S06:E14 - The Cart Before The Ponies

[Gernia 691]

The episode was decent. I liked the cute song while racing. It did seem rather out of character for AJ and Rrity to ignore their sisters when deg=signing the carts, I can see RD ignoring Scootaloo due to a drive to be the fastest.

 

I was at my local library yesterday morning and got home as fast as I could to watch it at home, breaking the speed limit multiple times in the process. :ninja:

[FlareGun45 2,221]

I dunno why people are complaining because this episode is "predictable". It's STILL a KID'S SHOW!

[CT-1138 3,182]

I dunno why people are complaining because this episode is "predictable". It's STILL a KID'S SHOW!

Because most of the episodes from this series are not predictable, leading us to expect a certain level of quality storytelling from this show. Being targeted towards children does not excuse poor quality. Children aren't idiots, and they shouldn't be treated like they are. There are plenty of children's shows out there that are well written and animated, with engaging stories and themes, FiM among them. 

Edited August 7, 2016 by Dinos4Ever

[Thrond 3,263]

I dunno why people are complaining because this episode is "predictable". It's STILL a KID'S SHOW!

I don't mind this show being predictable, but I found this one rather unexciting. 

[Megas 27,564]

Because most of the episodes from this series are not predictable, leading us to expect a certain level of quality storytelling from this show. Being targeted towards children does not excuse poor quality. Children aren't idiots, and they shouldn't be treated like they are. There are plenty of children's shows out there that are well written and animated, with engaging stories and themes, FiM among them. 

Being predictable doesn't automatically mean poor quality. The show's have had plenty of predictable episodes that turn out great.

 

It's about the journey, some might say

[MixiesmyTrixies 13]

this episode was alright, I liked some of the references they used and the screen time scootaloo recieved. 

 

though it does seem to be one of the more weaker ones, i found the song highly amusing!

[Midnight Chimes 69]

Being predictable doesn't automatically mean poor quality. The show's have had plenty of predictable episodes that turn out great.

 

It's about the journey, some might say

Predictable can mean different things. If you know where the story is going that is okay to a point, but when you can pause the episode at the beginning of each individual scene and correctly anticipate exactly what will happen in said scene then something is wrong. On top of that the thing was repetitive as hell with the majority of scenes in the middle act being summed up as "Crusader X wants this, Older pony X ignores her and does this instead".

[Darthy Hooves 106]

I like this episode "The Cart Before The Ponies" as it tells adults, "There are times to let kids be kids ". And this is coming from an adult who has seen too many adults who try to push what they want on the child instead of just letting the kid be a kid. When I was growing up, my dad would make suggestions, but when it came to school projects, left the final outcome to me. I've seen too many parents who end up doing the projects for their child, rather than letting the child learn from his or her mistakes. An excellent episode that teaches a valuable lesson IMO!!

[FirePuppy 733]

Darn, no other half of Mane Six in the audience -- I never expected that.

[Redhatbrony 59]

I loved this episode.

It has a great moral and many cute moments for me.

My review showed my feelings and a little bit insight.

Please enjoy my work.

https://youtu.be/loeZVSRC8NM

[Music Chart Fan 819]

Overall, I didn't like this episode. The moral is fine enough, but it's a well-worn trope that I don't find entertaining, since it almost always involves adults being deliberately and excessively self-centered and oblivious to get the message across, and that's what happens in this episode. Rainbow, Rarity, and Applejack have superficially plausible reasons for becoming so personally invested in making and racing the carts "right" and winning the prizes, but those reasons don't seem sufficient to explain their behavior. Perhaps Rainbow, Rarity and Applejack assumed that their respective sisters' interests would match theirs, but then the Cutie Mark Crusaders say and act otherwise several times, only to be dismissed and ignored. In addition, there's a disconnect between the older sisters' behavior and their "punishment" - i.e., the giant crash and having to "make up" for it. Miss Cheerilee's alternating cheerfulness and eye-rolling might be one of the few positive aspects of the episode.

 

It's probably not worthwhile to go through every self-centered and oblivious thing that Rainbow, Rarity, and Applejack did, so I'll just pick a few noteworthy things. First, of all the superficially plausible motivations for the older sisters' behavior, Rarity's might be the least believable. In Rarity's flashback, we see her as a filly about to cry because she got second prize for most creative, but then we see present Rarity still about to cry because of that. Rarity is still so upset about that that she's on the verge of crying, and is overeager to "right an old wrong"? I would think most people learn to take a proper perspective on such childhood competitions and (relative) disappointments as they get older. As a Cub Scout, I participated in the Pinewood Derby for several years, and I don't even remember what awards I won, let alone feeling "wronged" about not getting first prize to the point that it needs to be "made right" in the present.

 

During the montage of building the carts, the CMC try to add things to their carts, only to have Rainbow, Rarity, and Applejack remove them with exasperated or nonchalant looks on their faces, and the CMC afterward looking angry and disappointed. Why is nobody even saying anything while all of this occurs? Why aren't the CMC asserting themselves or asking something like "Hey, why can't I contribute something to the cart"? Why aren't Rainbow, Rarity, or Applejack even saying something like "Hey, stop doing that!" or "Why do you keep trying to add things without even saying something about it first"? This sequence also belies any claim by Rainbow, Rarity and Applejack that they didn't know the CMC wanted to do something different (though they should have known for other reasons, as well). After all, it's pretty obvious that the CMC are trying to add these things, and that they're doing so because they're dissatisfied with their lack of contribution and with the carts not following what they wanted to try to do.

 

When it comes to Rainbow, Rarity, and Applejack driving the carts even though the younger ponies usually drive, is that not already a rule of the Applewood Derby? Why can't Miss Cheerilee insist, for example, that the CMC drive or else Rainbow, Rarity, and Applejack will be removed from the competition and disqualified from winning any awards? Also, I can see Rainbow's rationale for wanting to drive the cart, since she probably believes that her skills are necessary to win the race. But the rationale for Rarity and Applejack to insist on driving the carts, even after being called out by Miss Cheerilee, is less clear. Maybe Rarity and Applejack don't trust Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom to drive the carts without damaging or breaking them and thus compromising their abilities to win the most creative and most traditional awards. But shouldn't the judging for those awards occur before the race, precisely because the carts might get damaged or break during the race? Again, when I participated in the Pinewood Derby, the judging for "Best Design" and "Most Original" always took place before the races began.

 

Obviously, as a lot of people are pointing out, the race track is badly designed. Not only is there a big intersection in the middle with carts approaching it from potentially at least four different angles, it also isn't clear how the race path is supposed to go. It would be quite easy for someone to end up going the wrong way, even into oncoming carts. If this race track has been used in previous races, it would be surprising if there hadn't been at least one accident at some point.

 

And regarding the giant crash, there doesn't seem to be any obvious causal link between it and Rainbow, Rarity, and Applejack being self-absorbed and making and driving the carts themselves. The cart pile-up seemed to occur mostly just because the carts happened to reach the intersection, coming from different directions, at the same time. Rainbow was losing control of the cart after it lost a wheel, but even that didn't seem to be necessary for the crash to happen. In other words, it seems like a similar accident could easily have happened even if the CMC got their way. Consequently, it doesn't really feel right that Rainbow's, Rarity's, and Applejack's behavior is "punished" by being held responsible for the giant crash and dealing with the aftermath. Maybe the crash isn't as important as Rainbow, Rarity, and Applejack revealing themselves to be more concerned about their carts and about winning than, you know, checking whether their sisters and the other participants are all right. (Although, to be fair, no one there seems particularly concerned about potential injuries from the pile-up.)

 

After the giant crash, Rainbow suggests a "do-over", and Miss Cheerilee agrees, but says the older ponies should sit this one out. It seems a bit unfair that ALL of the grown-ups have to sit out the second race, even though no one thinks that any of them besides Rainbow, Rarity, and Applejack did anything wrong. And Rainbow, Rarity and Applejack have a final burst of self-centeredness when Rainbow asks "What are we supposed to do now?" and they then concern themselves more with relaxing than watching the race and cheering on their own sisters.

 

Finally, to me, the episode just seems to end unsatisfyingly. I realize that not seeing who actually won the ribbons is probably supposed to illustrate that it doesn't matter who won, but the episode feels incomplete without awarding them, since winning the prizes was originally a primary motivation of the CMC, and the primary motivation for the older sisters. It could have tied in with the message of the episode if, for example, some or all of the CMC didn't win first prize, but then say that they still had fun and accomplished something, and that's what really matters.

 

Now for my other miscellaneous observations:

 

Apple Bloom says that "those ribbons are the bees' knees", but how many people use that phrase these days? Is Apple Bloom going back to the time when the Applewood carts were first made?

 

Scootaloo apparently rode a hot air balloon up to Rainbow Dash's cloud house just to ask her to be her cart mentor. Did Scootaloo operate the hot air balloon herself? And if not, who did? Is this a regular thing for Scootaloo to visit Rainbow Dash at her house? Wouldn't it be easier to Rainbow to go and meet Scootaloo, rather than the other way around?

 

I don't know how Sweetie Belle's visits with Rarity (since they don't seem to live together) usually go, but it might have been better for Sweetie Belle to ask Rarity to be her mentor when there weren't customers in the boutique. That would have prevented the whole thing with Rarity uncouthly pushing them all out.

 

After Sweetie Belle complains about how early the CMC had to wake up to start building their carts, Applejack says "Oh, Apples, quit complainin'!". But only Apple Bloom of the three is technically an "Apple", right? Or does Applejack say "apples" to refer to "kids"?

 

If Rarity is really worried that she (and Sweetie Belle) has to win first prize in most creative to uphold her reputation, wouldn't it be less risky to just not participate at all, and not put her reputation on the line? Also, what is the evidence that her customers or potential customers would care about what prize she wins at the Applewood Derby?

 

Shouldn't helmets for unicorns like Rarity and Sweetie Belle have holes for their horns? Otherwise, I would imagine that the helmets don't fit on their heads very well, and therefore are not providing full protection in the case of an accident.

 

Why is it, exactly, that Applejack's "traditional" cart is so much slower than everyone else's? Maybe the carts are hoof-powered and the traditional cart is heavier than the others and thus can't be pedaled as fast. But for one thing, that doesn't necessarily square with the traditional cart also being so rickety. Plus, at least at the start, the carts are gravity-powered by going down a big hill, and in that case, a heavier cart might be an advantage. Also, are there materials or weight restrictions for the carts in the Applewood Derby? Another explanation might be that the traditional cart is less aerodynamic, but it doesn't seem like it would be hugely different than the other carts. Maybe the other carts have more lubricated and better-turning wheels, while the traditional cart has a lot of unnecessary friction when the wheels are turning. Finally, if the carts are hoof-powered, then maybe Applejack just isn't pedaling very hard because she doesn't care about trying to win.

 

I'm inclined to think that the wings on Rarity's swan cart blocking other racers from passing her are cheating. But then, we also saw Rainbow use her cart to bump other carts back, so maybe the other racers should just ram through the wings on her cart, although these carts may not be strong or fast enough to do that kind of thing. Also, what exactly happened when Rainbow pushed the steering wheel in to make the cart go even faster, as though turbo was used? Maybe Rainbow is cheating, as well. 

 

It does seem strange that (as far as I can tell) every cart in the race was involved in the giant crash. If the racers were spread out enough to have them approaching the intersection from multiple directions, I might think that at least a few of the carts would be far enough away from the intersection to see the crash and stop and pull over before crashing themselves.

 

Finally, regarding the "do-over", one logistical thing I can't help thinking about is who's paying for the second set of materials to build a second set of carts. If the wood blocks are provided by the school, did the school have to pay for another set? Is the Apple family providing the wood blocks, in which case Applejack would agree to provide another set for free to make up for her behavior? What about the other materials - wheels, paint, extra wood, etc.? Did the participants have to supply any of those themselves, and do they just have to do so again?

[Prospekt 11,018]

Did anyone else think that the colt that worked with Derpy was her brother?

 

It might be her previously unseen brother. Of course we can only speculate because we know nothing about her family.

[Darthy Hooves 106]

It might be her previously unseen brother. Of course we can only speculate because we know nothing about her family.

Is Derpy married to Doctor Hooves since they share the same surname? Could the the colt be her son?

[CastletonSnob 3,074]

Anyone else dreading this week's episode?

 

After this episode, and the synopsis for this week's episode, I'm starting to question my faith in the show.

[Prospekt 11,018]

Is Derpy married to Doctor Hooves since they share the same surname? Could the the colt be her son?

Of course it is canon that they at least know each other so maybe. But the colt doesn't really share any features with Dr Whooves other than the fact that his mane is darker than Derpy's. He looks a lot more like a younger brother to me.

Edited August 8, 2016 by Prospekt

[Thrond 3,263]

Anyone else dreading this week's episode?

 

After this episode, and the synopsis for this week's episode, I'm starting to question my faith in the show.

Every season has its weak points, and there's a good chance this week's won't be all that great. The one afterwards, though, has plenty of potential, as does the one after that. 

[Truffles 2,033]

Again, when I participated in the Pinewood Derby, the judging for "Best Design" and "Most Original" always took place before the races began.

 

That's really cool! It's interesting to hear the perspective of the race from someone who has actually participated in one that seems to be the real-world inspiration for it.

 

And regarding the giant crash, there doesn't seem to be any obvious causal link between it and Rainbow, Rarity, and Applejack being self-absorbed and making and driving the carts themselves.

 

Heh, I had to go back and rewatch the crash. For whatever reason, I had been under the impression the crash was caused by the Mane 3's designs, but you're right - there's no causality whatsoever. In fact, if anything, Rarity's "cheating" with her swan should have prevented the crash:

 

So it turns out the whole crash choreography doesn't make any sense. Just moments before it happens, there is an overhead view of the track, and all of the carts appear to be bunched up behind Rarity's swan wings. There's no other carts anywhere else on the track! Then when Rainbow's wheel pops off, AJ is suddenly on another section of the track and Rainbow is somehow ahead of all the other carts. Bah. =P

 

EDIT: Finally seeing a hi-def  shot does show RD and AJ on a collision course, with the rest of the racers behind Rarity's swan. Not sure how RD got around Rarity, though.

Edited August 8, 2016 by Truffles

[Music Chart Fan 819]

That's really cool! It's interesting to hear the perspective of the race from someone who has actually participated in one that seems to be the real-world inspiration for it.

 

 

Just to be clear, for the Pinewood Derby, Cub Scouts make handheld cars out of an original wood block of 7" x 1.75" x 1.25", and racing them essentially consists of rolling them down an incline on a grooved track. So while there are some parallels - Scouts design, carve, decorate, and race the cars with the help of parents or older mentors, and there are prizes for fastest, best design, most original, etc. - it's very low-stakes compared to the cart racing of the Applewood Derby.

[Truffles 2,033]

Just to be clear, for the Pinewood Derby, Cub Scouts make handheld cars out of an original wood block of 7" x 1.75" x 1.25", and racing them essentially consists of rolling them down an incline on a grooved track. So while there are some parallels - Scouts design, carve, decorate, and race the cars with the help of parents or older mentors, and there are prizes for fastest, best design, most original, etc. - it's very low-stakes compared to the cart racing of the Applewood Derby.

 

Ohhh, that makes a lot more sense. Then in that regard, I guess I have some experience too since I did a similar thing in shop class back in Jr. High.   Except mine was CO2 cartridge  powered instead of using gravity. (Though I suppose it could use gravity as well.)

 

That begs the question again, then, how these Victorian-tech era ponies manage to carve out a giant block of applewood in less than a day without the use of humongous, machine-driven wood routers?   Even today, you'd be hard-pressed to find something that could carve a large, smooth, shape out of that amount of hardwood so quickly.

[Brianna Changeling 131]

I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THIS CAME OUT TODAY!!! GO AWAY SPOILERS LEAVE ME ALONE!! D:

[Prospekt 11,018]

Just to be clear, for the Pinewood Derby, Cub Scouts make handheld cars out of an original wood block of 7" x 1.75" x 1.25", and racing them essentially consists of rolling them down an incline on a grooved track. So while there are some parallels - Scouts design, carve, decorate, and race the cars with the help of parents or older mentors, and there are prizes for fastest, best design, most original, etc. - it's very low-stakes compared to the cart racing of the Applewood Derby.

 

I believe the Applewood Derby was also inspired by the Soap Box Derby, which is a youth racing program that uses gravity-powered cars on an incline. However, unlike the Pinewood Derby, the racers actually ride in their vehicles.

 

http://www.soapboxderby.org

[JH24 385]

After the first time watching the episode I couldn't help but wonder if and how much the Mane 3 were out of character. It was a feeling that gnawed at me even though I enjoyed the episode. After re-watching I feel better about it, and I think I like the way the writers went about this.

 

Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Applejack are adults but they aren't without mistakes. They each have an element but that doesn't mean they always have to act according to that. They aren't perfect or flawless, they have emotions and can make mistakes like everyone else. They all became obsessed in a way with winning the race in their respective category, and when you become obsessed or caught up in something you tend to lose sight of the things around you, or tend to ignore the opinions of others because you feel that what you're doing is in everyone's best interest, blinding you to the fact that you're only serving your own interest.

 

 

Rainbow Dash had some great memories of her cart races. I got the impression she wanted to relive those memories and her early years, as if she wanted to feel a filly again. Not to mention that her obsession was also fueled by her desire to win the race in the only way she knows. By being the fastest.

 

Applejack saw this race as a chance to prove herself as an Apple by upholding the traditions of her family and Sweet Apple Acres. In a way she felt the responsibility was now resting on her shoulders as the older sister. I was surprised at first how she actually lashed out against Applebloom and used a kind of blackmail (Are you an Apple or not?) She was fanatical about it because she felt she had to defend the "honor" of her family and traditions. 

 

Rarity's case was the most clear. Her losing the cart races and winning second price left a trauma on her as a filly, and even though you can bury something like that for years only one mention of it needs to come up and every vivid memory comes back as if they just happened. I know that feeling, I had certain things happening as a kid that I still think about from time to time as an adult, often making me wonder "what if I did things differently? If I had made that goal in the final match of my school hockey competition would my team have won? Would I still be friends with a classmate if I had just believed his side of the story?"

 

Things that you regret from the past can be very strong motivaters, or even leading to obsessive behavior. I think they did a great job showing this with Rarity.

 

 

I liked though how Rainbow, Applejack and Rarity tried to make amends for what they done in the end. They realized they got carried away and that they just need to leave this race to the next generation. Rarity really showed how much she cares if even she gets herself dirty to help Sweetie Belle.

 

They were out of character, but for a good reason. And I think that's what I like the most about the episode. Everyone can get obsessed and caught up in something and even if it can be seen as repetitive in this episode I liked how they showed each step of that process.

Edited August 8, 2016 by JH24

[Vlazamal 338]

I believe the Applewood Derby was also inspired by the Soap Box Derby, which is a youth racing program that uses gravity-powered cars on an incline. However, unlike the Pinewood Derby, the racers actually ride in their vehicles.

 

http://www.soapboxderby.org

The cars look like Soap Box cars, too. Well, excluding Applebloom's car.

 

Also, anyone notice how most of the track was downhill, and there were no upwards slopes of any kind? Seemed awkward given it's shape.

 

Overall, I loved this episode probably the most this season. This was somewhat less perilous and more carefree, which is always welcome. It is refreshing to see episodes that are more basic.

Edited August 8, 2016 by Vlazamal

[NeonCobalt 256]

Finally got around to watching this. Overall, not a bad episode. I liked the concept of having an episode centered around both the CMC as well as their sisters (literal sisters or otherwise). That being said, it was a bit annoying to see the older siblings essentially not respecting the wishes of the younger ones, especially as this was meant to be an event for the kids. The song was pretty good, and very catchy. And of course we got some more fan pandering in this one. Throwing in Derpy in the flashback was actually pretty funny in my opinion, as was having Scootaloo bring over a chicken head (although they're a few years late on that joke). Overall, not the best epsiode, but not the worst. 8.5/10

[cuteycindyhoney 13,306]

Did anypony else notice that Rainbow CHEATED? When I get home I'll look for the actual moment. In a race of gravity powered downhill racers...Rainbow at one point ACCELERATED!

She had some sort of engine in her car!