Jeric

Markiplier is not a great actor. 

That's a browser error NM. It usually happens when cookies are not being saved or when you have them disabled. I take it you are using a Mozilla product? 

9 hours ago, Marimo said:

Yes, because if Rarity wasn't there then they wouldn't have had someone to make a disguise.

That's actually a good point. I was focusing on the fact that the inclusion of Twilight and Rarity made the most sense because they are the two Mane Six characters with the most fleshed out dynamic with Spike. I actually forgot that Rarity served as a functional character as well with the cold open and the costuming. 

32 minutes ago, Nightmare Muffin said:

I only ask because it seems like a missed opportunity for Fluttershy and her bonding with Spike (see s1e01), or learning not to fear older dragons (see s1e07).

Rarity and Twilight's inclusion actually had a specific narrative theme that served Spikes story and would have been sacrificed to gain character development for Fluttershy. Can you guess what that is? Also, what would have been lost in Spike's story if they went with the angle you suggested with Fluttershy?

Think like a writer and consider theme and you will be able to answer your question. 

On 4/20/2017 at 3:43 PM, AlexanderThrond said:

"Magical Mystery Cure" makes no sense.

If you have a hard time understanding that episode, I'm willing to explain it to you. Unless you meant something else besides 'sense'. 

On 4/20/2017 at 3:43 PM, AlexanderThrond said:

It opens with a song which only exists to tempt fate, as a literal joke about the fact that right after the opening everything goes wrong

It's a narrative technique that has proven fairly effective in many pieces of fiction. Can you find any examples of this in Broadway, narrative fiction, or cinema?

On 4/20/2017 at 3:43 PM, AlexanderThrond said:

If the songs aren't about absolutely nothing

What song was about nothing?

On 4/20/2017 at 3:43 PM, AlexanderThrond said:

except trying to force emotion

Well, the conveyance of emotion is an element of style present in most forms of artwork. Did the songs success in conyeying emotion cause their failure?

On 4/20/2017 at 3:43 PM, AlexanderThrond said:

Also, it keeps repeating "destiny," but it doesn't seem like anyone has control over their destiny, which is honestly kinda horrifying but is presented as if it's a good thing

Libertarian Free Will vs Predestination is a wonderful philosophical aspect to discuss in a narrative, and one that academic scholarship has yet to soundly explore to it's complete truth, and yes it is in fact terrifying. Is this an appropriate concept to explore in FiM?

On 4/20/2017 at 3:43 PM, AlexanderThrond said:

Also, I blame it for every time Twilight has been boringly perfect in the following seasons

Outside of Season 4, has this really been the case? Have we seen Twilight act perfect in all of her Season 5-7 appearances? 

On 4/20/2017 at 3:43 PM, AlexanderThrond said:

and there's no reason why Twilight became an alicorn princess at all

Are there any episodes following MCM where Twilight's station or new form benefited Equestria or another nation? Directly? Indirectly? 

I thing my feels will be overloaded by this upcoming season!

Best summon ever!

@Lightwing 

I just need one word for this 

Shipping?

YUM! 

Brisket

The secondary moral of "try and give people advance notice" was a welcome little touch. 

2 hours ago, MegaSean45 said:

Yeah that's not a bad idea at all! Scorpan gets discovered by, I dunno... Twilight, Spike, or Starlight? Or all three of them? Cause he's the key to defeating Grogar? And then the next season comes, and Scorpan has to make peace with Tirek! That would be two whole seasons planned!

I like it. 

Twilight's fantasy in the premier was actually a premonition and Starlight and Suburst accidentally release an entity 'lost' in time which turns out to be Grogar, who releases Tirek when he realizes he can't conquer Equestria on his own, and the Mane Six and Spike have to recruit Scorpan to assist. Spike's origin is revealed to be connected to Grogar as the son of the storybook hero. 

1 hour ago, Truffles said:

So, did anyone else have questions about Twilight apologizing for disciplining Flurry? I thought she was right to tell her to stop behaving badly since Flurry was totally out of control and could have hurt all those sick foals, but I can also see how scolding a baby might not have much of an impact, at least not one that is good. But I'm not a parent, so I'm not sure.

The way Twilight scolded her is usually not the way an adult should do that with a child that age. Flurry's reaction and Twilight's realization and response seemed very very very natural because every parent slips up like this and instantly regrets it. It was also a touching moment. 

It's nice to see more Twi centric eps, yes. Though the next few episodes are focused on other characters so it's not like this is a return to Season 1: The Twilight Show

This is why keeping his original VA was a stroke of genius. His voice helps to reinforce his old traits and remind the audience that he is still Thorax. His expressions and mannerisms help to drive home that he is still a work in progress so his characterization is completely consistent with what we've seen before. 

The writing, animation, and acting are all in sync on this character so far. 

One touch I liked is that while Flurry was fairly intelligent for her age she did not completely get certain concepts. She recognized what sharing was and deduced that splitting the balloon would be a way to share ... but didn't understand that effects of having a broken toy. 

That's a pretty 'nail on the head' moment if you've ever watched a toddler actually try and share sometimes. 

If it's foreshadowing I'm all in! I'm a bit biased though. Back in 2014 I wrote RP Lore for Sheep as my first 'staff assignment' on MLPF. I threw in a little nod to Grogar and subtly connected him to Sheep history and their *almost* suppressed fear of him. 

I'm hoping to see a few Pony memes now with other characters saying "wiff my mouff". 

Earth Pony revolution!

@Fhaolan Jokuc was a member of the Q&A team. That raises two questions

1. SCS hid a lot of old SQ posts that may have had some impact on Jokuc's overall post count. 

2. Did the reindexing count posts in locked threads? 

Also, 

When Form Games, Lounge, and AAP were launched, were they originally set to count posts? Maybe @Feld0 or another old school user would know. 

1 minute ago, Kevin said:

I have to come out and say it, I wasn't a fan of this episode. The whole "can't take care of the baby" plotline has been done to death, heck we had it already with Baby Cakes. The only redeeming thing about this episode is Spike. I love how he's going back to his "keeping others in check" personality like how he was at the earlier era of the series and I hope the writers keep it up!

Twilight did ok actually. Every mistake she made was one that every parent makes ... more than once. It came across as for more realistic than Baby Cakes because the motivations of the characters and distractions are very real. But I'm approaching the episode as a father who has years of experience caring for infants and toddlers so I expect some here would not have the same perspective I do.

26 minutes ago, weesh said:

wow, bringing a baby to a hospital full of infectious kids is really irresponsible!
the nurses should not have allowed that!

I had the same response as above at first, but then I realized that we don't know much about this particular urticaria, so I'll give it a pass. 

25 minutes ago, PathfinderCS said:

Well, considering that Daring Do is obviously real, does that mean....

My sheep lore just got a whole lot cooler! 

Just now, GrimGrimoire said:

Well color me surprised... I figured I would hate this episode pretty much.. and can honestly say i liked it a LOT more than I would have ever imagined. It was a lot of fun and i really enjoyed the interactions between Twilight, Flurry and Spike. Loved the call back to Pinkies secret hideout.

BRB!

Pinkie was a pretty good addition in this episode since I kept thinking about her difficulty babysitting and wondering what she was thinking after the mess was made. 

Just now, Kyoshi said:

Despite a tad rushed resolution (Not an issue really), this episode did go beyond any expectations I would have had and I am pleasantly surprised. The whole 'baby chaos' concept wasn't overdone here and when it all got crazy Flurry had a real motivator. Spike was fantastic here, with all of his quips and wanting to get things done and, dun dun! The proper Twily and Flurry bonding I was wanting since season 6 finally arrived! Worth the wait, it was actually cute. :3

So yeah, I will fully admit I was wrong for doubting this episode like I did. It was handled really well, especially since this is the first time Flurry got major screen time in like, almost a year or so? Consider me happy.

I'm right with you. I expected Baby Cakes part 2 and actually got something entertaining and cyoot. 

1 minute ago, PathfinderCS said:

.....was Grogar just mentioned ? Hmmm...

Yes!!!!

That is highly enticing. 

Grogar is cannon!!!!

Yes yes yes 

Don't go in there Twi!