifacts – like the Iron Crown of Lombardy, so called because it was said that it contained a nail from the True Cross, and it was won (later to be joined by, I believe, every other nail of the True Cross, in various other artifacts – at least according to legend) by Charlemagne when he came to the aid of the Pope against the King of Lombardy. Later chemical analysis showed the crown didn’t contain any iron, sadly – but the point is, these sort of things always have very cool histories. I’m sure the Elements of Harmony, also, have a fascinating story to tell, even just the crown and necklaces they currently inhabit. 

The song is excellent, and whilst it was going, I was considering all the unique hopes the Six had for the Gala, and how they had been set up in The Ticket Master, an episode that I liked but wasn’t as keen on as others when I looked at it earlier in this thread. However, something I think I didn’t consider at the time was quite how well that episode sets up this one, which is very much a point in it’s favour. On the other hand, I think it also makes a criticism I had surrounding that episode a bit more pertinent too: it might have been better placed just a bit later in the season so that it’s not quite so far removed from the Gala. I think I’d put Boast Busters as episode 3, then Applebuck Season as episode 4, and then put The Ticket Master as episode 5. 

We go through each of the girls starting their nights off not too badly. When Soarin comes along hungry for something, Applejack lists off some of her items and mentions apple fries, so I looked up apple fries out of curiosity. They look really quite good, I might have to make them sometime. I’ve been planning to make apple butter for years now as well, I remember it being one of the first items you’d get on My Lego Network so it’s stuck in my memory from that. Soarin goes for the pie instead, and takes it in it’s tin – so I guess he’s keeping the tin.

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Pinkie presents our first major sign that things are starting to go wrong as she has her big happy spergout and gets the wrong kind of attention from the other guests. Prince Blueblood’s title is intriguing, theoretically it puts him on equal footing with Luna, Celestia and later Cadence, except of course that they’re all female and he’s male – is that the difference? I don’t think this works too badly, despite Faust’s stated wish that Celestia had been a Queen instead of a Princess. However, as I’ve mentioned previously I like the title when I think of it pertaining to a ‘Principality’, or a particular domain of rule, such as the raising and lowering of the sun. However, Celestia is clearly the foremost of all these Princes and Princesses in Equestria – if anything her and Luna act a little bit like President and Vice President. So I propose an additional theory – Queen Victoria, feeling slighted at some of her royal relatives ruling over in Europe styling themselves as Emperors and such, asked Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli to create for her an Imperial title. And so Disraeli had parliament establish the title of Empress (or Emperor) of India. Of course, we all still refer to her as Queen Victoria, and that was common at the time too, since the styling of Emperor felt a little bit tyrannical to the English ear. I suggest that Celestia has something similar, only I imagine she uses the title of Princess willingly, owing to her being rather more humble than Victoria was. So perhaps Celestia, Princess of the Sun, also holds the title of Empress of Equestria, but chooses not to use this latter title as her title of address. This would also make a little more sense out of Cadence, who comes to rule the Crystal EMPIRE yet remains a Princess – of course, if Cadence, as a sort of Equestrian puppet-regime ruler, were to style herself as ‘Empress’, this would raise quite a few eyebrows in Canterlot, so whilst I’m sure she too is humble, she couldn’t really call herself Empress even if she had the right and even if she wanted to. The mane six, faced with disappointment, are determined to make the night special in spite of everything, and of course as their harebrained schemes converge it all results in disaster. We then join Spike in Pony Joe’s having donuts and a hot chocolate. Joe seems to recognise Twilight, so she and Spike may have come here together somewhat regularly back when they lived in Canterlot. Then, after the Mane Six have been sat around discussing their night together for a while, Celestia enters – if she hasn’t been to Joe’s before, I can only imagine he’d want to get a photograph of Celestia at his establishment. And I’d imagine Equestria would have something like the royal seal that gets put on products and shops used by the royal family here in the UK, so maybe he could put the Princess’ crest up above his sign or something. 

The conclusion of this episode is pretty great. All the expectations that were built up were subverted in a way that felt both clever and satisfying, and it illustrates a great lesson that I think many other shows wouldn’t quite be courageous enough to attempt to communicate. Sometimes life is really disappointing, to the point even of your dreams getting crushed. I give it an 8.4 – it’s comparable to Dragonshy, another episode where all the Mane Six get to shine, but I find it slightly less rewatchable than Dragonshy so it’s just a point below it. 

And with that, we’re just about reaching the end of Season 1! It’s been a lot of fun so far, I think it’s taken about a year from start to end of this season. It’s been a consistent presence in my thoughts this year, and I think in future when I look back, it’ll be one of the specific things I recall about 2025.

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 >>/12411/
> I'm FINALLY BACK!
Woo!
> Her detecting something off is completely correct even if she is starting run with it. 
This can be so tricky - intuition can be very good at telling that something's 'off', but then deducing the reason or cause for that 'offness' can get way into the weeds and overcomplicated, as Pinkie finds out. 
> The most I laughed during this episode was when Rainbow Dash casually said, “Hey Pinkie” when Pinkie Pie was in the hay bale disguise, no doubt used to seeing her in such a get up from their mutual pranking.
The casualness of the remark, I agree, comes from their mutual pranking activities - however, another thing I find amusing about this moment is that Pinkie, by wearing a disguise like that, announces to everyone that it's her since she's the only pony in town who would disguise herself like that! Real pony disguises would either be the province of Unicorn magic, or painting over cutie marks and perhaps gluing cosmetic horns onto the forehead.
 >>/12412/
> over implying any in universe lee creepy pasta mental illness.
it's also her cutie mark to focus on friendships and parties, part of which I imagine is having a close friend group. it is a rather sudden onset of her purpose going unfulfilled leading to delusional behaviour, true, but then, Pinkie IS unusual. 
> Albeit, the theory of when a pony cannot fulfill their cutie mark causing severe mental distress is still one that has appeal to me. 
It's clearly something ponies are not at all used to, and the same goes for not having their social needs met in general. I think it makes pony villains particularly interesting in the show, since they're both equals for the abilities of our main cast and are inherently interesting in terms of exploring how villains can emerge even from a utopian society like Equestria.

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 >>/12413/
> Part of me thinks this is, while not bad in intend, bad phrasing
Agreed. As well as not really what the episode is demonstrating. All it really needs is a tweak from a 'do' to a 'don't', though I understand if the show prefers to give positive affirmations rather than advice that can sound like rulegiving: don't assume the worst of your friends and overthink things! However, it does helpfully clarify things by stating that a *good* friend will always have your best interests at heart, which I think can be true, when there's a particularly strong basis of mutual trust. 
> The party music from the Call of the Cutie is once again reused here at Pinkie’s birthday party. If I can get my act well enough together I will try to track these motifs better. Call of Cutie, The Showstoppers (probably most famous use where it was sometimes a defacto secondary theme for the CMC within the fandom.
Personally I primarily remember it as the music that got swapped out for an All Star instrumental in Friendship Is Witchcraft. They kind of hit on something there, there's an interesting similarity of sorts between the two, even if it's perhaps something to do with the synthesizer/production or whatever the music term would be. 
> I spy with my little eye a streetlight, or I guess what maybe more propperly termed street lantern?
Or even streetlamp?
> I wonder, magical, oil, gas, or electric? 
I'm going to immediately suggest gas just because even if another system is available, Equestria is the kind of place where society's priority is placed more on making sure everyone has something relatively unique they can do for society, and lamplighting fits that bill quite nicely. I'm sure there are some parts of Equestria that buck the trend and use a different solution, however.

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 >>/12414/
> For her powers, I disagree, I think here these things would be more of gags in a season 1 context and not be definitively reality bending and more of a cartoon "gags". 
My counterpoint is the scene where Rainbow Dash flees from Pinkie Pie into Applejack's barn: we see Pinkie Pie clearly keeping up with Rainbow Dash and we know Pinkie Pie is close behind because they don't have really any time to prepare for her being there, to come up with a better cover or ruse or such. I would posit that Pinkie's powers are actually meant to straddle the line between cartoon gag and legitimate in-universe ability, a manifestation of hammerspace powers as it were. 
> Now keep in mind I do look at things from a similar lens where I try to figure out how cartoon gags work in canon and certainly latter canon did imply more to this.
Agreed - in this case I'd simply delineate between cases where Pinkie's actions have little direct tangible consequences, which can be safely disregarded as mere gags, and then cases like her managing to keep even pace with Rainbow Dash, where if we try and argue that Pinkie isn't LITERALLY that fast in the scene, the continuity  of the scene all breaks down. 
> ...wow, has it been over a month since I was last in this thread? Goodness, though I know IRL stuff happens to both of us
I think this time of year always gets busy. It always has for me at least, ever since we moved, which happened in autumn of 2009. Not long before this show started, actually. 
 >>/12419/
> Plus or minus my partial temptation of Twilight Sparkle being Spike's mother somehow by creating life in the egg.
The examiners would have had to provide an unfertilized egg then, which if they had done so knowingly would mean they essentially want Twilight to become a parent just to pass an entrance exam? Wet nurses aren't biological mothers and yet there's the tradition of 'milk-kinship' between children reared by the same wet nurse, oftentimes related to neither child and neither child related to eachother - in a similar way Twilight, who was present to hatch the egg and potentially aided curing a late or dormant hatching condition in Spike's egg (which could partially explain his diminutive form compared to other dragons of similar age later on) is Spike's mother in a much more significant and important way than the question of Spike's genetic ancestry, although both remain important to Spike. I prefer Twilight being adoptive, personally. It allows the show to explore those sort of themes and issues. That's not to say that I dislike your idea, rather that on the whole I tend to prefer the show's approach. 
>  So, my thoughts on this is less chatGPT and more like running the leanest and somewhat stupid LLM that I can get on the best CPU I have as a glorified spell checker that would catch obvious grammatical mistakes but not change whole sentences
Perhaps, and I'll admit I find egregious grammar and spelling mistakes hard to swallow when reading something, but by that same token there's a very similar quality to AI-written stuff, an instant sense that I'm reading something written by a marketing department that feels at least as 'off' as something with awful spelling and grammar. If one were to use chatgpt for this purpose I'd make sure to prompt it to make minimal changes, and to split changes into mere suggestions that it lists in a bullet point for you to then apply yourself, and then actual changes it applies to the text that you provide it.

 >>/12429/
sunset goes to the fridge
 >>/12430/
she has acquired food from the fridge
also, darn it I forgot my name for the replies! yet again!

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 >>/12428/
> but then deducing the reason or cause for that 'offness' can get way into the weeds and overcomplicated, as Pinkie finds out. 
100% agree.  

> Real pony disguises would either be the province of Unicorn magic, or painting over cutie marks and perhaps gluing cosmetic horns onto the forehead.
Depending on how one takes Call of the Cutie: >>/11188/ Maybe glue is completely required and no magic can do? A potential avenue for camouflage is something like the Don't-Notice-Me-Field one of the concepts I really liked from the comics. Now I've jumped too far in the past and ahead, lol. 

>  I think it makes pony villains particularly interesting in the show, since they're both equals for the abilities of our main cast and are inherently interesting in terms of exploring how villains can emerge even from a utopian society like Equestria.
An interesting lens that some characters fit comically perfect in (to the point of somewhat stupid, sorry Dolores our bridge of the board.) Nightmare Moon too, some don't fit as well but that is... bleh, a half formed point exists in my head, I want to get back to this later.

 >>/12429/
> positive affirmations rather than advice that can sound like rulegiving: don't assume the worst of your friends and overthink things! 
I think in some cases that is taken too far. Overcompensation for shows talking down to us.

> However, it does helpfully clarify things by stating that a *good* friend will always have your best interests at heart, which I think can be true, when there's a particularly strong basis of mutual trust. 
This is why I am not sure it's just me, looking at this wrong, as an adult. When push comes to shove I don't think this would've even a minor negative impact on anyone even if taken slightly wrong. It wouldn't be solely at fault for a child in a situation being hurt if a friend was bullying/abusive to them. And if taken like you describe here, it has just as high a chance to help. (A real friend wouldn't treat me like this). 

> Rainbow Dash, where if we try and argue that Pinkie isn't LITERALLY that fast in the scene, the continuity of the scene all breaks down. 
I'm debating if the cartoon teleportation would be more irregular for her. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm. I do understand where you come from. That the continuity of the episode is set with her powers and weirdness being more than a gag. Not sure I would put the dividing line here over say, Feeling Pinkie Keen, where it is outright stated she has powers while here it is still something that is just kinda there. Pinkie being Pinkie, versus Pinkie being more than Pinkie? I think you probably could argue you it both ways, tbh.

> I prefer Twilight being adoptive, personally. It allows the show to explore those sort of themes and issues. That's not to say that I dislike your idea, rather that on the whole I tend to prefer the show's approach. 
I have always thought that some sort of brother/friendship thing fits better with the dynamic, but Twimom has always had a side appeal to me, lol. Though that is a different dynamic. Adoptive versus biological I find the idea of biological to be interesting but from a hard canon perspective, adoptive is better.

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Okay, HOPEFULLY, I'll get my review out next week. I think I will but it depends on how much effort I want to put in. This is the final to Season 1 comfiness and I won't rush /comfy/ regardless of what life throws at me. Thinking I may aim to have the next season thread posted on New Years Day, BUT, with a hiatus/no expectation for us to jump in reviewing depending on life status for us. So it would be a mostly empty thread. What say you? ...and considering this thread is your idea, if you wanted to take the lead and post, whether new years or later, I would welcome in!



 >>/12430/
> Perhaps, and I'll admit I find egregious grammar and spelling mistakes hard to swallow when reading something
I can be torturous at times I bet!

> very similar quality to AI-written stuff, an instant sense that I'm reading something written by a marketing department that feels at least as 'off' as something with awful spelling and grammar. 
It is at the very least the new language of insincerity. I personally fear people offloading too much of there cogitative functions to it and it causing the ability to have a real conversation like this to be difficult. Think what cellphones did to everybody. I don't want to blindly join the anti-AI crowd (even if I count myself a skeptic) or be a doomer though. Nor sully a fun conversation with slightly apocalyptic semi-political musings, lol. 

> I'd make sure to prompt it to make minimal changes, and to split changes into mere suggestions that it lists in a bullet point for you to then apply yourself, and then actual changes it applies to the text that you provide it.
I was thinking of a local LLM and having it point out and tell me mistakes one paragraph at a time. Right now I am stuck using a couple of Chromebooks but when I either get my laptop fix or my plan B assembled I'll see what sort of small thing I can run on there. 

 >>/12431/
Sunset eats meat, even as a pony. Equestria Girls corrupted her in a unique way!

> also, darn it I forgot my name for the replies! yet again!
Will get the hang and norms of it down next thread.

 >>/12433/
> I can be torturous at times I bet!
*welcome it!
*laptop fixed
*New Year's 
Yes.

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 >>/12432/
> I think in some cases that is taken too far. Overcompensation for shows talking down to us.
Even so, it's been true since before cartoons existed that children prefer to imitation to obedience, so where one can set an example it can sometimes achieve better results. I think that was more or less Mr Roger's modus operandi. Whether overreaction or not I don't know, the shows I grew up in the 2000s with certainly didn't tell me dos and do-nots the way some of the preachier 80s cartoons did (Captain Planet and the 'Sonic Sez' segments come to mind) - perhaps in response to a perceived 'overstep' in preceding decades.
> Pinkie being Pinkie, versus Pinkie being more than Pinkie? I think you probably could argue you it both ways, tbh.
I'm a bit of a literalist, so as mentioned in Fall Weather Friends, overly slapstick antics bother me. It directly challenges me whenever it arises in the show with the loud question of "what actually happened here that the animation is exaggerating?" - I'm not particularly interested in dismissing something as 'just a show' or 'just fiction' when it's presented with an otherwise internally consistent world that permits for immersion, 'just a show' and 'just fiction' properly belongs to experimental art and I'd invite people who are overly reductive of immersive art in that manner to go watch something realist or experimental instead if me getting invested in a story bothers them so much. That said, a frame I find useful in my admittedly somewhat extreme literalism is the idea of a non-existent 'source text'. So for instance, any inconsistencies in Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit can be chalked to up to a mere mis-translation of the Red Book of Westmarch, the tome that Bilbo and Frodo penned together from which both books supposedly derive, with Tolkien as their translator. This actually serves to explain why in the original edition of The Hobbit, Gollum amicably gifted Bilbo the Ring, in fact IIRC it's directly addressed somewhere in Lord of the Rings as a lie that Bilbo deliberately wrote in his part of the text. In a similar vein, Star Wars is supposedly adapted from the Journal of the Whills, dictated by R2-D2 to the Keeper of the Whills, a um... Microscopic entity that lives in harmony with the midichlorians, or something to that effect? It doesn't fix Star Wars by any means, but it lets me enjoy the Prequels just a little bit more as I can write off certain inconsistencies and leaps in logic as either exaggeration or situations where R2 was absent and thus cannot accurately report on what happened. MLP *possibly* could be said to have this framing device towards the later seasons, where the journal and letters to Celestia are reminisced on, and there's even a flashback with the last episode which might suggest that the show is the recounted memories of the Mane 6. On the one hand, that's overthinking it a lot, but on the other hand, it makes the part of the show where the letters are being written and then the journal considerably more 'accurate' since they have a written record in-universe. 
> ...and considering this thread is your idea, if you wanted to take the lead and post, whether new years or later, I would welcome in!
I'm perfectly happy to have you make the thread, I don't know what I'd put for the OP for my part. A hiatus might be a good idea, but I'm open to having it posted new year's day, as it would make it a neat clean starting-date for the thread, with season 2 finished ideally by the next new year's. Up to you!

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As I said here: >>/12470/ might impact things, including reviews, will see if I get something out before the New Year. 

 >>/12458/
> A hiatus might be a good idea, but I'm open to having it posted new year's day, as it would make it a neat clean starting-date for the thread, with season 2 finished ideally by the next new year's. Up to you!

Depending on circumstances, I may or may not post the new thread on New Year's Day--with the obvious notation that we won't start just yet. If not a hiatus, no pressure when to kick off. Main thing I want the new thread to do is to explain what this thread is and how it operates for any potential new people.

Posting this here to use my 5050 tag - there's been a bit of a development. I had been using a new distro which I wasn't especially accustomed to on my main thinkpad, and through my own negligence/ignorance accidentally bricked it. Recovering my data isn't impossible, but it is very difficult, and I'd deleted the backup I'd had of the files on the thinkpad before this occurred. There isn't really anything on there that is irreplaceable as far as data goes, so far as I can recall - however, it does mean I can't get into my Twibooru account at the moment. You've got my email, so I can be reached on there still. Apologies for hijacking the thread for other posters.

 >>/12487/
back into Twibooru now. probably just gonna install a new distro on the thinkpad.

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 >>/12487/
 >>/12488/
Noted and noted! 

I haven't been the most organized myself: >>/12470/  My father was all over the place on his plans and... heh, might explain in a PM. Doing better now, just trying to get in the swing of things. 

I've done worse when it comes to distros and configs! and losing accounts!

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PoLS Review 80% done. Will hopefully post tomorrow or next!

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Is the Best Night Ever really the best night ever? This I am uncertain, but I am giddy to dive into this somewhat famous yet I am not sure how relevant in the modern fandom episode. 

Unlike some of the other latter season 1 episodes, this one does have some moments that stuck with me pretty well, though there is a lot I had forgotten. The seen that I often recalled the most is actually this first scene with Twilight Sparkle reading and Pinkie Pie bouncing on the trampoline. I think it was because of seeing it traced over/edited with Lauren Faust's original concepts of characters, such as Pinkie Pie being Surprise. I would for whatever reason, run into it often. Not something I felt strongly about either way, but, it holds a certain secondary nostalgia for me from 2015ish and 2016, much later than the normal early pre-2012 nostalgia this should invoke. 

Twilight Sparkle's attempt to make horses is interesting here as it almost could be implied that horses are just another animal. It wouldn't make sense, considering mules preestablished existence of them. But how would everyone feel if Twilight was turning the mice into ponies? That is why I ask! This has no strong answer for me other than whimsical show being whimsical but I cannot help but try to!

The gala song (At The Gala), was a good song, but not a top fav. I liked Rainbow Dash's part the best as it departed to a more rock style just to show her personality. A nice touch if you ask me. 

The Mane 6 enter the night with hope and I think this is set up splendidly; actually, I was impressed how this episode managed to bounce between all the Mane 6 and not feel rushed/cramped while introducing more than one new character! (Cutie Mark Chronicles might also warrant a mention here!)  I know I felt this a lot in latter seasons. Not sure if it is superior writing or the relative simplicity of the plot. They didn't have to give a lot of heavy handed fanservice or fun moments to characters like Prince Blueblood back then. He was one dimensional gag character but done well. It was just focused on each one of the Mane 6's night getting progressively worse. As far as the night getting, Rainbow Dash was the one whom I related to, in the sense of feeling awkward at such a get together and being unable to break in while others socialize. Minus creating mishaps in an attempt to show off anyways! More on the Mane 6's actions in a bit.

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 >>/12511/
Background ponies and minor characters galore! Prince Blueblood and Pony Joe! Octavia! Again, I am impressed by how much is stuffed into this episode without it feeling stuffed. I feel the urge to make stupid fanfictions out of some minor character here as I believe there is a (few) other background ponies from which this is there first appearance. Actually, though I am uncertain how relevant this episode is directly on everyone's mind's. This episode's influence is certainly on the stronger side for Season 1. First appearances of several ponies at least! The Grand Galloping Gala as a concept certainly is still referenced. I can think of a fair bit of fanfics that were set around this episode or had it as a major plot point.   

It all escalates into Celestia and Twilight walking into the main ballroom and Celestia sums the situation well:
Run
I also quote the princess again, as I think it is a perfect point to close off the main review:
Oh Twilight, the Grand Galloping Gala is always awful.
I really like this meeting at the table and the lesson of friendship here.This ruion felt actually warm and sweet to me personally. Sometimes when the Mane 6 hug it out or whatever I feel nothing. Not negative, but, it's just the plot moving along. Here I did feel a touch of genuine warmth in my heart. Which did surprise me a little even if I know this show can bring this feeling sometimes. I also liked Princess Celestia here. Her distaste of the Grand Galloping Gala I feel like says a lot about her character and establish things that we could somewhat infer from previous episodes of her being someone who is really laid back and disliking of how fussy and strict everything is but is sort of boxed in by her role as princess. She endures and tries to find fun where she can (perhaps in slightly immoral ways, lol).  

Perfect in execution but uncertain in my enjoyment level. Which was high, but how high? I am going to be conservative right now and rate this an 8.5/10!

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 >>/12511/
 >>/12512/
> More on the Mane 6's actions in a bit.
I, Bridgefag, present to you all today, the Most Unethical At The Grand Galloping Gala awards! Or MUATGGG (or MUatGGG) for short! Come one, come all, for we have a pretty stiff competition between these six fine ponies (or maybe not). 

Pinkie Pie
Was a (frankly mild by her own standards) party animal and impolite, but it was more from ignorance than any impishness. Yes, not even impish, not to mention malice or greed. 

Rarity
Mostly innocent, was actually a better gentleman than the pony she so foolish pined for, and her outburst at the end of her night was completely justified. I don't hold her at fault for inadvertently causing the statue to fall over and the resulting chain reaction from Rainbow Dash's attempt to save the day.

Rainbow Dash
Could have made somepony's night moderately bad (if not at least injured that one pony) and royally embarrassed herself had her little stunts not worked. Did try to save the day at the end, and while I don't consider it bad to do so, it was for the wrong reasons. Still, her actions are only mildly self serving and  her attempt to forestall the statue, even if it blew up in her face, wasn't bad unto itself. I suppose her clumsiness with the columns could've killed somepony... depending on how durable each race is. Regardless she doesn't get the reward of most unethical.  

Twilight Sparkle
Is arguably the most innocent; her desire to spend time with Celestia wasn't born from any selfish desire  or ambition of any sort and she just got the short end of the stick from Celestia's duty as a princess while being a complete bystander to everyone else's shenanigans .

Applejack
I am going to ignore the unlicensed kiosk she set up. Uncertain if Equestria has regulations as restrictive as our world. She still has an element of greed to her desire even if it is in part by an earnest desire to help out her family. She also did trip a pony. Still, doesn't deserve the reward.

Fluttershy
The animal caretaker who is supposed to understand creatures as timid and fickle as animals can be couldn't handle when animals rejected her, and during a busy event when wild animals would be understandably a bit more afraid to make themselves known. Each rejection was like a bullet to her ergo, which is apparently pretty fragile and she needed validation. I can soften it a little bit, this was a night she was hyped for and that hype certainly played a roll, but her chasing of a bunch of wild animals after only a few hours (at most) of being rejected seems to be a terrible performance for someone who should be used to tending to, and befriending, shy and timid creatures. There is one saving grace that prevents her from looking completely bad: the idea that ponies go a bit crazy when they can't fulfill their   cutie mark's purpose, which we have definitely seen with Pinkie Pie this season. I am used to Fluttershy having a bit of a dark side as a partly show, partly fandom driven trait. but, I think Fluttershy's actions due genuinely look kind of bad without that theory. Even with that in mind, I think Fluttershy showed the most disregard for everypony (heh, everycreature might be a more appropriate term for once). Congrats Fluttershy, you get the MUATGGG award!

...but if I look beyond the Mane 6. Would Princess Celestia be a contender if she knew/was hoping for some disaster to occur? I'm not sure if she wanted the night to be ruined like this though. More like, having some level of disruption to the upper crust at their expense. Prince Blueblood is the most horrible person there but he didn't do anything horribly unethical, just ungentlemanly (or gentelstallionly) and self absorbed.

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 >>/12513/
About the only potential line of negative critique I could have at this episode is Fluttershy's characterization. Frankly, I don't care much and I am used to this side of her, but if you wanted me to find something wrong it would be this. I could say that Fluttershy's was out of character. After all, someone who had dealt with animals and is a genital soul, would she really do this when animals reject her? As someone who is shy herself and has no doubt dealt with frightened creatures. The weaker excuse is that she was just so hyped for the night and has an obsessive side/mean side (which is true, but) I think the theory of ponies going crazy when they can't fulfill their cutie marks, Pinkie Pie a few episodes ago being an example. I still can't help but feel she does feel a little out of character but even then, this side of her is a long established character trait by this point, and I am used to it. To contrast, Princess Celestia actually enjoying the chaos is something that already fits her if a bit of an extreme trait from her being laid back and a bit of a subtle prankster that we've already seen. I enjoy this aspect of Celestia a lot, at least this era of her. This episode maybe didn't established Trollestia but it make it canon in a sense! 


I wanted to name MUATGGG something more along the lines of "Most Immoral Award" but isn't the difference between morality and ethics the former is a personal standard while the latter is the specific rules and actions? Bleh, ethics this and ethics that "this is ethical, this is unethical" even in this joking context reminds me of a certain segment of rationalist thought that I somewhat dislike, even if I do find such discussion entertaining in small dosages.

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 >>/12514/
The real one this time. 

The Band
As I said earlier, interesting that this is Octavia's first appearance. Also interesting that the band did go along with Pinkie Pie in playing her music, even if they found her enthusiasm a bit too much. 

Animation notes
One part that stuck out to me was Twilight Sparkle when she first greeted the princess. It's a small moment, video related. Can you see it? Twilight in addition to walking  kind of squashes in and out. I guess to give it a little more movement, but it does look slightly weird. Not that I am complaining. Little rough edges amidst attempts at higher effort is the appeal for the animation and art of this era of the show for me; I like the fact that they were trying. Here though, this is more pure cheap flash effect I suppose (again, I am far from an expert on any of this and could be proven wrong pretty easily, lol, these are just my rough speculations).    

Also, secondarily, compare the At The Gala song to the separate pony rigs used in Suited For Success: >>/11297/ It looks like, despite the perspective changes and overhead shots, they were using their normal animation rigs for the crowd. Compared to the choice in Suited for Success to use a separate (and very simple) pony model for the overhead view. I wonder if that was a constraint they were avoiding or a technical achievement (or just simply putting more effort). The only part where they might be using a simpler or different rig is when the Mane 6 walk in. I still think this could be the normal behind perspective or whatever you call it shrunk down and not having much animation on it because of how far away it is, but I'm not 100% sure.

Tertiary note: is the firework the first time a 3D CGI effect as used in the show? 

Background ponies and minor characters
As I said, I believe a lot of the  ponies here this is there first appearance and most are regulated to background roles in things involving Canterlot and other fancy and high cultured things. Of course, there is some more familiar ones as well. Especially other unicorns like Lyra and Amethyst Star. 

> Pony Joe
I think this little snippet and his warmth and familiarity with Twilight Sparkle are kind of cool, and are, how do I put this? A little glimpse into Twilight Sparkle's life as Celestia's student as opposed to a fan service post-hoc addition later. Note, not necessarily condemning someone like Moondancer yet with that statement.

> Prince Blueblood 
I am trying to remember if he had any speaking roles after this. Regardless, he has endured somewhat better than certain other Season 1 characters chiefly for being an early other male with some character and his value as a antagonist. 
 
> Groundskeeper Pony
Is the groundskeeper pony a blank flank? Also, I am not sure if this is his first appearance. Wanna say I saw him somewhere else. I am mixed on checking Wikis for little factoids like this just because I don't want to spoil myself on stuff for the upcoming season (at least what I don't remember). 

> Octavia
I know this is her first appearance, though at this point I'm just repeating myself. Yeah, she is here, and she still has a larger fandom than a lot of background ponies from this time. Probably for being somewhat distinct.

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 >>/12515/
Painted Glass Planets?
Among the painted windows when Pinkie Pie hops into the main ballroom are painted glass windows of what appear to be several planets with rings. Considering the usage of other painted glass windows in the palace later on to commemorate specific events. I wonder if these are more than just decoration? Though that reaches a bit past Season 1 canon here with that speculation.

Canterlot's Distance from Ponyville.
Horse drawn carriage within a night to Canterlot! No theories of pegasi being faster this time. Even if Canterlot is just a little ways away, that mountain climb looks like it would be tiring for anypony! 


Literalism
 >>/12458/
> so as mentioned in Fall Weather Friends, overly slapstick antics bother me. It directly challenges me whenever it arises in the show with the loud question of "what actually happened here that the animation is exaggerating?"
I think I touched on this earlier in thread but can argue it more succinctly here. In the At The Gala song, what would be canon and what would be events that were part of the show or narrative for us, but not from the point of view of the show and their characters? Like for example, did the crowd really join in with the Mane 6 in singing along and being there background singers? Dis Celestia really jump from one cloud to another above Canterlot shortly before  taking her position welcoming guests to the Grand Galloping Gala? I lean much more literal and I think with their is some evidence for it in other songs (remember in Friendship is Magic Part 2 when Pinkie Pie starts to sing Giggle at the Ghosties and Twilight's annoyance at the song?). They do exist in the narrative but some are harder to reconcile than others with a hardline version of that view. They don't bug me, but when I am trying to think of canon, that is what I get hung up on more than slapstick personally. 


Pew! Finally done. I will admit that even with the time I took this time I still feel a little rushed and I can still see somethings that might have been better ironed out (I mention Octavia first appearance three times for example, with little extra information to justify the separate mentions. I will get to 5050s review and reply to that later.

I am happy and blessed that I am able to finish Season 1. It's kind of haunting that we will be moving to Season 2 soon, but, hey, I cannot complain, considering I wasn't sure I would be able to be here for awhile due to my aforementioned mysterious medical issues. I am earnestly thankful to the Lord and to everyone I've had the privilege of talking to on here in this thread, especially 5050 for obvious reasons. Considering this was his idea! 

I don't have much to say on the future Season thread other than OP will be better in the sense of having a clear purpose on how the thread so we have a better chance of drawing others who might be interested and that I won't start it till 5050 is ready. Right now I still have to reply to this one. 

Goodbye Season 1!

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 >>/12511/
> I liked Rainbow Dash's part the best as it departed to a more rock style just to show her personality.
It's hard not to at least mouth along to that part in the song.
> Not sure if it is superior writing or the relative simplicity of the plot. 
I think it can be, and perhaps is, both! This episode has been written, seemingly from the get-go, to revolve around giving each of the six a bit of the spotlight, all having a unique way to contribute that makes sense for them. The one part where I'd say there's a potential misstep is where I'll concur with you on Fluttershy, which I'll get to later. Keeping things simple allows for this great execution to shine through, whilst there are both simple and complex episodes later on that fail to do the same, which is where I'd say it's both good by design and good by execution, that is, planned to be simple and written well within the solid framework of that planned simplicity. 
> Rainbow Dash was the one whom I related to, in the sense of feeling awkward at such a get together and being unable to break in while others socialize.
My solution for a while now has been to not even try, and to simply withdraw. Worst case scenario is I "miss out", and I don't feel I'm missing out on all that much anyway, and best case scenario I then have the people that actually do want to talk to me coming to find me, and that way we can have a more uninterrupted conversation. How exactly such a 'throng' is meant to be navigated with either ease or enjoyability, even for extroverts, is beyond me, and I have a strong suspicion that it isn't actually something that is enjoyed for it's conversational function at all (rather for the sensation of being in a group).

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 >>/12512/
> The Grand Galloping Gala as a concept certainly is still referenced. 
I wonder how significant exactly it actually is in-universe. It seems relatively analogous to the Royal Garden Parties that the Windsors hold irl, the purpose of which is to recognise and reward public service (which we see Celestia doing here herself) - and of course it is also a significant event for the debuts of debutantes, which is what is essentially happening with the Mane Six in the episode. The caveat would be that rather than being one of several parties organised by a nominal head of state through the Crown Estate, the Grand Galloping Gala is only once every year, and is held within the actual seat of government as a directly state-sponsored event. If anything, in fandom and fanfics and stuff even the event itself should be referenced more, I think.
> I also liked Princess Celestia here. Her distaste of the Grand Galloping Gala I feel like says a lot about her character and establish things that we could somewhat infer from previous episodes of her being someone who is really laid back and disliking of how fussy and strict everything is but is sort of boxed in by her role as princess.
After 1000 years of hosting this annual party, I'm not at all surprised that she's sick of it! 
> Perfect in execution but uncertain in my enjoyment level. Which was high, but how high? I am going to be conservative right now and rate this an 8.5/10!
Very similar score to mine!

More replies on their way: for now I'm getting ready for work again. But once that's done, and once anybody else has chimed in if they wish to, that's more or less /thread, when we get to it. I'm strangely reluctant to finish things, now that it's in sight! But season 2 will be exciting to get to!

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 >>/12513/
> The animal caretaker who is supposed to understand creatures as timid and fickle as animals can be couldn't handle when animals rejected her, and during a busy event when wild animals would be understandably a bit more afraid to make themselves known. 
Here, I think, is where an easy fix could have been made: Fluttershy underestimates the animals in the garden and ends up irritating them with her attempts to befriend them such that they are the ones who chase Fluttershy into the palace, rather than the other way around. It helps keep her more in character and achieves the same result. 
> There is one saving grace that prevents her from looking completely bad: the idea that ponies go a bit crazy when they can't fulfill their cutie mark's purpose, which we have definitely seen with Pinkie Pie this season.
Even so, that occurs after remarkably little stress, relatively speaking. It took the better part of a day to break Pinkie, and that with the apparent rejection of her very best friends. Plus I had sort of figured that Pinkie had a more fragile ego. I don't think Fluttershy has much of an excuse at all, really. 
> I am used to Fluttershy having a bit of a dark side as a partly show, partly fandom driven trait
I don't even feel that we've seen that dark side up until now in this season ('the stare' aside). If anything, I'm tempted to call this the inciting incident of her 'dark side', and it essentially stems from a weird writing quirk, something I'm even tempted to call a writing mistake. Either way, Fluttershy very strongly deserves her MUATGGG trophy!
> Would Princess Celestia be a contender if she knew/was hoping for some disaster to occur?
The way I figure it, she expected for something like a bit of disruption from the other five turning the dance hall into more of a rave, whilst having Twilight by her side would help her with the greeting process for all the attendees. I don't see how Celestia could have been aware of their individual ambitions for the night, except of course for Twilight's, so I take her initial predictions to be less chaotic, and I think I'd even read her saying that the commotion improved the evening as partly intended to soften the blow for the Mane 6. 
 >>/12514/
> I could say that Fluttershy's was out of character. 
The only way I can possibly figure it would be to say that Fluttershy had to come through crowds of people to get to the gardens and that wore her down considerably, to the point where she was desperate for less threatening companionship. It isn't consistent with what we're shown in the episode, but essentially I think Fluttershy would have to already be on the verge of a nervous breakdown to even begin to justify her actions. I'm tempted to go so far as to say that if this reaction was a cutie-mark thing or spurred on by wanting animals to like her, she ought to have snapped a least a little bit like this at Angel Bunny in a few scenes.

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 >>/12515/
> I guess to give it a little more movement, but it does look slightly weird.
I kind of see what you mean. It's tricky when you've got both the walking motion and the neck moving the head as well, I guess it's just a quick trick to convey that for a few seconds. I think there's a similar shot in Best Friends Until The End of Time where the Mane Six walk towards the camera, by then they have a proper model for that rather than what they're doing here with the head seemingly separate. 
> Is the groundskeeper pony a blank flank? Also, I am not sure if this is his first appearance. Wanna say I saw him somewhere else. I am mixed on checking Wikis for little factoids like this just because I don't want to spoil myself on stuff for the upcoming season (at least what I don't remember). 
I checked the wiki, he is a blank flank and he does show up before this episode, so you're right on both counts! 
 >>/12516/
> Among the painted windows when Pinkie Pie hops into the main ballroom are painted glass windows of what appear to be several planets with rings. Considering the usage of other painted glass windows in the palace later on to commemorate specific events. I wonder if these are more than just decoration?
It lines up with Twilight's line about comets in the Owlowicious episode to suggest that space is very similar if not identical to our universe (which might tie into the Equestria-as-future-Earth theories!)
>  They do exist in the narrative but some are harder to reconcile than others with a hardline version of that view. They don't bug me, but when I am trying to think of canon, that is what I get hung up on more than slapstick personally.
Since I already mentioned Best Friends Until The End of Time, that one also has aspects of the scenery not being real, but the song itself be real and occurring in-universe. My answer would be that I think the scenery in this song too is also at least partly imagination, expressing the inner feelings of the Mane Six, but that they do literally sing it. Perhaps it's even taking part in the crowd singing it as part of an annual tradition where ponies sing that song on the way to the GGG. All in all though, I think only Tolkien's elves rival ponies for a penchant to break out into song literally in the middle of things.
> Goodbye Season 1!
Agreed, it was a fun ride! I'd be curious to see how the data of our scores adds up and compares. I'll have to collect up my scores from the thread - I had them all listed neatly at the beginning of my document where I wrote all my posts down, but as I've mentioned to you, I've lost that. It's a fond farewell to season 1, and I imagine it will be for season 2 as well - in a way it feels exciting to still have a lot of good stuff ahead of us. Season 3's farewell, far in the future as it is, if we ever get there, will be more bittersweet, but definitely worth revisiting if and when we get there.

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I threw the scores I gave each episode into a line graph generator. I should have been less lazy and made one myself properly, but this works well enough. My top episode is of course Winter Wrap-Up at 10, and the lowest is Over a Barrel at 4.6, which would give a mid-range of 7.3, and that sounds about right. As a whole though, taken together, I think season 1 manages to be more than the sum of it's parts, the average of the episodes it's made up of. I'm curious as to whether I'll find any 10/10s in season 2, it's possible that out of the whole rest of the show I find Winter Wrap-Up to be the only one I consider perfect, but regardless of that I think it's fair to say that no other season will manage to be as cohesive as season 1 is. I can't quite settle on 9 or 10 - 9 would be because I don't consider season 1 perfect, but 10 would be because I think it's probably the high point of the show. So if I had to give it an overall score, I think I'd rank season 1 as a 9.5. That's my opinion as it stands! And I'm looking forward to seeing how season 2 holds up for me, for Bridge, and for any other anons who wish to join in

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 >>/12525/
I need to sit down and do this! 

Had a rough few days/weeks. Trying to get geared fro the new thread. I know I am over thinking it, but I want to make sure that I make a draft with as clear a mind as possible.