S05:E06 - Appleoosa's Most Wanted

[paradoxical 1,735]

 

 

Saw the rodeo clown thing coming from a mile off, but it was still fun to watch. Problem is, if messing up is your special talent, how do you deal with it in daily life?

 

 

I loved this episode, but I saw a very different episode than most of you.  How?

 

Well, from the get go I knew that Troubleshoes was a klutz.  So when his first full out slapstick scene happened I was already sympathetic to his inability to do things correctly and I cried a bit. 

 

Yup.  I found myself wondering if he would accept the cutie mark of rodeo clown and I realized in the end, his mark meant being a part of the rodeo - NO MATTER WHAT -- not the usual desire most people have.  If he had been the rodeo secretary or janitor he'd have been happy. 

 

So message is "You don't have to go through the direct route to get your dream."

 

I also really identified with the knowing what you want [being part of the rodeo] and inability to get there. 

 

So I loved this episode -- even though I acknowledge that the I didn't appreciate the intent of the writers.

 

[Time Shield 402]

How does a pony play a harmonica (or play it competently, in any case) without fingers?

 

I'll address this one.  You don't need fingers to play a harmonica.  You don't even need to be holding it.  The tone results from which holes you blow into on it.  That's why some performers have a rig that holds a harmonica out in front of them so they can keep their hands on a guitar and still play it.

[InsertUsernameHere 149]

Whats up with all the "everyones gay for braeburn" comments? lol

[Carolina 212]

Just saw it. Not my favorite and I don't think I will ever see it again. Old West? Meh. Cutie Mark Crusaders focusing solely on getting their cutie marks? More meh. And a whole scene devoted to Rodeo Clowns? I hate clowns, so ew... Troubleshoes seemed kind of funny/fun and I like the way he looks, but overall, this didn't interest me much at all. Get back to the Mane Six already...

Edited May 5, 2015 by Carolina

[Jaxsie (Inactive) 1,343]

I liked this episode, but I felt it was average. Trouble Shoes, though, is a incredibly kindhearted character and I love him!   Albeit, I'm a little conflicted on the whole "bad luck" cutie mark idea. I just don't think that a cutie mark that gives you bad luck is a good thing -- no matter how you hash it. So, instead of being a klutz that people find annoying, now he's a klutz that everyone finds funny and doesn't take seriously? Is that good? Nevertheless, I still like the episode but this is just something that I noticed.

Edited May 4, 2015 by RainbowJaxs16

[TheJLeeTeam 914]

That was a pretty okay episode. I just noticed that Trouble Shoes looks more realistic. We're going to have another hiatus but only a week longer because there's no new episode next week.

[BlackWater627 700]

I liked this episode, but I felt it was average. Trouble Shoes, though, is a incredibly kindhearted character and I love him!   Albeit, I'm a little conflicted on the whole "bad luck" cutie mark idea. I just don't think that a cutie mark that gives you bad luck is a good thing -- no matter how you hash it. So, instead of being a klutz that people find annoying, now he's a klutz that everyone finds funny and doesn't take seriously? Is that good? Nevertheless, I still like the episode but this is just something that I noticed.

 

Indeed quite a few people had that issue with the episode. If you apply the whole "perceive something bad to be good" then I suppose even bullying would be justifiable. Of course, no one in their right mind would believe that but one has to be consistent when applying such logic.

 

Personally speaking, I didn't take the episode to be going in that direction. I just wasn't that into the CMC adventuring. I liked Sweetie's use of magic, though. 

[Buttonmash1973 1,026]

 

I think MLP-Silver-Quill is the only Youtube pony analyst I've seen thus far who does a good job with the constructive criticism front.

 

I like Luffy and MLP-Silver-Quill too.

[Jaxsie (Inactive) 1,343]

Indeed quite a few people had that issue with the episode. If you apply the whole "perceive something bad to be good" then I suppose even bullying would be justifiable. Of course, no one in their right mind would believe that but one has to be consistent when applying such logic.

 

Personally speaking, I didn't take the episode to be going in that direction. I just wasn't that into the CMC adventuring. I liked Sweetie's use of magic, though.

Yeah, I feel the logic of the episode is quite flawed in this respect. I know I was supposed to feel happy for Trouble Shoes, but I didn't really. My thought was wow, just his luck, again. I didn't get the sense that he truly wanted to be a rodeo clown. To me, it felt more like it was the only other option to actually being in a rodeo. In other words, Trouble Shoes had a desire to be something that his own cutie mark ultimately restricted him from being. -- and that is a depressing thought!

 

I noticed Sweetie Belle levitating that barrel too; she's growing up so fast!

Edited May 4, 2015 by RainbowJaxs16

[Chaton 3,765]

To be honest, this wasn't one of their finest moments in tv production.

[Time Shield 402]

I just realized the irony of this episode. A lot of people who has problems with the episode are assuming the worst about it at face value and taking it as a bad thing, instead of realizing they're just looking at it from the wrong angle. It can actually be very positive when you realize its true meaning and embrace it for what it is: entertainment. Just like Trouble Shoes and his cutie mark.

 

(From now on, anytime someone has something overly negative to say about the episode, I'm going to imagine it being read in Trouble Shoes' voice.)

Edited May 4, 2015 by Time Shield

[Luffyiscool 397]

Lol'd.

 

 

First of all, I really enjoy your reacts, Luffy. Been watching you since you began doing MLP reacts, and I've always particularly enjoyed your positive face-value approach to the show, because not only do I have the same approach, but like you've hit upon, it's sadly a diamond in the rough in this fandom.

Thanks a lot, I really do try my best to spread the positivity.

 

 

More on point, what you've explained here is precisely why I don't watch or interact with any part of the analysis community on Youtube, and instead watch react videos of bronies like yourself watching episodes in a blind fashion. Blind reacts are always genuine and people always have interesting comments and ideas as they go. But for the most part, the analysis crowd focuses more on nitpicking apart things than they do praise the things the show did well, and while it's important to always look for improvements, blind criticism is just as bad as blind praise.

 

Why is constructive criticism so hard? Tell it like it is, point out what can be improved, but praise the things the show did good as well. And for pete's sake, don't forget to enjoy this at face value as well. It's an effing family-oriented kids program.

100% agreed.

I'm subbed to many reactors for that exact reason. 

 

I like Luffy and MLP-Silver-Quill too.

Yay!

 

I just realized the irony of this episode. A lot of people who has problems with the episode are assuming the worst about it at face value and taking it as a bad thing, instead of realizing they're just looking at it from the wrong angle. It can actually be very positive when you realize its true meaning and embrace it for what it is: entertainment. Just like Trouble Shoes and his cutie mark.

 

(From now on, anytime someone has something overly negative to say about the episode, I'm going to imagine it being read in Trouble Shoes' voice.)

Very nice observation lol

Edited May 4, 2015 by Luffyiscool

[Deviousnights 48]

I think they've stalled the CMC from getting their cutie marks for far too long already, This is getting repetitive, it wouldn't kill them for at least one to get it.

[Stanpai 25]

I thought that this episode was really good, can't wait for the next episode

[Tameless 979]

I honestly loved it. Trouble Shoes was a very interesting and likable character. Though breaking him out of jail was a bit over the top. I'm just saying they could of done it without breaking that law, but they are fillies still learning.

[Foliha 395]

 

TL/DR: - the resolution of this episode seemed like (to me at least) it was about, “you can't always get what you want, but sometimes, you get what you need” type of aseop. But I do feel it was extremely under-emphasized in this episode and that's something to be critical about. Also, this was a much more sweeter, less bitter-sweet way of sort invoking this trope (I'm sure there's a trope that this is called on tvtropes, I just can't find it. Somepony else feel free to look and say). There are other problems about this episode as well, but that's enough for this thread. So, your thoughts, views and other things you thought about this episode's resolution? What else did you think? Am I reading too much into it? Responses please? Other thoughts about the lesson/resolution about this episode?  Other criticisms about the resolution? Or did you like the resolution?

 

Troubleshoes started, in this episode, being a character on the margins of pony society, looking in, and being branded as a criminal. He ended up back in pony society - not as a rodeo competitor, but as a performer.  He was an unintentionally funny clown, but he at least was "back in the herd." 

 

I was reminded of Jar Jar Binks, who was banished from Gungam society for being accident-prone.  He was accepted back into the flock and made a soldier - which he didn't want to be - but once back in, he was able to find a place in government, which as we all know is full of accident-prone clowns.

 

I think the next time we see Troubleshoes, he may well have outgrown his name.  He was clearly gratified to be no longer outcast, and I would bet his outlook, self-confidence and job performance will have changed for the better as time goes on.  And all because three little ponies had the sense not to be afraid of him, and see that he was not willfully destructive, but simply a self-conscious, unhappy klutz.  

 

To me, the lesson from this story is that seeing someone for what he is, instead of what he is reputed to be, is likely to turn out well for both parties, and make the world a better place.  Troubleshoes has a chance to work toward his dream, now that he is back with his own kind. 

[Luffyiscool 397]

To me, the lesson from this story is that seeing someone for what he is, instead of what he is reputed to be, is likely to turn out well for both parties, and make the world a better place.  Troubleshoes has a chance to work toward his dream, now that he is back with his own kind. 

Exactly.

I thought the moral was excellent, because I saw it the exact same way.

[Time Shield 402]

I think they've stalled the CMC from getting their cutie marks for far too long already, This is getting repetitive, it wouldn't kill them for at least one to get it.

You don't think that's what the season is hinting at with the prevalent cutie mark theme going on? I can almost guarantee that that's what's going to happen in the season finale at this rate. They wouldn't do it mid-season for fear of confusing or spoiling people who see the middle eps out of order, so if it happens, we know it'll be either a premier or a finale, and my bet is finale. Also, I think it would be nice if they all got their cutie marks together instead of separate (and so do they, apparently, or at least Apple Bloom said as much in episode 4). Just--ahem--hold your horses.

Edited May 4, 2015 by Time Shield

[Trixio 443]

The episode is not as bad as some have claimed..

[Pastel 7,630]

Yep, such an underrated episode... :/

[LZRD WZRD 1,929]

First off, I commend the attempted moral here. The idea that something you consider a disability can actually help you excel at something else is a very heartwarming and optimistic one. However, context is key and I think that the way this was set up goes against what the episode is trying to do.

 

Troubleshoes has no business being a rodeo clown; he's dangerous! Yes he's a "natural" at it, but with that comes unpredictability and as was shown earlier in the episode, this can be potentially deadly. How does making him an official rodeo clown stop him from causing excessive destruction and peril for other ponies? It doesn't. The core problem is not solved, it's quite literally masked instead.

 

 

For my full thoughts and analysis, check out the video below:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XUGuKFnfTw

[Thaliel 116]

The only thing I found irritating was thet at first, it was clear that Troubleshoes could not influence when his misfortune would happen. But later on, it only happened while he was part of the clown show. That really seemed off.

[takai 1,060]

After a few days of letting it sink in, this was an ok episode. Not bad, but sort of by the numbers with nothing that jumped out and surprised you.

 

I liked Troublehoofs character. His design was unique.

 

But as always, I think CMC episodes can only ever be ok at best. I gave the episode a 7, but now I'd give it a 6. Really nothing wrong with it, but nothing to write home about.

 

 

And here's my review commentary. Unfortunately, since I wasn't too interested in the episode, I didn't talk too much. Meh. Enjoy if you'd like.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_zWzEXOauI

[Luffyiscool 397]

But as always, I think CMC episodes can only ever be ok at best.

What about Cutie Mark Chronicles? Technically a CMC ep, but it gave us the cutie mark origin stories for all of the mane six. 

 

Cutie Pox was fun, seeing the havoc all those marks were causing for poor Apple Bloom.

 

Twilight Time was neat, it showed the CMC progressing their individual skills while Twilight showed Princess-like maturity in how she dealt with everything.

 

Flight To The Finish made me cry, I connected with it that much. A beautifully bitter-sweet episode that directly addressed Scootaloo's flying problem.

 

 

More often than not, I find myself enjoying CMC episodes. 

I do agree that this one was more lackluster, but there have also been some really good ones from them.

[Wind Chaser 4,768]

Trouble Shoes is really a character I can relate to and get behind. To see a sympathetically-portrayed "bad luck" character on a show that has been as idealistic as this one has been since Season 3 at the very least is very refreshing, especially from one of the writers who I consider to be among the most guilty of being very hard on Spike. It's also a unique look at cutie marks, being the first time we've actually seen a pony unhappy with their cutie mark, and it does sort of validate Apple Bloom's fear in "Bloom and Gloom" that she may end up getting a cutie mark she doesn't understand. To see the Crusaders helping an adult pony in such an identity crisis is really something I've been looking to see out of this show in quite some time.

 

Unfortunately, all of the pitfalls of Polsky's earlier writing (as in "Over a Barrel" and "Feeling Pinkie Keen") are in this episode: an overreliance on well-worn tropes and cliches and absolutely flat comedy at the expense of this great character. I get the feeling that the resolution of the episode felt very half-hearted; so Trouble Shoes screws things up -- so that's his calling in life? That is unnecessarily hard on this character and makes terrible implications as to this world. Even as a rodeo clown, he's not even a good one, telling by his lack of coordination and sending everypony else running for the exits. Being happy with your lot in life, even if it's not what you really want, is only okay if it's a good one.

 

So I have nothing going on in my life. I don't contribute anything to society, I cannot find employment, and I'm chronically addicted to the Internet to make up for things I don't have in real life. Am I supposed to accept that? By this episode's logic, I probably should.

 

If you're in a bad position like Trouble Shoes was, a better message would have been for him to try to better what he was failing at. But, since misfortune was literally his name and destiny, we didn't end up with that. Also working to this episode's detriment is absolutely cliche dialogue and visual themes. The Western themes in this show, as in the references and character archetypes, are fast becoming a dead horse, and that's because they're not unique to MLP. Almost every show has done it and the way this episode does it, like "Over a Barrel", have not really given it any sort of unique spin. But, that really seems to be more of a matter of personal opinion. If you had gotten into this show more recently than I have (I've been watching since November 2011), you'll probably enjoy it more.

 

This episode really seems to be indicative of a huge problem as far as dealing with self-identity in this show. The show seems to very aggressively promote the message of "be yourself" and "do what you're passionate about". While it is uncommonly good at promoting the positive side of such a message, it seems to be haphazard at best and reluctant at worst in executing stories dealing with the negative side of such, with this being added to "Dragon Quest".

 

Overall, a misinterpretation of a cutie mark is a great idea, as is the idea of a down-on-his-luck, misunderstood, underdog character in an idealistic world, and the implied moral. Trouble Shoes and his conflict are great and relatable. But, like many of Polsky's weaker outings, it is again an oversimplification of an issue more complex than is portrayed, and relies on tropes and cliches to divert attention from it.