MLP:FIM S5E17 - "Brotherhooves Social" - Grading & Discussion

[Amaris]

Episode Title: "Brotherhooves Social"
Air Date: October 3rd, 2015, 11:30 AM Eastern Time (3:30 PM GMT/UTC)

Summary: "When Applejack is called away and has to miss participating in the Sisterhooves Social with Apple Bloom, Big Mac decides to fill in for her. "

Live Streams:
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REMEMBER: DO NOT POST OPEN SPOILERS UNTIL 48 HOURS HAVE PASSED SINCE AIRTIME.
This gives everyone a chance to see it without being spoiled by our excited little hooves tapping away.

=-

Ruminations:
So it seems in this episode, Big Mac fills in for Applejack, who is away, by attending the Sisterhooves Social in her place. Now, I have heard things, I have seen things, I have heard and seen things, I have seen things that I heard about seeing. I won't say here what I saw, but I will ask that anyone who did see what I saw, to put it in spoiler code if you want to talk about it. That way, I won't give away what I'm pretty sure most people have seen at this point.

That said, I am as curious as *yay* about what will happen in this episode. Strap in, kids, it's going to be an interesting ride. On another note, I want to see this, and so do you.

 

[DarkHorizon]

I wasn't enjoying it. But, damn, that ending.

 

[Kemaiku]

It was embarrasing and outright silly until the ending, that sort of made up for it. And them outright saying not everyone has to be sisters to enter clears up some of the background pony stuff.

It was nice seeing some of the other characters too, RD/Scoots was sweet.

But that outfit...my eyes. It's an okay episode, nice moments, good ending, not sure but I'll give it a B.

 

[Peach Wookiee]

It's an A from me, Chem.

Spoiler: Big Mac's motives

Now, everything about Big Mac makes a lot of sense. Wanting to be an alicorn prince and dressing like a mare... he's feeling very left out of Ponyville and his sisters' lives. All he wants is to help them and maybe to protect them too when they need it. And he'd do anything for Apple Bloom. That makes him, in my book, one heck of an awesome brother.

And now for the plot...

Spoiler: The Plot

We got to see a bit more of the Apple family from the brother's side. Granted, we saw it more from Apple Bloom's eyes, but we saw how Big Mac feels less than his younger sister sometimes. He loves his sisters very much and is willing to go the distance to help them. Even being willing to be silly to do it. I loved seeing a brother who was willing to do what it took to help his sister feel better.

And as a little sister who's had a devoted brother, that's why it got an A from me.

 

[SeerSGB]

Didn't really enjoy it. Not bad, more something I'd expect in Season 1 than Season 5. The ending was the best part, the rest was pretty standard expectations for this sort of story.

 

[Amaris]

Regarding the rules of the social, I liked that "sister" was loosely defined, and I liked watching the other ponies interact (Dash and Scoots were adorable!). While I did find some moments funny, I cringed most of the way through. Fortunately for me, the ending was really solid, and it rescued the rest of the episode. I'm a big fan of Dave Polsky, but this wasn't one of his strongest outings.

Spoiler: MLPFIM Brotherhooves Social

I also didn't like that they were disqualified because of unsportsmanlike behavior. For me that casts a pall on the actual winners, Dash and Scoots, who won fair and square. Eh, it's not really important, but it sticks in my craw.

I give it a B.

 

[Kemaiku]

^Polsky? ugh well that explains it. His episodes are either okay or very bad.

Never liked the guy, he spent his entire appearance on Stay Brony repeatidly shouting Dusty down and talking about how great he was and how bronies needed to shut up and appreciate him the way he deserved.

 

[Gepard]

MFW one of the better episodes this season was written by Polsky. First time for everything.

Solid B episode. Not fantastic, but the premise was decent and the ending great. Certainly one of the better entries so far this year.

 

[Amaris]

I tend to love Polsky's episodes, but then I'm a goofball.

 

[Peach Wookiee]

Regarding the rules of the social, I liked that "sister" was loosely defined, and I liked watching the other ponies interact (Dash and Scoots were adorable!). While I did find some moments funny, I cringed most of the way through. Fortunately for me, the ending was really solid, and it rescued the rest of the episode. I'm a big fan of Dave Polsky, but this wasn't one of his strongest outings.

Spoiler: MLPFIM Brotherhooves Social

I also didn't like that they were disqualified because of unsportsmanlike behavior. For me that casts a pall on the actual winners, Dash and Scoots, who won fair and square. Eh, it's not really important, but it sticks in my craw.

I give it a B.

J, I have to disagree with you on something...

Spoiler: The thing at the place...

If Dashie and Scoots won fair and square, that doesn't cast a pall on them winning. I think it makes them look better. And it's a good lesson for Big Mac. He didn't need to win at any cost... or use Apple Bloom as a football.

 

[Taylirious]

A

Cute EP. Really all I want to be is entertained and I was and usually am by MLP FiM and I wanted to cry at the end of this EP.

 

[Amaris]

Regarding the rules of the social, I liked that "sister" was loosely defined, and I liked watching the other ponies interact (Dash and Scoots were adorable!). While I did find some moments funny, I cringed most of the way through. Fortunately for me, the ending was really solid, and it rescued the rest of the episode. I'm a big fan of Dave Polsky, but this wasn't one of his strongest outings.

Spoiler: MLPFIM Brotherhooves Social

I also didn't like that they were disqualified because of unsportsmanlike behavior. For me that casts a pall on the actual winners, Dash and Scoots, who won fair and square. Eh, it's not really important, but it sticks in my craw.

I give it a B.

J, I have to disagree with you on something...

Spoiler: The thing at the place...

If Dashie and Scoots won fair and square, that doesn't cast a pall on them winning. I think it makes them look better. And it's a good lesson for Big Mac. He didn't need to win at any cost... or use Apple Bloom as a football.

That's a fair point...

Spoiler: Brotherhooves Social

I just don't like the idea of the Apples being looked down upon, since I consider them the ethical foundation of the show.

As far as I'm concerned, the Apple family character is unimpeachable. Are they stubborn? Sure. Do they sometimes get carried away? Definitely. Disqualifying them, though? Eh, it still sits with me the wrong way, even though I get why they were.

 

[Peach Wookiee]

Regarding the rules of the social, I liked that "sister" was loosely defined, and I liked watching the other ponies interact (Dash and Scoots were adorable!). While I did find some moments funny, I cringed most of the way through. Fortunately for me, the ending was really solid, and it rescued the rest of the episode. I'm a big fan of Dave Polsky, but this wasn't one of his strongest outings.

Spoiler: MLPFIM Brotherhooves Social

I also didn't like that they were disqualified because of unsportsmanlike behavior. For me that casts a pall on the actual winners, Dash and Scoots, who won fair and square. Eh, it's not really important, but it sticks in my craw.

I give it a B.

J, I have to disagree with you on something...

Spoiler: The thing at the place...

If Dashie and Scoots won fair and square, that doesn't cast a pall on them winning. I think it makes them look better. And it's a good lesson for Big Mac. He didn't need to win at any cost... or use Apple Bloom as a football.

That's a fair point...

Spoiler: Brotherhooves Social

I just don't like the idea of the Apples being looked down upon, since I consider them the ethical foundation of the show.

As far as I'm concerned, the Apple family character is unimpeachable. Are they stubborn? Sure. Do they sometimes get carried away? Definitely. Disqualifying them, though? Eh, it still sits with me the wrong way, even though I get why they were.

But at the same time...

Spoiler: The thing at the place...

Big Mac isn't the holder of the Element of Honesty. And we've seen that even AJ has gotten frustrated and let competition get the better of her. It doesn't mess the Apples. It just makes them fallible.

 

[Amaris]

J, I have to disagree with you on something...

Spoiler: The thing at the place...

If Dashie and Scoots won fair and square, that doesn't cast a pall on them winning. I think it makes them look better. And it's a good lesson for Big Mac. He didn't need to win at any cost... or use Apple Bloom as a football.

That's a fair point...

Spoiler: Brotherhooves Social

I just don't like the idea of the Apples being looked down upon, since I consider them the ethical foundation of the show.

As far as I'm concerned, the Apple family character is unimpeachable. Are they stubborn? Sure. Do they sometimes get carried away? Definitely. Disqualifying them, though? Eh, it still sits with me the wrong way, even though I get why they were.

But at the same time...

Spoiler: The thing at the place...

Big Mac isn't the holder of the Element of Honesty. And we've seen that even AJ has gotten frustrated and let competition get the better of her. It doesn't mess the Apples. It just makes them fallible.

True, and...

Spoiler: Brotherhooves Social

I realize they're fallible, but I don't like the method they chose to display that fallibility. I guess I just don't like the "disqualified" part of the whole thing. Sure, they softened it by saying the Apples could compete next year, but it feels like there's now a black mark on their good name. I realize that's silly, but it just irks me.

 

[Peach Wookiee]

That's a fair point...

Spoiler: Brotherhooves Social

I just don't like the idea of the Apples being looked down upon, since I consider them the ethical foundation of the show.

As far as I'm concerned, the Apple family character is unimpeachable. Are they stubborn? Sure. Do they sometimes get carried away? Definitely. Disqualifying them, though? Eh, it still sits with me the wrong way, even though I get why they were.

But at the same time...

Spoiler: The thing at the place...

Big Mac isn't the holder of the Element of Honesty. And we've seen that even AJ has gotten frustrated and let competition get the better of her. It doesn't mess the Apples. It just makes them fallible.

True, and...

Spoiler: Brotherhooves Social

I realize they're fallible, but I don't like the method they chose to display that fallibility. I guess I just don't like the "disqualified" part of the whole thing. Sure, they softened it by saying the Apples could compete next year, but it feels like there's now a black mark on their good name. I realize that's silly, but it just irks me.

That's fair enough, J.

 

[Taylirious]

He was being reckless trying to help Apple Bloom get a ribbon. Literally destroying things. I think it is a good lesson about not trying to win at any cost.

 

[Peach Wookiee]

^His heart was certainly in the right place and I'd love to see what he'd do if his sisters were in mortal danger that didn't require the Elements of Harmony to fix.

 

[Taylirious]

It was but he just got carried away.

ETA: I am just saying I can see why they got disqualified. It was awesome/sweet that he wanted to prove himself to Apple Bloom.

 

[Peach Wookiee]

^So can I. Heart in the right place, choice to show his love less than ideal.

 

[Amaris]

Exactly. It's just... they're Apples, darnit! LOVE THEM! /heavy breathing and rage