S05:E01+02 - The Cutie Map

[lomk 20,663]

I'd honestly prefer to see her go away for some time. 

 

Biding her time. 

 

Gathering her strength. 

 

Waiting to strike.

[Cosmik Vek 764]

Overall this episode was good, no complains

The story was interesting and well paced at the most

And I laugh at bits with the jokes, mainly Pinkie Pie she felt funny in this two parter.

The cliffhanger though is what really left me questionned and I hope that the build up around it is going to be great so we can have great episodes with Starlight as one of the main character maybe in the near future

I give these episodes a solid 9.5/10

[Mesme Rize 15,681]

I was actually a bit creeped out by the episode.

 

That cell the mane 6 where in and the megaphon all this indoctroniation stuff (Ignorance is bliss, war is peace, equality is friendship) i got genuine 1984 vibe from that. That's some pretty tough stuff, for a family show.

 

But again, genius episode.

 

 

Edited April 4, 2015 by Hypnosparkle

[TailsIsNotAlone 3,694]

I think Starlight Glimmer is far scarier than any villain on the show so far. 

 

She combines the social structure of a religious cult with the darkest elements of communism. She uses brainwashing, fear, and hypocrisy to ensure a false and forced harmony, where every pony is equal but no pony can be special. She finds them as they stumble upon the village in small groups and takes their cutie marks by mental conditioning or force. Then she tells them where to live, what kind of job to do, and things just continue interminably from there. Had the society grown much larger, secret police would have been just around the corner.

 

Just HOW forced the whole thing was becomes clear when Starlight's followers abandon her as soon as they discover she still has a mark. It surprises me that without the whole "equality" thing, the other ponies have no real attachment to her. I can think of three reasons for that:

(1) She wasn't in charge for long enough.

(2) She lacked the charisma to build a cult of personality around herself and ensure personal loyalty.

(3) The writers were just a little too eager to demonstrate that she was wrong.

 

In any case, there wasn't time to show their apostate revelations. The Mane 6 needed the villagers to help them get their marks back and they came through.

 

So is all this a good lesson for the kids? Yes. On the plus side, they'll still think of individuality as a special thing. (On the minus side, the idea of individuality will still be mass-marketed to them as if they were fools...but that's another can of worms. ) I have no doubt that we'll be seeing Starlight again.

[Moved to Elsewhere 11,328]

I wouldn't say I loved the episode. I give that honor to only a select few episodes of the whole series. But I would say I liked the episode. The characterization was pretty spot on, especially for Fluttershy and Pinkie. There were a few issues with this but they were only one off gags. 

 

I do like how Starlight Glimmer looks to be a reoccurring villain since she was never actually "defeated" but more so thwarted.

 

It was pretty well paced too and I loved the 4th wall gag at the end so, 8.5/10. 

[Kevin 160]

That was a good Season 5 opener! While I personally think it wasn't as good as The Return of Harmony or Princess Twilight Sparkle, this episode certainly did not disappoint! Pinkie's facial expressions really kicked it up a notch which was a hoot to see! I really like the villain, Starlight Glimmer, and even more glad that there wasn't a deus ex machina defeat of her towards the end and judging from the looks of things, I have a hunch she'll be back later on.

 

One thing I will mention is how dark the tone got both with those forced smiles and the removal of the cutie marks. It also looks like we're going to have another arc with the whole "Cute marks show on the map where a problem in Equestria is".

 

So far, a good start to Season 5!

Edited April 5, 2015 by Kevin

[lomk 20,663]

Oh yeah. While I was so hyped and kept talking about it online and in chats, that I kinda didn't pay a whole lot of attention, I have to say this: 

 

That dystopian atmosphere was flawlessly crafted. 

 

I love dystopias. 

[Scootaloodle 1,621]

Probably a bit soon but any links where I can watch the episode?

 

Some website was streaming the premier, but I didn’t see it from the beginning so I stopped watching to see it later.

 

Super want to see it!

[Batbrony 15,994]

The Communism is over! Yay for Socialistic Capitalism!

 

Well since there weren't really any economics involved (aside from how the town's local economy functioned as a result of their behavior), I'd say it was more like social classical liberalism triumphing over totalitarian thought and behavioral control.

[Frozen The Unicorn 484]

Great Episode, Loved The stream, Great admins Much fun xx 10/10 would do it again

 

 

Blame Kim jong un I MEAN Sunset Glimmer (Not sunset Shimmer) Stole everyone cutie marks It was great

[Nerdy Luigi 2,064]

@@Batbrony That's true... But that's best economical system... Just saying.

[Castle Bleck 19,163]

Well, she'll be back...

 

Villagers: "We have a place for her."

 

[Wardaddy 470]

I got a feeling she might return frequently throughout the season.  Who knows, but I'm quite excited to see where everything goes.  Maybe she'll even gather her own Mane 6 around her, a posse of lieutenants to strengthen her position and spread her philosophy across Equestria!  Can you imagine, Mane 6 vs. Reverse/Bizarro/Anti Mane 6 in the season finale?  Hooooo nelly, that'd be awesome!!! 

Thereby, in effect, declaring war on Twilight and the Mane 6 with the intent to erase their philosophy on friendship and replace it with her own.

 

I'm getting the feeling Starlight will turn sadistic to the point where she will be self-proclaiming herself as the true Princess of Friendship. I mean, if she's going to be a reoccurring antagonist, then there's no doubt in my mind she will be angry at Twilight and the Mane 6 for usurping her position and threatening her philosophy. She'll return alright, and with a vengeance to boot.

[rpc8169 228]

My thought when Starlight reveals her real cutie mark:

 

[Meanlucario 131]

I liked it, thought I think that we can all agree that Balloon animal pony is OP.

[Dark Qiviut 22,160]

I must say, this impressed me. There's no bombastic One Scene nor the overreliance of Twilight to save the day. Other characters had the chance to shine, and it was a team effort to remove the fraud. Starlight doesn't have the mysterious past or whatnot. She's just a normal unicorn with an evil philosophy, but one she believes is right. From a technical point of view, the dialogue is fantastic with a lot of clever jokes, including nicely done meta references.

 

Pinkie's slip-up is also how you execute her obliviousness correctly: She was oblivious, but got called out for it. She realized it (being the only time this time), and they all suffered the consequences.

 

This is easily Sonneborn's best episode. Does it overtake Return of Harmony as Larson's best episode and best two-parter? That remains to be seen.

[lomk 20,663]

Right? To be entirely honest, I didn't see that one coming (the stenciled cutie mark, that is)

 

 

Nice to see they can catch me off guard from time to time. :3

[rpc8169 228]

I liked it, thought I think that we can all agree that Balloon animal pony is OP.

 

Yeah, he was pretty darn awesome though...

[MLG4Ever 876]

"Official Pony Thread: If you find another thread, redirect them here!

Everypony Equal Everypony Loved

Love, Torlance, Friendship. And kindness are the most important things a brony can have, Let's share some ponies!"

This sounds familiar to today's episode "Everypony equal, Everypony loved"

But awesome episode! :3

Edited April 4, 2015 by MLG4Ever

[Sugar Pea 2,680]

I think the season premier was very enjoyable! This is the first time any of us has seen just a regular pony, not some menacing creature or a great evil, as a threat. It wouldn't surprise me if Starlight Glimmer was one of Celestia's proteges (Judging by her magic and knowledge of it kinda like Sunset Shimmer and Twilight Sparkle, and judging by their striking name similarities), if you know what I mean. Or just somepony who has a great talent with magic as well. So many things can be speculated, so much to dissect!

 

EDIT: OOOOR perhaps, she could be one of the elements that was mentioned in the trailer, and the next time she is encountered, she'll come to her senses!

Edited April 4, 2015 by snickerdoodle

[Alex Z 848]

I really enjoyed this episode, great way to start off the season!

[Blazing_Dash 29]

This is the first season that ive been a part of the herd to watch as tbey air! Found jt right after season 4 ended. I have to say really excited.

As for the episodes, i really liked them. Pinkeys facial expressions were one of the best parts, for me because i kept laughing like crazy. I liked how even fluttershy actuallly has a bit more courage, and its all to her friends.

Frikin great start, but the darned commercials! Gaahhh no more commercials!

[Meanlucario 131]

Yeah, he was pretty darn awesome though...

 

Yes, he was, especially when he use one balloon to make a pair of binoculars or a usable bridge in seconds.

[Pineapple Bloom 511]

What a fabulous episode!  I wonder what on Earth Starlight wanted with those cutie marks anyway? I hope she appears again soon.

 

Pinkie Pie was hilarious when she went fat after eating all the muffins. XD She kinda looked like Truffle Shuffle.

 

I liked the facial expressions and animation, particularly Pinkie's faces (best expressions I've ever seen...) Fluttershy's really cute smile which has already been posted, and I also liked how Starlight's muzzle scrunched sometimes when she was talking during one part.

 

I think Fluttershy seemed to be the "main" character of this episode, even though it involved all the Mane Six.

 

As for the song, it was really cute and catchy! Not a favorite song because I prefer emotional, slower-paced songs but this song was nonetheless fresh and unlike previous songs in the series. I hope there would be a song in Part Two but oh well.

 

Can't wait for more Season 5!

[CTRLee 75]

I really love this episode. I don't know if that's me, but the whole village sort of reminds of China during Cultural Revolution, USSR and North Korea, especially the last one. The forced smile, and the propaganda, not to mention you will have to stay low in order to not be caught red hoofed by our great leader Starlight Glimmer if you wanna talk about Cutie Marks .

 

Moving on, I can foresee a lot of potential fanarts and shippings coming up. One is that balloon stallion (anybody know what's his name?) and Pinkie . Double Diamond sorts of reminds me of one of my brony friend's OC though.