spoiler "Magical Myster Cure" or "Crusaders of the Lost Mark"?

[Silver Stream. 708]

I noticed people have been comparing Crusaders of the Lost Mark (CLM) and Magical Mystery Cure (MMC) a lot lately. I am curious in your opinions on which was actually the better episode since they are similar in some ways with characters reaching their arcs and the multiple songs that were executed within them to speed up the episode.

 

In my opinion, there is no better episode between the two because they balance each other out. The weakness in their episode was made up for the strengths in the other. What I mean is that MMC had a really good solid storyline that was carried throughout the episode. The songs weren't actually BAD either and I did enjoy them because they were catchy. But, Twilight becoming an Alicorn didn't hit me with much surprise or excitement since Hasbros had already leaked that Twilight will become a princess. So there was never a "HOLY CRAP" moment for me within the episode.

 

CLM was the exact opposite. The storyline was all over the place from pip having a problem to become school president, to Silverspoon FINALLY realizing how much of a jerk DT was and randomly decides to ditch her, to DT's attitude being explained with the most cliche issue ever (her mother is an uptight cunt who is controlling DT's life), and then it leads to The Crusaders getting their cutie marks. DT's solo performance was very heartwarming and, in my opinion, was better than most of the songs in MMC put together. The ending of the episode with the Crusaders makes up for the entire episode. Though many people might be disappointed in the cutiemarks, I think they were brilliant by design and meaning. Not only did is symbolize their friendship and would link them forever together, it also included the symbols that makes them unique at the same time. Their big sisters (and rainbowdash) singing to them in the number was very heartwarming to say the least.

 

Basically: MMC had a great plot overall, but the ending wasn't very fulfilling whereas CLM had a very rushed, cliche, and random build up to a great finale. So they do balance each other out to me. What are you thoughts? MMC or CLM?

Edited October 15, 2015 by Princess Sunset

[Jeric 46,871]

Crusaders had a tighter narrative. It is compared because the surface structure, fireworks at the end,  and musical nature are similar. I can understand your opinion, but I vehemently disagree. 

[Silver Stream. 708]

Crusaders had a tighter narrative. It is compared because the surface structure, fireworks at the end,  and musical nature are similar. I can understand your opinion, but I vehemently disagree. 

I do notice that, though I'm not really questioning why the two episodes are being compared. I'm curious to know in how you view the episodes, if you are willing to enlighten me. Maybe there is something I am missing, or I'm misinterpreting them altogether. Otherwise, my perspectives on them both stands. I wanted to create this purposely to see which episode is better to other people and why just in case they had something new to say about the episodes I've yet to see in them myself

 

The only other good thing or should I say "clever" thing within the CLM I can recognize is the fact that the very pony who berated them about their blank flanks from the start was the very pony who helped them realize what their purpose was in life and the key to receiving their cutiemarks. I mean the episode had good ideas behind it, but I was disappointed in how poorly it was executed or more so...it could have been done better. There were holes in the storyline plus it wasn't creative.

 

MMC, was a little more solid and original when it came to the storyline. That's one advantage I'd say it has over CLM. But as far as it being better? I still say neither is better than the other

Edited October 14, 2015 by Princess Sunset

[Kyoshi Frost Wolf 41,987]

I'm in the same boat as you, I find both episodes equally wonderful in their own way. I absolutely loved Twilight becoming a princess and the overall tone of MMC, especially the ending, but my huge issue with MMC was that it left us on a note with soooooooooooooooo many questions. That created a lot of panic and chaos within the fandom ,that is the one thing about MMC that I did not like. Too many unanswered questions. 

 

COTLM was amazing in how they were able to build up to them getting their Cutie Marks without making it obvious. I actually thought for a bit that they would not get their Cutie Marks at all, but then, emotions! That was another positive aspect, them getting their Cutie Marks was so well done and it made me cry tears of joy, I also love their Marks and what they represent, that to me was genius. My only issue here, was again, some unanswered questions, mainly with Silver Spoon. What happens with her now? Clearly Diamond Tiara is really nice now, but we see nothing of Silver in the end. 

 

Both episodes suffered from feeling a bit speedy but that is the side effect of the 22 minute time limit. MMC was a bit more perplexing in this regard since it was a finale. 

 

I absolutely love both of these episodes and they presented two huge advancements for characters within the show, something I will always appreciate. 

[Buttonmash1973 1,026]

I love both MMC and Crusaders of the Lost Mark. Both have great songs.

[duidamasterXD 9,627]

I have mixed feelings about the first chunk of CLM. On the one hand, I thought it was great for DT and SS to finally become something more than one-note bullies. Twas several seasons in the making, and I really loved Tiara's whole inner conflict and how she was involved in helping the CMC finally reach such an important milestone together. I liked the episode's songs better than MMC's too, though both were strong musically.

 

On the other hand, I really wish they hadn't crammed all of DT's development into the span of one episode. It still worked, but it would've been nice to see some of that inner conflict and three-dimensionalness in other episodes. Last time we saw her in a significant role (I think?) was in Flight to the Finish and it involved her and Silver Spoon mocking Scoots for something that may or may not represent a disability, ultimately causing her to have a breakdown. And sure, they might've been maturing offscreen or something, but can you really go from that to making Tiara sympathetic in the span of a few songs?

 

My answer is, well, sort of. I can't help but like it, since redemption stories are kind of my kryptonite, but I feel like I'd have enjoyed CLM more if it had been the culmination of growth on Tiara's part as opposed to sort of awkwardly trying to do it all at once.

 

CLM really did stick the ending, though. I've always thought Magical Mystery Cure would've been much better if it had ended with A True True Friend, and We'll Make Our Mark was very reminiscent of that song. Combine that with the genuine surprise of seeing the girls finally seeing the girls get marks, and how genuinely happy everybody was for em, and I can't rate it any less than a 10/10.

[chirox the pony 1,336]

Oh CLM by far. MMC was rushed beyond belief and barely had a story. It is also lacked a story that makes any sense, it didn't explore any of the characters, and half the songs were shit (as well as just being pointless half the time). Meanwhile CLM had songs that whilst not fantastic at least tied into the story. The characters were all explored, and the plot made sense. So CLM is easily a winner to me. 

[Sunny Fox 5,952]

MMC was the culmination of 13 episodes.

CoLM was the culmination of .... rather more episodes... CoLM wins!

[deadprofile 1,123]

I am not really sure how to compare them, other than the musical aspect.

[UnknownFry 169]

Magical Mystery Cure for me.  I find it has a stronger set of songs going for the episode and a far more compelling narrative in terms of what was at stake there. Pacing might have been rushed a little bit though, but it did have several seasons of build up going for it as well.

 

To each his or her own though as CLM had some good things going for it too.

Edited October 14, 2015 by UnknownFry

[GuyNamedEarl 1,332]

Both were incredibly rushed, but I felt the CMC episode had a better, simpler story.

[ManyANewDay_36 178]

Ugh, I honestly hated MMC. I didn't like how rushed it was, and it just wasn't written as well as other episodes. I love CLM, mainly because of the obvious reason (cutie marks! aaaaaaaaaaaahhhh), but also because I think it was written better than MMC. That's just my opinion though.

[cmarston1 5,961]

It's hard for me to tell as I love both episodes.

They both are some of my favorite episodes .

So I would have to go with a tie.

[Truffles 2,033]

Crusaders had a tighter narrative. It is compared because the surface structure, fireworks at the end,  and musical nature are similar. I can understand your opinion, but I vehemently disagree. 

 

I'm having a hard time understanding how CLM had a tighter narrative than MMC. The whole election subplot in CLM wasn't needed and the episode would have worked better if it had been jettisoned to allow more time for the conflict between Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon to develop and Diamond's change of heart to take place.

 

MMC only had one thing to accomplish - have Twi undo the damage she caused by activating Starswirl's spell, and they managed to do a good job of making the most of those 22 minutes, even amazingly compacting how Twi got the spellbook into a nice little flashback that explaining everything the audience needs to know.

 

There is the coronation at the end, but it was needed to close the S3 arc that was properly foreshadowed in the first two episodes of that season.

 

 

half the songs were shit (as well as just being pointless half the time)

 

Well now that seems a bit harsh. "True, True, friend" is my fave song of the whole series., And I like all of the songs in MMC and think they are all necessary except for maybe the opening song (they could have had Twilight simply discover her friends were acting weird) but it is a fun song to hear and would be a shame to lose.

 

In any case, trying to judge whether a song is good or bad is a very subjective endeavor.

[RarityFan01 2,444]

I was never looking forward to Twilight becoming a princess. In fact, I didn't even think about that until she actually became one. The episode also made no sense. What was the spell supposed to do? Change cutie marks and change them back? I liked the episode, but it was too confusing. 

 

 

Crusaders of the Lost Mark is my favorite episode. It did a lot of things I wanted to see in MLP. The CMC got their cutie marks, Silver Spoon stood up to Diamond Tiara, Diamond Tiara was reformed, we learned Diamond Tiara's special talent, Applejack's parents were brought up, we saw Diamond Tiara's mother, Pipsqueak was in that episode, it was political, and it had a lot of songs. 

 

 

My favorite episode or an episode that still confuses me? 

 

I think it's clear that the winner in my opinion is Crusaders of the Lost Mark. 

[Silver Stream. 708]

In the responses so far....it seems it depends on what the individual wanted to see. For those who wanted the CMC to get their cutie mark and didn't care to see Twilight become an alicorn, COTLM is the winner. And vice versa.

 

I'll expand later once I'm home but overall, every opinion is interesting to say the least

[UnknownFry 169]

Sounds like a pretty fair assessment,

[Lucario14 26]

Both were absolutely amazing but MMC was bwater simply because twilight earning her wings after all of the struggles she's been through and obstacles she's overcome was more meaningfull to me than the CMC getting their cutie marks.

 

I would say Celestia's ballad and DT's solo were on par with each other though.

[cider float 2,539]

Crusaders of the Lost Mark being a similar episode that is lackluster and had no relevance until now still made a smidge more sense than MMC.

[Justin_Case001 4,908]

Hmm.

 

Music: Point-->MMC

 

Story: Point-->CLM

[Wind Chaser 4,768]

This topic really needed a poll. "Crusaders of the Lost Mark" gets it for me because it had a much better buildup in previous episodes, songs of a manageable length that avoid cramming for the most part, and a satisfying ending that didn't raise more questions than it answered, while leaving the door open for the future.

[Whitewolf 106]

I prefered "Crusaders of the lost mark" because I felt more emotions than in Magical Mystery Cure. I felt sad for Diamond Tiara and I almost cried when the CMC got their cutie marks! Add on, usually I don't like musical episodes, but all the musics from Crusaders of the lost mark were awesome and beautiful! I especially loved the second and the third song. I didn't like as much the songs from Magical Mystery Cure.

Not to mention we were waiting for the CMC's cutie marks for a very long time!

[Silver Stream. 708]

Good idea. Poll added just for fun c: