S08:E05 - Grannies Gone Wild

[Will Guide 21,325]

Most of the previous posts likely covered most of my thoughts. But what the hey..

Overall, I was pleasantly surprised and laughing a lot throughout the thing. It was a huge improvement over the underwhelming episodes from the last 2 weeks. @Mesme Rize was right; the floating A.J. head reminding Dash of the stuff was the biggest source of my genuine laughter.

My personal favorite heartwarming scene was the ending where the Grannies made Rainbow a member of their group. It's rare in my experience to see an intergenerational friendship bloom between an elder and younger generation.

[Thrond 3,257]

2 hours ago, Truffles said:

I didn't quite get that impression. I felt like she just really wanted to ride this coaster before it closed and having to teach a class was getting in the way of that. It's true she thought she would be considered an egghead in the premiere, but she seemed to get into the role of being a teacher before the end.

She just seemed overtly annoyed with the idea of teaching, and given my confusion about her qualifications and where she finds the time to do this, it just seems plausible to me that she might not be that interested in it. 

[Lambdadelta 1,462]

Holy shit, I can ENJOY G.M Berrow AGAIN! Because I dislike all of her episodes in S7 and I didn't expect any good episode from her anymore, but she just strike me when I didn't  expect. I giggled throught out the episode

Storywise, there is nothing amazing about it, G.M Berrow is a book writer for children so I don't expect anything intriguing or too thought-provoking, and I think this is where she's good at, that what I like from her very first episode: FUN! 

Animation is just so good, I feel lost in Las Pegasus. 

THAT LEVEL OF MANIPULATION of Applejack is the best part of this episode. Her conversations with RD sell the whole episode for me. 

Rainbow being haunted by Applejack, just like Pinkie being haunted by Rarity in The One Where Pinkie Pie Knows.

Applesause, her voice is just so... seductive, that eyes...

No, no, no, Granny Smith, you just too old for that...

That blue Stalion with white hair, he must be Trixie's father.

This ep is much better than the last episode, I like it. 8/10

Random:

Auntie Applesause: Same time next year?

Rainbow Dash: I wouldn't miss anything!

How about tomorrow? Next moon? Next month? You know... 

Spoiler

You guys are too old now, who know what will happen next year? Just enjoy as much as you can.

 

 

 

[n1029 224]

RD's been shown to go to great lengths to humor people. Loud as she is she actually doesn't like serious emotional conflict. I don't think she'd have it in her to flat out tell Twilight she doesn't want to teach even if that were the case, and I'm also not so sure Twilight would take it so well.

 

Dash certainly does have teaching chops as evidenced by Top Bolt and Flight to the Finish. I could definitely see her being able to fully relish the job once Twilight relented on the EEA.

[gingerninja666 487]

7 hours ago, Dark Qiviut said:

It's been years since FIM aired a good Dash episode, and GGW breaks the streak!

If Dash decided to stop the magic show on her own with no motivation, then her action would be stupid. Yes, it was dumb for her to stop the magic show, but the episode putting GGW in her point of view makes her actions understandable. AJ warned Dash to keep a close eye on them at all times so they don't get hurt, and the episode makes it very clear that her warnings were in her subconscious: if they get hurt, their trip is over. She was overprotective because she was trying to do the right thing: don't let them get hurt, and you're rewarded. She's so sympathetic while keeping her completely in character, leading the audience to root for her. It's so refreshing.

The dialogue was really great here. almost every line flowed from one to the next, and it all felt really natural. This is especially the case with the four grannies: They were out to be loose and have fun, and the casual dialogue and riffraffing made their chemistry cohesive and organic. Applesauce was my favorite with her flirting the bellboy and then the two magicians, but Apple Rose break-dancing (with the moonwalk XD) and Granny letting her hair loose were really great.

After quite a few serious episodes in a row, Grannies Gone Wild is much lighter and looser in tone, and it was an excellent choice. With the tone so relaxed and the plot so simple, the jokes don't get in the way nor become cringeworthy. It's silly, and the episode takes advantage of it. There were a lot of really funny moments throughout, and the Ghost!AJ was really good with Dash's interactions and reactions to her. XD

This is easily the best episode of the season so far.

I forget. How did you feel about Maud Couple?

[ManaMinori 4,143]

episode was ok, I guess. Eyerolling hard at people thinking the blue magician stallion is Trixie's dad, because shared color pallete. Name a pony who shares the same color pallete at their revealed parents. Name one.

 

Also- I really want to see how Rainbow acts with her own grandparents, if this is how she acts around old ponies.

5 hours ago, Querch said:

EDIT: Would you look at that? I messed up the BBCode and now my entire post is spoilered. Since that "switch" function is no longer here, I can't dig into the BBCode myself and fix this problem. Sorry, but I'm not going to rewrite my entire post just to fix this.

---

This episode did some neat things but detracting from that was the very formulaic "Oh woe is Rainbow" motif.

Now for this

  Hide contents

Take a look at her three eye positions:
1) Eye contact
2) Side eye
3) Looking to "cutie mark"

And let's not forget this quote: "You scrumptious morsel of frosted carrot cake!"

I have but one way of expressing my thoughts on this:

  Reveal hidden contents

Oh yeah, I spotted Rick, Morty and Walter White in the line.

And then there's this bomb:

  Reveal hidden contents

Placed next to genderbent Trixie for comparison. Because why not?

Subtlety? Is that some kind of food? 

omg She's totally checking out his...ahem....baggage. Cougar, much?

[Dark Qiviut 22,170]

18 minutes ago, Nightmare Muffin said:

Eyerolling hard at people thinking the blue magician stallion is Trixie's dad, because shared color pallete.

There's more to that.

1. Same fur color.
2. Same eye color.
3. Same magical aura color.
4. Same mane and tail colors, the mane with almost the exact same shape.
5. Has the same talent as Trixie: illusionist.
6. And absolutely sucks at performing a smoke bomb to disappear.

At this point, it's just speculation.

S8 spoilers:

Spoiler

And there's a future episode where Trixie is invited to perform in Saddle Arabia. Wouldn't surprise me if Jackpot has anything to do with it.

 

24 minutes ago, gingerninja666 said:

I forget. How did you feel about Maud Couple?

Maud Couple's alright. Have grown to warm up with it over the last couple of weeks.

Edited April 15, 2018 by Dark Qiviut

[Victoria Sponge 1,014]

It was ok, made me laugh a lot and that Jackpot pony seems to be related to Trixie, maybe her dad, which was cool to see. I got a bit annoyed at how close Rainbow was sticking to Apple Jack’s advice though, I felt like when she ruined the grannys’ fun she ruined my fun a little too. So it was a good episode overall but not my favourite. I think I’d put it above the premier and the Maud Couple but below Fake it ‘Til You Make it. So it’s my second favourite episode this season so far.

[Ganondox 899]

 

What was up with Applejack this episode? Was she just playing a prank on Rainbow Dash and her grandma, were her rules being interpreted wrong, or does does she just have no idea what she's doing and made up bad rules? 

On 4/8/2018 at 2:58 AM, R.D.Dash said:

Sorry but she isn't, they never met, live in different towns. It's my understanding that it's going to be just Rainbow Dash grannysitting elderly mares.

She [Twilight Velvet] is a grandmother though, to Flurry Heart. 

Edited April 15, 2018 by Ganondox

[Music Chart Fan 818]

4 hours ago, Truffles said:

I initially laughed at this scene, but then I started to think about it for a bit and it actually comes off as a little troubling. Once I flipped it around and thought what the audience reaction would be if it were the young bellhop doing that to Applesauce instead, it became less amusing. In the age of the #MeToo movement I wonder if these kind of jokes have any place in a kids show anymore? Is her being a very old equine female and the bellhop being a young (but not underage) equine male make a difference? Is there a double standard? What if this were a scene of a human male boss forcing a female employee take her paycheck from his mouth? Or make her reach into his pants pocket? Would that still be funny?

Personally, I suppose I won't lose any sleep over this one scene of ardent cougarism, though I did feel bad for the bellhop afterward since he seemed very uncomfortable.

Yeah, I was kind of creeped out and uncomfortable on the bellhop's behalf in that scene with Auntie Applesauce. The young(er) male bellhop is pretty clearly uncomfortable with Auntie Applesauce's flirting, and I expected him to hold out his hoof to have her drop the bit in his hoof, rather than going in and grabbing the bit from her mouth with his mouth. And afterward, Auntie Applesauce says "I think he was sweet on me", even though that seems pretty obviously not to be the case. I couldn't help thinking that if it were an older man flirting with/hitting on young(er) female staff of the hotel in a similar way, then people might not find that quite as funny.

I'm not super upset about it or anything, but I didn't really find the attempted humor of that scene amusing, and I think Auntie Applesauce should be told by her friends and/or family to stop doing that. We could give Auntie Applesauce the benefit of the doubt and guess that she isn't noticing or realizing when her flirting is unwanted. But then, if she can't tell whether the young(er) men with whom she's flirting find that flattering or uncomfortable, then that might be more reason for her not to do that any more.

[ManaMinori 4,143]

1 hour ago, Dark Qiviut said:

There's more to that.

1. Same fur color.
2. Same eye color.
3. Same magical aura color.
4. Same mane and tail colors, the mane with almost the exact same shape.
5. Has the same talent as Trixie: illusionist.
6. And absolutely sucks at performing a smoke bomb to disappear.

At this point, it's just speculation.

S8 spoilers:

  Reveal hidden contents

And there's a future episode where Trixie is invited to perform in Saddle Arabia. Wouldn't surprise me if Jackpot has anything to do with it.

 

Maud Couple's alright. Have grown to warm up with it over the last couple of weeks.

I'm sorry, but that's called a clone, not a parent.

[Dark Qiviut 22,170]

1 minute ago, Nightmare Muffin said:

I'm sorry, but that's called a clone, not a parent.

The fact that Jackpot resembles Trixie to a complete T is what drives the speculation, and the episode made a pretty big deal of his success with Big Bucks. We don't know if they're related, but FIM tends to leave cues hanging for future episodes later in the season.

[ManaMinori 4,143]

5 minutes ago, Dark Qiviut said:

The fact that Jackpot resembles Trixie to a complete T is what drives the speculation, and the episode made a pretty big deal of his success with Big Bucks. We don't know if they're related, but FIM tends to leave cues hanging for future episodes later in the season.

that's not how we've seen parents work, though. Twilight Velvet and Nightlight are not clones of their children, with the same eyes, hair, aura, occupations, ect. Neither is Cookie and Hondo to Rarity or Sweetie. Nor is Mr and Mrs Shy to their children. Nor is Windy and her husband to Rainbow Dash. They all look and act different, with different jobs than their kids. Why on the wide world would Trixies, after all we've seen- have a father that is basically her clone, in every way imaginable?

[Dark Qiviut 22,170]

1 minute ago, Nightmare Muffin said:

that's not how we've seen parents work, though

Yet that doesn't mean it can't happen or won't happen. There's no specific canon rule or boundary dictating this.

2 minutes ago, Nightmare Muffin said:

Nor is Mr and Mrs Shy to their children.

Yet their timidity is a literal trait passed on to Fluttershy.

How bloodlines work in this series has always been very flexible.

 

[Toastypk 920]

I posted this elsewhere, but it's pertinent so I'll post it here.

...So I havent seen this episode yet, and for a specific reason.

For years, I've... had a  OCD thing with death, and related things to that, but the strongest stressor for me in particular, is the concept of getting old, and all the related tangents and imagery and concepts involved.

When I drive by buildings that have a tangent to that, I get a smidge tense to different degrees. When a random person at the store, a billboard, an ad, anything like that brings forth those sort of concepts, I get perturbed and I start thinking about unpleasant ideas and circumstances and and in the worst cases, ruminate about ideas, and I have to clear my mind and re-center. It's a complicated mental tangle that I won't get into here.

This feeling extends to old characters in TV shows, Granny Smith included.

So when I saw the name and synopsis for the episode, I had a feeling I was going to be put off, and when I saw the animatic, doubly so, cause that's the entire theme of the episode it seems.

I swear, I felt like Dash in the clip with her UGHs. 
Just instead of impatience, it's mental frustration,  discomfort, existential thinking and hypothetical thinking and dread about concepts that bother me a big deal.

(It just so happens that I forgot to record the episode, since usually I do that and I'm awake after the show airs. But now I'm wondering if I should. (And according to the poll, it's getting high ratings!) But I have a feeling I'm going to be quite perturbed at things that happen in the episode. But I can't just skip it.)

Any input? If I happen to see the episode, I'll discuss it, but I'm afraid I might not like it, and not because of the show's fault.

[Violet Bookish 349]

21 minutes ago, Toastypk said:

For years, I've... had a  OCD thing with death, and related things to that, but the strongest stressor for me in particular, is the concept of getting old, and all the related tangents and imagery and concepts involved.

When I drive by buildings that have a tangent to that, I get a smidge tense to different degrees. When a random person at the store, a billboard, an ad, anything like that brings forth those sort of concepts, I get perturbed and I start thinking about unpleasant ideas and circumstances and and in the worst cases, ruminate about ideas, and I have to clear my mind and re-center. It's a complicated mental tangle that I won't get into here.

This feeling extends to old characters in TV shows, Granny Smith included.

2

 

I'm no expert, but if things like that bother you that much it'd probably be better if you stayed away. No reason to make yourself feel overly uncomfortable. During the whole episode, Rainbow Dash worries over the grannies and their well being because Aj told her to be careful about certain things. Ex: Make sure they don't get too excited, they can only eat soft foods, be careful while dancing, etc. which sounds like something that'd discomfort you. In the end, it's your call but considering I don't think you'd enjoy this episode.

Edited April 15, 2018 by Kreamer

[PittyPaws 118]

I have a feeling the construction worker alicorn is an animation error, but still it's nice that they finally made a guy alicorn too. Not only that he's actually a working class alicorn and not royalty. 

[Toastypk 920]

56 minutes ago, Kreamer said:

 

I'm no expert, but if things like that bother you that much it'd probably be better if you stayed away. No reason to make yourself feel overly uncomfortable. During the whole episode, Rainbow Dash worries over the grannies and their well being because Aj told her to be careful about certain things. Ex: Make sure they don't get too excited, they can only eat soft foods, be careful while dancing, etc. which sounds like something that'd discomfort you. In the end, it's your call but considering I don't think you'd enjoy this episode.

I should probably see it anyway. Granted the OCD has been less all encompassing than it used to, but I can probably watch without too much issue.

[RDDash 18,857]

Now that I think about it, the whole episode reminds me and I am not kidding of Mama Murphy and her drug addiction (Fallout 4). You can go for it or you can say no. Preston is going to be upset if you are going to continue to give her drugs because he doesn't want Mama Murphy to die. In this situation Preston is Applejack and Rainbow Dash is a protagonist.

 

Edited April 15, 2018 by R.D.Dash

[MystMane 6]

This, in addition to not letting Granny jump off the diving board in Leap of Faith and mechanizing the quilt sowing process in Apple Family Reunion makes me think the grannies must have a lot of built up anger unless they've gotten used to Applejack being the buzzkill.

Edited April 15, 2018 by MystMane

[Cash In 21,498]

You know what? So far, this is my favourite episode of Season 8. Kind of goofy, but I enjoyed it and the jokes got a good laugh out of me. It wasn't what I expected out of a RD episode, but I ended up really liking this. Only real criticism I had is that the end lesson was a bit washed up, but everything else was great.

[Starry Snow 58]

THE SOARINDASH SCENE AT THE BEGINNING!!!

[Sinvanor 25]

I was so frustrated at the episode at first and was hoping desperately for it to say "Just because they are old, doesn't mean they can't take care of themselves and are boring people"

I hate the cultural assumption that old people are like kids and need a chaperone. They are adults. They can take care of themselves. In fact, many of them despise being treated like a child or worse.
Unless someone actually has a handicap, say dementia or the like where they could be a danger with out meaning to, they didn't need any escort whatsoever.
I was SO angry at the winking Applejack at the end. Just what? She caused a half ruined trip for everyone with out needing to. Rainbow Jack could of been simply told to be there for company, not a chaperone. Applejack is quickly becoming my least favorite character with this and the episode where she was so blind to not simplify her chores. She feels like she's stupid and overly paranoid about everyone. I don't want her to be that way, I used to like her before the last 3 seasons.
I know people look at it very lightly, but she's actually demeaning bother her younger sister and the elder gals with the way she's treated them. I think she maybe overly cautious due to her parents dying perhaps, but it's still not okay.

Otherwise I liked the episode minus my and my partners harping over all the things the old mares didn't need to avoid, like nachos (Most of them had fake teeth, so soft foods shouldn't of mattered), dancing etc. I'd much rather break a hip when I'm 70 because I over did it but had lots of fun rather than nap and eat soup on a freaking vacation with my friends. 

This would of been a 2/5 but having a good lesson at the end and the grannies all being like "of course Apple Jack caused this" muttering saved it for me.

4/5 overall, first half 1/5.

Edited April 15, 2018 by Sinvanor

[ggg-2 3,550]

That beginning.....Anybody got a bottle of champagne? I have a ship to christen.  

[Sinvanor 25]

 

22 hours ago, GrimGrimoire said:

The episode was pretty funny.. my only real complaint was the episode ended a bit more abruptly than I would have liked and left some stuff unanswered. RD got to ride the ride, and admitted she misjudged them, but unless the old gals got to make up for their trip off screen, RD still sort of made a mess of their vacation. I'll assume she made amends though since they invited her into their club.

In bigger news, until someone says otherwise, I am mentally head cannoning first appearance Trixie's father.

Except she was only ever following what Applejack said. AJ ruined the trip, not RD. And I'm used to RD being the plot device most of the time, but in this episode, totally innocent. In fact, she could of risked going on the ride and figuring the gals would be fine, then they get in trouble and the lesson is that old people are incapable of taking care of themselves and that you should never shirk responsibilities you promised to take on, even if they make no real sense to have to do.
I'm insanely glad the show didn't end on that messed up note.