spoiler Episodes falling short / Songs falling short (which is which?)

[Silver Stream. 708]

After watching the most recent episode "The Mane Attraction" I found myself enjoying it entirely and thought "Glad the episode lived up to the song". It made me realize that in the past, I've considered some episodes to fall short from the songs within them and vice versa. At times, I am dissapointed when an episode contains such a great song, yet the episode itself doesn't matches the quality. Yet one can say the same for songs not living up to a great episode. So I'm wondering how would you categorize a few of the episodes containing songs?  Here are my opinions:

 

Episodes falling short from their songs:

 

 

"A Friend Indeed": Of course we all can recognize this episode by the song that was performed: Smile. To me, this episode definitely did not live up to the song. It started out with a lovely masterpiece describing Pinkie and what she lives for to only show us an overplayed Pinkie Pie who harasses someone who simply wanted time alone. Donkey tried to tolerate her a lot which I admired....despite him being a grump, he wasn't a d*ck at all. All I got from this episode was to always bother a person until they like you or fess something up. With this being said, A Friend Indeed was an episode falling short after the song

 

"One Bad Apple": Again, another episode I consider falling short from the song that was executed. "Babs Seed" was definitely popular from having such an addicting tune and awesome animation. But the episode itself was horrible to me. This was a bully episode that went in the wrong direction. I wasn't sympathetic to Babs at all....because her crimes went unpunished (well punish is a strong word, but she got away without any consequences). Everything else was fairly decent. Scoots and Applebloom's behavior in not wanting to "Snitch" was very realistic so I'll admire that, but how EVERYTHING was handled was just too unforgiving for my taste. 

 

"The Crusaders of the Lost Mark": Apologies for having this unpopular opinion, but I honestly did NOT enjoy this episode. This definitely falls short from the many nice songs that were sung throughout the entire time. "The Pony I Want to Be" was exceptionally amazing. I always had a strong feeling DT would be amazing at singing since hearing her small part in the episode "Pinkie Pride". And I'm disappointed that the songs and major "cutie mark" event were wasted with such a bad-paced mess. Too many minor problems with overly rushed solutions and what SHOULD have been addressed, was simply ignored. DT's reason for being a b*tch throughout 4 seasons had the biggest cliche reason ever and the relationship between her and Silverspoon was too random and half-done. Many argued it was because of the screentime limit, but I wouldn't even use that excuse because other episodes had better pace than this: "Pinkie Pride" and Magical Mystery Cure" (though MMC fell short as well)

 

"Magical Mystery Cure": *sigh*. I don't even know where to begin. My thoughts on the episode are all over the place. While I THINK I understand everything and find the meaning behind most of what was shown, at the same time I'm still confused. Plus.....it was too predictable and I feel as though Twilight needed a better way to "become an alicorn". I really don't have to say much else now do I?

 

 

Songs falling short from the episode:

 

 

"Rarity Takes Manehatten": Don't get me wrong....I love Rarity to pieces. But when "Generosity" came on, I honestly screamed "why do they give her these songs?". We all know she's the element of generosity. And if I'm to be completely honest, I feel as though this song was created to...p-prove something? t-to...the fans? Why? I can call out plenty of things done by Rarity, some not even obvious to the naked eye, that are deemed generous. Those who claims Rarity shouldn't be the element of Generosity are the same ones who most likely characterizes the mane six BASED OFF THEIR ELEMENT which I personally find unfair. She's flawed...as are the others. Rainbow the loyal is extremely competitive and boastful, Applejack the honest has lied too many to count, Twilight the magical struggles with magic itself, Pinkie with laughter has some dark issues, Fluttershy the kind has been shown to be a c*nt. Their elements are what make their flaws more interesting. The episode itself was awesome. Teaching people how sometimes your generosity can be taken advantage of, but it's up to you to not be corrupted by it, otherwise you'll find yourself becoming the same monster. Don't let the mistreatment of others cause you to mistreat those who look out for you. And this lesson was executed fairly well.....the song was just...unnecessary. We get it Rarity, let's move on with the episode

 

"The Crystal Empire part 1&2": It's safe to say the episode was fairly entertaining and we have the looming force of Sombra and the wife-throwing Shining Armor to thank for that. However, "The Failure Song" part 1 made me cringe. The lyrics were dry, and need I say more when Spike joined? Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy hearing others sing even if their voice isn't "sensational" (Adventure Time is the best with this...I love it) however, it just didn't sound good. They COULDN'T make it sound good at all. And the other song that was sung by the Mane 6: "The Crystal Fair" was poorly done and unnecessary. I feel as though it was created to pass the time and it was mashed in there for the hell of it. I honestly fail to understand why some songs are NEEDED at all when the episode is already doing well? 

 

"Filli Vanilli": Okay, while I do have issues with the writers once again being so inconsistent with her and overplaying Pinkie Pie to the extremes, I feel as though the episode itself was a game change....because after this, we see Fluttershy take a turn for the better and Flutterguy was back so.....yeah I loved the episode. What I didn't like was the song. I freaking love Acapella groups. I've always admired how they are able to make music, BUT I despised the simplicity of the whole song. However, I would have forgiven this had it not been played over and over and over and over and over and over again throughout the entire episode. The episode was decent, and the lesson was fairly deep....I personally found more pros than cons which is why I consider it a good episode. Have any of you watched "Pitch Perfect 2"? Remember how "Flashlight" was sung about a thousand times before the finale. How did you feel when you heard it at the end? My excitement and admiration for the song was completely gone by then because it was played out. It's how I felt with "Music in You".  Plus we never hear from them again after that.

 

 

Episodes that lives up to the songs:

 

 

"Bats": Love love love love the song and I loved the episode altogether. The song itself was sung by the wonder Applejack and Fluttershy and I never saw a better dynamic duo. I loved how the affects change whenever it switches from AJ to Flutters and then back to AJ...all the visual affects and creepy music really brought the whole thing together. I honestly wish every debate in the forums was as entertaining like this. Following after was the episode. True, there area few cons to it, but we can't deny how the fandom raved over Flutterbat. And I for one admired the Sacrifice AJ ended up making because she took the advice from a friend that she was too stubborn to take in the first place

 

"A Canterlot Wedding": While I called "bullsh*t" on Twilight's relationship with her brother, and the execution on our "perfect couple" the episode itself was amazing and both songs (This Day and B.B.B.F.F) did well within it. I personally wasn't fond of "Love is in Bloom" but it wasn't a complete flunk and many seem to like it so both the song and episode get a 2 thumbs up for

 

"May the Best Pet Win": I won't deny how predictable this episode was. The very moment you see Tank enter the competition, you knew he'll end up being Rainbow's pet. However, I admired how the episode still managed to keep my interest and it was still entertaining. I wouldn't rank this episode as THE BEST, but it is pretty brilliant. But the song was even more brilliant. While it didn't have the visual affects, the orchestra did enough to differentiate Flutters and RD. The lyrics weren't anything super special, but once again, the song itself did well to balance the two out as they did in Bats.

 

"Suited for Success": Yes my friends, I believe we saw this coming a mile away. Suited for Success was a great episode that featured Hoity Toity who's design was very admirable. It taught a very valuable lesson, and we were able to see AMAZING transitions and animations within this episode that made everything work well together. The song was simply brilliant and is ranked as a top song for me and top song Rarity has ever sung. 

 

"Pinkie Pride": Ah yes......I am saving the BEST for LAST! Honestly, I am not entirely sure on where I should start? The songs? Or the episode itself? I just.....can't. I am going to simply just say Pinkie Pride was an AMAZING episode with AMAZING songs. And to be honest? Weird Al (Cheese Sandwich) had NOTHING to do with it for me. Pinkie Pie OWNED her own episode despite the big guest star whom many predicted would take over as John did in the "Return of Harmony" and many other episodes. Maybe I'll touch up on this later, but for now....just know Pinkie Pride is a top for me

 

(another one is Flight to the Finish)

 

 

 

Well there you have it. I'm sorry it was so long, but it wouldn't surprise me if over half wasn't read over it. But what I desire are your opinions Which episodes fell short for you when it comes to the song? Or vice versa? or which ones reached the same level?

Edited November 22, 2015 by Silver Stream.

[Envy 6,461]

Well, I guess I live under a rock because I never saw a song from Mane Attraction until I watched the episode.

 

I do wonder what my perception would have been if I had. I found the music in the episode to be very, very, very bland - both the modern pop Lady Gaga style song, and the generic piano and strings song.

 

I imagine the second song was the one that was shown early? I definitely preferred it over the first, but eh... Still boring. lol

[Silver Stream. 708]

Well, I guess I live under a rock because I never saw a song from Mane Attraction until I watched the episode.

 

I do wonder what my perception would have been if I had. I found the music in the episode to be very, very, very bland - both the modern pop Lady Gaga style song, and the generic piano and strings song.

 

I imagine the second song was the one that was shown early? I definitely preferred it over the first, but eh... Still boring. lol

So you'd consider the songs in Mane Attraction falling short from the episode itself correct?

[LunaDream 331]

I consider the episode plot of Mane Attraction falling short from the songs. The songs were wonderful. 

[cmarston1 5,965]

I feel like So Many Wonders was too short but still really enjoy the Cutie Mark Chronicles.

Applejack's lullaby in Bloom and Gloom is way more entertaining than the episode itself.

Glass of Water was more entertaining for it's visuals and I didn't really like the song that much despite liking Three's a Crowd.

The Failure Success Song was alright but not as good as the Crystal Empire episode.

[Silver Stream. 708]

Applejack's lullaby in Bloom and Gloom is way more entertaining than the episode itself.

I thought I was the only one

[Envy 6,461]

So you'd consider the songs in Mane Attraction falling short from the episode itself correct?

 

I don't know... It's complicated. I felt rather indifferent from the episode as a whole. I enjoyed it, but it will be one of the many forgettable middle-of-the-road episodes of this season for me. It was just too predictable and did nothing to stand out... And in that case, the music matches right up. Lol.

 

The Lady Gaga-style song was fine for what it was. Boring to me, but I suppose it was supposed to be that way because it's not who the character is, just what the manager was making out of her. So it matched up just fine with the premises. The second true to herself song did nothing for me either, though, and that not only made it disappointing, but it made me feel kind of sour toward the episode. It didn't help when they stuck in an obvious silhouette of Octavia. Too, too, too obvious. And the piano plus strings combination (at least in the way it was done here) was just booooorrrrrrriiingggg. Like... is this American Idol or something? Because that's exactly what it was like. Ugh.

 

I'm being very harsh, I know... But usually I see music like this and keep my mouth shut about how I feel nothing about it, this time I'm not. lol

Edited November 22, 2015 by Envy

[Silver Stream. 708]

I'll admit the plot itself wasn't exactly original nor was it memorable enough for me. Then again, Applejack episodes rarely are. But the songs are memorable enough in my opinion. 

 

 

To be honest, the most I'll remember from "Mane Attraction" is the song and me wanting to kick that manager's ass because of how he treated Pinkie Pie.

[cuteycindyhoney 13,341]

I may be in a minority, but it seems like my favorite episodes are the musically inclined ones. I'm still waiting for Sweetie Belle to give another powerhouse performance like she did with "Hush now, Quiet now"  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQs-W7_gFrM

[KatonRyu 1,036]

First off, I agree with you on A Friend In Deed falling short of its song. While Smile isn't my favorite song by a long shot, I still enjoy it. The episode...well, I never rewatched it. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't good enough in my opinion to rewatch it, while I've listened to the song quite often.

 

I think Rarity Takes Manehattan and its song are on equal footing in that I'd rate them okay at best. I honestly like Rarity but I feel the writers go for a single angle on her too often, which prevented this episode from really standing out. (Although I admit they do this for Twilight as well...I can just relate to Twi more than Rarity). Aside from that, I think the Elements were a bit too shoehorned in in the episode, because the one line I recall is Rainbow telling AJ, "Wow AJ, I know your thing is honesty but that was a bit too blunt." or something along those lines. So in short, the song for me neatly summarizes the flaws of the episode.

 

An episode that, for me, lived up to its songs in a good way was Magical Mystery Cure. Not only was it the first musical episode, it was also very relevant to Twilight's development. For me, the songs (particularly Find A Way) really worked well with the given material and I honestly consider the episode to be one of my favorites.

 

I think that episode is matched by Twilight's Kingdom when it comes to songs working well with their episodes. Both You'll Play Your Part and Let The Rainbow Remind You felt like they fit in with the overall tone of the scenes they play in, and I think their lyrics help to advance the plot of the episode quite well.

 

The last episode I'll mention also matches its songs to its content...but this time again in a more negative way. I'm talking about Pinkie Pride. Part of the problem for me is that I was very hyped when I heard Weird Al was going to be in an MLP ep, especially with Pinkie in it. The actual episode, though, didn't really contain memorable songs in my opinion, other than Make A Wish. I also considered the premise of the episode and Cheese Sandwich's character to be underwhelming. Not bad, just not as good as I would have hoped.

 

I'm pretty sure there are episodes I'm forgetting here, but these were the ones that came to mind first.

[Castle Bleck 19,482]

 

"The Crystal Empire part 1&2": It's safe to say the episode was fairly entertaining and we have the looming force of Sombra and the wife-throwing Shining Armor to thank for that. However, "The Failure Song" part 1 made me cringe. The lyrics were dry, and need I say more when Spike joined? Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy hearing others sing even if their voice isn't "sensational" (Adventure Time is the best with this...I love it) however, it just didn't sound good. They COULDN'T make it sound good at all. And the other song that was sung by the Mane 6: "The Crystal Fair" was poorly done and unnecessary. I feel as though it was created to pass the time and it was mashed in there for the hell of it. I honestly fail to understand why some songs are NEEDED at all when the episode is already doing well?

 

 

 

I wonder if Sombra was headbobbing offscreen to The Ballad Of The Crystal Empire.

 

[Silver Stream. 708]

[quote name="KatonRyu" post="4229661" timestamp="1448299647"

The last episode I'll mention also matches its songs to its content...but this time again in a more negative way. I'm talking about Pinkie Pride. Part of the problem for me is that I was very hyped when I heard Weird Al was going to be in an MLP ep, especially with Pinkie in it. The actual episode, though, didn't really contain memorable songs in my opinion, other than Make A Wish. I also considered the premise of the episode and Cheese Sandwich's character to be underwhelming. Not bad, just not as good as I would have hoped.

 

I'm pretty sure there are episodes I'm forgetting here, but these were the ones that came to mind first.

 

I share a more positive light when it comes to Pinkie Pride and here's why: the song and the plot. True, "Make A Wish" is the only song I can actually remember word from word but that's only because of it's mainstream pop music lyrics. But that doesn't mean the other songs within the show wasn't good. Whenever I wish to listen to them, I'll simply watch the episode over and over again not bothering to skip around because I enjoy every minutes.

 

One thing I will mention: some people who didn't enjoy the episode were most likely holding super high expectations for Weird Al's appearance. And it ended up being a disappointment to many. The fact he couldn't outshine Pinkie Pie in her episode let's me know two things: she owned it. And he wasn't.....weird/crazy enough to even have a chance.

 

The songs are something I'd smile to. Pinkie sad ballad turned motivational was beautiful. The entire episode I'm sucked in going "poor pinkie" "YEAH GET BACK OUT THERE!" "Awww". Etc etc...

[Aurora Storm 83]

I found everything about Mane Attractionn to be underwhelming. I wish AJ would have at least got to sing with Ra Ra at the end. The bit with the CMC was cute though. I just didn't find  the plot or the songs that enjoyable and I really wanted to.

[Silver Stream. 708]

I found everything about Mane Attractionn to be underwhelming. I wish AJ would have at least got to sing with Ra Ra at the end. The bit with the CMC was cute though. I just didn't find the plot or the songs that enjoyable and I really wanted to.

I found both the plot and the songs on the same level though I wouldn't put it at a high level as I put Pinkie Pride. I feel as though "The and Attraction" was playing it safe...while also including a hit song most of the fans can relate to.

Edited November 26, 2015 by Silver Stream.