Who does NOT think the Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000 is an Applejack episode?

[FirePuppy 735]

Applejack just said, "I didn't learn anything" there. So I think it's clear that Applejack doesn't deserve this episode.

Edited November 8, 2017 by FirePuppy

[Glacies Frost 428]

I figured that would be the reasoning of your post. I don't disagree, though. The episode appeared to be more if a heavy handed slap at the idea of automated production more than about a lesson in particular.

 "The old fashioned way works better ," however,  doesn't hold up to scrutiny in this case. This was a single machine vs an entire family and it outperformed them and kept the quality up to snuff until Flim and Flam decided to bypass the quality control when more ponies came in to tip the speed in their favor. They still had a good way to make product. After the initial investment to produce more than a single machine, employing enough ponies to outperform the SSCS 6000 becomes cost prohibitive. In fact, having the Mane 6, Big Mac, and Apple Bloom ALL helping with the manufacturer, if not for the fact that they were volunteers or direct stake holders in the farm, comes to requiring eight full time employees working at maximum pace all day to match the output of a single SSCS 6000.

This episode comes off as both an infuriating backhand to industrialism, and rather badly argued.

[Randimaxis 8,654]

Say, brother of mine!

Yes, my esteemed sibling?

It seems as though there are those among us who believe that the Apples aren't the stars of our debut!

Truly a wonder - as everyone knows that the REAL stars of that particular piece of pizzazz aren't the hard-working farmer family!

Of COURSE it's not them!  Not to say they're lacking in any manner-

-though they could certainly benefit from some modernization, to be truthful-

-but let's be honest here... the TRUE stars of that wonderful little episodic situation-

-are, of course, none other than...

Flim and Flam, salesponies extraordinaire!

 

[PinkiePie97 913]

She doesn't have to learn anything for it to be an Applejack episode. If she was the main focus, then it's an Applejack episode.

[cmarston1 5,959]

If by learning nothing means that it wouldn't be an Applejack episode, than she would have almost no episodes going by that logic, seeing how very little character development she has received over 7 seasons.

Edited November 9, 2017 by cmarston1

[FirePuppy 735]

1 hour ago, cmarston1 said:

If by learning nothing means that it wouldn't be an Applejack episode, than she would have almost no episodes going by that logic, seeing how very little character development she has received over 7 seasons.

Kinda like Pinkie Pie, I suppose.

[sweetolebob18 728]

If it's not an AJ episode, then who's episode is it? As to AJ no developing over 7 seasons, IMO she started out as by far the most mature of the mane 6.  Still, she has learned to admit when she needs help & to ask for help when she needs it. (Apple Buck Season)

[Jeric 46,860]

Is it an Applejack episode? Well, I would suspect it is. 

 

On 11/8/2017 at 7:40 AM, Glacies Frost said:

"The old fashioned way works better ," however,  doesn't hold up to scrutiny in this case.

You're 100% correct that the episode would not hold up to scrutiny with a moral like that. But ... how absolutely sure are you that this was the lesson here? I don't believe It is as simple as Applejack looking at a her tradition and process through a Norman Rockwell filter. It's a shame if that's all that people culled from this one. 

"If you take the time to do things the right way ... "

" ... I could tell you how my friends were always there to help me, but I already knew that too  ... "

That's the lesson as given, over some goofy music no less. It isn't exactly what I quoted above ... and even AJ's lesson as presented isn't the whole picture. There is some subtle and absolutely delicious symbolism and metaphor in this episode that makes it one of the most unique episodes in the series. Before the writer of this episode penned Amending Fences ... he suggested that this was his personal favorite episode to write, and perhaps the best writing he had ever done. There's a reason why. 

I've talked about dozens of episodes and themes in this show, but I often steer clear of this one. Some treasures have to be discovered on their own, and can't be burdened by the biases we give to one another during conversation. Some are private discoveries. 

To fully appreciate this episode, you have to understand works from an author like John Updike. Maybe the magic image will pop out then. Huh? Maybe one element of Rockwell is represented in this episode after all.  

Yeah it's an AJ episode. 

3 hours ago, sweetolebob18 said:

If it's not an AJ episode, then who's episode is it? As to AJ no developing over 7 seasons, IMO she started out as by far the most mature of the mane 6.  Still, she has learned to admit when she needs help & to ask for help when she needs it. (Apple Buck Season)

Yep. Though I do believe she is developing just fine, just not with the same landmarks that we associate with other characters. Who we were, are, and will become is an immense tapestry of various threads. Another crafty hint. 

[King of Canterlot 9,603]

I would consider it an Applejack episode, because she was in it, the plot affected not her but also her family and farm, and she wrote a letter to princess Celestia at the end (though she apparently didn't learn anything).