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MLP:FIM S5E24 - "The Mane Attraction" - Grading & Discussion

Episode Grade

  • Total voters
    8
  • Poll closed .
A

Amaris

Guest
Episode Title: "The Mane Attraction"
Air Date: November 21st, 2015, 11:30 AM Eastern Time (4:30 PM GMT/UTC)

Summary: "An old friend of Applejack's has become a huge pop star and Applejack fears that the singer's manager does not have her best interests at heart."

Live Streams:
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REMEMBER: NO OPEN SPOILERS UNTIL 3 PM ET (8 PM GMT)

=-

Ruminations:
So we're about to see Amy Keating Rogers' last episode for the series. I've loved Amy's episodes from the beginning, and it's still sad to see that she won't be producing any more for the show. That said, this episode looks interesting. This episode also stars guest voice Lena Hall (of Hedwig fame) playing a long-time friend of Applejack's who became a pop star. We've seen Sapphire Shores before, so we know pop music exists in the pony universe, and I'm curious to see how Applejack became friends with her. The potential for world expansion in this episode isn't so big, but character background could be significant! So on to the episode!
 
I'm really looking forward to this one after hearing the song months ago. There's a short preview clip on EQD, it doesn't give much away and it's weird. We'll find out tomorrow.
 
Indeed, I'm really curious to see how this will all work out. I haven't watched the trailer, and I might, but I often stay away from everything as to be totally surprised.
 
First vote, and first A!
Daniel Ingram must've been dying to do Lady Gaga. So had Amy Keating Rogers. This was excellent. And it was an AJ episode!!
 
Once I adjusted to the fact that the episode wasn't going to be what I expected it to be based on the original animatic

I was actually expecting a CMC episode, where they were going to help Rara earn her cutie mark (so, it was encountering an adult who didn't have one [because she had been prevented from singing for some reason], and exploring the question of "what if I never find my talent") - and that idea gained a bit more ground for me after "Crusaders of the Lost Mark" - so, the bit at the end with her mark shining was her actually getting it.
(which was pretty quickly, to be fair) I really enjoyed it. I mean, yes, the sources of inspiration were pretty obvious, but that didn't matter. Still an A. Thanks, AKR.

And the song we have all been waiting for was excellent - although I think I'm so used to the animatic version that I may still prefer that!

Season finale next week - I am not prepared!
 
More of an AJ episode than CMC, but it was nice to see them both get to take part in it in their own way.

So many beautiful little moments with Rara and the others, we knew what the plot was going to be but seeing it was something else.

The songs were amazing and the concert wasn't entirely what I was expecting, but seemed better given the context of the episode. I love how her cutie mark glowed gold originally, but turned the same blue as her coat when she learned to just be herself.

The animation was a step up from the season so far with this one, Jim mentioned they brought in an AFX team to help out this time, and it shows. It was subtle but there was a lot going on everywhere.

And even more adorable little Applejack.
 
***It's after 3 PM, so expect spoilers below!***


*explodes in a shower of confetti*

I loved it! Firstly, the allusions to Lady Gaga are completely obvious, and as a big fan of Lady Gaga, I was more than okay with this! :D

Secondly, what a visually stunning episode! The FX people went all out and it shows. I don't recall ever seeing laser beam light shows, and the unicorn vocoder spell was pretty cool, too! Sapphire Shores must think she's hot stuff, but the real pop star in Equestria is clearly Countess Coloratura! ;)

Filly Applejack playing the guitar was almost too much. Watching the CMC as they adored Rara was almost too much. Poor Pinkie Pie trying to meet the demands of one serious plot-hole manager was sweet, and I felt bad for her. As for Rara, she was delightful, and a well-rounded character. I have no doubt she'll be a fan favorite, and that she's connected to Applejack just makes it all the more likely.

The songs in this episode are terrific, and I hope to see them made available (unless they already are, I don't know) soon. There will be a boatload of remixes, that's for sure. Daniel Ingram really topped himself, and he seems to do that a lot. Great soundtrack for this episode, just wonderful.

All in all, this episode gets a very easy "A". Great characters, great music, sweet moments, and of course a nice bit of silliness added to the mix just makes this one of the best episodes of the season.
 
Me too! I felt like it went just a little bit too fast! I want to kick her now ex-manager in his plot!
 
I wanted it to go twice as long, easily. Unfortunately, with MLP, we only get 21 minutes. *sigh*
 
I found an extended version of "The Spectacle (Razzle Dazzle)" on Youtube. They did a nice job of smoothly piecing it together to be about 2:30 minutes, and it feels more like a whole song.

[yt]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nB3wExKUcW8&index=1&list=LLeqzRDZdetQfRnAj2EXhXEA[/yt]
 
Chemahkuu said:
Not bad. :D

Still prefer the end song, the Equestria one isn't bad either.
Click to expand...
I cry when I listen to "The Magic Inside (I Am Just A Pony)." You can feel Lena Hall's own emotions pushing through it, and I love it. I also love the unfiltered, unedited flaws in her performance, and those flaws make the song flawless, IMO.
 
Taylirious said:
It needed a movie/TV event! :adore: 90 Minutes at least.
Click to expand...
Agreed! They could have extended it, there was plenty of material. That's the only downside, the episode runtimes are too short for what they could do. Many episodes could easily fill a 54 minute slot.
 
That episode turned into an EQG length movie with their budget would have been amazing. You know they could make it work and Lena would have been more than willing to do it.
 
Chemahkuu said:
That episode turned into an EQG length movie with their budget would have been amazing. You know they could make it work and Lena would have been more than willing to do it.
Click to expand...
Agreed! Quite honestly, I just want more Lena Hall. She was superb in this episode, and I want to see her, and hear her, again.
 
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