MLP:FiM 2x10 "Secret of My Excess"
- Thread starter Kemaiku
- Start date
I'm not DISLIKING this, but a recurring episode theme this year seems to feature somepony being uncharacteristically rude or selfish, then realizing what a jerk they've been and making amends in time to write a letter to the princess. Pinkie clored glasses perhaps, but i seem to remember this happening less often last season. Thoughts?
Mark
Mark
I thought this was really good. It adressed some of the concerns fans have had for a while regarding Spike growing up and being a dragon like the others we've seen on the show, i.e. not so nice.
Additionally, there were lots of hilarious scenes (e.g. the one where Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy try to talk some sense into giant Spike), awesome ones (e.g. the Wonderbolts showing up) and also some subtle and moving scenes - Spike confessing his love to Rarity and Rarity's reaction and also Spike almost tearing up at the sight of the destruction he's caused.
While it was on I thought it was rather heavy fare for children at some points. It ended well, of course, but also a bit open-ended. After all, this problem is now in the world and Spike has to take care not to fall into the greed trap again. There's also the question whether the relationship between him and Rarity has reached a new level. We probably won't see any aftermath of Spike's destruction, unfortunately, but that would be an interesting aspect, too - how does a community deal with someone who has done something really wrong but has repented now? Ponyville has seen Spike's monstrous side and that should change their perception of him.
Additionally, there were lots of hilarious scenes (e.g. the one where Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy try to talk some sense into giant Spike), awesome ones (e.g. the Wonderbolts showing up) and also some subtle and moving scenes - Spike confessing his love to Rarity and Rarity's reaction and also Spike almost tearing up at the sight of the destruction he's caused.
While it was on I thought it was rather heavy fare for children at some points. It ended well, of course, but also a bit open-ended. After all, this problem is now in the world and Spike has to take care not to fall into the greed trap again. There's also the question whether the relationship between him and Rarity has reached a new level. We probably won't see any aftermath of Spike's destruction, unfortunately, but that would be an interesting aspect, too - how does a community deal with someone who has done something really wrong but has repented now? Ponyville has seen Spike's monstrous side and that should change their perception of him.
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I was just about to say the exact same thing. The show is never better than when it's doing little character moments like that, especially when they aren't necessary to advance the plot. It feels richer that way, somehow.
I also noticed the same thing CZ did, that the season has been very one-note so far. That said, I think this episode was one of the more successful this year on that theme, and better than Spike's other episode, "Owl's Well That Ends Well."
Other, more superficial thoughts:
- Adult Spike has no wings. Interesting. Are there wingless dragons in Equestria, or was it just a side effect of his artificial growth spurt?
- Adolescent Spike looked like he was taking several design cues from the Diamond Dogs. It was awfully ugly, but it was probably intentional to evoke the show's previous "gem-collecting greedy bastard" designs.
- Pony artist Equestria Prevails had a really great teenage Spike design here. It'll never happen, but it would be great to see it used if he ever grows up "for real."
- When the episode opened and Twilight announced reshelving day and dumped all of her books on the floor, I spent half a second fully expecting her to call Spike into the room and order him to reorganize them all. I think I still have a low opinion of her from not inviting him to her birthday party last week.
- Nice Sorcerer's Apprentice reference with the music and the marching books during the same scene.
- Ditto the massive King Kong reference that was the entire finale. Rarity as Fay Wray makes a lot of sense.
- And the animation team is awesome. Bedroom eyes Bon Bon and excited Lyra:
DERPY COCK-BLOCK!
They are so pandering. And it is awesome.
- And I think this is the first on-screen confirmation that Cheerilee is, in fact, Cheerilee. We've known it from the toy for a long time, but I don't recall her ever being addressed as such in the show before. (The second-hand reference in "Lesson Zero" doesn't count because Cheerilee wasn't there.)
- Oh! And Pinkie "assaulting" Spike with cakes. I think I'm going to let her be Best Pony this week.
I think you're confusing me with a Canadian with a funny hat, good sir.
I didn't notice the scene with Derpy so thanks for posting the stills. I really like the pic with teenage Spike, too. What#s the context there?
One other thing I noticed is how gullible the ponies are. Apparently, they were all more than ready to give Spike what he wanted just because it was his birthday. They're too nice to be true.
We weren't given one. The artist draws designs and images that follow a theme of the more military side to Equestria -- fancy royal guard outfits, battle scenes, and the like. It's all quasi-patriotic, full of raiments and elaborate designs, and reminiscent of the kind of things you might expect the Canterlot government to put out during wartime, but there's never any context. I suspect he has a story in his head when he draws these things, because they all look like snippets of larger events, but the viewer is left to use their imagination.
I think you're confusing me with a Canadian with a funny hat, good sir.
So I did. Well, I agree with the Canadian, then!
Ah, I see. I wondered because of the title of the pic. I thought there was maybe a story to it. Come to think of it, I could have researched this myself so thanks for the explanation.
A
Amaris
Guest
I think you're confusing me with a Canadian with a funny hat, good sir.
I didn't notice the scene with Derpy so thanks for posting the stills. I really like the pic with teenage Spike, too. What#s the context there?
One other thing I noticed is how gullible the ponies are. Apparently, they were all more than ready to give Spike what he wanted just because it was his birthday. They're too nice to be true.
It's that lack of cynicism which makes me love the show so much.
I loved this episode! I love it when Rarity gives Spike attention, because you know what will happen.
Seeing Spike grown up (even artificially) is always interesting, and I love that at the end, it was his love of Rarity and her element of generosity that brings Spike back down to Equestria. Also, OCD Twilight + Fluttershy keeping up with Dashie + Applejack "Get my rope" = WIN!
Pretty much every single character had an awesome moment, and there were a lot of smaller cast moments too. It really kept the momentum up right until the end. A brilliant episode, maybe my favourite bit was Spike/Rarity, but there was so much to enjoy in 20 minutes.
The season might be getting a little formulaic, but it's at the top of its game, with regards episode quality, so I'm not complaining. We kind of do need a Fluttershy episode soon, though. I'm fairly sure we won't have her going crazy when they do an episode about her (well, I say that now...).
The season might be getting a little formulaic, but it's at the top of its game, with regards episode quality, so I'm not complaining. We kind of do need a Fluttershy episode soon, though. I'm fairly sure we won't have her going crazy when they do an episode about her (well, I say that now...).
I think the no-wings was a result of his artifical growth spurt as it was only making what his body already had grow larger, had he grown small wings naturally before it happened they'd have evolved too.
I immediately thought 'King Kong' too during that scene, but you're right Gep, the Fey Wray thing so fits her. I hope Spike knows that if they ever do get married that's the kind of nagging he'll have to put up with.
The 'she knew' moment just teared me up, it was perfect, its the emotional side to the show we all fell in love with and it was a beautiful moment.
Cheerilee was called that way back in Season 1 by herself and her students, during her first appearance I think, shes one of the few BG Ponies to have their name used often.
I missed the Derpy moment but thanks to Poniboruu people being so fast I caught it the second time
It was nice to see all the cast get some airtime this week, I missed having them all together properly. Pinkie is getting some great scenes this season, and her hijacking Twilights teleport was just pure Pinkie.
Lyra and Bon Bon are about as canon a couple as they can make them, it's sweet and like last week they're even using some of the fan faces/art as a basis for them, Molestia, LyBon, Derpy etc
Also, Twilights globe, rather important as we know their planet is M-class, Earth like, has continents and oceans, and Equestria is more than likely as we thought just one large nation on the larger continent.
A great episode for getting back into the lives of the Ponies, this season has been really hit or miss and focusing one a single Pony breakdown a little too much lately, glad they're going back to ensemble stories again.
I immediately thought 'King Kong' too during that scene, but you're right Gep, the Fey Wray thing so fits her. I hope Spike knows that if they ever do get married that's the kind of nagging he'll have to put up with.
The 'she knew' moment just teared me up, it was perfect, its the emotional side to the show we all fell in love with and it was a beautiful moment.
Cheerilee was called that way back in Season 1 by herself and her students, during her first appearance I think, shes one of the few BG Ponies to have their name used often.
I missed the Derpy moment but thanks to Poniboruu people being so fast I caught it the second time
It was nice to see all the cast get some airtime this week, I missed having them all together properly. Pinkie is getting some great scenes this season, and her hijacking Twilights teleport was just pure Pinkie.
Lyra and Bon Bon are about as canon a couple as they can make them, it's sweet and like last week they're even using some of the fan faces/art as a basis for them, Molestia, LyBon, Derpy etc
Also, Twilights globe, rather important as we know their planet is M-class, Earth like, has continents and oceans, and Equestria is more than likely as we thought just one large nation on the larger continent.
A great episode for getting back into the lives of the Ponies, this season has been really hit or miss and focusing one a single Pony breakdown a little too much lately, glad they're going back to ensemble stories again.
I think the single pony focus isn't a bad thing, but it shouldn't become a constant. This was a good ensemble episode and yeah, we all know that Rarity knew. But she wouldn't dare hurt Spike.
And the King Kong moment... I liked the Wonderbolts as the squadron, but as they didn't have guns, it couldn't end like KK.
And the King Kong moment... I liked the Wonderbolts as the squadron, but as they didn't have guns, it couldn't end like KK.
I thought this was a lot of fun, I especially loved "reshelving day". One facet of moving I have to admit to liking is redoing all my books on the shelves.
Was very surprised to see the Spike confession to Rarity scene, and very touched by how well they played it.
About what time does the Derpy scene happen?
Was very surprised to see the Spike confession to Rarity scene, and very touched by how well they played it.
About what time does the Derpy scene happen?
Waitasec - who told you guys I was Canadian?!
Anyway, this one does somewhat take a break from the single pony formula that's dominated this season so far. We have an ensemble cast after all and many of the best episodes have shared the spotlight. amongst the ponies.
I can understand that they wanted to open up the storytelling a bit and show the mane six learning things on their own without Twilight having to observe the whole way; the episodes so far reflect this (even though they have given Rainbow and Rarity two episodes each and ignored Applejack, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie for some reason). I'm sure it'll even out overall, but the way they've been ordering the episodes makes many wonder why some ponies are being left out. OTOH, Fluttershy, AJ and especially Pinkie are much friendlier overall and less conceited than the RD and Rarity.
Also, even though it was mostly to heighten the analogy to King Kong, but the Wonderbolts are now the de facto air force of the Equestrian military - which is awesome. I wants me a Wonderbolts spinoff, starring Spitfire, Soarin', Rapid Fire and Fleetfoot! Cameo appearances by Rainbow Dash! Top Gun, ponified!
Mark
Anyway, this one does somewhat take a break from the single pony formula that's dominated this season so far. We have an ensemble cast after all and many of the best episodes have shared the spotlight. amongst the ponies.
I can understand that they wanted to open up the storytelling a bit and show the mane six learning things on their own without Twilight having to observe the whole way; the episodes so far reflect this (even though they have given Rainbow and Rarity two episodes each and ignored Applejack, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie for some reason). I'm sure it'll even out overall, but the way they've been ordering the episodes makes many wonder why some ponies are being left out. OTOH, Fluttershy, AJ and especially Pinkie are much friendlier overall and less conceited than the RD and Rarity.
Also, even though it was mostly to heighten the analogy to King Kong, but the Wonderbolts are now the de facto air force of the Equestrian military - which is awesome. I wants me a Wonderbolts spinoff, starring Spitfire, Soarin', Rapid Fire and Fleetfoot! Cameo appearances by Rainbow Dash! Top Gun, ponified!
Mark
Top Pony! Dash could be Maverick.
I wasn't expected that much via the synopsis, but this was another great episode. It's amazing how consistently enjoyable a cartoon based on a toy can be! Of course, I enjoyed the focus on Twilight at the beginning, but it became a full blown ensemble episode by the end with good action, great jokes, and some fun references--plus a Derpy cameo of course!
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