S05:E01+02 - The Cutie Map

[SanityNotIncluded 335]

Just as a side note, if the mane 6 had taken Spike, the whole situation could have been resolved a lot easier... which I suppose is why the plot left him behind in the first place.

[Batbrony 16,054]

 

The fact that muffins were the only thing on the menu, great nod to Derpy and the fandom.

 

It was worrying how much Fluttershy seemed to be taken in by it all. At times she's been all too easily to manipulate and succumb to the power of suggestion/peer pressure, she's got a real naivite that her character needs to fight against and grow out of. She is more than capable of this as we saw before that she was the only one who didn't fall for Discord's lies when he first met them. I think there's a real danger of Fluttershy being led astray further down the line this season, but that could hopefully at least set up a chance for her to grow out of it by overcoming it.

 

As one of the forum's premiere self-described lovers of Derpy, I don't think that was so much a nod to Derpy as it was just a recognition that muffins in general have been shown frequently throughout the show to be a fairly normal component, dare I say, staple, even, of Equestrian pony cuisine.

 

As for Fluttershy, I know at times she might've come across as naive, but I thought it was really highlighting just how open, loving, and kind her nature is, and, when you think about it, it did play a role in helping them defeat Starlight.  With her friends by her side, she was kept grounded so that she didn't fall for the town's charade, but thanks to her extending such kindness towards them from the very start, they were more trusting of her and willing to believe that she'd actually converted.  So really, it both highlighted Fluttershy's own personal strengths as well as how the group's friendship helps them all strengthen one another more than they ever could on their own.

 

The characters were all really awesome- Sugar Belle was a total sweetheart. She's my favorite from the minor characters in this episode. One thing I also really liked was how... It was slightly dark.

 

TOne thing did confuse me though. Why did Applejack lose her countryisms? That's not what her cutie mark represents- it's how she was raised. Even filly Applejack with no cutie mark acted that way.

 

Nice review boss, nice review.  If you want, you can find mine here: http://mlpforums.com/blog/1009/entry-15939-batbrony-reviews-mlp-s05e12-the-cutie-map/

 

I do oh so love getting to write new episode reviews again! 

 

I agree wholeheartedly that Sugar Belle was an absolute sweetheart; she was both adorable when she was getting so excited around their cutie marks, but it was also kind of really sad seeing as you just had to keep in mind that so much of that excitement was borne out of missing her own cutie mark so much.    But ah well, things turned out great for her in the end! 

 

Oh, and concerning AJ's countryisms, what I think was going on there was that, whatever magic Starlight Glimmer used to replace their cutie marks, it didn't just suppress their special talents.  Rather, the equality marks also suppressed any physical or personality traits in any pony that made them stand out from anypony else, including, for example, AJ's penchant for countryisms, or Pinkie's penchant for excited outbursts or describing things so bizarrely and randomly.

 

You know, there's something I find rather interesting here.

 

Each one of us has something special

That makes us different, that makes us rare

 

We have a light that shines within us

That we were always meant to share

 

And when we come together

Combine the light that shines within

There is nothing we can't do

There is no battle we can't win

 

When we come together

There'll be a star to guide the way

It's inside us every day

 

That there is some serious foreshadowing.

 

Good catch, my man, that only tells me that the writers at DHX are even more professional than I already thought they were.  Good stuff!  :comeatus:

[Steve Piranha 29,424]

I think Starlight Glimmer is the best villain we've had and by far the most compelling. This episode is about as perfect as it gets imo and is a top 3 episode for me. Probably the deepest themes explored yet and they freakin nailed them.

Yes, by making her a different villain as we seen so far, gives her lots of points. Speaking of her, it's obvious that's she's another evil counterpart to Twilight right? Unicorn, good with magic, cute  , similar theme naming, voiced a same Marvel superheroine  . Her main difference between her and Sunset Shimmer, is that she has a view on friendship, while Sunny didn't had one pre reform

[LZRD WZRD 1,929]

Yes, by making her a different villain as we seen so far, gives her lots of points. Speaking of her, it's obvious that's she's another evil counterpart to Twilight right? Unicorn, good with magic, cute , similar theme naming, voiced a same Marvel superheroine . Her main difference between her and Sunset Shimmer, is that she has a view on friendship, while Sunny didn't had one pre reform

The fact that she wasn't destroyed or reformed scores some points with me. Also got a real sociopathic vibe from her.

Edited April 5, 2015 by LZRD WZRD

[Horsing Around 28]

This story has a meaningful message, and you don't have to overreach into economic analogies to find it.  Sugar Belle tells us what it's all about.

 

 

"We gave up everything for you, because we thought you were our friend!"

 

The ponies in this village have come here because they each felt their individual lives were missing something important.  Was it the common ownership of the means of production that they wanted?  No, it was just friendship, harmony, and a sense of belonging. 

 

 

"Is your friendship ending?"

 

Sugar Belle is genuinely confused about how friendships work.  That's unusual for an adult pony, but it is not very unusual for the show's target audience of young children.  Kids' friendships are often volatile, and some of them have not yet known a strong friendship that can weather an argument.  Rather trivial disagreements can, unfortunately, signal the end of a friendship among children, so this is a realistic worry for some in the target audience.

 

It's likely that some of the adults in the village had friendships before they came here.  I'm assuming that Starlight Glimmer talked them into doubting the veracity of those friendships, compared with her offer of friendship without judgment.  Some of the other adults may have never had strong friendships before; they may have been ostracized where they grew up, and never really felt like they belonged anywhere.

 

 

"I'm sorry, I'm just having a hard time understanding. Different talents lead to different opinions which lead to bitterness and misery. So... why aren't you bitter, and..."

 

To gain harmony and friendship without judgment, the ponies in the village succumbed to a societal pressure which many of us have seen before.  This is the threat in the story: the pressure to try to blend in with the majority, by suppressing those parts of yourself that make you unusual. 

 

Some ponies may be more desperate to do this, because of pain they've already experienced from being different.  Especially so if they've internalized the belief that they were at fault for being different, instead of recognizing that others were wrong to hurt them for it.

 

That peer pressure, to merely emulate others, is what this episode is about.  It's not about communism, or socialism, or capitalism, or a mixed economy.  It's not about any kind of economy.  The story shows what peer pressure could do to everypony, taken to an extreme.  Maybe we've all heard so much Cold War propaganda through the loudspeakers that it's hard to notice a message here that's not about geopolitics.  

Edited April 5, 2015 by Horsing Around

[Batbrony 16,054]

Lots of kids and older fans of the show have religious or culture traditions so I don't think your idea could be executed in a way where it is enough of a clear moral. At least not yet... It could get too sticky. 

 

Agreed, not to mention it would kind of betray what this episode was saying in the first place.  Such a big part of the episode's (and show's) message was and has been reinforcing the notion that friends don't have to agree on everything or live the same exact type of life in order to be friends with one another.  The show really tries to be inclusive of all perspectives, and that doesn't just mean what's topical or hip like, say, somepony as easily popular as Rainbow Dash, but also less obvious character types like more traditional and family-oriented Applejack or socialite and fashionista Rarity.  I think the writers know exactly what they're doing already; if they hadn't made the show as they have, they wouldn't have attracted such a wide variety of fans, both more liberal minded viewers or more religious and conservative viewers like myself.  Just one of the many things that I love about this show.    After all, the road to inclusion and harmony isn't through lecturing or talking down to anyone, but rather, opening dialogue between those who normally wouldn't interact with each other, and the brony fandom is a perfect example of just that! 

[BlinkZ 1,151]

Also, in the season 5 post I said "She seems like an anti Twilight, she belives in friendship, but she thinks people can only be friends when they are equal, so the name makes a lot of sense." I FUCKING CALLED IT BABYYYY

I suppose but in the end ofthe episode it was just Twilight acitive lacture powers Go!!! and poof problem solved itself.

[Admiral Regulus 2,769]

Just as a side note, if the mane 6 had taken Spike, the whole situation could have been resolved a lot easier... which I suppose is why the plot left him behind in the first place.

 

LOL yeah. What would happen to a dragon in a society of ponies where everyone must be equal?

[John Locke N7 52]

"You won't ever have a nightmare if you never dream."

0.o

 

Also Discord would probably nuke this town.

[StitchandMLPlover 930]

Agreed, not to mention it would kind of betray what this episode was saying in the first place.  Such a big part of the episode's (and show's) message was and has been reinforcing the notion that friends don't have to agree on everything or live the same exact type of life in order to be friends with one another.  The show really tries to be inclusive of all perspectives, and that doesn't just mean what's topical or hip like, say, somepony as easily popular as Rainbow Dash, but also less obvious character types like more traditional and family-oriented Applejack or socialite and fashionista Rarity.  I think the writers know exactly what they're doing already; if they hadn't made the show as they have, they wouldn't have attracted such a wide variety of fans, both more liberal minded viewers or more religious and conservative viewers like myself.  Just one of the many things that I love about this show.    After all, the road to inclusion and harmony isn't through lecturing or talking down to anyone, but rather, opening dialogue between those who normally wouldn't interact with each other, and the brony fandom is a perfect example of just that! 

Exactly! Thank you!  It would be the opposite of the lesson of the whole show. 

[BlinkZ 1,151]

LOL yeah. What would happen to a dragon in a society of ponies where everyone must be equal?

I dont know he becmes superior lol poor spike giving the short stick again..at least he was in character this time..I got y eyes n yu writers..watcing always watching

[ShadOBabe 18,997]

"You won't ever have a nightmare if you never dream."

0.o

 

Also Discord would probably nuke this town.

 

I KNOW RIGHT? That line is friggin' terrifying...

 

Hahaha!! Yeah, if it hadn't turned around, that would be a gloriously fitting fate for it. XD

[John Locke N7 52]

I kinda saw the worst parts of both American conservatism and liberalism in that episode. Politics WERE the subject matter after all.

 

I mean, it was about a cult compound. That's pretty dark.

[Ashen Pathfinder 16,161]

While I was able to watch most of the episodes, there were some scenes I missed thanks to being busy with housework today.

 

In any case I thought this was a VERY solid way to begin the series; possibly one of the best episodes in the series to date. I'd give a more detailed review here, but as I said, I need to see it again, but...there is reason to geek out. ^^

[SanityNotIncluded 335]

LOL yeah. What would happen to a dragon in a society of ponies where everyone must be equal?

My thoughts exactly. He could have just busted them out with a letter to the princess, or... you know... being the only one who isn't entirely incompetent   .

[[NULL] 906]

I guess I have a new favourite two-parter now.

[Horsing Around 28]

I'd like the show to address firmly and completely that sometimes there is no villain, but it's narrow-mindedness that causes chaos and discontent. I want something like this, not in a single episode on an individual scale, but something affecting lots of ponies, maybe even the whole of Equestria.

 

 

It wouldn't have to apply to any specific culture, and could even address some completely random, made up belief (or at least something that's established enough in our society that it's almost universally agreed upon--e.g. people shouldn't be forced to do labor without their consent, people shouldn't endeavor to make others miserable, people shouldn't be judged solely on their appearance--many themes like this are accepted enough that it wouldn't cause any controversy if they were included in the show, and several already has been; that's what makes it a show about good morals!). It doesn't have to pertain to anything in the real world. They could make an episode where the moral is "Don't make fun of others", and the only antagonist is a culture in which mockery is accepted and encouraged.

 

You're right, something like this is very doable, and it would be a refreshing change from the formula.

[John Locke N7 52]

My thoughts exactly. He could have just busted them out with a letter to the princess, or... you know... being the only one who isn't entirely incompetent   .

Yeah. I think Spike wasn't there because it would have inconvenienced the plot.

 

But spike has been shafted sense season 1.

[Metemponychosis 1,261]

I loved this episode.

 

Technical quality improves noticeably again! Beautiful animation with new facial expressions and for some reason I really liked that scene where Rarity is pawing at the door.   Fluttershy's dialogue kinda annoyed me as they arrived in the village, but that seemed to be intentional.

 

What was shown reminded me more of a cult rather than a complex socioeconomic system. Mostly because ponies seemed to own stuff, they just didn't heave a choice on diversity. A great look into brainwashing cults, only instead of saying that you are special among the others, Starlight Glimmer said that no one is special (except for the cult leader... Of course), since in Equestria everyone is supposed to be special in their own way. I thought it was great.

 

I still hate that crystal wart in the middle of cute Ponyville, but that's not going away, so I better just enjoy the ride. Pinkie was awesome being herself and in contrast when she got her cutie mark removed. Fluttershy was brilliant as the one who would guide the audience's thinking about the moral until her realization that what was going on there was wrong, thanks to Twilight bringing her thoughts about it. Even better: she realized on her own!

 

Different talents contributing to the success of the whole, as shown in the chase scene near the end. Now, that is just beautiful. But what IS Starlight Glimmer's talent?

 

I love this episode and if the rest of the season is to be like that, I'm very happy to be around. And I still hope that my favorite characters will get some chance of doing something and looking good.

 

And now the Mane Six are finally, ostensibly, being the bearers of the Elements of Harmony and spreading the Magic Of Friendship through Equestria (something I always wanted and expected). And maybe beyond. I mean that I can only imagine how great it would've been if Nightmare Moon had been treated with the same respect Tirek and Starlight Glimmer received.

 

Yeah. It was a great episode, specially where season openers are concerned. Just another thing, that isn't really related to the episode... What is a princess? What is an alicorn to the ponies? The two don't seem to be connected as I thought, as shown by other official material, even if they are said to be in MMC. Unless I'm missing something.

Edited April 5, 2015 by Metemponychosis

[Ocean Melody 116]

Favorite: Chase scene

Least favorite: Beginning

Good: pacing, dialogue, references

Bad: I wish it wasn't so blatantly obvious that Starlight is going to come back, balloon pony is too OP, the castle is still there 

Edited April 5, 2015 by wolfsclaw

[Cleverclover 1,526]

Gotta say, I was really disappointed with Applejack's speech in this episode, particularly when she said, "You can't force nopony to be friends. It don't work like that." 

 

...Seriously? She has used the words "doesn't" and "anypony" before. 

 

I mean, come on.  She was making significant progress climbing out of the hole that this "background pony" stigma has dug for her, and now they have her talking like a country bumpkin again, further deepening the hole? 

 

 

Also, I seriously never want to hear the word "countryisms" again. EVER.  :okiedokielokie:

[Steve Piranha 29,424]

You know, FiM is not new to towns in the middle of nowhere, with creepily happy inhabitants who dislike cutie marks, right Applebloom?

 

 

[SanityNotIncluded 335]

Yeah. I think Spike wasn't there because it would have inconvenienced the plot.

 

But spike has been shafted sense season 1.

Indeed. I think the biggest problem with Spike is that everyone (including the writers) has their own idea of what and who he is. To some, he's a comical straight man, to some he's an innocent/naive child and to some he's the clumsy one who messes everything up.

[John Locke N7 52]

 

Gotta say, I was really disappointed with Applejack's speech in this episode, particularly when she said, "You can't force nopony to be friends. It don't work like that." 

 

...Seriously? She has used the words "doesn't" and "anypony" before. 

 

I mean, come on.  She was making significant progress climbing out of the hole that this "background pony" stigma has dug for her, and now they have her talking like a country bumpkin again, further deepening the hole? 

 

 

Also, I seriously never want to hear the word "countryisms" again. EVER.  :okiedokielokie:

Y'know some uh'us tawlk li'that foureal. We 'preciate tha rep-re-zen-tation!

Edited April 5, 2015 by John Locke N7

[BlinkZ 1,151]

You know, FiM is not new to towns in the middle of nowhere, with creepily happy inhabitants who dislike cutie marks, right Applebloom?

 

 

OH sweet ceelsita that game

 

 

anyway i really dont get what her plan was. she was as powerful as Twilight as to remove her cutie mark from an alicorn, so what was her plan i mean she wasn't like tirek who ate up magic and got stronger she sort of just liked being in charge and was sthe only one with magic...just didn't make sense for a 'grand villain " 

 

and yes the episdoe culd have easly had no villian and just the conept. Oh yeah and Twilight used lecture mode to hammer in the message..well kind show logic after all can't leave kids to think now can we