S05:E17 - Brotherhooves Social

[Brainstorm 4,108]

Big Mac's heart was in the right place

[Meeh 48]

Season 5 has been the weirdest season...this episode is an example.

 

Not saying it's a bad thing though

[Rainbowdash_82 404]

OMG HILARIOUS So this is what happened when rarity and applejack went to manehattan
The end made me almost cry

Edited October 3, 2015 by RlikesRainbowdash

[StitchandMLPlover 930]

SPOILER ALERT!

I just saw "Brotherhooves Social". I liked this episode. I couldn't find too many flaws. I was right about this episode tying in with "Made In Manhatten" and happening at the same time, like how they set up "Just For Sidekicks" and "Games Ponies Play" as happening at the exact same time in season 3. I hope they have the episodes correspond like this again because it makes the pony world seem more real and may allow the writers to come up with even better stories if done right. I loved that Big Mac finally got a focus episode. I especially love that he talked a lot yet still kept his signature dialogue. It is about time he got more lines and attention, I liked how we saw that he has the ability to get jealous,go to far, and make mistakes like the other characters. He's a full fledged character now. It was so nice to finally see him have a real relationship with Applebloom since we like never see them interact except maybe in "Pinkie Apple Pie". It was also nice to see Applejack getting attention from Applebloom for all the things she does to help Equestria. I sympathized with both Big Mac and Applebloom in this episode. I know what it is like to be jealous and to worry if people still give a darn that you are there. I also know how Applebloom felt. The whole month of September people have been trying too hard to please me and it got me into REAL trouble.  I was like "DON"T HELP!" which definitely seemed like how Applebloom felt especially when they got disqualified. I liked that Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo got to race together. That was ADORABLE!!! I'm also glad that Rainbow Dash was shown as a good sport because in earlier seasons she often was not a good sport. The song was cute too. The lesson at the end was great!! I like how they admitted to holding back about their fears because I struggle with that every day. The animation on the sunset was amazing. I see Peter New has a thing for doing female voices. The only real flaw is that I'm confused as to how the Sisterhooves Social is actually set up and what the exact rules are. Some rules seemed to align with the first "Sisterhooves Social" episode with Sweetie Belle and Rarity, and others did not. 

Edited October 3, 2015 by StitchandMLPlover

[One-Punch Man 316]

I am getting ready to watch the episode now..I gotta admit, i am a little afraid of it, given the episode preview I saw. xD

 

EDIT: I jsut watched it...Such a good episode it is!! The characters were all nice..plenty of Big Mac..and it came from a relatable and sweet place. Dave Polsky you sly dog, you.

Edited October 3, 2015 by Sugar Coat

[MAIKUN 262]

Whoa, what's up with Scootaloo's voice?

[EquestriaGuy 1,074]

Very pleased with this episode. The crossdressing was funny because of Big Mac's hilariously satirical portrayal of Southern style females. This was the kind of over the top personality you'd expect to see on SNL or Kids in the Hall, it was just great. Watching everyone react to him and his destruction was the funniest part, especially since everyone was in the know, except for the old guy, and simply went along with it.

 

What makes this episode great though was the last scene, but not especially for the feels for the sake of itself, it was great because it gave context to why Big Mac did this, and showed how far he'd go for Applebloom. 

 

All in all, this is easily 9/10. One of the best of the season, much to my surprise, and it's at least in the ballpark as one of the best of the series.

[Varrack 1,080]

Was I the only one who started to get emotional at the end?

 

Anyways, I liked it. It was important for Apple Bloom to spend some time with her big brother,and I can understand Mac's jealousy towards Applejack. I'm glad they were able to re-establish that bond that was beginning to fade.

[ggg-2 3,553]

When they said they'd be turning the feels machine up to 11, they lied. .....They turned it up to 11, kept going and broke the dial right off.

[JonasDarkmane 19,785]

One of the best episodes I have seen with Season 5 so far . I loved it . It was so beautiful ^w^. It gets an awesome rating from me . 

[DragonFlyer 329]

I swear I didn't cry at the end...that was just liquid pride.    But yes, I really enjoyed this episode, and that's saying something for someone who normally isn't all that into Apple eps. This one was not only entertaining but it hit me hard with the feels during that final scene. Loved it!

[WubBeast 49]

Yeah hey guys WubBeast has returned so how did you guys like this episode and how many of us were disgusted by Big Mac crossdressing and him filling in for AJ

[hawkflame 3,310]

Wow this episode was a lot of fun!  Peter New really was at the top of his game here, He really had to do three different types of acting- In the first third when he was just saying Eeyup and Nope, he basically had to just express all his feelings with two words.  His exaggerated Southern Belle schtick as Orchard Blossom was hilarious in that old screwball comedy style, and he really struck a strong emotional chord with hhis scene with Apple Bloom near the end.  

 

Oh, and guys dressing as Orchard Blossom at cons is going to be a thing, isn't it?

[Side Bird 566]

Eh. I didn't enjoy this one as all the others in S5. It was still nice, but in my opinion just was not amazing.

Edited October 3, 2015 by Side Bird

[----------------------- 171]

The drag humor was funny at some points, but then it started to drag and got a little cringy. However, the overall idea of Apple Bloom spending time with her brother is nice (especially that heartwarming ending) and seeing Dash and Scoots develop their bond more was also good. ^o^

[arftbmrf 40]

Well, there goes gender equality in Equestria, with this episode. And I was almost sure that it will happen right after they show the teaser, but hoped they could avoid it and make it's like a joke or something, which is okay, I guess. But no, my hopes didn't come true.

Call me a SJW, but it's my opinion. It's not a crime to have one, right?

[Jeric 46,851]

The best quote in the episode has to go to Rainbow Dash. I missed this the first time. "Don't expect me to go easy on your just because you are a stallion." 

 

#shotsfired

 

The ending, Dash and Scoots in general (and especially RD's very encouraging attitude and calling Scootaloo by her nickname) made this episode for me. 

Well, there goes gender equality in Equestria, with this episode. And I was almost sure that it will happen right after they show the teaser, but hoped they could avoid it and make it's like a joke or something, which is okay, I guess. But no, my hopes didn't come true.

Call me a SJW, but it's my opinion. It's not a crime to have one, right?

 

The fact that the judges didn't care that a stallion competed adds to the gender equality concept of the show. 

[duidamasterXD 9,627]

Also *sigh* They have to give Rainbow Dash the win again...If you ask me she could afford to lose at something for a change and have her ego cut down to size...

 

Her response to winning was actually pretty low-key, especially when compared to Big Mac's. Her ego seems like it's at a pretty appropriate size right now

 

 

-----

 

Fully expected to dislike that episode, but came out loving it. Big Mac, Apple Bloom, Sweeie, Scoots and Dash turned in particularly strong performances. Very pleased that few people were taken in by Big Mac's disguise, thank goodness. Also happy for some Scootaloo and Dash cuteness, and that they ended up winning. They apparently practiced a ton, and it showed   The ending and the beginning were very touching, and I thought that Ponyville's very loose policy about what counts as a sister was wonderful as well. All in all, an episode full of great emotional moments even though the humor was a bit on the awkward side.

 

Bravo Polsky for setting my expectations low and for exceeding them a hundredfold.

[darkwingmare 1,320]

This was one of the more precious episodes so far, we need more of Big Mac. This just tells us even more how much we need'im.

But well, I LOVED that he didn't have a problem dressing up as a girl. What bothered me though was how much everypony else looked uncomfortable about Big Mac dressing up. I can't see why they had to make such weird faces and point it out so much. If it was for comedy he dressed up, then fine. But he actually did that for Apple Bloom's sake and he had no problem what so ever even thinking about dressing up as the opposite gender. Yet, they made it seem so "funny", when it didn't have to be. Very unnecessary if you ask me. They could have just left it being "no big deal". However, that lil' grandpa pony was so adorable. <3

To be completely honest, he looked absolutely fabulous as a mare. Like, his fashion choices were kinda off.. Okay, VERY off. A PINK lipstick to his RED coat?? NO! Bad fashion choices.

Otherwise, he looked absolutely beautiful and I couldn't have adored his skills with make-up more than I do already. THOSE LASHES, baby!

 

Anyway, I loved the "Sisterhood" song and the whole thing about the episode. You go, Big Mac, darling. <3

Edited October 3, 2015 by darkwingmare

[Guest]

Legit, I adored this episode. When Big Mac's voice kept dropping in some parts.. lmaoo!

 

 

 

The end made me almost cry

 

 

I'm with you on that one.. almost cried myself. 

[Argumedies 1,748]

Keep the beginning

 

Keep the ending

 

(keep the "Sweetybell is on to your sh*!" Big Mac moment)

 

BURN EVERYTHING ELSE!!!!!!

[arftbmrf 40]

 

The fact that the judges didn't care that a stallion competed adds to the gender equality concept of the show. 

But Rainbow's phrase, the fact that pretending to be a woman is something unworthy of a guy (as if being a woman is inferior compared to being a man), portraying stallions as being stronger than mares (even if in Equestria Games they competite together, and in Wonderbolts Academy they didn't have stallion/mare branches), metioning 'ponding muzzle' as something feminine, and some minor things do not add to the gender equality.

Just my opinion, nothing else.

[Truffles 2,033]

Remember how Apple Bloom allowed Sweetie to borrow A.J. as her sister for the Social in the episode of the same name in Season 2? Well now, we know why they were allowed to do that, thanks to some exposition from Granny Smith.

 

The continuity was amazing in this episode. Polsky really did his homework researching not just the previous competition and how the rules could be bent to allow for Big Mac and RD's entries, but finally acknowledging Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo are meant to be like family now.

 

 

I like the Scootalove nods here with Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo competing.

 

They worked so well together. This was my favorite pairing of them ever. There wasn't any moral or lesson they had to portray that dragged down their relationship - they were just two "sisters" working in perfect unison!

 

 

it was nice to see how important it is for Big Mac to be a good brother, especially when the other sister is the hero of the family.

 

I loved this aspect of the story. He feels like a nopony with the Mane 6 around, particularly his little sister, who is now seemingly more important than he is.

 

It also made me rethink Mac's obsession with Princesses: He doesn't want to be a Princess because he wants to be a girl, he wants to be a Princess because they are the role models in this mare-triarchal (forgive the pun) society.

 

 

Applejack appears only at the first part of it.

 

I was pleasantly surprised she even appeared at all. I was fully expecting the story to start with "AJ's away fixing a friendship problem, so Apple Bloom - you're going to have to skip the Sisterhooves Social this year." 

 

 

The CMC were fantastic in this episode! So many great sarcastic lines packed into a 22 minute episode!

 

They definitely made up for their appearance in the Troubleshoes episode!

 

 

Some other thoughts:

 

It was kind of painful to see the disinterest Apple Bloom had in her brother showing her the old spinning toy. He had some very important memories cheering her up with it (maybe related to the time they happened - that is, their parents passing?) But I love how Applejack immediately picked up on her brother's hurt feelings and put AB aside to have a talk with him to try and cheer him up.

 

Big Mac is no longer a flawless character - he made two mistakes: Thinking dressing up would actually work, and then shoving his way through the competition to win at any cost. I feel like others that he's finally fully developed now.

 

I didn't have any issues with Mac in drag. The joke wasn't about his dressing up, it was about how everypony already knew it was him anyway and was already OK with it. You could even argue this is a pro-transgender concept because despite his attempt at trying to disguise himself to be the pony the rules of the competition state he should be, the episode made it quite apparent he really can't be anything but a stallion because that's who he really his. Equestria seems a lot more open about this than it is here in real life - there were no instances of heckling or anything; just Mac trying to do his best and keep the charade up because he was afraid of disappointing his little sister and losing the competition.

 

Who knew Big Mac was such a charmer? He charmed the living daylights out of Sweetie Belle into not pushing the issue that she knew it was really him! And the banter between Rainbow Dash and "Cousin Orchard Blossom" had me in stitches.

 

It felt interesting having Rainbow actually acknowledge him as some real competition, rather than a background pony.

 

Apple Bloom has some of the most well-acted uneasy laughs I've ever heard. Her nonplussed reactions to her "cousin" were hilarious.

 

 

Overall, I loved this episode. First one I've rated that high since "Amending Fences."

[Blaze Bronson 343]

I don't know who wrote Big Mac, but he seems to be written as how a girl would think a boy thinks 

[Admiral Regulus 2,769]

I'll admit it. I totally lost it and cried at the end.