S05:E04 - Bloom and Gloom

[Jeric 46,854]

Yeah, I changed my vote from loving it to liking it as it's not on the level of Crystal Empire or Cutie Map for me, BUT it was still a solid episode for what it was. Granted I preferred Toils and Sleepless personally, but it was still an enjoyable watch.

Both of those episodes are grade A FiM to me. I suppose every trilogy has a Return of the Jedi. Great but not as good as the others.

 

I do like that it looks like they finally move past fretting about their marks.

 

*looks at episode description for Episode 6*

 

Orite

[~StatesTheOblivious~ 1,795]

Okay, I’ve watched it again … but my opinion doesn’t change. In fact, I see it as one of the most mixed feelings-inducing episodes on my list. There are two things I have to talk about in this matter.

 

First, there’s the writing itself. There are good episodes in other TV shows and even entire movies about “time loops” and repeating dream sequences, but this here is just too simple to actually be anything but predictable. It felt very repetitive. At least there were some of the show’s funniest moments mixed in there. Then there’s also the pacing. Right in the middle of the second dream sequence, I thought “Dammit, get to the point!” But it didn’t. Ironically, after all this time and after so many episodes that could’ve needed more than just twenty two minutes of usable screen time, there’s finally an episode that could’ve been much shorter without losing any of its message. (This way most of the gags felt like fillers. Fillers were the thing I liked the most about an episode from a show that has proven to live from no-filler moments! Boy!)*

 

The latter brings me to the second point; the message. Right in the second dream sequence, we have something that could be considered the rough lesson to learn that simple differences shouldn’t get in the way of friendship and that you can still be friends even if you change. Nothing to complain here, but after all the time being, the CMC might have been more of the “Getting our CM’s for the sake of getting our CM’s!”-kind all along, but I hoped that the writers would actually implement that the CMC are more about helping each other to receive one’s and their CM’s instead of nearly excluding anyone who got it, despite the possibility of them still helping the ones who didn’t get them yet, even though they don’t end the friendship between them. This feels like a step backwards.

 

But my personal most “disturbing” thing about this episode is not the writing, nor is it the Matrix/Inception mashup or the ending, no – it’s Babs’ Cutie Mark. Why? Just let me put it this way … If you give a tomboy a scissor as the symbol of their special talent … Get it? I hope not.

 

*In addition, there’s also Luna’s part. It’s nice to see her as a benevolent ruler who’s guiding her subjects. But this felt so forced after having it already seen in the same way in two earlier episodes, so even the episode itself was kinda repetitive within the show’s continuity.

 

AFTERWORD: I do not hate this episode. It’s just easier to exactly point out the things one doesn’t like. It’s a “meh” on my scale. Not fantastic, but far from terrible.

Edited April 18, 2015 by ~StatesTheOblivious~

[Pineapple Bloom 511]

Wow you have no idea how much I loved this episode! Maybe it's just because Apple Bloom is my favorite character, but each dream sequence was fun to watch and for some reason I happily cried near the end because it was just so sweet when AB learned to stop fearing her cutie mark. To be honest it's not an episode I'd watch again and again, but it's nonetheless my favorite Season 5 episode so far.

[Leonard Smix 421]

I was going to be legit honest..

 

I WAS FLIPPING OUT INSANE 

 

That is,

 

When Luna showed up, 

 

I had all of the emotions between relieved - happy. 

[Poetic Stone 1,041]

Watching it now so far its good I love Applebloom in this one super cool.

[Trine 665]

OK, with the Groundhog Day and Ghostbusters references the only thing that would have made this episode better was if they had gotten Bill Murry to voice the pest catcher pony.

I imagined something like Apple Bloom in a  "Jazz Jackrabbit 1 or 2" game

[Yoshi89 5,293]

Although we haven't seen the mark, that was kinda interesting. Discovering their special talent is so unexpected ^^

 

By sheer coincidence, I have an OC who happens to be a hairdresser and I designed the cutie mark long before this episode. It wouldn't surprise me if it turns out she and Babs share the same cutie mark (a closed pair of hairdressing scissors).

Edited April 18, 2015 by Yoshi89

[cmarston1 5,959]

I thought that this episode was just okay.  More of a meh than anything else really.

Things did pick up a little bit when Luna showed up which was the most memorable and best parts of the episode.

The only other noteworthy part of the episode was Sweetie Belle's dream which was soo disappointing.  I still hope that the CMC will finally get their long over due cutie marks, but because of that part of the episode I don't know if they will this season.

[Dark Qiviut 22,439]

That alone soured my first impression of an otherwise decent episode.

 

That was downright borderline cruel on the trolling scale, seriously! 

There are many reasons why I loathe trolling so much, find it nothing but bullying, and find none of DHX's staff's "teases" funny anymore. For DF/Hub/whoever, Sweetie Belle coming up onstage to sing really set up expectations that they could finally get somewhere. To find out it was nothing but a dream is a killer for fans both young and old.

Edited April 18, 2015 by Dark Qiviut

[Buttonmash1973 1,026]

That was the best CMC episode so far.

[Will Guide 21,362]

So to sum up all the bad scenarios:

 

1. Apple Bloom gets a practical job and cutie mark, but ridicule from DT and SS.
2. Apple Bloom gets her cutie mark relating to potion-making, but her blank flank friends kick her out of the CMC clubhouse, since she'd no longer crusade for her cutie mark.
3. Her friends get their un-shown cutie marks, leaving blank flank Apple Bloom the only member of the CMC.
4. She gets a cutie mark that has nothing to do with apples, leaving her Apple family to kick her out and even cut her out of all the family photos.
5. Her cutie mark keeps changing to the point that she'd never want to see cutie marks again.

Edited April 18, 2015 by WiiGuy2014

[Felix 1,363]

It threw me off at first because the episode just jumped right into the concept but once it got going it was good. The episode turned out to be really amazing! I'm actually impressed that it took five seasons for them to make the typical "Constant dreaming and waking up episode." That just shows how many unique ideas they put into each one. A typical concept or not though it was still really good! Once Princess Luna came in the whole episode made a lot more sense and I was able to appreciate the deeper meaning that was behind it.

 

So, awesome episode! Although, if there was a song, I wish it had been an expansion off of AppleJacks lullaby. <3 It was sweet to listen to.

[baltosaa 86]

So babs got her mark...

 

coolcool-

 

I was waiting for the moment when they would finally have Applebloom wake up. XD

 

Also, it looks like Squeaky-belle is back. =D

[Blue Moon 6,341]

I actually really liked this episode. Sure, it was obvious that each sequence was a dream, but it didn't detract from my overall enjoyment of the episode. It looks like cutie marks and what they mean will be a prevalent subject during this season. So far, my second favorite episode of the season (well, technically third, but the premiere is pretty much one episode).

[Poetic Stone 1,041]

Just got though watching it I loved it, it was a little dreamy, and I'm glad Babs got here cutie mark. I love Applebloom, and all the CMC It was good to see Luna finally.

[RarityFan01 2,444]

For most of the episode, I thought Luna was trolling Apple Bloom. I'm glad that the best princess didn't go that far. I have wondered how things would be if one of the CMC got their cutie marks before the other two for a long time. 

[MAIKUN 262]

So I guess Babs is no longer a member of the CMC right? Like I said, First it was Twist and now it's Babs. Right?

Edited April 18, 2015 by MAIKUN

[Will Guide 21,362]

You know? Let's look back at how long each dream sequence in the other two Luna helps CMC episodes:

 

Scootaloo's Nightmare in Season 3's Sleepless in Ponyville was about 2 minutes of screen time.

 

Sweetie Belle's Dream sequence in Season 4's For Whom the Sweetie Belle Tolls was about 7 minutes of screen time.

 

This time, Apple Bloom's Experience was almost the entire episode.

 

Heh... These dream sequences got longer with each episode. It's like increasing levels of difficulty.

[Abia 258]

I loved the direction of this episode. It addressed many questions I had about CMs and basically went over the gist of a discussion I've participated in on this forum, which was a lot of fun to see.

 

I was kind of hoping Starlight Glimmer was the one removing Apple Bloom's cutie mark., but I suppose that would have been too soon for her to reappear. It would've been really neat to have her come in again so soon and stay a prominent antagonist throughout the episode, though.

 

I'm so happy that they addressed what would happen if the CMCs got their cutie marks separately. They didn't quite answer the question (but we can infer that they'd remain friends no matter what happened, since cutie marks are who they are and do not change a pony), but it was thrilling to see the CMCs acknowledge it.

 

Luna's presence was a little forced, but I didn't dislike it. I'm neutral about her role in the episode.

 

And Babs Seed got her cutie mark! Awesome! I've been waiting since season 2 to see at least one of the gang get theirs, and this is really a good sign that Scoots, Sweetie and AB will get their marks at some point in time. I don't mind if it's not this season, I don't mind if it's a few episodes from now, I'm just glad that it looks like the CMCs will eventually grow up.

 

If this season is going to continue to address and explore existing parts of Equestria, I know I will love it. I just adore how the episodes so far have delved into the lore: the magic behind the box, what cutie marks are, advanced CM-altering magic beyond what we've ever heard of. It's fascinating.

 

This episode was not the best paced nor the best written, but for the amount of information it gives us, I think it's well worth it.

 

Very importantly, it looks like Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle know what they want to do. They know what they want their cutie marks to be, if we're to believe their dreams. They dreamed that their ambitions and were overruled by cutie marks, and the forced fate is what made it a nightmare; it looks like Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo are at least subconsciously aware that they aspire to sing and race/compete/scoot, respectively.

Edited April 18, 2015 by Abia

[Unlikeable Pony 2,698]

I rather liked it. Kind of strange, as I went into this episode expecting to hate it. I do NOT care for the CMC, and Applebloom is by far my least favorite CMC. All she really has going for her personality wise is her cutie mark obsession and an outrageous country accent, compared to scoots with her hero worship and Sweetie with her ditziness.

 

But this one? It was nice. I really liked Appleblooms fears, the episode did a good job of making them feel legitimate, they had some good jokes, and overall it was just really nicely put together. They covered a wide range of subjects (getting a mark in something you hate or in a terrible job, losing friends, shame due to your cutie mark, ect.), and managed to make everything feel nice.

 

 

I WAS expecting that evil voice to turn out to be the season villain or something as an entity that wanted to get rid of cutie marks (with a possible link to Starlight glimmer), but I can accept it as a figment of her subconscious.

 

 

 

 

 

Overall, very good. 9/10, color me impressed and pleasantly surprised.

[Fluttershyfan94 5,742]

I loved this episode, I was like this when Luna appeared. 

 

 

Then seeing Vinyl, Octavia and Rarity all together was awesome. My reaction: 

 

 

So yeah it was pretty good and I liked how it was like dream within a dream type of dream. Pretty cool I think and a good episode.

[Prince Firemane 309]

I very much enjoyed this episode, it's nice to see Applebloom have her own dream world catharsis like Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo did. Moreover, I believe it's actually my favorite CMC episode to date as it answered a lot of questions that I've been wondering about since the beginning, the biggest being how would the CMC act if one of them got her cutie mark? I love that Babs getting hers was the how that question was answered, I had actually forgotten that she was a member. I also really liked this trip into Applebloom's fears. I've always noticed that she seemed to be the most driven to get her cutie mark and now that's been explored in a really awesome way.

 

I liked the repetitive dream setup, they all detailed a fear that Applebloom expressed to her friends: getting a cutie mark she didn't like, not being part of the CMC anymore, being ditched if she was the last blank flank, being ostracized by her family if her cutie mark wasn't apple-related. It didn't hit me until the obvious moment that she was dreaming at first and when she was speaking to her shadow in the forest, I actually kind of thought that was Starlight Glimmer. After it was discovered that she was dreaming, I knew that the second and subsequent cycles were all dreams as well, then I thought it was Luna playing on her fears as I kept waiting for Luna to show up. But then, it wasn't her voice so I thought it may have been a one-shot force that really plays no real role later, like the Pony of Shadows from the last season.

 

I really liked Luna's role here, she seems to have taken a liking to the CMC and it was great to see it come full-circle. It was nice to see that the shadow pony was Applebloom's own, that it was herself causing all her fears. I also noticed that this was the first time that Luna herself appeared in a season before Celestia. I thought that was interesting.

 

But I think my most favorite part of the episode was the realization that it must be a dream if Big Mac is speaking in coherent, full sentences of structure. xD

 

Oh, and I almost forgot. It's a total "blink and you'll miss it" moment, but Braeburn showed up for a split second. xD

[MAIKUN 262]

Besides, the CMC will always be friends until the end, right? Because friends don't abandon each other. That's how life is.

[Soaring Symphony 372]

Aaaaand the Luna/CMC dream episodes have finally come to an end. I can't think of better way that they could have finished of this arc about the CMC overcoming their insecurities.

[Guest90210 3,568]

I'll be honest - I didn't like the episode much.

 

It started off very well. I absolutely adored AJ's little song to AB. Applebloom's first nightmare was pretty interesting. We got to meet a new pony and a new species of bug, and AB's ninja pest-control moves were cool. The barn gets zapped aaaand she wakes up. This is where it started to go downhill.

 

It became obvious how the rest of the episode would go down. The nightmares started getting more predictable. The one where AB was kicked out of the Crusader's was sad, though at the same time you knew it was coming. Then her getting kicked out of the Apple family? Really? It was just too far fetched for me to get into.

 

Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon bullying again? Excuse me while I sigh. I know it's a nightmare, but them being in practically every CMC episode just to repeat the same tired insults over and over gets monotonous and a chore to sit through.

 

Throughout the episode, a voice is heard speaking to Applebloom. During the first nightmare, I seriously pondered the possibility that it was actually happening and that the voice was Starlight Glimmer. How awesome would that twist have been? It woulda been cool to see her return after having fled during the season premiere, to try and steal Applebloom's cutie mark. Then this would have meant that Starlight stripped Applebloom of her cutie mark, so now the town is in danger and disarray since she can't perform her job, getting revenge on Ponyville. Then again, that would have taken the spotlight away from Applebloom and her cutie mark for this episode, so maybe this wouldn't have been the best way to take it. But to be honest, they've driven this cutie mark story into the ground at this point. I want them to all just get their cutie marks already instead of dragging this plotline on for so long.

 

Then Luna came and salvaged the episode to an extent. I loved seeing Scootaloo fly  . It was nice seeing the CMC back together again, and it's nice to see Luna. I liked that Vinyl and Octavia showed up. So while I wasn't much of a fan of this episode, it did have some good and some funny moments (Applebloom's winking cutie mark  ).

 

So overall, my vote goes to "Meh, It was okay". Not terrible, but not that good either.

Edited April 18, 2015 by Rivendare