S06:E05 - Gauntlet of Fire

[Nekon 21]

What's about the big dragons? And who dragonlord is? Does he rule only teenage dragons? Well... Maybe they should call him Dragon nanny? =)

[Batbrony 16,051]

Good morning, everypony, and welcome to another edition of "Batbrony Reviews"!  First of all, I want to apologize for taking so long to get around to this review; last week was a nightmare as far as school work was concerned, and I had two honking big papers to finish up.  Thankfully, that's all done, so that out of the way I now bring you my thoughts on "Gauntlet of Fire."

 

And... well, this might just be my favorite Spike episode ever.  It appears the DHX folks have resoundingly learned from their mistakes in some of the clunkier Spike episodes in earlier seasons and must have some writers there who just GET how to write Spike, because he's had some great episodes in the last two seasons.  He held his own great in the season finale, but this episode was even better.  In summing up what made this episode so great, we really need to look at two things: world building and characters.

 

Starting with the former, this was a great world building episode.  We learned a lot more about dragons than we knew before, we got to see a really cool new environment, and it added overall just another nice layer to the already huge world of MLP.  I think the one thing that put me off a bit was that we didn't see any large adult dragons around besides the Dragon Lord Torch, and that was confusing considering we've seen plenty of dragons close to his size before.  Maybe only younger dragons were allowed to compete for the title of Dragon Lord, I don't know, but it was a bit odd (though admittedly, it would've been unrealistic for Spike to win if he were competing against dragons that big).  I did love the various dragons we got to see, some of them had very cool designs.  And this last bit may not count as world building, but I absolutely adored that Celestia and Luna showed up at the beginning of the episode.  I've been wanting to see them doing just day-to-day stuff for the longest time, so to actually see it was great and hopefully a harbinger of things to come this season, including, hopefully, the long-awaited Celestia-focused episode.  Plus it made sense that they'd know what the call of the Dragon Lord is considering how long they've been around.

 

Moving on, the rest of the review will largely focus on characters, starting with Spike.  Man... this was a GREAT Spike episode, I cannot reiterate that enough.  He wasn't treated like a Gary Stu, but it was great that they highlighted just how different he is from the rest of his kind, in a good way.  This actually was a very nice continuation of the Season 2 episode Dragon Quest; in that episode, Spike wanted to be more like a dragon in order to connect with his roots, but realized he didn't have to do so when he realized it would mean needlessly being a jerk to others.  He walked away from that episode determined to be the best dragon he could be by living the way his pony friends had taught him to, and he re-entered the world of dragons in this episode determined more than ever to do just that.  It wasn't a lecture or great power on his part that won the day.  It was just boundless kindness, determination, and optimism that won out, and I loved that.  It was not only a reflection of how much the ponies have taught Spike, but how much he's learned and matured since Season 1.  All he did was keep showing how much better things are to the rest of his kind when you just try to get to others through kindness and friendship rather than hostility, and he very well by the end of the episode may have laid down the foundations for a better future for his whole people.  That's awesome, and Spike is awesome.  I can only hope we get to see more Spike episodes like this this season.

 

 

 

Spike: Dragon Lord of the Friend-zone!

 

 

OK, that's badass

 

Moving on, we come to the NEW character that everyone cannot stop talking about, for very, very, VERY good reason.  Princess (now Dragon Lord) Ember.  This character... let me put it this way.  After I saw how crazy the fandom was going over her, I was worried that she wouldn't live up to the hype and expectations.  I am glad to say I was 110% wrong!  Ember was a delight.  This was a happy instance of a new character (1) having a great design, (2) having a voice actress that perfectly represented what the character needed to be, (3) went through a character arc where she went from being grumpy and distrustful of others like the rest of her kind to open and receptive to the idea of friendship in just one episode, but it didn't feel forced or artificial, and (4) was just plain adorable, in a very tsundere manner (if you don't know what that is, it's basically how AJ and RD are adorable to; characters, typically female, who hide behind a tough exterior but eventually their warmer side comes out, usually making them more adorable in the process).  I really, really dug this character in just about every respect.  It felt like the type of character dragons needed.  In Dragon Quest, all of the new dragons that Spike met were just over-the-top caricatures of teenage stereotypes.  It made some sense, but it was also kinda boring and predictable.  Here, we got to meet a character who was intelligent but also fairly set in dragons' ways just because she'd never heard of an alternative, or at least seen any in action.  She proved herself, however, to be receptive to new ideas when she saw both the apparent and inherent value of friendship.  She didn't just help Spike in the end for utilitarian purposes, she made a decision as well that friendship was something worth fighting for for its own sake.  Spike taught all this to her just by being a good guy and showing her a good example, and I thought it made sense that he would leave such an impression on a character as intelligent as her.  Overall, I just really, really, REALLY dug Ember, and I really hope we get to see more of this character going forward.  She was just kinda awesome all around.

 

BEHOLD, YOUR NEW DRAGON WAIFU!!!

 

 

 

 

 

You will believe a dragon can be adorable

 

While we're still on the topic of dragons, let's talk about our antagonist, Garble.  Honestly, I thought even he was improved by this episode.  In his first appearance, he was just kind of a really annoying jerk, but not much of a threat.  He was a teenager stereotype, and that made for some laughs, but at the same time I never could take him seriously.  Here, they actually struck the right balance.  He was still a jerk and an idiot, but he felt plenty threatening as well, especially because of what he planned to do to ponies if he became Dragon Lord.  Some of his scenes also made for great Spike scenes, particularly whenever we saw Spike stubbornly remaining his kind and helpful self even to Garble, despite the latter remaining a jerk and a bully to him.  It was a great way of emphasizing that Spike was not going to make the same mistakes he did in Dragon Quest and fall for Garble's ways.  To top it all off, he got a great comeuppance at the end that felt perfect for him without being too mean-spirited.

 

 

I don't know why, but I absolutely loved it when he made this face   

 

Finally, to round things off with the dragons, I absolutely adored Dragon Lord Torch. This guy was, in a word, HILARIOUS.  He had an ego to match his size, and it made for some of the best humorous bits in the episode.  Plus I can't help but feel that he genuinely does care about his daughter and was just hiding it behind his extra, extra gruff, scaly exterior the entire episode, especially considering he didn't want her to compete for the Bloodstone Scepter.  But all in all, this guy was just plain hilarious, and I really hope we get to see a bit more of him in future episodes, even if he no longer is Dragon Lord.

 

 

Best line in the whole episode   

 

 

Gosh I love this guy

 

On one final note, I thought Rarity and Twilight were great here.  They didn't do a whole lot aside from giving Spike moral support, but even that played a key role in the end in how Ember learned about the true value of friendship.  Twilight geeking out over dragons was pretty funny, and it was nice too to see that Rarity still takes a special interest in Spike's well-being.  It's a testament to how close he is to both characters that they were the two to come along and accompany him.

 

Besides the characters, the animation was very nice as always, they put together a nice musical score for this episode, and the episode had a nice balance of action and humor.  All in all, this was a very fun and rousing episode with a surprisingly very good and well-delivered message.  Right now, it's my favorite stand alone episode of the season, and one of the better ones we've had in awhile.  It's nice to see Spike getting treated so well, and I can only hope this continues as the season progresses.  That's all I've got for this one everypony, until later this morning, this is Batbrony signing off.  I'm off!!! *cue dramatic exit*

[ImpctR 155]

Now if there is an episode or two-part-er where griffons, dragons and ponies are engaged in something big, that would be awesome. I would love to see more of Ember within the season.

[Moony the Cat 3,702]

I loved the new Episode. Its my favorite of the Season 6 Episodes at the moment.

 

It finally had a more serious Tone than before, it had Fights, a competition, cool Dragon Designs.

This Episode had by far the most interesting Setting for me.

 

I also like Ember, shes cute. 

 

The only complain i have is...some of the Dialog and quick Character changing seemed a little bit rushed.

But i guess, thats because, the Episodes are only like 20 Minutes long, where other Series i watch, have a length of 40 - 50 Minutes.

[cider float 2,537]

Ugh another tomboy female character. There's no shortage of those in America cartoons and cinema.

[HoovesOnIce 74]

Ugh another tomboy female character. There's no shortage of those in America cartoons and cinema.

Well, with the high diverse amount of  characters in this show it makes sense to get a tomboy every once in a while. 

[cider float 2,537]

Well, with the high diverse amount of  characters in this show it makes sense to get a tomboy every once in a while. 

Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Firefly, Scootaloo, Spitfire, Lightning Dust to name a few....

[Stoley723 4]

Ugh another tomboy female character. There's no shortage of those in America cartoons and cinema.

I guess we really needed a tomboy female dragon lol

[SawmillTurtle 56]

I originally posted this comment on ED, but it got buried in the ED flood:

 

 

I think "Dragon Lord Spike" has a nice ring to it. He would certainly never have to be self-conscious about being a sidekick again.

"Hey, Twilight, what is it you do again? You're the Princess of Friendship? *yawn* That's nice. I wish I could be in charge of friendship, but I'm only the DRAGON LORD!

"And Princess Celestia, what about you? What do you do? You raise the sun? Yeeeah, I can start glowing and raise an ENTIRE DRAGON ARMY TO COMMAND.

"Luna, you're, like, in charge of the moon and invading everypony's dreams, right? Gosh, and here I am just the lowly LORD OF ALL DRAGONS!

"Hey, Rarity, how do you feel about me now? Interested yet?"

All hail Dragon Lord Spike. If he decided to use his power to invade and conquer Equestria, nobody would be more surprised that Princes Twilight. I can see her face as she looks at the smouldering remains, the expression articulating so clearly her one thought: "I never saw THIS one coming. What the 'hay' just happened?"

Edited April 25, 2016 by SawmillTurtle

[heavens-champion 1,905]

It was good, really. Third time Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Fluttershy were absent, though. Oh well, there's still more of Season Six to look forward to.

Imagine Rainbow's reaction when she hears Spike commanded Garble to hug every dragon he meets and he can't tell them why.

[Moon Sugar 532]

Ugh another tomboy female character. There's no shortage of those in America cartoons and cinema.

 

^Agreed. I'd take a girly frou-frou girl with a hint of insecurity than another 2 dimensional tomboy any day.

[Sh Pie 65]

This was an intense Spike focus episode with action and dragons. Spike saved Equestria again and he's officially not the only nice dragon since Ember accepted his friendship and humorously defied giving the change of heart speech that is prominent in this show. I enjoyed this episode just like all the other episodes this season. Ember's armor looked cool as well.

 

I think Pie Sister Swap Day?

Pie Sister Surprise Swap Day.

Edited April 27, 2016 by Sh Pie

[Brainstorm 4,106]

He just needs to get buff and he'll be the complete package.

Although admittedly, that might make him less interesting.

 

Yes, I think Spike is fine just the way he is.

[Princess Ember 29]

This episode is my new favorite. God, I love Ember <3

 

 

And seeing Garble be karma's bitch was also awesome

 

 

Plus, Torch is pretty cool, but I wonder how he got that big 

 

 

Overall, just a spectacular episode    

[Brainstorm 4,106]

He just needs to get buff and he'll be the complete package.

Although admittedly, that might make him less interesting.

 

I think Spike is fine just the way he is. He just needs to improve his heroic skills and be a great dragon.

This episode is my new favorite. God, I love Ember <3

 

 

And seeing Garble be karma's bitch was also awesome

 

 

Plus, Torch is pretty cool, but I wonder how he got that big 

 

 

Overall, just a spectacular episode    

 

I liked how Ember fought Garbel. 

[Amethyst Splash 86]

This was the best spike episode ever! But still the episodes could be improved. But the end with garble was hilarious! I was really funny.

[MoodRaiser 8]

Garble lives up to his name, and Ember is the best dragon ever!

[Soren Vigil 2]

Nice to see Spike going out an adventure without the Mane 6 making him feel bad or just being abused for comic relief. And he's exploring a previous unseen location and introducing characters that'll hopefully appear in future episodes, good for Spike! This episode was really nice, the comedy was just right if not an incy bit lacking at some points but that doesn't make it bad at all, not by a long shot.

[powerpuff-tsubasa 448]

this spike episode was a hit gem! much of the spike episodes ive seen made me thought hes being a "try-hard". but im glad to see he's proving the other dragons he can be friends with no matter how small he is :*

[Fjdhebekd 11]

 

 

This, this was a good episode. Best Spike episode yet!

[Stardust* 3,302]

Overall the episode was spectacular! I love that Spike got some more love and screen time! 

 

I also love Princess Ember! She is a fantastic character. I'm very glad that Spike was the one to make a new friend this time. 

 

And what's his face having to hug every dragon!! Oh, priceless! 

[BlueEyedPegasus 59]

 

That pretty much sums up how I feel about Princess Ember taking on Garble!

[twiia 1,843]

I thought this episode was going to be so boring, but it turned out to be my second favorite in Season 6

[Brainstorm 4,106]

One of the reasons I enjoy this episode, it shows Spike worthy of being a hero.

[Flash Freeze 67]

Great episode, though I am not sure if my opinion still applies . Still I loved how they introduced the dragons in a much better light, basically keeping the story open to learn more about the dragons and their way of life. On top of that, having ember be a key point of the story I felt gave the plot more depth overall. Also, rarity and spike are always so cute! Overall, great episode