So as I talked about in my previous entry, because I already knew the format of the episode beforehand it took away a good bit of the potentially pleasant surprise. It was still a remarkable episode to watch though (took me a while to get into the mood), because the bright spirit of the show has its own power. And because it is such a change to the lore.
Did you notice? It started with a theme of change, but it ended up being not the kind of change you'd have expected, but much more.

Also this episode, too, featured the common uplifting/refreshing theme of people being able to change to the better so relatively easily, compared to what is often the case in our world. That is a point I appreciate greatly, and equally so I am troubled by it in our realm. People here tend to be such vicious agents of their inner demons. I could assume that villainesque characters change for the better so easily in MLP because of the energy that (mainly) the main cast radiates. They are champions, not by being perfect, but by being willing to work towards it, by making an effort, and through their understanding of what moral support means; to not mess things up too much with the mind, but have an open heart and support each other that way.
These are two of three points in which this episode is especially close to me. The third point is how the CMC eventually figured out that their tedious quest for their cutie marks led to that path being the aim, that their struggle was turned into a blessing, thus positively affecting their whole past efforts. ( You cannot change the future, only the past. ) I wish this worked for me in this realm as it did there in Ponyville, because I more and more find myself in the same situation; that my path of peril is the opportunity for helping others, yet as I said, the fulfillment through that fails in the face of vicious, stone-carved resistance of those who could benefit from the insights I gained out of personal necessity on my journey.

So I watched this episode at a very fitting time.

The musical-style reminded me a lot of Magical Mystery Cure. In both episodes I enjoy how the practiced solution gains celebratory momentum instead of indulging in drama all the time. It has that sweet 'ownage feeling', haha. Also, again, very close to my heart in pain and passion, this approach.

P.S.: This is what came to my mind during the beginning of the episode. ^^
http://dowlphin.tumblr.com/post/131572380787/couldnt-help-but-notice-the-theme-and-its-timing