My Little Pony 'n Friends: The Return of Tambelon (G1 TV Episodes, 1986, 4x 10 minutes)

This is the one I've been waiting for. I remember this one from when I was a kid. The next time I saw MLP, it was the next series which was a bit of a mental whiplash, and turned me off of MLP. This one is a lot more like the first TV special.

Part 1

Winking out referenced again.

We've got Megan's siblings again. Also dressed the same way they always are.

Derilect city, mix of architectures, but all medieval and back, allowing for fantasy 'stretching' of shapes.

Baby Gusty? Gusty was an adult previously, I swear. I think pony ages are randomly changing between episodes.

Volcano of Gloom, or the Black Mountains, I wonder

The Lost City of Tambelon! In a dream.

Realm of Darkness, 500 years between appearances. The ruler, Grogar, tried to conquer Ponyland the last time out. Which means that the ponies have been in the area for at least 500 years. Since it was the

witches' grandparents that saw the ponies arrive... witches live a long time it seems.

Winking out really is a phasing power. Because Tambelon is out-of-phase as well in this Realm of Darkness, the unicorns are getting caught up in it as the entire city is passing *through* their 'winking' space.

Goblin-like creatures called Troggles, and a donkey in jester's suit? Named Bray. Definitely a donkey this one, and about the same size as the horses from Grayville. Those may still have been donkeys, but I doubt it.

I wonder if the Troggles are any relation to the Grundles?

Grogar is some form of ram and has access to magic.

Cool effect with the stormcloud transforming into Tambelon.

Lightning lances, that cause cages to appear.

Again reference to Dream Valley being part of Ponyland.

Part 2

Need more slaves with hands, and Grogar knows about humans.

All other Grundles captured? There was only one other I thought. The female one. Unless they've been breeding...

That's not 'one', that's 'two'. Unless Megan doesn't count...

Magic bell just sitting around, unguarded.

Ponies need to learn patience.

Grogar's magic is a bit more substantial than the lightning lances.

Part 3

Proto-Pinkie Surprise is actually only slightly like Pinkie. Pinkie is crazier.

The Troggle tents are very early medieval campaign tents. I have to give kudos to the artists for bothering to look at reference material. They didn't have to.

For all his magical power, Grogar is a bit of a nit and proud of his physicality.

Intresting that songs in the whole series seem to default to long-term ideas. "Some day we'll escape", "Once, long ago there were Unicorns here", etc.

Troggle deserter?

Spike actually has a proper flamethrower. This is the first time he's used it.

Twice even.

Grogar really is a villain for villain's sake, along the same lines as Tirek and Squirk.

Part 4

Grogar is also far more successful than previous villains.

That... should not have worked. But okay, cartoon physics.

Grogar's got that swagger.

That pony is a D&D bard, and made her 'Bardic Knowledge Check'. Randomly remembering stories that they didn't know prior.

Okay, Grogar's little bell was a repeater for the real magic bell.

So.... what are they doing with all the Troggles they just rescued? The version of the episode I'm watching just cut off and went to credits in the middle of a sentence.