S05:E14 - Canterlot Boutique

[Celli 4,337]

Woo, poll's finally up!

Anyway, I really liked this episode. Rarity was great as usual, and the song was pretty catchy. I think the conflict was solved a bit too quickly, but it wasn't really that bad.

The pony at the end was kind of weird and unnecessary, though.

[best poni 1,518]

Loved it!  Rarity is best fashion horse! It was so good!

[Foliha 395]

The poll didn't work for me.  It said I needed to answer all the questions, but there was only one question...

[Denim&Venöm 18,633]

WHAAAAAT!? 

 

The hiatus is over and nopony told me!?

[Seamore Sandwich 471]

I borrowed this image.

These two are probably going to be the main characters in several fanworks, focusing on their friendship (which I do realize they might be total strangers to each other), they just contrast each other so well. Also, I find the "Fat Bargain Hunter" pony (or is that a hippopotamus?) to be way more offensive than Derpy ever was. I did like the episode though,

 

P.S. Not enough Derpy.

[Truffles 2,033]

There is indeed a parallel there. Now the next question is how much is that merely a reflection of what the ponies wanted and how much is manipulation through marketing? If it weren't for Sassy's actions then would the dress have gained the same level of demand based on it's own allure and Canterlot's pre-existing desires?

 

The ponies of this world are like humans in that they are pattern-seeking creatures. Sassy found a pattern and exploited it for success. So I pose a thought-inducing question. If it is possible to find a psychological aspect to what makes somepony buy or not buy, is it ethical to exploit it? Is this simply inevitable even if nopony did it intentionally? Keep in mind that there are, in fact, human psychological exploits in real life that are banned from being used. (As an example, check out: http://www.progressiveawareness.org/research_desk_reference/legal_status_of_subliminal_communication.html)

 

I think the crux of the matter was whether Rarity was happy with how the boutique was being run, which, clearly - she wasn't. So I suppose my answer is yes, the pattern Sassy recognized and used to market Rarity's dresses was ethical, even if it did get ponies to impulse purchase them. (And BTW, after watching the episode again after reading this message, I found it very clever of the writing team to use "pattern" in a dual meaning here (in terms of psychology and sewing) when describing Sassy's methods!)

 

What is also interesting is besides the illegal ways she could have marketed the dresses (like the example you provide in the link, thought that link took me to a landing page but I think I found the info anyway) is there is a whole host of magical ways available in the pony universe to exploit patrons.

 

Most obvious way - as a unicorn, Sassy could have cast "Want it, Need it" and suddenly any dress in the shop is insanely popular. Of course, from seeing Celestia's reaction to Twilight's use of (presumably) banned magic, she'd end up in Celestia's dungeon faster than Spike can spell "precipice." 

[Treble Sketch 360]

Broken Poll! Jeric! Help! 

When I click it it just says that I didn't pick a choice :\

[Princess Book Horse 352]

Here it is. There's also a copy on YouTube somewhere if you look hard enough.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlJkuVDG2Ec[/size]

 

Seriously. "I'll Fly" was the last song and I'd listened to it so many times that I just couldn't wait for a new one.

I know, right? I kept on having Season 5 song "marathons," but they only consisted of 3 songs. I'm so glad to finally get another one. Though, almost every episode from here on in will probably have a song because Daniel Ingram confirmed 15 songs for Season 5 and we've only heard 4 so far.

[CT-1138 3,182]

I loved this episode so much, so great to see MLP back after a long hiatus, Rarity truly shined in this episode and I for one love episodes that revolve around her, so glad next week's will be another Rarity episode, the overall message and moral was fantastic, and I loved Sassy Saddles and the other new ponies introduced especially the gothic pony and the really happy pony. Such a fantastic episode!!

 

10/10!!

 

Also love some of these pictures 

 

978378__safe_spoiler-colon-s05e14_canterlot+boutique_best+princess_moonlight+raven_sunshine+smiles_strawberry+lemonade.jpg

 

978463__safe_twilight+sparkle_rainbow+dash_pinkie+pie_fluttershy_rarity_applejack_animated_princess+twilight_screencap.gif

 

978467__safe_rarity_animated_screencap_glasses_nuzzling_discovery+family+logo_spoiler-colon-s05e14_canterlot+boutique_fashion+plate.gif

 

978484__safe_rarity_clothes_animated_screencap_smiling_dancing_mirror_discovery+family+logo_spoiler-colon-s05e14.gif

 

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Interestingly, Sissy reminded me of a unicorn version of G3 Rainbow Dash.

Edited September 13, 2015 by Dinos4Ever

[I used to be a stranger 7,993]

This episode was adorable! I really like it.

By the way, this pony... My favorite:

IMG_1113.PNG

Somehow a piece of art I made was unusually prescient.

 

I finished this on July 29th this year.

 

 

 

WHAAAAAT!? 

 

The hiatus is over and nopony told me!?

Well somehow you sure nipped that secret in the bud. It only took you eight hours to uncover.

Edited September 13, 2015 by Blue

[Jeric 46,850]

Fixed the poll. Sorry about that guys. 

 

Have Hot Topic Pony as apologies

 

[ShadowPhoenix 153]

Yes, Canterlot Boutique joins the pantheon of amazing Rarity episodes. Suited For Success, Sweet And Elite and Rarity Takes Manehattan. Rules Of Rarity joins Art Of The Dress, Becoming Popular and Generosity.

 

Personally, this episode had everything right. Sassy Saddles was not written along the same lines as Suri Polomare but rather a reverse-example of executive meddling where she, under Rarity's employ, makes genuine missteps which takes the creative flair and fulfilment out of Rarity's work in what she believed was for the best. From that wonderful interaction with Pinkie Pie at the start, the episode had a great song, startling relevance to the creative industry, rich and snappy dialogue. It felt authentic and real, so it manages to overtake The Cutie Map - Part 2 and is roughly on par with Tanks For The Memories to be one of the best episodes this season.

 

The next two weeks are also Rarity-centred and Rarity Investigates hopefully will give her some much-needed interaction with Rainbow Dash. It's too much to hope for, but I secretly wish the two could have a duet. Rainbow Dash only got one line this episode and the morbidly obese pony at the end, was frankly a little disconcerting.

Edited September 13, 2015 by ShadowPhoenix

[Bart1002 40]

We finally got some music again!  There hasn't been any music since Tanks for the Memories.

[mars 4,862]

The episode was good- I suppose, it was as good as it could have been. My interest in MLP was admittedly dying (as I have discovered shows I love so much more), but this has once again grabbed my attention and made me remember why I love this show so much. The supporting cast was great, Rarity truly shined in this episode, the song was decent enough, and the dresses were beautiful. I know that if I could, I would wear each and every one of them. There was nothing really wrong with this episode- nothing I would have liked changed. 

It's very interesting to finally see another one of the mane 6 achieve their goals/destiny. It was always, at least in my mind, endgame that Rarity would go to Canterlot and open a boutique. I did believe she was going to move there near the ending of the show, but I do like the idea that she wants Ponyville to be her base of operations. I want to see where she'll go from here- Rarity achieved her goals, so what is there for her now? Will she open more boutiques, will she become an even more famous fashion designer? These are questions I would very much like answers to, but I'm sure I won't get them until later on.

Sassy Saddles- I think her name was- was a good character in her own right. I'm very pleased that the writers didn't make her this throwaway character, this bad guy that ruined Rarity's boutique and wanted the store for herself or etc, etc. Though at first I must admit I did think it was headed towards that direction. I would like to see more of her, and I wonder if we're going to have more "Rarity and Sassy" episodes in the future. 

I admittedly came out of the episode shipping the Luna and Celestia dress wearers. I actually drew a piece of fanart before I scrapped it, haha.

One thing that caught me off guard was the overweight pony at the end of the episode. Don't get me wrong, I love to see diversity in characters, but it was just out of nowhere. She seemed more like some gag rather than a character. Unfortunately, I've already seen plenty of jokes made at the expense of her weight- art depicting her as the 'princess of bacon', saying things like: "Woahh what a fat whale.". 
Yikes.

As someone who's struggled with her body image for years and has had every fat joke in history hurled at her, the way that the fandom is treating the character is rather uncomfortable to me. But what can you do about it.

Overrall, the episode was likeable. Can't wait for the next Rarity episode (I'm finishing up my fanart of Rarity in her beautiful detective outfit)!

[MaresFillies 146]

Aside from Rarity being awesome as she always is. :3 This episode had a lot of mares. <3 I love it. Brony likey.

[Princess Lona 382]

I'm glad ponies are back!

 

But I am stuck on that pony at the end. People are debating whether or not her presence was meant to make a joke out of fat people, but my first thought when I saw her was "That has to be some kind of obscure reference that I'm not getting". I assumed it was another nod to some piece of fan work I wasn't aware of, but so far no one has identified her as having existed in the fandom before. So she must be some pop culture reference we just aren't getting. A few people in this thread have compared her to Mama June from Here Comes Honey Boo Boo. I don't know much about Mama June's personality, but I do think the pony resembled her a bit. Not just because of her size, but her face as well.

 

What's more striking about her than her size is the fact that she has her own face as a cutie mark. I hypothesize that she is a caricature of a famous person who is known for loving themself. It has been pointed out that Rainbow Dash had a picture of that pony in her locker in another episode. If anyone was going to be a fan of a pony with a lot of self-love, it would be RD.

 

Or was "Nasal Pony" as she is identified in the credits, an in-joke with the writers and animators about someone they know? Any ideas? Can twitter help us out? There has to be more to this. What is going on here?

[Adamgreen 1,129]

I really like rarity on this episode. Think she's my 3rd favorite character now.

[VengefulStrudel 1,486]

Yay, a Rarity episode! And a big yay for the return of Season 5~ I really liked this episode, I'm glad that Sassy Saddles didn't turn out to be Suri Polomare #2. Though the episode did remind me of Rarity Takes Manehattan...just in Canterlot...but still, yay, a Rarity episode!

[Justin_Case001 4,880]

So.  MUCH.  YES!
 

Unbelievable episode.  This one had everything.  Rarity needed to get in front of the camera this season, and she delivered big time.  I absolutely love the Rarity fashion spotlights, and this was a doozy.  For me, it definitely felt like a throwback to Suited for Success, but still new and original, proving that FIM still has all that early-season charm, and can bring it back in dazzling ways.
 

I've longed hoped that Rarity would someday achieve her dream of being a prestigious Canterlot fashion designer.  I mean, she designs for the Gala and Sapphire Shores, and she even won Manehattan Fashion Week for Celestia's sake.  It's about time she got a Canterlot shop.
 

This episode did everything right for me.  Nothing to pick at.  And I'm so thrilled at how it ended.  I was afraid she was actually going to decide that the big city shop really wasn't for her after all, and she'd stick with the Ponyville shop and that's that....and that...well...that would have sucked.  Rarity absolutely should have the Canterlot shop.  Right from the beginning, I was thinking how, being so successful at her craft, Rarity should definitely be able to hire a manager to run her Canterlot branch.  I was jumping for joy that the episode ended it the way they did.  One thing that I've always loved about Rarity is how professional she is, and this episode reinforced that once again.  She really is a great role model.  It's always impressed me that beneath the cute and colorful style of the show, they manage to construct surprisingly believable lifestyles and businesses.  Oh...what am I trying to say?  It's like...if the ponies were cute, but did nothing but bake cookies all day, the show would have fallen out of favor for me long ago.  If I found myself constantly wondering how these ponies survive and what they do for a living, it just wouldn't have worked for me in the long run.  But I never wonder.  The writers have done so well with establishing jobs for them, and Rarity in particular is so career driven, that it just cements the realism for me and makes it engaging and relatable in a way I'm not sure I can quite explain.  I think you know what I'm getting at, so I'll stop.
 

I was also thrilled to see that Sassy Saddles came around in the end, because I really liked her initially, and was hoping she wasn't going to turn perma-sour.  I don't know why, but I really love the mares with that thinner, sleek body design.  One of my favorite ponies on the show, asthetically speaking, was an unnamed background pony in Princess Spike.  You know, that firey colored one that was around in the room at the end when they were fixing the statue and stuff?  Anyway, Sassy's great.  I'm really glad she de-soured and remained manager.

 

I love that Rarity is such a creative artist that she can't be tied down to making the same dresses in an assembly line.  If you shop at Rarity's Boutique chain (YES!  That's right!!  It's now a chain!!!!), then every dress will be a unique original, and that's how it should be.  Why would anypony want anything else from the greatest fashion designer in the world?  Glad they all realized that in the end, too.
 

Once again, Rarity also cements her title as best singer in Equestria.  This episode's song wasn't the best we've heard from her, but it was still amazing.  She should so be the next Equestrian Idol.

 

And that goth, melancholy pony!  OMG!  She might be my new favorite background pony!  Wow.  Oh, just wow.  I love her so much!  I hope we get a little development on her someday, like the BG characters in Slice of Life or Fences.  It's a lot to ask, but I really hope so.  She's awesome.  My proposed name for her is Ophelia Valentine.  Probably won't fly, I know, but that's my suggestion.
 

I thought it was kind of funny how Rainbow had only one word in this episode:  "*Snort*  Yeah..."
 

This episode also had the biggest WTF moment for me in FIM history.  That ginormo pony at the end.  I mean...wtf?  I mean, seriously, wtf?  It was just a bus with legs.  I don't even...

 

 

No, seriously, what in the actual f*ck?

 

[WubBeast 49]

how many of you like or hate the episode comment

[Envy 6,138]

Pleased with the episode. At first I was like "eh", because it felt like it had an inevitable ending one way, as has happened in pretty much all past Rarity episodes - she reaches success, but gives it up/loses it in the end. The happy ending was a very nice surprise. Of course, probably necessitated for the growth of Sassy's character, too.

 

Another thing was the designs of the nameless side characters in this episode was quite high. Lots of variety, and great color coordination!

[Spikey-Wikey 378]

I just watched the episode. It was really enjoyable, definately one of my favourites.

[Truffles 2,033]

 

 

I thought it was kind of funny how Rainbow had only one word in this episode:  "*Snort*  Yeah..."

 

It was kind of strange for her to only get one word in, but I found her snorting most amusing. That was probably the most horse-like snort we've ever had from her. It tickled my funnybone so effectively I had to go back and rewatch that scene a few more times just to get rid of the giggles.

 

Also, I'm pleased her and Applejack saw what Sassy was trying to do right from a start. Presumably once Rarity got back to Ponyville she informed the both of them she had fixed things with Sassy so they don't go on disliking her forever.

[randomcpv 52]

There's a rarity element that I'm especially like about this episode. The various design of ponies and dress is simply divine. Kudos to the animators.

[StitchandMLPlover 930]

It took this screencap for me to realize that she has a cutie mark OF HERSELF. I'm assuming she's either famous, or absurdly self-centered.

Yeah I noticed that too and thought the same thing. It's interesting to know a cutie mark of yourself can exist in canon.

 

 

 

Pinkie was on point as she has been this entire season. They really must of took notes on all the bad reception Pinks got from season four.

. I fully agree with you about Pinkie. I think Amy Keating Rogers is extra careful with Pinkie after people complained about " Fili Vinli" 

 

It says the "Goth Pony" was Andrea Libman and the fat pony (I'm assuming, I'm not 100% sure on it) is listed in the credits as "Nasal Pony" voiced by Cathy Weseluck.

Ah yeah now I see. The credits went by on TV so fast that I didn't see that LOL. Andrea does a good job sounding like Maud.