S05:E01+02 - The Cutie Map

[rpc8169 238]

cutie map in the cave? hmm, don't remember this part

 

I'm referring to the wall of cutie marks held there by Starlight.

[Delzepp 2,939]

I'm referring to the wall of cutie marks held there by Starlight.

oh, I see; don't think it was called a map...

[Declen 118]

Well, that willage... that was prettiy much what we've had back in the late USSR. At least how we saw it those days.

Constant talk about equality and comradery, constant propaganda nobody believed anymore, leadership that lived in relative luxury, pompouse and unappealing design in enything. And, last but not least, manufactured common goods sucked (selflessly and unconditionally).

[FirestormCAN 246]

Well, that willage... that was prettiy much what we've had back in the late USSR. At least how we saw it those days.

Constant talk about equality and comradery, constant propaganda nobody believed anymore, leadership that lived in relative luxury, pompouse and unappealing design in enything. And, last but not least, manufactured common goods sucked (selflessly and unconditionally).

Yeah, I just knew they were taking a stab at the Eastern Bloc when I saw the first preview. And whaddya know, they acknowledged it by mentioning "East Equestria."

[Shadowking58 1,137]

Was I the only one who thought of Fallout Equestria when they were all trapped in the house together with the loudspeaker talking to them every day?

It felt almost exactly like Littlepip's stable to me.

[rpc8169 238]

oh, I see; don't think it was called a map...

 

Yeah, I think the title was sort of referring to it, maybe?

[Mr Underhill 219]

This was a good, solid season opener. not over the top, but a gentle nudge into new territory. I think things will pick up as we go forward.

[Declen 118]

mentioning "East Equestria."

When?

I don't remember they've mentioned it in episode. Or do you mean from the place on the map?

Edited April 4, 2015 by Declen

[SanityNotIncluded 335]

Wow... I'm still trying to collect my thoughts, but that was damned solid overall. I guess something you need to know about me is that I thrive on stuff that I find thematically interesting. Even if a story makes absolutely no logical sense, I can still enjoy it if it makes me think about unique or interesting ideas. Whilst the danger of forcing equality isn't exactly a new idea, what made it interesting was how it got played out in the context of MLP.

 

Spoilers Ahead - You Have Been Warned

The episode presents us with a village whose people live by the following mantra: Different talents lead to different opinions which inevitably lead to conflict. Therefore, the only way to prevent conflict is for everyone to be equally inept.

 

To be frank, the episode was constantly reminding me of an old Doctor Who serial called 'The Happiness Patrol'. In it, The Doctor arrives on a planet called Terra Alpha where unhappiness is illegal and punished by death - specifically, being drowned in colourful molten candy. Smiles are fake, prisons aren't called prisons, dreary streets are draped in fluorescent pink and tacky elevator music plays 24/7. Although the premiere was obviously nowhere as extreme, it resonated a similar sort of unsettling, emotionally unhinged creepiness which was way more effective than it had any right to be given MLP's target demographic. In fact, one thing that really impressed me was just how far the writers actually went with the village. It's one thing to show creepy smiles, but it's another thing to touch on indoctrination, propaganda and how cult-like behaviour forms and plays out around charismatic leaders. There were a few other things I enjoyed too. Not only did this episode have some pretty good background music, but it also introduced a very enjoyable musical number as well. 

 

Now for the bad stuff. I really don't have too much to complain about, since what I mentioned above more than makes up for this stuff to me. Suffice to say, this episode has two problems. The least offensive of the two is that it kinda simplifies the main characters. Most of them get reduced to stereotypes for the sake of illustrating their cutie marks fading away. This doesn't bother me too much, as it's arguably been done in other episodes, but some might dislike it. What's much more irritating however, is the lack of any real closure on Starlight Glimmer. She just runs off into the cave network, and we don't really find out anything else about her. What was Twilight planning to do with her? How did she come to believe in this philosophy? Does she have a tragic backstory ? At the moment, it doesn't look like we'll find out anytime soon - heck, Pinkie Pie even pointed out that the episode ended too quickly. Ii can only hope that this'll be the setup for the season's story arc.

 

Definitely one of the better season openers for me.

[Shadowking58 1,137]

So this was pretty good! Very funny at times, and I appreciated how the mane 6 took a backseat and let the villagers save them. Larson is brilliant, once again he tasks Fluttershy as the one to send on the rescue mission, and it turns into hilarity.

 

I'd give it an 8.5, but Fluttershy tossing the bucket of water, AND MISSING, makes it a 9.

What's soaking wet and clueless?

 

YOU'RE FACE-

Oh wait I missed.

[Raritas 6,820]

I thought it was a decent episode. Nice to see a new place in Equestria. I thought the dark and creepy atmosphere was perfect, several times I thought "Wait... isn't this a kids show?". However, it is not my favourite season opener. The plot was a little predictable and Starlight Glimmer was a bit of a weak character in terms of back story. Who was she? Why did she do it? I hope these questions are answered in later episodes when she inevitably returns for vengeance.

 

All in all I'll give it a 7/10.

Edited April 5, 2015 by Raritas m8

[Delzepp 2,939]

Yeah, I think the title was sort of referring to it, maybe?

who knows, you're prolly right

 

I'll say one thing though, sick pinkie pie is a sad sight indeed

[Pinkie-Guy 563]

It was a pretty good opener. It sets up the season nicely. I'm gonna need to watch it again to get everything I missed. Come on Amazon, take my money!

[~ Dr. Ocsid ~ 690]

 

Hate the advertisment though. That put a brake on the hype.

The capitalists had to compensate for the communism in the episode.

Yes, the advertisment is the main reason why I watch MLP on dailymotion.

 

 

Grand episode! Shame Discord wasn´t in it, whch is the only reason why I didn´t tick the "I LOVED IT!"-box. That is reserved for our Grand Duke of Nonsense.

The song was nice, especially the lyrics.

Edited April 4, 2015 by ~ Dr. Ocsid ~

[FirestormCAN 246]

When?

I don't remember they've mentioned it in episode. Or do you mean from the place on the map?

I believe Twilight brought it up as one of her studies when they were in the jail.

[ArDee 100]

Well, we're definitely not going to see Starlight Glimmer ever again. 

 

I had her VA pegged for Nicole Oliver when I first heard her in one of the teasers, but apparently it's Kelly Sheridan, voice of various characters in Barbie movies (mostly Barbie herself) and a couple different ponies in G1, as well as various other cartoon and anime dub roles. In my defense, the two of them sound very similar.

If it wasn't Nicole Oliver, a relatively obscure G1 or Barbie VA would've been my second guess, so there y'go.

Edited April 4, 2015 by RCTM

[Declen 118]

 

 

The capitalists had to compensate for the communism in the episode.

You mean, they pictured communism as pretty disgusting, so they had to balance it out with some downsides of the capitalism?

[rpc8169 238]

who knows, you're prolly right

 

I'll say one thing though, sick pinkie pie is a sad sight indeed

 

Yeah that was disheartening, but it was kind of funny when Spike stepped on Pinkie's family, I have to admit.

[Delzepp 2,939]

Yeah that was disheartening, but it was kind of funny when Spike stepped on Pinkie's family, I have to admit.

I know but I knew this part since I saw the sneak peek

[Suitaloo 743]

Those episodes were great. It reminded me of that one Kurt Vonnegut short story Harrison Bergeron, the one with the Handicapper General in the US. Or just communism, that works too.

[BrilliantVenture 334]

Yeah, it actually didn't feel very rushed this time, like some other 2-parters. Even Starlight wasn't a very intimidating villain, just a regular pony like everyone else.

and I think that's an important thing to realize...while it's awesome to have villains like tirek and chrysalis, sometimes the biggest and deepest threats come from just everyday people. It's more of a realistic and down-to-earth concept that's pretty easy to relate to. So I give them majour props for that! (and it's cool that they left Starlight on a cliffhanger, hope to see more of her later!)

[ArDee 100]

Also, I guess the whole "Eastern Unicorn"\'East Equestria" thing means we probably aren't getting a Griffon Kingdom this season. A shame, really.

Edited April 4, 2015 by RCTM

[rpc8169 238]

and I think that's an important thing to realize...while it's awesome to have villains like tirek and chrysalis, sometimes the biggest and deepest threats come from just everyday people. It's more of a realistic and down-to-earth concept that's pretty easy to relate to. So I give them majour props for that! (and it's cool that they left Starlight on a cliffhanger, hope to see more of her later!)

Yes here's to a myriad of speculation!

[Argumedies 1,748]

Well i made the dry spell without any spoilers and i gotta say, it was well worth it.

 

I wasnt sure if i was even going to get to see the opener but it all worked out.

 

Random thoughts

 

Nice to see Spike getting some man time for a change.

 

Pinky pie had the best oneliner in ep 2

 

Why are Raritys tears always grey?

 

Country-isims are magic.

 

Why do i get the impression that Starlight Glimmer is Diamond Tiara's mother?

 

Flutter-magnet

 

Is it me or is Twilight quicker to anger?

Edited April 4, 2015 by Argumedies

[LongGoneGr 1,305]

If anyone finds the episodes uploaded online today, please pm me or tag me or something.

 

 

Edit: for free. Preferably on daily motion, in HD with no watermarks, if possible. That's where I get most of my pony.

Edited April 4, 2015 by Pinkie Pie Rules