My Little Pony

[Zixinus]

Oh, and I believe this video might be appropriate.

I was under the impression that Scootalo was the sister to cheelie( the school teacher) and just worships Rainbow Dash, as all sain people must.

In current canon, maybe. I meant that Lauren Faust imagined RD and Scootalo as sisters originally abandoned that as there was enough sister dynamic.

From this episode i think it would be safer to jog through a minefield, then use any technology made by ponies.

On the other hand... they have hooves. What did you expect from a species that has an oversized nail for hands?

'We think RD's being big headed. We could go and talk to her about it all friendly like, or we could dress up in costume and totally wreck her selfworth by showing her up at every opportunity.'

Yeah, I was a bit weirded out that they went behind her back that way. Then again, I don't think RD would have listened too much either way.

However, you do have to consider that they did help ponies. As long as they didn't CAUSE the troubles (which there is no indication of) all they did is help out Rainbow Dash. They certainly didn't hinder her.

Plus, consider that RD's actions spoke for themselves. She could have tried to team-up with Mare-do-well (I expected her name to be Mega-Mare) or even thank her or at least acknowledge that it is good that someone else is on the watch. Instead, she pouted and acted jealous.

Also, they did not up-stage RD in any other way. At least, it was not shown that they did. They did not try to out-do Rainbow's other talents (acrobatic flying). If this was, say, dancing or some other thing, yeah they might be legitimately called jerks. But this was about saving lives.

Not to mention that I don't think it's healthy to have your self-worth measured purely by taking advantage of occassional near-catastrophe. Should you be proud of helping? Of course! Should you base your entire character and existence on them? I doubt that would be considered healthy. I was expecting Rainbow Dash to MAKE near-catastrophes towards the end.

Again, the show's ordering is weird. Two RD centric episodes one after another?

Yeah, we were all expecting a Scootalo episode last week.

Though, keep in mind that the production is already finished (for season 2 at least) and it could be that the higher-ups are screwing with the episode order for some reason (and to be fair, the show is meant to be self-contained mostly).

[Bright]

'We think RD's being big headed. We could go and talk to her about it all friendly like, or we could dress up in costume and totally wreck her selfworth by showing her up at every opportunity.'

The only thing wrecking her self-worth was her pathological need to be the center of attention. The others weren't "showing her up," they simply did good. Dash herself was so caught up in grand-standing that she was actively worsening some situations (especially the dam), so it was a pretty damn important lesson for her to learn.

[Crazedwraith]

'We think RD's being big headed. We could go and talk to her about it all friendly like, or we could dress up in costume and totally wreck her selfworth by showing her up at every opportunity.'

The only thing wrecking her self-worth was her pathological need to be the center of attention. The others weren't "showing her up," they simply did good. Dash herself was so caught up in grand-standing that she was actively worsening some situations (especially the dam), so it was a pretty damn important lesson for her to learn.

She only 'got caught up grandstanding' after the rest of the mane six started their antics. At the start of the episode she's even modest about it, telling the crowds it was no big deal. She only gets boastful after the crowd's continued adoration.

The idea the others weren't doing it just to teach RD a lesson in humility is silly as that was the whole damn point of the end lesson of the episode.

[Rossum]

"Buses and baby carriages are careening down this hill all the time. Where's an out of control vehicle when you need one?!"

Man, I was hoping that someone would suggest putting a stop sign or guard rail or something in place if that will was such a problem. Or at least do something about all the sheer cliffs that are positioned around the roadways. Though to be fair, maybe this kind of stuff doesn't happen very often. I mean most transportation seems to be performed by pony-drawn carriages so the department of transportation just kind of assumes that everyone knows how to drive (or walk).

Ugh, I'm glad there was a superhero episode of a sort but now it makes me sad that there are so many deadly accidents happening in Ponyville (unless they were only happening during this episode). My beloved pony Arcadia is suddenly turning into Gotham City or Metropolis!

As for the Mane 6 doing the Mare do-well routine to teach Rainbow Dash a lesson... ugh, that makes me feel a bit ill. Not so much them trying to teach Dash a lesson, but the fact that these poinies are pretty much superheroes already and don't need clumsy costumes.

Everyone in town pretty much knows that Twilight can deal with an Ursa Minor, that Pinkie can predict the future, and that Fluttershy can intimidate a dragon into leaving their town alone (or at least the town knows that the Mane 6 can handle dragons). They don't really need secret identities because their particular powers aren't unusual (above average perhaps but not unheard of) and there aren't any major criminal elements that might threaten their loved ones if they have to solve crimes.

But dressing up as Mare Do-Well? That just seems unnecessarily complicated if they just wanted to save lives and help. Pinkie could can saved all those people without the costume. Heck, ponies don't even normally wear clothes... Applejack, Pinkie and Twilight could have all done all those things in the buff and been just as effective (probably even more so since they wouldn't have to waste time putting on the costume first). Plus, doing things as Mare Do-Well meant that only one of them could be on the scene at a time. If the biggest disaster they had to deal with was something like rogue parasprites or cattle stampedes where nobody was in any real daner then I can totally accept that a lone costumed hero could do the job. But when these disasters strike and its stated that someone almost died then I'm really wondering why they decided to hamper themselves by dressing up in costumes.

...

Unless maybe the four of them (Fluttershy, Twilight, Applejack, and Pinkie) were all dressed in costume and patrolling different parts of town. Then, no matter what disaster struck or where it happened then one of them could be on hand to deal with it. I'm pretty sure any one of them could have handled the runaway bus. Twilight should have been able to handle the construction site with her magic and its possible that Pinkie or Applejack could have sensed that the Dam was about to break and plugged up the crack normally. Fluttershy was probably doing patrols in the sky, checking in on the aftermath of the dam breaking.

I'm just hoping that they let the Mayor in on what they were doing. It seems likely since the Mayor named the new hero in front of the town and arranged for the celebration. I suppose even if the Mane 6 decide to give up the Mare Do-Well costumes after they taught Rainbow Dash her 'lesson' there's nothing stopping some other pony from donning the costume and saving lives (and due to it being a bunch of different ponies, one of the Mane 6 could grab a costume in a later episode if they wanted to).

So who knows, maybe even if Ponyville doesn't have a police force they could have a town recognized group of costumed superheroes running around doing good deeds.

[Zixinus]

But dressing up as Mare Do-Well? That just seems unnecessarily complicated if they just wanted to save lives and help.

They may not do so normally, but started to do so just to teach RD a lesson.

[...]Applejack, Pinkie and Twilight could have all done all those things in the buff and been just as effective [...]

They did and do. Remember Applebuck Season? Or Swarm of the Century?

So who knows, maybe even if Ponyville doesn't have a police force

They could have. My impression is that they don't really have one because they don't really need one. We never saw a pony commit a crime (beyond childish pranks or cases of extraordinary circumstances), nor do we even see much of a legal system.

[evilsoup]

What the hell did I just watch. Ugh, 'RD is getting a bit uppity, so let's dress as a superhero and break her'. The Rainbow Dash Fanclub was pretty funny, even if it did confirm a some of the more batshit fanon WRT Scootaloo (it was interesting that neither of the other CMCs were there, especially considering the clubhouse is on Sweetapple Acres - I can just imagine Scootaloo asking the others 'hey guys would you like to come along to my Rainbow Dash Fanclub?', man that would be an awkward scene I'd like to see).

Some good stuff in here (for when I get around to a Conner-style MLP analysis thread), but I'd say this is the weakest episode so far, if only because what the fuck was the writer thinking?

Also, I want a Rainbow Dash scalp-hat,

[Zixinus]

I do agree that it's weaker than the rest of the season, at least story-wise. I don't see superheroes fitting well into Equastria. I can't say what the writers were thinking, but I am sure they were definitely not taking it as seriously.

I mean, come one "break her"? That means crushing her soul! Stuff like destroying her home, abandoning her, destroying everything she loves and holds dear, etc. I agree that its a bit weird reaction to her sudden arrogance, but you are talking about BREAKING HER!

[evilsoup]

Every episode they try to teach a lesson. Obviously, I don't actually particularly care about the messages they send; but this is a kid's show, and what kind of lesson is it supposed to teach? I mean yeah, Rainbow Dash was getting a bit full of herself (not much more than usual, certainly not enough to annoy her friends who should be used to her by now), but just uch.

I did like seeing the return of Pinkie Sense, however.

[Revy]

I really didn't think it was that bad, if anything it was like an alternate take on Boast Busters and Trixie. Really highlights the difference between Twilight and Dash. Whereas Dash revels in attention and shows off her talents to stroke her own ego, Twilight was actually afraid to reveal her own talents for fear of coming off as exactly the kind of big headed egomaniac boaster that Rainbow Dash is. Even after Twilight saved Ponyville from a rampaging Ursa (caused at least partly by Trixie's excessive boasting) she still remained modest. Yet here we are with Rainbow Dash, season 2, and she's every bit the show off and insufferable boaster that Trixie was. Really, this was a lesson Dash should have learned back in season 1.

If anything, I'm astonished that Rainbow hasn't tried to milk her fame from defeating Nightmare Moon and Discord. The Mane cast are clearly famous enough that Celestia had stained glass windows made comemorating their accomplishments in saving Equestria. Only Celestia and Luna have done anything on level with that, and they're practically worshipped as deities! I can understand the other ponies not wanting to brag about it, but Dash sure as heck would.

Although the events of the episode are really exaggerated for entertainment, I still think the point stands. Dash really was getting insufferable later on. I think her friends could have dealt with that by just talking to her and pointing it out, but that's a lot less entertaining and wouldn't have made for a very exciting episode.

[Zixinus]

I think that Dash isn't that usually boastful. Here, I am thinking that there was a Friday the 13-esque (not the horror movie, merely the superstition that it is an unlucky day) period and Rainbow got much more focussed praise than usually.

I don't know about famous. I don't recall other ponies recognising the mane 6 for this accomplishment. Yes, a painted window was made, but that could have been easily done by Celestia's order. The Elements of Harmony are not that well-known and it is possible that the mane 6's accomplishments with the Elements of Harmony.

But even if not so, it may be that when their victory was celebrated Dash was grounded down by the presence and involvement of her friends.

[Revy]

The Elements of Harmony are well known enough to have a book all about them in the Ponyville library, and the mane six had A New Hope-esque parade in honour of them after they defeated Discord. I think it's a safe bet that the ponies of Equestria know Twilight and her friends saved them all from eternal chaos.

[Wing Commander MAD]

Am I the only one who was a tad wierded out by the Rainbow Dash hats in the latests episode? My thought process was pretty much:

• 1. Oh look Scootaloo has a Rainbow Dash Hat. How cute.
  2. Hmm... that reminds me of a coonskin cap.
  3. Jesus Christ! She scalped Dash and is wearing it as a hat.

Other thoughts on the episode, though not necessarily serious ones:

• Ponyville actually does appear to have a retirement home like Spike mentioned in the Halloween episode
• How do they control the cameras?
• Ponyville appears to have a hydroelectric dam
• Beard stubble still looks wierd on ponies
• Someone other than Pinkie Pie broke the fourth wall
• Where did RD get the clouds she used to skywrite her lightning bolt...

[RogueIce]

Well, I liked the episode.

And hey, maybe the Mane 5 were taking a cue from Celestia that day: instead of coming out and straight up talking to Rainbow Dash, they decided to make their point in the most indirect way possible. Since I'm assuming it started off as Twilight Sparkle's idea, this episode shows that clearly the Student has been learning much from the Master.



Anyway, all around fun episode and I loved the BTAS references. Made my heart go a little warm and fuzzy there.

[lordofchange13]

Every episode they try to teach a lesson. Obviously, I don't actually particularly care about the messages they send; but this is a kid's show, and what kind of lesson is it supposed to teach? I mean yeah, Rainbow Dash was getting a bit full of herself (not much more than usual, certainly not enough to annoy her friends who should be used to her by now), but just uch.

I did like seeing the return of Pinkie Sense, however.

Though i have no evidence to back this up at this time, on of my MLP buff friends has told me this episode was the first the writer has made for the show. so that may answer why it was a little fucked up.

[Revy]

Though i have no evidence to back this up at this time, on of my MLP buff friends has told me this episode was the first the writer has made for the show. so that may answer why it was a little fucked up.

According to the wikipedia episode listing, yeah, this episode was written by Merriwether Williams, and it's the first episode of MLP she has written.

[evilsoup]

you're saying that as if the show was some kind of long-term institution. Honestly, the writer messed up (it would have been pretty easy to salvage this episode, most of it was pretty good), but I'm putting the blame for this on the script editor. These kind of problems are the script editor's entire job, after all.

Hasbro needs to make those Rainbow Dash-scalp-hats. I would totally buy one

How do they control the cameras?

I'm guessing magic.

Where did RD get the clouds she used to skywrite her lightning bolt...

Also magic

[lordofchange13]

you're saying that as if the show was some kind of long-term institution. Honestly, the writer messed up (it would have been pretty easy to salvage this episode, most of it was pretty good), but I'm putting the blame for this on the script editor. These kind of problems are the script editor's entire job, after all.

Hasbro needs to make those Rainbow Dash-scalp-hats. I would totally buy one

I agree, but the blame isn't all on the editor,they can only work with what their given.

Who would go around dressed up/cosplaying as rainbow dash?

[Starglider]

Hasbro needs to make those Rainbow Dash-scalp-hats. I would totally buy one

You could order one from here, she makes all kinds of creature-themed hats / hoodies / etc.

Where did RD get the clouds she used to skywrite her lightning bolt...

The Wonderbolts can make cloud trails, so it's probably a common pegasus ability.

[Zixinus]

Well then, that does offer a good explanation as to why this episode's writing was so different. I hope that in the future she will do a bit better job.

[Bright]

While I personally had no problem with the resolution of the episode, I do think the moral would have been a lot more significant if the Mare-Do-Well had actually been just a random pony who wanted to do good but not to be recognized. However, that would also have relegated the other five main characters into an irrelevant background role once again, and that would have been more problematic than what we got.

[Wing Commander MAD]

The Wonderbolts can make cloud trails, so it's probably a common pegasus ability.

Good point. I hereby go with my initial conclusion that pegasus ponies fart clouds.

Of course this means the cloudmaking machine in Cloudsdale is really just a front for a room full of fat slovenly ponies living on a diet of beans, cabbage, and broccoli. Then again, I suppose it could be used to magically remove the aromatic qualities of the clouds. Of course this theory does raise some disturbing ideas regarding Rainbow Dash's swim in the clouds where she squirts out a mouthful of clouds at the beginning of the episode. Maybe I should drop this little tangent before things start to get wierd.

How do they control the cameras?

I'm guessing magic.

The thing is they were earth ponies. Hmm, maybe some things shouldn't be overanalyzed in typical SDN fashion.

[evilsoup]

Only the unicorns can do big impressive showy magic, but all the ponies seem to have some kind of low-level telekinesis. Alternatively, they work the cameras with their noses.

[Skgoa]

Moar genetics!
http://www.abload.de/image.php?img=6485_b8abm3en4.jpeg

[lordofchange13]

Moar genetics!
http://www.abload.de/image.php?img=6485_b8abm3en4.jpeg

That's got a lot more detail then the last genetics post. but good little read, form what i can make out.

[Glimmervoid]

To be honest I don't like it and like the old even less. They seem to be reading too much into animation goofs (like I'd argue all non-Princess winged unicorns are, until we see something definite) and despite what the picture says, we have no idea what species Rarity's father is. He could be an Earth Pony or he could be a Unicorn. He wears a hat which covers his horn.

I like the previous genetics picture even less. The idea that Fluttershy must be some kind of Earth Pegasus Alicorn* because she works with animals is absurd. It's a classic example of one-note race syndrome, of the kind that infests sci fi. One of the things I liked about the main cast of FiM is that there are characters outside the stereotypes of their race.

I will also say that the idea you need the [a] allele to use the Elements of Harmony is deeply against the spirit of the show. It's not some genetic factor which decides if you can do that. It's something inside. Something less physical. In other words, it's the power of friendship.

* On a related note, I also dislike the term alicon. Alicorn the substance a unicorn's horn is made of, damn it, not a winged unicorn. No matter what D&D thinks.

Having said that, I won't comment on that genetics work since I know almost nothing about that. It could be, an quite possibly is, perfectly accurate and well thought out.