MLP:FiM 3x01/2 "The Crystal Empire" Parts 1 and 2 Grading

[Kemaiku]

Well it's been a long few months since the Season 2 finale but we're under 24 hours to the start of Season 3.

Since there have been a lot of promo videos and images some of you have probably already seen at least half of the first episode but until it airs, no spoilers please.

Same as before, join in the livestream or catch up on youtube, discuss, grade and let's see how this new season shapes up.

Also, yay Luna

[yt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E38ZAC4MteU[/yt]

 

[DarkHorizon]

Looking forward to it! First time watching live - assuming I can get into a working stream...

Have avoided all clips and trailers since the SDCC songs, but, annoyingly, have been getting spoiled for character appearances.

 

[Kemaiku]

Yeah they went overboard with promotional material this time, but a lot of people have been avoiding them, so probably not going to see much discussion here until tomorrow afternoon.

10am EST, 7am PST for USA, 3pm GMT for Europe

 

[Amaris]

Yay! New Pony!

Yes, I am looking forward to Season 3. Like many others, I have tried my hardest to avoid spoilers, even as Hasbro has been pushing more and more episode material (stop that!).

Moar Mane Six! Moar Background Ponies! Moar New Ponies!

Bring it on!

 

[Kemaiku]

Under 17 hours to go.

 

[Amaris]

Quick question: Is it one episode this week and one next week, or are they showing Part 1 & Part 2 together, like they did with the Season 2 finale?

 

[Kemaiku]

As the title says they're doing a twofer, parts 1 and 2 back to back with a longer commercial break inbetween at most.

Then it's episodes 3-10 one a week with possible breaks for the holidays then 11/12 finale.

 

[Amaris]

Ah, okay. Thanks!

 

[Kemaiku]

15 minutes guys, watching it live in BronyState

 

[Gepard]

<DALEK>IT BEGINS!</DALEK>

Alright, Hasbro. Don't screw this up. Bring it on.

15 minutes guys, watching it live in BronyState

Which theater?

Also, yay Luna

So much freaking Luna. That's the part of the 8 minute clip that totally won me over. That and the overall hints that Celestia has some kind of Cylon Plan for Twilight's life. That should be interesting – can't wait to see if they wrap it all up in this two-parter or if it's some kind of season-long story arc.

 

[Gepard]

Sigh. The BronyState aspect ratio is all messed up again. Why can they never get it right?

 

[Gepard]

Wow. Rarity's, like, 110% Rarity this week.

 

[DarkHorizon]

Spy Pinkie Pie!

There have been so many brilliant little character moments so far.

 

[Kemaiku]

It's been crashing, lagging, de-syncing, etc on me all episode, it was never this bad during season 2.

I'm in Skype with my brony group watching too and they're having a range of problems too so it's not just me, a lot of the chat rooms have failed altogether.

 

[Gepard]

I switched to HaxMega. There's a few lags but it's not that bad. Plus the aspect ratio is correct.

 

[Kemaiku]

Yeah it's running smoother, for like the last four minutes of it.

Good episode but I think they looked cuter before they went glowy again.

 

[DarkHorizon]

Yeah, I'm using HaxMega too - not had any problems (aside from the crash about four minutes before the episode started!)

Surprised by the immediate start of part 2 - guess the Hub runs its commercials a bit differently to channels over here...

 

[Gepard]

Cadence is the crystal heart, you dummies! Look at her cutie mark!

 

[Kemaiku]

I know, people figured that out two weeks ago, but it's for the kids you know?

And would it kill them to just, lift the fake heart and take it indoors? really?

Although, Appledash and Flutterdash inside two minutes

 

[DarkHorizon]

Oh, I see how this is going to go... Twi must confront her fears to claim the heart?

Although, a bit concerned about her using that dark magic.