S09:E05 - The Point of No Return

[cmarston1 5,959]

Something just hit me.  When I first read the synopsis for the episode, I didn't think it would be something really fitting for the final season, however after seeing the episode and thinking about it about, I feel that it actually is an episode that is fitting of being in the final season.  The moral Twilight had to learn was to not be a slave to perfection, and that it is okay if something turns out to be flawed, given that from the very beginning Twilight has been a major perfectionist, having this be one of the final lessons for her to learn in the series actually makes a lot of sense to me.

Edited April 27, 2019 by cmarston1

[Dark Qiviut 22,378]

This episode was a nice surprise. Well paced for the most part. Twilight was still Twilight without devolving into a Twilighting meltdown. Spike was fantastic here. The moral is standard, but works really well in the episode’s context and one a Twilight needed to learn. It has really clever callbacks (e.g., the flashback and Twilight reading the book cover, ala Bridle Gossip). And there was some nice foreshadowing here and there.

My issues are how Act 2 can get repetitive with its montages and searching (which slows the pacing), the Meathead Pony being a one-dimensional gag, and a smaller one related to some repetitive dialogue. 

In all, a very sound episode.

[Dark Qiviut 22,378]

Extremely clever callback alert!

Quote

Dusty Pages: Twilight Sparkle! My stars!

Wow! Haven’t heard that phrase in the series since the pilot!

[MangoFoalix 24,942]

OP has been updated with a download link. Sorry about the wait.

[Rushing cash 836]

7\10  A nice slice of life episode, I am relived twilight didn't start twilighting, it was toned down slightly here(it became too frequent). Seeing moondancer again was great and(to me at least) unexpected, I hoped to see her again but wasn't sure if she will, and she did(unfortunately for only one scene, still better then nothing). The plot was the least interesting one this season and had some boring moments that felt like filers. However, I enjoyed the callbacks and some moments had great comedy so it makes up for it, and of course the lesson was great and speaks to a lot of people myself included. So, overall I liked this episode but the episode didn't bring or tried to do anything new so its nothing amazing.

[Truffles 2,033]

1 hour ago, Nas said:

Was great to see a S1E1 flashback and Moondancer again but I'm a little confused as to why they said Dusty was forced out when she wasn't. Though perhaps it could've been just a rumor.

Yes, the initial reason Twilight heard was just a rumor. The gist of it was ponies heard that her perfect record was broken due to a missing book and that she no longer had her job. So they put those two bits of info together and just assumed she had been fired for the missing book.

 

1 hour ago, FlareGun45 said:

Let's not jump to conclusions yet, Truffles! It takes more than just him appearing all the time, or just have one time in the spotlight for it to be an awesome season for him!

To clarify, he's appearing in episodes where it makes sense for him to appear, not that he's being forced into situations where it doesn't make sense. And in those appearances he's been written as well as he's ever been.

True, though about jumping to conclusions. I'll just shut up about that since I don't want to jinx it, lol.

[AlbaTross 1,586]

This was probably a good episode for this week as I was freaking out due to sleeping in and forgetting all about the livestream due to watching Avengers Endgame late last night and not getting home until 2AM.  In any case I found a couple postings of the episode and switched between them as one was of a guy livestreaming and it lagged while he was talking, and I also missed the occasional line while he talked over it, while in the other one the audio wasn't quite synced up at times and it was glaringly obvious.  I like nothing short of perfection when it comes to watching a FiM episode, and I don't like interruptions either (like my friend texting me asking how Endgame is).

In any case I watched the episode and think it's alright.  I mean, it's pretty standard fare for a Twilight freakout episode and I do find them entertaining to an extent.  It doesn't up the ante like I would kind of expect from a final season episode, but maybe I shouldn't go into episodes expecting that.  Besides, perhaps giving us throwbacks to classic episode formats isn't such a bad thing as in this case we got classic Twilight and that's kind of nostalgic.  I think being a little more critical of the previous episode not quite being the epic I was expecting is a bit more warranted as it is the 200th episode, but I enjoyed that one too and think it's alright so maybe the problem is just me.  Now I kind of hope we do get more classic-style episodes with the other mane six ponies as that would be kind of nice.  

[LucasB 196]

OMG This got to my favorite episode! Wasn't the fandom asking for an episode where Twilight has to return a late library book since season 1? The story progression was spot on, it just feels like a realistic slice of life rather than forcing in a moral to cover an episode.

The lesson itself was also incredible important and wonderfully presented. It shows how failure or imperfection isn't always a bad thing and that it can be harmful to actually expect everything to be perfect. It's something that even myself needed a reminder of.

This episode also reminded me of the time that I thought I ruined my friend's life because I lost a physics project he worked really hard on. It was really difficult for me to confront him and I was shitting bricks prior to telling him, but everything turned out ok and he still wanted to be friends xD I'm so glad he forgave me but I still try to do everything to make it up to him.

[Cwanky 17,566]

I'm just gonna leave this here for now:

 

[Ganondorf8 11,273]

This one turned out a lot better than I thought it would be according to the episode synopsis. Twilight freaking out over the smallest of details is pretty standard for her and does provide for good entertainment, and Spike being used as her foil is always a blessing seeing as he has to put up with it on a regular basis. I wasn't expecting to see Moondancer make another appearance--and with a speaking part--though it's a shame that she only appears for one scene and doesn't get seen after that. At least Kazumi Evans reprised her role instead of it being given to someone else.

Not much else I can say about this other than it was a good moral, Twilight's reactions to everything were spot on, and the reasons behind everything weren't what most would expect given the premise. I do have a stronger appreciation for the elderly ponies of Equestria given some of their more intriguing activities which this episode made sure to highlight. Oh wait! I do have one last thing. Kudos to the animators for the flashback scene and how accurate it was right down to the very last detail.

I'll give this one a 95%.

[Drunkfrank 1,125]

This was definitely Berrows best episode, the comedy was on point and it was just fun, the montages were a little overused but other than that, very solid episode.

[Truffles 2,033]

This scene of Celestia sending the scroll explaining the delivery made me laugh, even though the context was probably unintentional:

Spike: "Really?? She couldn't have put it into the box?"

Spike, she's just trolling you for what you did to her in the previous episode.

Also, Spike seems to end up getting roped into hiding in bushes more often than any other character except for maybe the CMC. (And Starlight, that one time.)

Also, those faces on the last one. XD

Edited May 1, 2019 by Truffles
Typo

[Jeric 46,850]

Made a few quick corrections to the topic. Poll order is in traditional worst to best order and spoilers are also permitted in the spoiler forum. 

[JCKane 345]

Classic Twilighting!  Making a bigger deal out of nothing

Still, it was ok but felt more in the "eh" category for me.  Season 9, the final season, see amazing episodes... Twilight returns a book.

Granted, I could see it perhaps being an important lesson for her in the grand scheme of things but *shrug* guess we'll have to wait until then.

[Dynamo Pad 11,256]

I just finished watching the episode and I really liked it a lot. It was interesting to see that Twilight had an overdue library book. Although, I could relate to Twilight in this episode. As I have had instances where I had something to return, but I forgot or returned it later. Whether it was overdue homework, a late video game from Blockbuster, or even a movie from the Red Box. It was a really nice callback to what the reference the book had in the very first episode. It was also pretty cool to see how Celestia gathered all of Twilight's belongings from her time in Canterlot and sent them to her school. I could even relate to Twilight when it came to worrying about speaking up about something that could get one into trouble. It was kind of funny how the librarian went from nice to stern when she told Twilight and Spike to go see First Folio. I do wonder if Twilight knew about any of the books down in the basement section of the library.

It was great to see other places like the Tasty Treat making a return in the show. Seeing how we haven't seen that restaurant since season 6. It was also nice to see Moondancer again, as well as familiar characters from the background. It was also great to see some world building by Twilight and Spike visiting various locations to find Dusty Pages. I also found it funny that they went to Silver Stream. Seeing how they went to any location that had Silver in the title. It's nice to know they would cover their bases in case Silver did know of Dusty Pages. Silver Stable Community was an interesting place for world building. It was also pretty interesting for the elderly ponies to have various activities to partake in. Some were very surprising like wind surfing and Squishy Fruit Food Fight. 

It was disheartening to see how things didn't start off on the right foot with Twilight and Dusty Page's reunion. Although, I guess it was to be expected with what Twilight had learned from others. However, I was glad that they had the chance to try and talk again, while trying to understand what had happened. I really liked the moral of the episode and that nobody needs to be perfect, or something along those lines. Looking at this episode, the premiere to this season is also a very good callback. How Celestia told Twilight that: "A good leader knows when to ask for help, but a great leader has the courage to admit when they've made a mistake." I think that was a part of Twilight's lesson/goal for the season. That being a leader means that making mistakes from time to time can happen, but it shows that nobody is perfect. I even liked how Dusty Pages was able to break free from that perfection to pursue different activities. 

All in all, I really enjoyed the episode. It was great to see Derpy, but it was also great to see her talking in the episode. The family portrait was pretty cute and I liked how Spike was in the picture. It felt like the previous episode helped to add onto the fact that Spike is a part of Twilight's family. When I watched this episode with my friend, we both freaked out when Twilight talked about the G1 Starswirl figure. I wonder if that was a nod to the toy line of G1 figures, or something along those lines. I also felt Spike was pretty awesome in the episode. Some of the lines and moments he had were pretty funny, in my opinion. I look forward to seeing what the next episode has to offer.  

[ImpctR 155]

There are some things that happen too frequently lately and it is Twilight freaking out episodes. Other than there could be now a bit focus on others, I give it a 4/5. It is an example of an episode that is not my type to care about but it felt light and pleasant, so it is not fair to give it max if I cannot relate to it, but not fair to give it too low if the episode felt like a nice light episode of the old seasons.

I do not have much to say about it, expected one of the items in the box to be a book that was long overdue.

That underground place in the library for shamelessly late returns made me chuckle for its existence.

One relatable thing in it was that rugby pony that lives on the place of Dusty Pages getting annoyed by pony no longer living there and still getting her letters.I had the exact same case with old roomy 

A cameo of the coolest School six to me Silverstream, Smoulder and Gallus

The pension, nothing I can say, new ponies seen, retired ones.

The morale, that no one is perfect? I know this since long ago as im perfectionist my self, and yet I've long realized how many imperfections there are of what im doing and even so I try to push  the limits.

[RDDash 19,161]

2 hours ago, ImpctR said:

One relatable thing in it was that rugby pony that lives on the place of Dusty Pages getting annoyed by pony no longer living there and still getting her letters.I had the exact same case with old roomy 

I was literally confused by that guy, I was thinking is that Rainbow's dad's brother's nethew's cousin's former roommate.

Or is that her mother's? Anyway one of the two.

Edited April 28, 2019 by R.D.Dash

[Misty Shadow 7,831]

Not outstanding, but a good final episode for G.M. Berrow to close out with. I like how they tied it in with the first episode of the show Amending Fences style, showing that Twilight's abrupt departure from Canterlot had consequences that actually affected the world around her, had a nice twist at the end with the book itself that I did not expect to cleverly tie in with the message, and showcased some great chemistry between Twilight and Spike. It's been a long time since we last saw how well they played off each other, I actually laughed a lot more at their comedic banter than any other gag in the episode, including the opening gag with Derpy of all things. I also enjoy the irony of this episode's theme surrounding books, possibly referencing the fact that G.M. Berrow was also the writer of many of the show's books. A worthy tribute to her. 

[RDDash 19,161]

My second thoughts was that the episode wasn't bad per say it's just like some people said before Twilight spend way to much time looking for the former head librarian instead of just bringing the "plot device" book back to the library

Too much time also had been spent on worrying that this book accumulated way to much bits that Twilight feared she never would repay it.

The reason I am calling that book a plot device is that because not even the library cared about the old book that by that time had been destroyed by elements.

I think I was like Spike, I was hoping that Twilight would relax and just did what feel logical. Why rush for the accounter when you could just wait? Why rush into retirement home just to talk to the old lady and at the same time jump to conclusions when you can cool your head a bit?

And then there is a gag of Twilight going places while finding out that she almost got her but she is not there anymore 

So it would appear to me that Twilight been an awfully rude to a certain extent.

Edited April 28, 2019 by R.D.Dash
Ironic Perfectionism

[Thrond 3,263]

I've said before that I have a soft spot for Twilight freaking out about things, and that's because I see so much of myself in her. The show has been double-dipping a bit much with that, but I think this is possibly the best version of it yet. The major difference for me is that everything reinforces her anxieties, that she's given all sorts of reasons to believe that, yes, not returning that book did cause problems. That's what perfectionism is to me: it works out so often that when something goes wrong, you can only assume the worst because you don't really know what will happen, and you start seeing proof of your failure everywhere. Like Twilight, I can still use reminders of that, and I often still find it hard to know how to keep my expectations in check. It was nice, too, to have so many balances on Twilight's perfectionism: the more reasonable concern about late fees was the kind of sitcom-y running gag which this show could do more of, and I really liked how Spike provided counterarguments to Twilight while still being sympathetic and understanding. Yes, this is returning to the well one too many times. But it's the kind of heavily expanded, somewhat more mature take on established characterization that this show is best at. Plus it's absolutely hilarious. I think this is one of the best episodes ever. 

If this season continues like this, it might be the best this show has ever been. 

Additional thoughts: 

• Moondancer giving Twilight a gift confused me because I'm still not entirely sure why Moondancer thought they were particularly close.
• I kept thinking that it was silly to think a retired person would want to go back to work. I wonder if Twilight would ever want to retire, given that a lot of what she says in this episode is projection. 
• Of course Twilight would take pride in having her picture in a library. Of course she would. 
• "This place is-" "Terrible, I know. There's not a single bookshelf in sight!" - the single most Twilight Sparkle line ever?
• Compare Twilight Sparkle's enthusiasm about the job of a librarian compared to her displeasure with being named heir to the Equestrian throne. At this point I would really prefer if she rejected Celestia's offer outright; nobody ever seems to consider what she wants. 

Edited April 28, 2019 by AlexanderThrond

[Thrond 3,263]

Also, when Twilight says she would stop going to a library, I do not believe her. There is no way she can keep that promise.  

[Senko 459]

Well this was interesting . . .

So the library apparently has or had a stamp with Twilights cutie mark to check books out for her I wonder if thats only for her or if all ponies have one on file?
It's been ? years and Celestia's only now cleaning out Twilight's tower room did she do so because she got a new protegee or is she just grumpy over the results of the last episode?
How did Twilight think the flash's and bangs of her teleporting would be a more subtle way to get in?
I love twilight's expression when spike hands the book back and the librarians but awww this would be a perfect way to know how long its been since season 1 e1 if we'd just gotten a time here.
Some nice call backs to old episodes like the tasty treat or thinking she'd ruined someones life when they're barely bothered by it.
I kind of expected Twilight to panic to the point of using time travel here.
Fun seeing Spike calculating her fine with all the abacus parts on the left except the red.

Poor Twilight losing her best book borrower picture wonder who'd replace her?

Do like all the panicky reactions from ponies at her saying she'll not enter a library when at the same time they're happy to glare at and pelt a princess with soft fruit.

[Drunkfrank 1,125]

42 minutes ago, AlexanderThrond said:

Also, when Twilight says she would stop going to a library, I do not believe her. There is no way she can keep that promise.  

Eh, she would just go to a different library, it's more of an emotional punch because that specific library meant a lot to her

[Thrond 3,263]

23 minutes ago, RyanMahaffe said:

Eh, she would just go to a different library, it's more of an emotional punch because that specific library meant a lot to her

Her wording does have that loophole...

[Sparklefan1234 169,660]

13 hours ago, AlexanderThrond said:

Compare Twilight Sparkle's enthusiasm about the job of a librarian compared to her displeasure with being named heir to the Equestrian throne. At this point I would really prefer if she rejected Celestia's offer outright; nobody ever seems to consider what she wants. 

 

I was *just* thinking about this a while ago. 

 

This episode showed me that Twilight's true passion lies with books &

 

that she would probably love going back to a simpler time where she was Ponyville's resident librarian. 

 

Plus, to add to your point, Celestia forced princesshood onto Twilight & now she's stuck in her role as the Princess of Friendship. 

Edited April 28, 2019 by Sparklefan1234