Season 2 Discussion - SPOILER WARNING

[Dr_Dissonance]

Instead we got THAT PIG SONG!!!

YEAAAAAAAAH!!!

[X-Trav]

OINK OINK OINK

Also I frequently heard that mamba melody throughout the episode. WHAT WAS THE NAME OF THAT!?!

HOW COME TWILIGHT CANT FLY BUT THE BABY CAN?

[Aussie]

WOW BEST EPISODE EVER

But no seriously, that was great. I don't think I've laughed so many times during an episode! And the fact that my favorite character finally gets the starring role where she isn't just used as comedy fodder makes it so much better!

Also, Rarity, you're doing a great job at being the element of gener-fuckin'-rosity. Keep it up.

:V

[Senator Myth]

What the fuck did I just watch

Didn't we already have a babysitting episode? I don't know if I mention this ever, but Stare Master is actually my favorite episode in the whole series for several reasons... So I went into this episode with that in mind.

And I guess... yeah, it was a good episode, but it's a great one for comparing the first and second seasons. In the first season we had an episode with perfect pacing, a three-act structure, and pretty damn high stakes--about as high as you can go in a Y-rated show. In Season 2, we have just a fairly funny episode in which the problem just sort of works its way out.

In the end, I suppose the episode worked fairly well, but like I said, Stare Master was REALLY great, and this one was just pretty good, much better than I was expecting. I was definitely approaching this with "may God have mercy on our souls" after hearing the concept, so they did a better job than I was expecting.

tl;dr this episode is a perfect example of how Season 1 did something fantastically and Season 2 did something just pretty good.

[Ropony]

What the fuck did I just watch

Didn't we already have a babysitting episode? I don't know if I mention this ever, but Stare Master is actually my favorite episode in the whole series for several reasons... So I went into this episode with that in mind.

And I guess... yeah, it was a good episode, but it's a great one for comparing the first and second seasons. In the first season we had an episode with perfect pacing, a three-act structure, and pretty damn high stakes--about as high as you can go in a Y-rated show. In Season 2, we have just a fairly funny episode in which the problem just sort of works its way out.

In the end, I suppose the episode worked fairly well, but like I said, Stare Master was REALLY great, and this one was just pretty good, much better than I was expecting. I was definitely approaching this with "may God have mercy on our souls" after hearing the concept, so they did a better job than I was expecting.

tl;dr this episode is a perfect example of how Season 1 did something fantastically and Season 2 did something just pretty good.

I think you're expectations are just too high, you should stop comparing every episode to something from season 1 and just enjoy the ride. :3

[Senator Myth]

I think you're expectations are just too high, you should stop comparing every episode to something from season 1 and just enjoy the ride. :3

I'm afraid that's not how it works. First of all, I can compare every episode to something from Season 1 if I so choose, since Season 1 was what initially got me excited and invested in the show. Second, I don't compare every episode to something from Season 1. Like I said, it's because this episode has VERY similar qualities in terms of basic setup to one of the episodes from Season 1. Third, that episode happened to be my favorite in the series, so I don't see how I would just not think of it...

I'm pretty sure I said all that in my initial post, but yeah. I'm just the tiniest bit incensed when people tell me "Big deal, it's just a show, stop overanalyzing" especially when I'm /not/ overanalyzing. That's what happens when I look into all the details of the show and find inconsistences with canon or with how the real world works and try to explain it in a contrived way. I don't do this.

This is just examining how the episode was written, animated, and put together. Unfortunately I can't turn that part of my mind off, ever, but it was a pleasure to do so while watching Season 1, while examining how Season 2 episodes work usually leaves me feeling disappointed. Because yeah, the show IS a big deal, to me at least. It's incredible that something so superficially lame as My Little Pony could be so fantastic in reality, so to just say "eh forget about it" is to do a disservice to the awesomeness of the show.

That said, I'm hardly raging or anything. I said the episode was good, one of the better ones from Season 2. WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT FROM ME THAT'S HIGH PRAISE?!

[penguindf12]

You are my best friend Senator Myth <3

That aside, I can see both sides. Comparison & analysis, if it comes naturally to you, can pave the way to greatness as an artist -- recognizing weak points, clarifying what you find to be valuable, honing your craft & appreciation. As composers, I think this is important. But it's also important to step back and indeed enjoy yourself without analysis once in awhile, or it becomes stifling. Balance, balance.

[TheSunAndTheRainfall]

Eeeyup, fun episode. Pinkie's songs were awesome, and she finally gets an episode where she acts like a (kind of) more believable character instead of just being that one pony who only gets cheap laughs out of people. The only thing I didn't like was that everything just sort of sorted itself out in the end. Pinkie cracks down, the babies feel bad for her, and decide to behave for her. Meeeeeh.

Also, Pound Cake flew more (and better) in this episode than Scootaloo in the entire series.

[Evdog]

What did everypony think of that creepy scene? Personally, I loved that they kept something like that in.

[un1c0rn]

Oh god, didn't even notice that as trainspotting reference. But now that you point it out it's so obviously the case.

[Likonan]

Well, Derpy finally spoke.

Serious episode, I'd say. Pretty much everyone can relate to the message.

[Interrobang Pie]

Obligatory tumblr repost:


GODDAMN INCREDIBLE EPISODE OH MY GOD

Setting aside the obvious DERPY HOOVES TALKS which I covered already:

• APPLEJACK EPISODE FINALLY
• CRYING BIG MAC OH MY GOSH
• FLUTTERSHY BEING GOOD FLUTTERSHY FINALLY
• PINKIE PIE BEING GOOD PINKIE PIE YESSSS
• RAINBOW DASH BEING GOOD RAINBOW DASH FINALLY
• HILARIOUS HILARIOUS ENDING + RARITY VERY GOOD
• Tons more season 1 references like the Pinkie Pie Swear (although called a Pinkie Promise the movements were done so it’s fine)
• New best episode. Sorry Secret of My Excess.

[Pustulioooooo]

I love Derpy's voice! She's so cute!

AND I ALSO WANT A CHERRY-CHANGA SOOOO BADLY!

[bartekko]

PinkiePieSwear needs a namechange.
Fluttershy can be fast when she wants.
Berry Punch and Carrot Top everywhere, and i SO approve of this. (the misspell of "I" was intended for bigger effect)

In other news, dishonest Applejack

[Senator Myth]

This is everything I was missing about Season 1 and more. The first episode of Season 2 where I was smiling ear to ear almost the whole time. I'm close to tears of joy right now, just coming off of it. They haven't forgotten how to make their magic.

10/10

[bartekko]

10/10

10/10 would rape watch again, 10 times.


[spamtekko OFF]

[X-Trav]

This is everything I was missing about Season 1 and more. The first episode of Season 2 where I was smiling ear to ear almost the whole time. I'm close to tears of joy right now, just coming off of it. They haven't forgotten how to make their magic.

10/10

When this guy gives a 10/10 you know its good.

ALSO PINKIE JUST WENT UP MY BEST CHARACTER LIST FOR THE DEMENTED PINKIE PROMISE AVENGER AND THE "RARITY CATCH ME" SCENE, OH LAWDY!

[PinkieGuy]

I sadly have to give this episode a 9.5 due to an issue i've taken with Pinkie throughout season 2. Although this was a return to form for her, through the second seasons every episode featuring pinkie has put a massive emphasis on her eating habits. There has not a single episode where this hasn't been made apparent. When you watch season one, yes, she definately has a sweet tooth but in season 2 it is more than 50% of what she talks about.

Luckily, Pinkie was much closer to her usual self in this episode and so the episode was still fantastic. Derpy being her canon name was awesome and her characterization wasn't too offensive, the CherryChanga song will be remixed promptly, and the theme of the episode was an important concept that was dealt with exceedingly well.

/End thoughts.

[bigBerd]

The Derpy scene made me nerdgasm twice. 'nuff said.

[Senator Myth]

I sadly have to give this episode a 9.5 due to an issue i've taken with Pinkie throughout season 2. Although this was a return to form for her, through the second seasons every episode featuring pinkie has put a massive emphasis on her eating habits. There has not a single episode where this hasn't been made apparent. When you watch season one, yes, she definately has a sweet tooth but in season 2 it is more than 50% of what she talks about.

Good thought, but for me it's more the emphasis on Pinkie as "stupid joke character" instead of "overwhelmingly happy character" like she was in Season 1. This episode sort of managed to bring that side back to her a little bit, one of the things I loved about it so much.

But you're right: on balance, Pinkie's lazy and sometimes obnoxious characterization is one of the trends about Season 2 I take most issue with.

In other news GREAT EPISODE

[TheSunAndTheRainfall]

I loved this episode. I can't really add more to that than what has already been said, so yeah. Except I thought the Derpy scene was a bit awkward, but I liked it anyway.

[Likonan]

I sadly have to give this episode a 9.5 due to an issue i've taken with Pinkie throughout season 2. Although this was a return to form for her, through the second seasons every episode featuring pinkie has put a massive emphasis on her eating habits. There has not a single episode where this hasn't been made apparent. When you watch season one, yes, she definately has a sweet tooth but in season 2 it is more than 50% of what she talks about.

Good thought, but for me it's more the emphasis on Pinkie as "stupid joke character" instead of "overwhelmingly happy character" like she was in Season 1. This episode sort of managed to bring that side back to her a little bit, one of the things I loved about it so much.

But you're right: on balance, Pinkie's lazy and sometimes obnoxious characterization is one of the trends about Season 2 I take most issue with.

You hit the nail most accurately. While Baby Cakes and this episode actually showed some of her better side, I still would like to see more representations of my favourite pony as "Miss Laughter", rather than "Madame Gourmet".

[Versilaryan]

BRICK JOKES GALORE. I love how so many of the little gags came back and became plot points, however minor. THAT is good writing.

[Stars In Autumn]

I think this one might be my 2nd favorite from the season so far. Derpy's voice was good, but I'm so use to hearing PierceSmoulder's version that it threw me off. I think the "Raritycatchme!" "What? PINKIE!? AHHH" was the best part.

A good solid episode, much better than AJ's episode from season one, in my opinion.

[AutomaticJack]

The Derpy scene was weird; knowing it's a fan named character and seeing that aspect flow back into the show... is strange to say the LEAST.