Re: Take these broken wings and learn to fly: S4 Pony Discussion (Screened episodes only)

Zarhon Sat Dec 14, 2013 6:02 pm

So! New episode!

- Scoots left ambiguous about her flying future, but confirmed as pretty much unable to do it now, and is "lagging" behind her peers.
- Steroid pony makes a comeback.
- Granny Smith and Scoots are a running gag now, it seems.
- Scoots is not a hobo.
- Dash is excite.
- Diamond Tiara is a huge bitch, as usual.
- Silver Spoon threw away any redeeming qualities from previous episodes and copied Diamond Tiara's behavior perfectly.
- Moral is pretty damn good and solid.
- Song is... okay. Doesn't seem very catchy to me, but is very pretty to watch.
- New animations and effects are top notch, excluding maybe miss Harshwhinny. Maybe it's that she's the first pony we've seen 'angry' in such a way, but her facial expressions were uncanny.
- A new promo for the next episode came out. Hype get! Watch the 0:10 mark carefully.

And now for something completely different: Commentaries!

And for something totally CMC-related, more commentary!

Flight to the finish:

**Lapis-Lazily** Sat Dec 14, 2013 6:27 pm

I really enjoyed the episode. But that doesn't matter because I'm too excite for next week!

Spoiler:

Cardbo Sat Dec 14, 2013 8:14 pm

So apparently horses are a thing here. Wonder if its just the Saddle Arabians, or there are other horses as well.

Zarhon Sun Dec 22, 2013 7:15 pm

Lapis-Lazily wrote:I really enjoyed the episode. But that doesn't matter because I'm too excite for next week!
Spoiler:

And then new episode happened.

- Fluttershy's 'power mode' design... I don't know. It's really uncanny looking. Somewhat disappointed about that.
- Mane-iac is top notch and really sells this episode - full ham, crazy eyes, terrible puns! She's also pretty much *the* craziest creature in the show now. Sorry Pinkie/Twilght, you can't beat this level of cray-cray, at least not yet.
- Spike's overall character depiction is improved upon this episode! Lampshades are hung on him in general, and he gets some time in the spotlight. Remember those arguments we've had about "Spike should be left behind" in the season 4 pilot eps? This ep pretty much lampshades and references those moments and then makes a moral out of it. Although I'm sure analysis bronies will analyze the details a lot better than I will, so enough on that.
- Pinkie Pie is a kletpo with superpowers.
- For the first time in ever, Twilight shows magical incompetency! Shock and awe!
- Tornado physics, man. They mock all the other physics, yet are still inferior to Pinkie-mops-with-mane-sliding-upside-down physics.
- Enchanted comic books have terrible DRM policies. I mean, read it once, and thats it? That's not buying, that's rental! Although it does make sense from a business perspective...
- There will be such terrible, glorious fanart of this episode. We all know it.

Also, commentaries, as usual!

Power Ponies:

Cardbo Sun Dec 22, 2013 8:12 pm

Zarhon wrote:

- Ropes get tighter around her? Psychically connected to the rope? Welp, it's confirmed: AJ has a bondage kink.

Huh. Yeah, I thought it'd be Fluttershy for sure.
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Take these broken wings and learn to fly: S4 Pony Discussion (Screened episodes only) - Page 2 CVPcR_zpsa589b59e

Zarhon Sat Dec 28, 2013 11:28 pm

BATS!

- FLUTTERBAT!
- Pinkie Pie confirmed for Burrower, and a mane-variant of "Clever Tail". We really should update that talent, by the way.
- FLUTTERBAT!
- The soil of Equestria is apparently saturated with gems.
- FLUTTERBAT!
- Easily missed detail: Fluttershy's cutie mark changes as well!
- FLUTTERBAT!
- The song certainly had a "Tim Burton" feel to it, though it isn't very "memorable". Noticeable contrast between the two singers as well (Fluttershy employing bloom, AJ using dark, solid colors).
- FLUTTERBAT!
- Vampire bats apparently aren't a form of undead, as they have reflections.
- FLUTTERBAT!
- Giant mutant apples. Apparently AJ has Green Hooves.
- FLUTTERBAT!
- Technology! Both in the form of a high-tech, air-cylinder biohazard suit, as well as laser hologram magic and flashlights.
- FLUTTERBAT!
- I really hope they make a thing out of the ending.

Bats!:

One can also draw an idea of how the "Lunar batponies" fit into the show: They seem like the "non-vampiric fruitbat" version of Flutterbat. In other words, not jerks, and probably eat apples without draining them, but still batty.

By the way, this popped up on the pony facebook page. It looks... Official. Much excite.

Zarhon Sun Jan 05, 2014 3:46 am

Rarity Takes Manehattan

This episode has quite a few tidbits!
- A musical reference.
- Mad men reference.
- Cats reference.
- New York references.
- Carrot-dogs! They're a thing!
- Devil wears Prada allusions.
- Rarity engages in generosity, and then has a need for hotel kleptomania and vandalism.
- A new contender for "most hated pony that the Mane Six can't legally murder" - Siri. Diamond Tiara can only accomplish so much as a kid bully.
- A background pony that everyone appears to be going dawww'ing about and who partially steals the spotlight - Coco.
- A so-so song. The lyrics feel awkward at a few scenes, and not very memorable.
- A few new Rarity faces, including what is arguably the saddest face we've seen so far.

- More foreshadowing! The episode is chock full of rainbow-motifs, which appear to be acting in a manner similar to "Bad Wolf" of Dr. Who. Instances include the rainbow-decorated taxi cab, the rope and Rarity's eyes at the fashion show, and of course, the rainbow spool of thread itself.

- Symbolism of the Mane Six is obvious in the ending, both in the spools of thread AND the glimmer on the "special" rainbow spool. Looks like we've got a great candidate for Rarity's Box-o'-Mcguffin-Key. Or failing that, a method for her to make a textile product that achieves a similar purpose?

- Worst quirk on the episode: Rarity's completely irrational behavior. She gets over it and learns of her mistake, but it feels extremely forced and out of character for her in the first place.

- Spike does not get love.

- Overall: It's 'solid', but not particularly exciting to stand out in any way, apart from its apparent arc-plot significance.

Anyway, have some commentary as usual.

RARITY TAKES MANEHATTAN:

**Paper Shadow** Sun Jan 05, 2014 4:06 am

Zarhon wrote:- More foreshadowing! The episode is chock full of rainbow-motifs, which appear to be acting in a manner similar to "Bad Wolf" of Dr. Who. Instances include the rainbow-decorated taxi cab, the rope and Rarity's eyes at the fashion show, and of course, the rainbow spool of thread itself.

Rainbow Dash confirmed to look into the heart of the TARDIS...

Zarhon Sun Jan 05, 2014 4:31 am

Paper Shadow wrote:
Zarhon wrote:- More foreshadowing! The episode is chock full of rainbow-motifs, which appear to be acting in a manner similar to "Bad Wolf" of Dr. Who. Instances include the rainbow-decorated taxi cab, the rope and Rarity's eyes at the fashion show, and of course, the rainbow spool of thread itself.
Rainbow Dash confirmed to look into the heart of the TARDIS...

A note of interest: The shimmer that happens on the rainbow spool itself isn't the colors of the rainbow - rather, it's the color's of the Mane Six's coats, in a pattern that looks vaguely like a thunderbolt:

Pic:

I'm not saying it's Rainbow Power... But it's probably Rainbow Power.

Also, Coco might return! I for one welcome our new member of the Mane 7 / Rarity replacement. Razz

**LoganAura** Sun Jan 05, 2014 3:26 pm

Rainbow motif.
Lightning bolt pattern to the shimmer at the end
Rarity's lesson was both one of Generosity and Loyalty, and she recieved a Rainbow colored spool of thread.
I remember someone mentioning that maybe there was a connection to the cutie mark swap from MMM
if so, Applejack'll have a lesson on Honesty and Generosity and get something like an Apple shaped gemstone.
Pinkie will have a lesson on Laughter and Honesty, and get something like an apple pie? I'm not sure. though with this it doesn't make sense
Shy'll have a lesson on Kindness and Laughter and get a balloon animal?
and Rainbow'll have a lesson on Kindness and loyatlty, and get a rainbow colored animal?

It's not a perfect thought

Cardbo Thu Jan 09, 2014 10:36 pm

That rainbow spool of thread is Rarity's key to the Chest of Harmony.
Other rainbow colored items will be the other Mane 6's keys.

/Tin Foil Hat

Being Generous is good, but Rarity clearly doesn't under the concept of Trade Secrets or Corporate Espionage
Bet some of the art assets from "Maretropolis" in "Power Ponies" was recycled here.

EDIT: Trade Secrets is an awesome name for a pony.

/Random Thoughts.

LoganAura wrote:Rainbow motif.
Lightning bolt pattern to the shimmer at the end
Rarity's lesson was both one of Generosity and Loyalty, and she recieved a Rainbow colored spool of thread.
I remember someone mentioning that maybe there was a connection to the cutie mark swap from MMM
if so, Applejack'll have a lesson on Honesty and Generosity and get something like an Apple shaped gemstone.
Pinkie will have a lesson on Laughter and Honesty, and get something like an apple pie? I'm not sure. though with this it doesn't make sense
Shy'll have a lesson on Kindness and Laughter and get a balloon animal?
and Rainbow'll have a lesson on Kindness and loyatlty, and get a rainbow colored animal?

It's not a perfect thought

Pinkie will receive Zap Apple Pie.

Zarhon Sun Jan 12, 2014 1:53 am

New episode! Things happen, and then there's a moral.

Thoughts!
- Pinkie confirmed for lacking any form of self-preservation instinct, or simply deciding to cut the "mortal" act. She also gives no bucks whatsoever.

- I get the feeling Pinkie somehow stole Maneiac's powers, and that her reality bending is getting stronger. Rainbow power might make her silly amounts of omnipotent being.

- A sort of unexpected moral direction (though predictable outcome) - Rather than focus on Pinkie, it focuses on the Apple Family, who overly focus on Pinkie. And is it just me, or is this the first time that Pinkie Pie provided/resolved the moral of the episode?

- Ambiguous conclusion of the plot. Disappointing, but probably for the best, and less disappointing/predictable than the alternatives.

- Apple Family continuity, of a sort.

- Crazy cat lady! That part felt a bit like padding, though - a bit longer than expected.

- Song! It's a bit jarring the difference between early animatic from months ago, and the final product - A few new details add to the song (pans, extra sound effects), but some of the animation looks a bit odd by comparison (pinkie's bouncing, and a few facial expressions, and their little dance/jig in front of the cart being the biggest differences).

- There's a freeze-frame bonus: One of the scrapbook pictures has a shot from the "implied to be full of horror-terrors" cave, and has two monsters in it!

- Another sign of fine details of the show crew: They bothered to add realistic "red eye" to one of the photos.

- Lots of amusing facial expressions.

- Pinkie Pie is an expert at dodging questions related to her omnipotence / photographing skills. That last photo may explain most of it, though.

Now have some commentary! (For full effect, watch the episode whilst reading!)

Pinkie Apple Pie:

Cardbo Sun Jan 12, 2014 2:13 pm

I think Pinkie Applie Pie is going to be one of my favorites. Haven't laughed that hard in awhile.

Zarhon Sun Jan 12, 2014 2:47 pm

So, uhm, someone noticed a odd little secret in one of the frames of the episode. It's at the 17:04 mark in the youtube video.

Scary Stuff:

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Cardbo Sun Jan 12, 2014 3:16 pm

One of the commenters on the video

18:39 Metroids in Equestria confirmed!

If you played Super Metroid, you'll know what this is referencing. In case you don't, the below video should help. Starts at 5m, 17seconds

Major spoilers for Super Metroid:

Zarhon Mon Jan 20, 2014 1:45 pm

Not much to say about this episode other than DERPY YES.

Have commentaries cause reasons.

Rainbow Falls:

Zarhon Sat Jan 25, 2014 8:59 pm

Three's A Crowd!

- Lots and LOTS of references in this one.
- Discord goes overboard on the jerk-o-meter, but gets his karma to compensate.
- Foreshadowing of the upcoming "Breezies" episode!

Now have some delightful commentary.

Three's a Crowd:

**LoganAura** Sat Feb 01, 2014 5:47 pm

Episode ruled.

My hypothesis has (Sort of) been consistent for the last few keys:

Rarity learned Generosity and Loyalty lesson.
Dash learned Loyalty and kindness lesson.
Pinkie learned Laughter and Honesty lesson. (Right after she got rainbow eyed? "I broke the pinkie party promise". Integrity)

Rainbow+Mane-6-bow theme has continued throughout the three keys. (Heck, there was like 8 of them during Pinkie's song)

Zarhon Sat Feb 01, 2014 11:40 pm

Lots of references to Wierd Al. Deffo a musical episode, though none of the song were that catchy.

There's also glimpses of a lot of "young" ponies in the Cheese Sandwich flashback.

This includes Berry Punch, who is notably NOT young. Either she's immortal, or is a lot older than she looks.

Pinkie Pride:

Zarhon Sat Feb 08, 2014 6:04 pm

Simple Ways!

- Rarity goes "Lesson Zero" on us.
- Trenderhoof seems a mixture of idiocy and jerky-ness. Especially considering his double-meaning when pointing at Derpy. Drama will be made.
- The VA's made and broke this episode making those accents work in such a flawless fashion!
- Moral is okay. Nothing special.
- Anticlimactic ending. Lots of crazy and cringe-worthy scenes before it, but the plot was fairly 'harmlessly' defused before any real disaster struck.
- So many silly/crazy faces. So many.
- Overall: Nothing thrilling or exciting or memorable, but certainly amusing.

Now have some commentaries!

Simple Ways:

**LoganAura** Sat Feb 08, 2014 6:43 pm

- Moral is okay. Nothing special.

Honestly? The moral is something that EVERYONE needs to learn, especially people at a young age. "Be you, don't let someone you like or your friends tell you otherwise. Being yourself is what matters, and people will love you for you".

Moral made the episode for me.

Xel Unknown Sat Feb 08, 2014 9:01 pm

Personally I loved Rarity being up in farm clothing and AJ being all fancy. Think Rarity should think of trying to do something with a "rustic" look in the future. Also deeply enjoyed the voice acting bits in that sense too. Lastly, in my opinion, any time I see a good Continuity Nod like there was in this episode makes a good episode.

Xel Unknown Sat Feb 15, 2014 1:16 pm

I've seen the new epoiside... Gotta say highly enjoyed it. But there was one major gripe I got. Pinkie Pie's actions... Oh it was cute the first time she did her overreation-ness on possible outcomes. But the other times was not enjoyed... Hell she should've got the memo the second time she said it. But then again... I guess it makes sense, sometimes I've even found myself acting like Pinkie did and talk too much about a negative when I really enjoyed something... In fact I seem to be doing so right now. And I feel so lame that I pointed that out. Me damn it, Twi

Zarhon Sat Feb 15, 2014 7:51 pm

Have some manly 1080p HD.

- Bon Bon now presumably has a seal pet.
- Flutterguy! Funnily enough, the whole idea crossed my mind once I saw the Big Mac-loses-voice preview, though dismissed it in favor of her singing normally. Pretty good VAing of the voice.
- Zecora is still mistress of alternative medicine.
- Pinkie Pie, for the first time in a while, makes things worse for everypony. Really dislike that "idiot insensitive" portrayal.
- Very solid moral. Though it could have ended a lot more badly if the ponies acted realistically & cruelly to the performance (mocking her - as some likely would). She got a best-case scenario, really.
- AJ doesn't need to learn anything. She knows it all already. ALL OF IT. Can't help but feel like the writers were pressured into a 'lightning quick exposition' due to episode length, but that was an excellent way of pulling it off.

- Two new background ponies, including a 1000000000000% better version of Diamond Tiara, and what I assume is a cameo or celebrity shout-out I can't recognize.

And commentaries as usual:

Filli vanilli:

Zarhon Sun Feb 23, 2014 1:27 am

Twilight Time!

Commentaries!

Twilight Time:

Highlights:
- Sweetie Belle learns levitation! Guess "poor magic user" is now permanently off the fanfic list, unless she somehow displays incompetence again later. She's also got a distinct green aura, which is not a creative color.

- Diagrams for the box! Looks mostly like an engineering schematic. And apparently has three variants of keys, with an unclear order.

- Diamond Tiara gets no karma and that makes me sad. In fact, CMC are the only ones who get an equivalent of punishment, for things that they didn't intend to cause. Weird zig-zagging of morale in the episode, really - DT starts as a bad behavior example, the CMCs end up copying her / getting her benefits purely by accident and DT's manipulation, then decide to make the most of it, then try to fix things when they see its going badly, and then things go wrong for them because of DT's egging for things she herself is guilty off, and gets away scot free!

To summarize, DT acts like a bitch the whole episode, is responsible for half the plot/bad things, manages to avoid learning any 'moral lessons' whatsoever, profits from hanging out with "the popular ones", and gets absolutely no punishment or downsides of any of her actions, whilst managing to get the CMC into trouble repeatedly.

- Alchemist Applebloom! So far, she knows how to make diseases for plants, explode flora, and rapidly grow plants to huge size.

- Scootaloo somehow fails at a scooter-related activity. Which is weird.

- Awesome butler.

- This face:
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