spoiler So the finale just aired in the UK...

[DragonFlyer 329]

After watching the second part I just.... ALL THE FEELS. I'll use the spoiler tag again to be safe....

Sooo, the HYPE was real for this finale and I actually enjoyed (and hated) having to wait. It was a new experience for the show and that cliffhanger! I'm glad we had some time to digest the first part and speculate on possible outcomes. Just wanna say right now...I was right about King Thorax LOOOOOL! As soon as I saw how his wings had changed I figured he was going through SOME kind of transformation and while the thought of him actually becoming the Changelings' new leader seemed farfetched at the time...well...it happened. What I was NOT expecting was a full on evolution into a completely new form/species. I mean wuuuhhhhhht!? I admit I feel a little sad because I LOVED the Changelings original design...they were so cute. Plus black/aqua together is the best color scheme!! Now they're rainbow insect deer creatures and I don't know how I feel about that to be honest.... Thorax quickly became one of my favorite characters but I wish he was still his cute little buggy self (I notice they didn't have him talk after his transformation...wonder if his voice will even be the same).... But meh, that's probably my only complaint because everything else was EPIC!

I think Trixie and Discord were the best, I loved the way they bickered throughout the episode. Hilarious. XD I really hope we see more of them interacting next season!! New found love and respect for the GREAT AND POWERFUL TRIXIE. She totally stole the show and found herself a spot in my top favorite characters list. Jeez that Changeling Fluttershy trick on Discord was just plain cruel...I can't even handle one crying Fluttershy let alone a whole cave full of them! Chrysalis....oohhhh SNAP she was absolutely wicked and I LOVED it. Seriously, a couple scenes were pretty "dark". I imagine if I were 6 years old Chrysalis would be some dang good nightmare fuel. She truly is the best villain in this show! For a second there I was so scared they were actually gonna reform her...so glad they didn't!! Stay evil! I can't help but wonder (and hope) if she'll somehow break Tirek out and team up with him (although he'd probably betray her just like he did Discord) or some equally powerful big bad. She's out for revenge now so they obviously have something planned and I hope it's something big! Maybe she'll even play a role in the movie....?

What else? Starlight! While she was never on my favorites list she has grown on me and I actually really enjoyed her in this episode. I wouldn't mind seeing more of her, especially with Trixie! They're adorable together and I totally ship them as bestest best friends, just like Discord and Fluttershy. Speaking of which, that Flutter hug at the end made me shed a manly tear. B'aww. But seriously, this finale was a pure 10/10 with my only complaint being the evolved forms of the Changelings (I suppose they'll grow on me) and how quickly it happened. I think I would have preferred it if SOME of them refused to change, if a handful of them would've remained loyal to their evil queen. I actually feel bad for Chrysalis, she has nothing now...will she create a new Changeling army or will my dream of her teaming up with another powerful villain come true instead? The suspense!  Hopefully the wait for season 7 won't be TOO long...and hey, season 6 ain't over yet! Two more new episodes to go! I also have every intention of watching the finale when it airs in the US.

 

[Goat-kun 2,527]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMOzvxQHywM

 

It didn't feel like a fan fiction. I had minute issues, but the focus of this episode was Starlight, Trixie and Discord...Thorax too. I was just happy to see Chrysalis again and she was kept in character and we got to explore changeling culture.

-More powerful than Celestia or Twilight ☑

-Tragic past ☑

-Wangst ☑

-Forgiven for everything and/or adored by everyone ☑

-Interacts with Luna in a personal manner ☑

-Saves Mane 6/Equestria ☑

-Whole story seems to revolve around the character ☑

 

Seems like a pretty legit FIM self-insert OC to me. Please, feel free to add more points. Or maybe you’d prefer to dispute them. No matter, have fun. I’ll grant you that Trixie, Discord, and Thorax had decent performance, but I do find the backgrounding of Mane 6 by our glorious writers a glaring problem that will have to be addressed at one point or another.

 

P.S: Party pooper is a legitimate and noble internet profession. Do not mock the ancient art of party pooping that has been passed down through countless generations.

[SunsetBaconDrive 169]

-More powerful than Celestia or Twilight ☑

-Tragic past ☑

-Wangst ☑

-Forgiven for everything and/or adored by everyone ☑

-Interacts with Luna in a personal manner ☑

-Saves Mane 6/Equestria ☑

-Whole story seems to revolve around the character ☑

 

Seems like a pretty legit FIM self-insert OC to me. Please, feel free to add more points. Or maybe you’d prefer to dispute them. No matter, have fun. I’ll grant you that Trixie, Discord, and Thorax had decent performance, but I do find the backgrounding of Mane 6 by our glorious writers a glaring problem that will have to be addressed at one point or another.

 

P.S: Party pooper is a legitimate and noble internet profession. Do not mock the ancient art of party pooping that has been passed down through countless generations.

FiM aside... In literary circles, that's called a CHARACTER story, they've been around since time began. I don't even like Starlight Glimmer. The plot worked for what it had to work with. Chrysalis, Discord and Trixie are what made this episode for me. We finally got some satisfying answers on where they inhabit and Chrysalis had ample screen time. Nothing is perfect man. Cutie Re Mark rushed everything to the point where time travel and alternate timelines became a novelty.

[Stardust Balance 7,739]

-More powerful than Celestia or Twilight ☑

-Tragic past ☑

-Wangst ☑

-Forgiven for everything and/or adored by everyone ☑

-Interacts with Luna in a personal manner ☑

-Saves Mane 6/Equestria ☑

-Whole story seems to revolve around the character ☑

 

Seems like a pretty legit FIM self-insert OC to me. Please, feel free to add more points.

*Casually whistles, kicking back his fic under the sofa.*

[heavens-champion 1,905]

FiM aside... In literary circles, that's called a CHARACTER story, they've been around since time began. I don't even like Starlight Glimmer. The plot worked for what it had to work with. Chrysalis, Discord and Trixie are what made this episode for me. We finally got some satisfying answers on where they inhabit and Chrysalis had ample screen time. Nothing is perfect man. Cutie Re Mark rushed everything to the point where time travel and alternate timelines became a novelty.

Still waiting for more alternate timeline-related fics from the fandom.

[Odd Ball 231]

Well, I pretty much spoiled it all for myself.

I can honestly say, I really hope Twilight and friends save the day again. I don't know about you, but I'm used to Twilight saving the day.

But at the same time, I'm fine with Starlight getting some development. She needed the development.

I'm probably the only person who liked the season finale because it didn't focus on the Mane Six.

[heavens-champion 1,905]

I'm probably the only person who liked the season finale because it didn't focus on the Mane Six.

Well, we all have our personal tastes.

[Goat-kun 2,527]

FiM aside... In literary circles, that's called a CHARACTER story, they've been around since time began. I don't even like Starlight Glimmer. The plot worked for what it had to work with. Chrysalis, Discord and Trixie are what made this episode for me. We finally got some satisfying answers on where they inhabit and Chrysalis had ample screen time. Nothing is perfect man. Cutie Re Mark rushed everything to the point where time travel and alternate timelines became a novelty.

Life sucks and nature is a bitch. That is not an argument. Forgive me, but I will not stop complaining about these trivial things on a forum designed to comment them. The plot worked, but so did the rest of them, in this season and in all the previous ones. Does that mean one only needs to strive to write a working plot and nothing else?

[SunsetBaconDrive 169]

Life sucks and nature is a bitch. That is not an argument. Forgive me, but I will not stop complaining about these trivial things on a forum designed to comment them. The plot worked, but so did the rest of them, in this season and in all the previous ones. Does that mean one only needs to strive to write a working plot and nothing else?

Why aologize? If you didn't like it whatever. Sombra to me is the series's most overrated villain. I have a love-hate relationship with Discord as well. Everyone is different. Only bad things about this finale

 

-Starlight Glimmer being the focus

-Discord not having banter with Chrysalis(nitpick) 

-How everyone got caught wasn't the focus of the story, but that too can be a nitpick. The episode's message was clear. 

 

 

Everything else I adored. 

 

Seasons 1 2 3 6 are my favorite finales. Season 4 also blows season 5's  out of the water any day of the week.

[Stardust Balance 7,739]

Life sucks and nature is a bitch. That is not an argument. Forgive me, but I will not stop complaining about these trivial things on a forum designed to comment them. The plot worked, but so did the rest of them, in this season and in all the previous ones. Does that mean one only needs to strive to write a working plot and nothing else?

I agree, story alone isn't enough to carry an episode. Neither is shoving in as much beloved characters together as possible. I liked the finale, but I won't deny there are some issues, but I will call it a vast improvement from the tripe we received last season.

[SunsetBaconDrive 169]

I agree, story alone isn't enough to carry an episode. Neither is shoving in as much beloved characters together as possible. I liked the finale, but I won't deny there are some issues, but I will call it a vast improvement from the tripe we received last season.

Story isn't enough to carry an episode? That is a crucial and dire element. 

[Stardust Balance 7,739]

Story isn't enough to carry an episode? That is a crucial and dire element. 

I said story ALONE, not that it's useless overall.

[AlbaTross 1,586]

Ugh, I'm torn about discussing something that I wasn't supposed to have seen yet, but it's too epic not to discuss and so many people clearly feel the same way, so I won't be locking this discussion. It's going to happen either way, so I might as well participate.

 

I think this finale even topped last season's! Wow. Just wow. I think we can all agree that, regardless of how anyone feels about the season finales, the writers do make a point of trying to up the ante at the end of every season, and it certainly shows. Changelings taking over all of Equestria. Check. Three reformed villains and one reformed antagonist against another popular villain. Check. Said villains being the last hope for Equestria. Check. Magical beings who somehow have to figure out a way to sneak in and save the day without magic. Check. Dark atmosphere. Check. Sense of impending doom. Am I even watching My Little Pony anymore? Granted, I've already asked that with previous finales. FiM sure has distanced itself from its much more cutesy predecessor.

 

I will say that I'm not thrilled about the changelings making an abrupt turn, but I would have easily forgiven it anyways since I forgave Starlight's abrupt turn last season as that wasn't enough to somehow make me forget the epic timewarp saga full of amazing alternate dystopias. An abrupt changeling reform wouldn't have completely killed this finale either. But, this finale earned some points back: Chryssalis didn't end up being reformed. That was my biggest fear with this finale since she's the last active unreformed villain from past seasons. Sombra is either dead or reformed depending on whether you read the comics and Tirek probably isn't getting out of Tartarus anytime soon...unless Chryssy busts him out...ok I'll refrain from writing fanfic.

 

Chryssalis escaping does curve the trend of too many villain reforms and I'm glad the writers decided to listen to the fans here. Plus, I'm once again excited for the possibilities that could come out of that. It doesn't seem like all the changelings were reformed, at least I hope not. Chryssy can certainly rally the remnants of her army. Reaching out to another past villain would certainly make for an interesting dynamic. The series finally has a recurring villain at least, and I couldn't be happier.

 

Oh, and cue the TrixCord shipping. In all seriousness though, I'm thrilled we got to see those four interact, particularly Discord with Starlight and Trixie. I'm actually kind of surprised Starlight and Discord haven't interacted much given their friend circle, but Trixie and Discord are the kind of pairing I wouldn't expect to see this side of Friends Forever. Speaking of which, I'm still a LunaCord shipper, but I still think it's cool to see characters together that I wouldn't otherwise expect to see in the same episode, let alone in the same frame.

 

All in all, I'm glad I saw this finale. I hope season 7 will be more focused, but for now I think season 6 went out on a high note, and we still have two more episodes to go. Yeah, I think it has been one of the weaker seasons overall but it still has its good moments. I certainly want more. Look forward to me copying and pasting this response into the actual thread when the finale officially airs in NA as I doubt I'll want to retype the entire thing.

[Goat-kun 2,527]

Why aologize? If you didn't like it whatever. Sombra to me is the series's most overrated villain. I have a love-hate relationship with Discord as well. Everyone is different. Only bad things about this finale

 

-Starlight Glimmer being the focus

-Discord not having banter with Chrysalis(nitpick) 

-How everyone got caught wasn't the focus of the story, but that too can be a nitpick. The episode's message was clear. 

 

 

Everything else I adored. 

 

Seasons 1 2 3 6 are my favorite finales. Season 4 also blows season 5's  out of the water any day of the week.

In the end, we are not so different in our opinions, at least as far as villainy is concerned.

 

I agree, story alone isn't enough to carry an episode. Neither is shoving in as much beloved characters together as possible. I liked the finale, but I won't deny there are some issues, but I will call it a vast improvement from the tripe we received last season.

I think you misunderstood. The story must not only carry the episode but the audience as well. Besides, when was the last time Mane 6 did anything spectacular together within FIM? I can’t seem to recall such a wondrous occasion.

 

P.S: Even the presidential debates compare favorably to the last season’s finale

[SunsetBaconDrive 169]

In the end, we are not so different in our opinions, at least as far as villainy is concerned.

 

I think you misunderstood. The story must not only carry the episode but the audience as well. Besides, when was the last time Mane 6 did anything spectacular together within FIM? I can’t seem to recall such a wondrous occasion.

 

P.S: Even the presidential debates compare favorably to the last season’s finale

How would you rank the villains? Best to worst?

[Steve Piranha 29,425]

 

OH MY GOD, OH MY GOD, THAT WAS SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET YO   

 

[Zantetsuken 364]

As one of the few people who is actually willing to stand up and advocate for Starlight Glimmer I'm going to say one thing. THIS EPISODE WAS AMAZING.

 

 

 

I pretty much called everything that would happen until the end. I thought that Throax's redesigned wings were just something to make him stand out from all the other changelings in the hive, I didn't predict he would turn into their king.

 

Alot about this episode it real great (probably because Mike Vogel is a very competent writer)

 

And alot there are also a few flaws with this episode (because Josh Haber is a thing and an amateur) 

 

Lets start with the good 

 

The Changeling Hive was great I loved the concept of much like it's inhabitants the hive is always changing and wish we knew about it sooner. I liked the cocoons and the egg rooms and almost every encounter the MC's had with the changelings was exciting.

 

there could have been more changeling goo though

 

The set up was pretty well done even though it was pretty obviously to tell that the mane 6 had been replaced by changelings. Also discords introduction felt a tiny bit rushed but I'm willing to let it slide because I believe they used the little time they had well.

 

I also like the fact that all the members of Starlight's team are all reformed ponies who were once antagonists. Thorax is debatable with that point but I'm willing to count him since he IS a changeling.

 

And the flaws 

 

Well I'm wondering how the princesses + the other mane 5 + spike + flurry heart + shining armor were all captured, they never really explain it. I think that's the biggest issue here. MLP season finales usually resolve everything but that issue is never explained. Just oh look the princesses are here they are in cocoons, Thorax ex machina their free now, ok lets go eat cake at Starlight's village and pretend this never happened! Like what the hell?

 

I'm pretty sure they were trying to use the fridge logic trick and hope everyone wouldn't notice but no, that's a huge plothole.

 

That's the biggest problem I have much else would really just be nitpicking.

 

I liked this season finale a lot but I'm going to to wait till the american air date to give it a rating cause it will just feel more right that way. 

 

 

Edited October 7, 2016 by Zantetsuken

[BastementSparkle 20,326]

Just here to say, as sad as I am I watched this early, this was great. An episode all about the reformed villains? Yes. Discord and Starlight and Trixie and Thorax, Yes! This was great and I loved every minute. I'm happy Chrysalis isn't reformed, she's an amazing villain.

 

 Also...I love the new Changeling designs. I think they look cool as heck and I don't care what anyone else thinks, if you disagree, fine, but I love them. Really hoping we get Thorax and more Changeling's in season 7 episodes.

[Zel 56]

It's a shame all the changelings transform at the end of the episode.

Thorax come a long way to become what he is now, he had an episode where he become a part of the Crystal Empire, made friends with a lot of ponies off screen etc... So it was legit for him to become a "Neo changeling" because he had love inside of him and love to share... But the other changelings ? I think it would have been better to have an episode about them in the next season where Thorax and Spike help the others to learn friendship and transform at their turn. Because right now the changelings don't have a clue about friendship and have been rulled by Chrysallis since their birth...

 

Apart from that it was a good set of episodes.

I really like Discord and Trixie in this story. Magicless Discord was priceless and his relation with Trixie was one of the highlight. I also liked the fact that Chrysallis is still "evil" and don't want to change her ways, it was refreshing and allow Starlight to see that she has changed since the Cutie Map unlike that she thought.

[Kyoshi Frost Wolf 41,534]

This finale was done incredibly well in so many ways. Most probably know I am not a huge fan of Starright but this finale may change that, at least to me liking her. The interactions between her and Trixie were cute and her having that breakdown felt very down to Earth, or Equestria rather. Discord was also amazing here, because he wasn't just being zany non-stop. The disabling magic throne was a neat touch as it added suspense, though how Chrysalis could still use her own magic is odd. Then we had the ending, with Thorax becoming changeling god with them having a new design. I like the design but I hate the colors. Such a weird combination that doesn't blend well, but it is what it is. Chrysalis staying evil was expected, they teased a reformation but I was certain going in that she was gonna stay herself. It will be interesting to see if anything else comes from that.

 

So I had my doubts but I liked this finale far more than the Cutie Remark. Crazy how this finale barely had the mane 6 at all and it turned out this good. Actually felt like a nice change of pace.

[Castle Bleck 19,364]

The disabling magic throne was a neat touch as it added suspense, though how Chrysalis could still use her own magic is odd.

 

Thorax said it specifically blocked all but Changeling-type magic.

Edited October 7, 2016 by A.V.

[Kyoshi Frost Wolf 41,534]

Thorax said it specifically blocked all but Changeling-type magic.

Odd. Still seems weird that it is selective but I suppose they have a different kind of magic entirely. My own idiocy comes through again. Go me.

[BastementSparkle 20,326]

The disabling magic throne was a neat touch as it added suspense, though how Chrysalis could still use her own magic is odd.

 

They mentioned earlier in the episode how it disables all magic except for Changeling magic. So, that's why Chrysalis's magic still worked. 

Edited October 7, 2016 by BasementGlimmer

[Lil Pip 775]

I'd say I was let down, but I wasn't expecting much to begin with. What a lousy season.

I can understand with the

changeling change

being lame, but aside from that I don't see why it was bad, I think it was extremely good. I am genuinely curious how others could be disappointed. Granted some people weren't expecting it to be good, so maybe they just see the parts they dislike or are too critical, but a show is meant to be enjoyed if you don't want to watch it then don't.

Why aologize? If you didn't like it whatever. Sombra to me is the series's most overrated villain. I have a love-hate relationship with Discord as well. Everyone is different. Only bad things about this finale

 

-Starlight Glimmer being the focus

-Discord not having banter with Chrysalis(nitpick) 

-How everyone got caught wasn't the focus of the story, but that too can be a nitpick. The episode's message was clear. 

So we would rather see Twilight save the day every time?

 

I think Discord not having his magic knew better than to speak up, besides his capture was already more significant with all the crying fluttershys I dont think two characters complaining to each other had anything plot relevant.

 

The finales that have more going on can't put extra detail into things like that or it'd need a third episode eventually or remove other better parts.

 

 

P.S: Even the presidential debates compare favorably to the last season’s finale

The ending was rushed, but it had a lot going on it was pretty epic, I think that objectively makes it good even if the Glimmer reform part came out of left field, she did feel she was doing right as some people tend to justify their misbehavior tend to do already so its not entirely unbelievable and she was so powerful she simply didn't take anyone's advice seriously until Twi. 

The only issue I can see is nostalgia goggles clouding people's vision, or there weren't enough songs or Mane 6 action. What real tangible complaints do people have? I just think people are butthurt cuz of the fandom waning. Because if you say story, that had story going for it more than the first changeling invasion. Maybe you are just upset the show was somewhat self-conscious, but thats inevitable, I think people aren't going to be satisfied no matter what, and if its a show I spend my time watching I might as well be optimistic, and ignore the two silly parts and enjoy the rest of it, you have to consider they are packing alot of plot into two episodes, some parts won't be as smoothly explained as they could've been.

 

So until people can objectively give a better episode that everyone agrees on, I will disagree with their disagreement.

Well, we all have our personal tastes.

Perhaps but whats wrong with something new? Everyone would be complaining its too similar, if they aren't complaining its too different. I think since people watch it they might as well be optimistic and actually see the material. Like you see their facial expressions of urgency and worry? Thats character, so we can't say character development or not enough action going on. I mean theres nothing objectively wrong with it, and if people wanna see the mane 6 just rewatch older episodes, or wait til they get an episode together. 

 

Then again the people complaining probably wanted the show to stop at season 4 or something, and are expecting it to go 'downhill' so they accidentally confirmation bias or something, and say hey *cherry picked stuff* the show is going downhill!

 

Look at what the episode did right, or its not legitimate criticism, its just nostalgia goggles disagreeing with it because its different.

The only legitimate criticism I can see is no songs from these characters occurred.

And the no songs thing is minor, think of what it has not what its lacking, it doesn't have to meet a status quo it has to try something interesting, and it did.

[-Nobody- 519]

Those were the best episodes, ever.

 

And I think Trixie might be my favorite now.