Flight to the Finish - HO-LY COW was I excited for this one! Still trying to gauge my emotions over this episode, though, I was definitely excited throughout most of it, and I liked it... for the most part. Nothing in it was really a deal-breaker for me, yet I can't help but feel like I got a little TOO excited over it, thus leading me to be a bit disappointed... Ironically, I don't think this episode's as controversial as everyone, including Meghan McCarthy, were making it out to be, or at least not in the way people were expecting... Let me explain.
And I think that's it. Bravo to Ed Valentine for writing this, I think he had a much better debut episode then Josh Haber with Castle Mane-ia. Again, I don't think this will be as controversial as everyone expected, or at the very least, not controversial in the way we thought it would be. Definitely a good one, IMO.
So, Scootaloo doens't fly... in this episode. I think the biggest disappointment for me, and something that I think will be the REAL source of controversy (or one of) is the fact that they don't commit to giving us a straight answer, and instead, left it ambiguous as to whether or not Scootaloo will fly. Honestly, I think this probably a smart move on the writers' part, since ambiguity is their "thing", and leaving things ambiguous doesn't mess with everybody's head-canon. However, I feel like a lot of people are going to accuse Ed Valentine (who actually wrote this episode very well) and Meghan McCarthy of not committing to permanent change. As if Meghan doesn't have enough problems with people crying foul over Twilight essentially living the same exact life she had the previous season, just with wings and the title of "princess" which I honestly find meaningless now (thanks for that, McCarthy), now people are going to accuse her of trying to maintain the status quo to much and never committing to anything new/concrete that really shakes up how things are. That being said, I still feel like the execution of this episode was well played, and even though we don't get a clear answer about whether or not Scootaloo will be able to fly, it did so in a way that was uplifting and meaningful. I feel like this message would have been the same if it's revealed that she could never fly, it's basically that she's special, unique, and awesome, even if she can't fly like other pegasi.
Also, Scootaloo doesn't get her cutie mark. I don't think people were expecting her to get it in this episode, though some people might have. Let me tell you, the way things were going in this episode, I sure as Hell was expecting it, and while I wasn't really disappointed when she didn't get it, what got me was that there was a pan showing Scootaloo getting a sort of "eureka!" moment, and THEN I thought she was getting her cutie mark... only for her to suggest flag carrying will be their special talents. GOD... DAMN... IT!! Don't TEASE use like that, McCarthy (and Valentine, I guess, but I get the feeling this line wasn't really his doing)! There are SO many of use who are sick and tired of the Cutie Mark Crusaders always missing obvious cues about what their special talents are, and not only does Scootaloo not get her cutie mark, you're ending the episode on that old gag? UGH, it's like, ARGH, so frustrating and annoying, I hate it! And the fact that it's the last scene and the episode ends on that, it almost ruined the whole episode for me! See, people tend to remember and ending more then the beginning or middle of a story, that's why most people like happy endings. Ending the episode on this note makes it feel like the epiphany Scootaloo went through was all a joke, and it feels insulting for anyone invested in it! Granted, that's likely not true, the episode still does well despite that one throw-away line, but GOSH did it piss me off, and I HATE that it's the very last thing we see in the episode...
Something else that kind of irked me was the fact that the CMC break up, it didn't feel right to me... I can kind of justify breaking up after their second performance, since they were tired and cranky, and it could easily be interpreted as Scootaloo trying to soak up the attention (even though I thought it was clear, even then, that Scootaloo was having self-esteem/flying issues), but when they just abandon Scootaloo at the train station, I was all like "What the Hell?!" Seriously, Apple Bloom should of had a good night's rest and should have thought things through by now, but here, when Scootaloo literally calls herself the weak-link and she's doubting herself so much, Apple Bloom just straight up abandons her! What's up with that?! This is also a point where I wasn't entirely sure what the writer was trying to get at... Is this supposed to be a friendship/togetherness issue for the CMC, or is this supposed to be about Scootaloo dealing with her inability to fly? I kind of assumed it was the latter, but the episode seems to be juggling both issues, and I don't know if it really works all that well. Not to mention it kind of feels like they purposefully had the CMC break up just to build the drama and have a cliffhanger just before the commercial. That's just how it feels to me, if anyone can justify these actions, I'd like to hear it.
But those were the only real problems I had with the episode, otherwise it was pretty awesome! Other various things I noticed throughout the episode:
Ms. Harshwhinny's facial expressions at the beginning were really weird... Rainbow Dash had a weird face, too, at one point.
That song... Daniel Ingram really outdid himself this time! Setting the standard for songs higher then ever, and this is only the first song this season! What was it called again? "Heart strong as a horse"? Are horse's hearts strong? Also, how many times is the word "horse" actually used in this show? Not to mention, the CMC's mouths and faces look a little weird at times, but the other visuals, like the CMC running at sunset, their shadows forming a stallion, and other various visuals, it was definitely cute, epic, and really fun to watch, and it really drew me in! That big muscular pony makes another appearance as well, what fun! Guess he's scared of butterflies...
Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon... are surprisingly more tolerable in this episode. In previous episodes, I feel like there was no point to their bitchy behavior, and I hate Alpha-Bitches in ANYTHING EVER, but here, there's some logic behind their actions: they don't want the CMC to steal their place as flag carriers, so they act dismissive, smug, and put the CMC down to mess them up. It's terrible, but I can't deny how effective it turn out.
Sweetie Belle's voice... sounds a lot deeper in this episode... did anyone else notice that?
Their first performance really WAS awesome, a HUGE step above their performance in Show Stoppers!
Rainbow Dash trying to act "professional"... Eh, I didn't really care for that running gag, especially when Ms. Harshwhinny started acting up at the end, I was all "ugh"... But at the very least, the episode didn't go where I thought it was going, I.E. Rainbow Dash trying to act "professional" ending up indirectly making the CMC mess up. While she wasn't allowed to get THAT enthusiastic, the CMC took her supportive words to heart, and it all turned out good, ESPECIALLY when Rainbow Dash reunited the CMC.
Speaking of which, I feel like that was the best part of the episode, along with the song. Rainbow Dash really displays her element of loyalty by making sure other ponies are dedicated to their friends. Plus, this is a nice subtle nod to Sleepless in Ponyville, where Rainbow Dash continues to be a sister-figure in Scootaloo's life, and is majorly supportive of her. I think what I liked the most, though, was when Scootaloo asked about flying, and used Rainbow Dash as an example, she didn't hesitant or anything, like most stories I've seen tackle this subject do. Instead, she just says that's what made HER awesome, and Scootaloo needs to do what makes her awesome. It's a brilliantly played act of kindness and support on Rainbow Dash's part, and it really nails down the point of the episode (or one of the points... I guess).
Also, SCOOTALOO HAS A HOME!!! ...But we still never see her parents... So is this a foster home or something, or does she actually have a family? Again, Meghan McCarthy's being sneaky...
Also, Scootaloo doesn't get her cutie mark. I don't think people were expecting her to get it in this episode, though some people might have. Let me tell you, the way things were going in this episode, I sure as Hell was expecting it, and while I wasn't really disappointed when she didn't get it, what got me was that there was a pan showing Scootaloo getting a sort of "eureka!" moment, and THEN I thought she was getting her cutie mark... only for her to suggest flag carrying will be their special talents. GOD... DAMN... IT!! Don't TEASE use like that, McCarthy (and Valentine, I guess, but I get the feeling this line wasn't really his doing)! There are SO many of use who are sick and tired of the Cutie Mark Crusaders always missing obvious cues about what their special talents are, and not only does Scootaloo not get her cutie mark, you're ending the episode on that old gag? UGH, it's like, ARGH, so frustrating and annoying, I hate it! And the fact that it's the last scene and the episode ends on that, it almost ruined the whole episode for me! See, people tend to remember and ending more then the beginning or middle of a story, that's why most people like happy endings. Ending the episode on this note makes it feel like the epiphany Scootaloo went through was all a joke, and it feels insulting for anyone invested in it! Granted, that's likely not true, the episode still does well despite that one throw-away line, but GOSH did it piss me off, and I HATE that it's the very last thing we see in the episode...
Something else that kind of irked me was the fact that the CMC break up, it didn't feel right to me... I can kind of justify breaking up after their second performance, since they were tired and cranky, and it could easily be interpreted as Scootaloo trying to soak up the attention (even though I thought it was clear, even then, that Scootaloo was having self-esteem/flying issues), but when they just abandon Scootaloo at the train station, I was all like "What the Hell?!" Seriously, Apple Bloom should of had a good night's rest and should have thought things through by now, but here, when Scootaloo literally calls herself the weak-link and she's doubting herself so much, Apple Bloom just straight up abandons her! What's up with that?! This is also a point where I wasn't entirely sure what the writer was trying to get at... Is this supposed to be a friendship/togetherness issue for the CMC, or is this supposed to be about Scootaloo dealing with her inability to fly? I kind of assumed it was the latter, but the episode seems to be juggling both issues, and I don't know if it really works all that well. Not to mention it kind of feels like they purposefully had the CMC break up just to build the drama and have a cliffhanger just before the commercial. That's just how it feels to me, if anyone can justify these actions, I'd like to hear it.
But those were the only real problems I had with the episode, otherwise it was pretty awesome! Other various things I noticed throughout the episode:
Ms. Harshwhinny's facial expressions at the beginning were really weird... Rainbow Dash had a weird face, too, at one point.
That song... Daniel Ingram really outdid himself this time! Setting the standard for songs higher then ever, and this is only the first song this season! What was it called again? "Heart strong as a horse"? Are horse's hearts strong? Also, how many times is the word "horse" actually used in this show? Not to mention, the CMC's mouths and faces look a little weird at times, but the other visuals, like the CMC running at sunset, their shadows forming a stallion, and other various visuals, it was definitely cute, epic, and really fun to watch, and it really drew me in! That big muscular pony makes another appearance as well, what fun! Guess he's scared of butterflies...
Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon... are surprisingly more tolerable in this episode. In previous episodes, I feel like there was no point to their bitchy behavior, and I hate Alpha-Bitches in ANYTHING EVER, but here, there's some logic behind their actions: they don't want the CMC to steal their place as flag carriers, so they act dismissive, smug, and put the CMC down to mess them up. It's terrible, but I can't deny how effective it turn out.
Sweetie Belle's voice... sounds a lot deeper in this episode... did anyone else notice that?
Their first performance really WAS awesome, a HUGE step above their performance in Show Stoppers!
Rainbow Dash trying to act "professional"... Eh, I didn't really care for that running gag, especially when Ms. Harshwhinny started acting up at the end, I was all "ugh"... But at the very least, the episode didn't go where I thought it was going, I.E. Rainbow Dash trying to act "professional" ending up indirectly making the CMC mess up. While she wasn't allowed to get THAT enthusiastic, the CMC took her supportive words to heart, and it all turned out good, ESPECIALLY when Rainbow Dash reunited the CMC.
Speaking of which, I feel like that was the best part of the episode, along with the song. Rainbow Dash really displays her element of loyalty by making sure other ponies are dedicated to their friends. Plus, this is a nice subtle nod to Sleepless in Ponyville, where Rainbow Dash continues to be a sister-figure in Scootaloo's life, and is majorly supportive of her. I think what I liked the most, though, was when Scootaloo asked about flying, and used Rainbow Dash as an example, she didn't hesitant or anything, like most stories I've seen tackle this subject do. Instead, she just says that's what made HER awesome, and Scootaloo needs to do what makes her awesome. It's a brilliantly played act of kindness and support on Rainbow Dash's part, and it really nails down the point of the episode (or one of the points... I guess).
Also, SCOOTALOO HAS A HOME!!! ...But we still never see her parents... So is this a foster home or something, or does she actually have a family? Again, Meghan McCarthy's being sneaky...
And I think that's it. Bravo to Ed Valentine for writing this, I think he had a much better debut episode then Josh Haber with Castle Mane-ia. Again, I don't think this will be as controversial as everyone expected, or at the very least, not controversial in the way we thought it would be. Definitely a good one, IMO.
