MLP:FiM S4 E1/E2 - "Princess Twilight Sparkle" - Grade and Discuss

[Kemaiku]

I loved it, so much continuity and dealing with Twilight's transformation, handled it pretty well.

Spoiler: Backstory

It was great to finally see Discord's defeat and Nightmare Moon, Tabitha did a hell of a job with it.

I'm guessing they can take the Elements back when the Tree heals, but when that will be is anyones guess.

So, they have a season long arc to find the keys to open that...thing, which Starswirl may have known about.

Inb4 each of the races holds a key. (Canterlot, Cloudsdale, Smith family homeland, Seapony cavern, Batpony cave, Crystal Empire)

But yeah, Discord was awesome this premiere, and they've made it clear he hasn't exactly changed, just more open to behaving and helping them when he wants to.

Oh, and Twilight's big trolling moment at the end, wow

Edit: Oh my, a certain OC made her way into the episode, with a new hair cut.

http://derpibooru.org/479113

 

[Amaris]

All of my yes! Tons of backstory, lots of great moments, Discord being Discord (and not quite reformed)! I had to give it an 'A', and I think it's a great way to kick off the new season. There were some animation and voice differences, but I'm okay with that. I can't wait to see what's next. I'm thrilled with the way the season has started.

 

[CorporalClegg]

Lot's of fun! Solid A.

I wonder what's in the box. Jimmy Hoofa?

 

[Amaris]

Ha! :P

This really was a great premiere episode. It has me psyched up for the rest of the season.

 

[Gepard]

Easily the best two parter since Return of Harmony. I had problems with it, but nothing beyond what I normall have with the Big Deal Adventure episodes (which are never quite as good as the slice-of-life stuff.)

The Elements basically being the fruit of the tree of life and taken without permission -- shades of the tree in the Garden of Eden, really -- is a great idea and one of precious few genuinely excellent additions McCarthy has made to the mythos.

Discord walked away with the episode, proving that all you need for a good season premiere is him in it.

(Anyone think he might be playing the long game here by getting rid of the elements? He planted the seeds to strangle the Tree, and he pointed Twilight where she needed to look to return the elements to it. The episode even brought up that they'd have no way to restrain him. Hmmm.....)

The only real downsides were 1.) still no explanation for why Celestia felt Equestria needed an extra princess -- though I feel more confident that one is coming -- and 2.) the dialog and exposition were both pretty clunky. The story was built on some really grand concepts but the script could have been better. A friend of mine described the writing as 'stale,' and I think that's as good a description as any. Oh well.

It doesn't detract from this being easily the second-best two-part episode the show has done, and a significant step up from a crummy start last season. More along these lines, please.

 

[Gepard]

Discord has found his way into the opening titles:

http://m.imgur.com/x14gX3f

 

[Kemaiku]

Discord is definitely playing them, why would he of all beings want Twilight to learn a lesson, convince her to do the right thing, have them more vunerable than they've ever been then not take advantage of it?

We know he isn't reformed, or good, just shackled by threats of going back to stone, which he won't now.

 

[Peach Wookiee]

Q is really enjoying this new dimension.

 

[Amaris]

Yeah, the premiere has set up what could be a fantastic season. While I'm much more a fan of the slice of life type episodes, ponies going on a quest just sounds like all kinds of awesome.

 

[Peach Wookiee]

I think we'll have a bit of both this season.

 

[Amaris]

I hope so. It looks to be a season long arc, but I figure we'll have some slice of life episodes peppered in there somewhere.

 

[Saito S]

^ Probably. Actually, I'd say "hopefully" as well, since I also like the slice-of life eps. I guess like most everyone here, I kind of like them more as well, but... I like the adventure episodes for what they are, as long as they remain the exception. Not only because I like the predominantly-slice-of-life format, but because having them be infrequent keeps them special. I suppose I could say that I wouldn't want to have the show be more focused on adventure stories than it already is, nor would I want to reduce the amount of adventure stories we tend to get each season.

As to the premiere: that was AWESOME! Serious candidate for this show's best adventure two-parter yet!

While it was primarily a Twilight story (and I don't mind that, she is the main character after all), all of the mane 6 were well used, with their personalities coming through as strongly as ever. Loved that they are directly hitting issues of Twilight being worried that her relationship with her friends will change now that she is a princess, yet at the same time, she's still the same adorkable Twilight we know and love.

I also really liked how Discord was used, especially with the double-blind reveal of his involvement, and really appreciated seeing an episode with so much lore/backstory and actual grade-A fantasy world elements (i.e. the legitimately creepy manifestations of the Everfree trying to take over. Hell, just the idea of that is unnerving!).

I might write up some more detailed thoughts later when I have time, but overall, I have to say A+ all around for this. Can't wait for more!

 

[RyuRoots]

Definitely an A+. Maybe an S.

I'd be fine with more adventure style stories myself, provided they carry the interesting world additions that many of them have given us (such as this, the changelings, and general history) but I'm in love with world-building and think the show has a pretty good one laid out already, so I have a definite bias.

Celestia (partly through flashbacks admittedly), Discord, and Twilight really shone brighter than stars in this one, though I was very happy they remembered Fluttershy's taming of Discord and I really hope they continue Dashie being Twilight's flying buddy as we proceed into the season.

 

[Amaris]

There was one exchange that had me giggling for some reason, which was the:

Discord: "The rest of you could learn a lot about friendship from my dear friend, Shutterfly."
Fluttershy: "Um... it's Fluttershy."
Discord: "Oh, right. Whatever."

 

[publiusr]

Well, that really isn't much of a stetch for John de Lancie's other character Q

 

[Amaris]

Well, that really isn't much of a stetch for John de Lancie's other character Q

Of course. Some of us think de Lancie's just being Q in a totally different dimension, when he isn't pestering Captain Picard.