*Possible spoilers*
What a terrific episode! I love Maud Pie episodes, and this one doesn't disappoint. The relationship between Pinkie Pie and Maud has always been a fun one to watch, because the dynamic of the two sisters' personalities make for such great stories. In this episode, we see Maud Pie graduating from college, and getting her Doctorate, er, Rocktorate. She is, of course, Valedictorian, but not because she has the highest grade in her class, but simply because she's the *only* one in her class. I found this hilarious, of course, and having been from a small town, can attest to the small class sizes at every graduation.
So Maud travels with Pinkie to Ponyville, because she can't decide between Ghastly Gorge, and Ponyville for the best, most interesting rocks (her decision is a rock based one). Of course, the reason she wants to check out Ponyville is because of her sister, which is so very sweet in its own right, and to make a friend. So they arrive in Ponyville, and Pinkie begins her sales pitch on how great Ponyville is, in classic Pinkie Pie fashion. One of the nice things, I have to add, is that I've noticed the background music reminds me of season 1. In fact, this whole episode feels like something that came out of season 1, and I love it. Slice of life is my bread and butter (lulz), and we get plenty of it here.
Anyhoo, so Pinkie kind of fails in her first attempt at wooing Maud to stay in Ponyville, but right then, Starlight Glimmer comes barreling out of Twilight's castle with a book in hoof, and slams into Maud. As an aside, Starlight has most definitely become pre-Alicorn Twilight. It's clear that she has replaced the nerdery Twilight once engaged in, and I like it. Two seasons ago, I would have been a little upset, because I don't want Twilight replaced, but Starlight's more of a supplement, not a replacement. We still get Twilight, but we also get a socially awkward pony who loves books and puts her hoof in her mouth despite the best of intentions.
Back to the story, so Maud and Starlight begin to learn about one another, and I could already see the tremulous leaves of friendship budding. Of course, no story would be complete without Pinkie Pie being overbearing in an attempt to ensure her sister's move to Ponyville. Some people may find this abrasive, and I admit it can be, but for Pinkie Pie it is exactly in line with who she is, and what she's set out to do. She loves her sister, and would move all of Equestria for her, of this I have no doubt. In this case, she's making it more difficult for Starlight and Maud to bond, because she keeps interrupting the moments where the two get to know each other.
Of course, despite Pinkie's best worst attempts, Maud and Starlight do begin to like each other, and begin to become friends. Pinkie Pie doesn't see this, however. I attribute it to the fact that she is so focused on the trees, she's missing the forest. That obliviousness is also a Pinkie Pie trait, so no issues here. Pinkie is fully switched on, and it's overpowering her ability to notice when she's taking it too far. We've all been there in some fashion.
Anyway, so after Pinkie engages in even more desperate measures to ensure friendship, Maud chooses to leave and take up resident in Ghastly Gorge. Pinkie goes to find her, and ends up saving her (in a sequence I find utterly hilarious), and then begs her to give her one more chance, to give Ponyville a chance, and out of love for her sister, Maud does it. As a result, Maud and Starlight begin to bond again, and all is well.
During the final part of the episode, something that caught my attention was where Pinkie Pie said she loved Maud greater than all of Equestria. It actually made me tear up a bit, and of course Maud told Pinkie how much she loved her, and she did it in a funny little way that once more firmly establishes Maud's character. Honestly, I love that the word "love" has been used as many times as it has this season, and I hope that continues. Love is also friendship, possibly the greatest form of friendship, and I'm glad they're focusing on that here.
This episode was written by Nick Confalone, who has written a number of terrific pony episodes, including my favorite season 6 episode "The Saddle Row Review." He's been writing for the show long enough to have a real grasp on the characters, and I think his writing shines here. It is so very easy for me to give this episode an A+, and it also gets my "favorite episode of the season so far" award.
