S09:E12 - The Last Crusade

[Adamgreen 1,129]

Oh cool. Scotaloo’s not an orphan. Wish it did for depressing purposes but this was really good nonetheless  

I really like that she has two aunts that she visits every now and then. That makes sense since she tends to be alone because of her busy adventuring parents. Scootaloo’s parents wasn’t really what I expected them to be, but given that they both are adventurous and fits in with how Scoots act, they are pretty likeable and understanding through the whole episode.

This episode is definitely more of closure to the end for the CMC’s journey. We basically seeing the CMC trying to prove Scoots’ parents how important they are as a team and how they changed pony’s life with or without cutie marks. Some of the rebuttal of the parents can’t really be argued and they aren’t really trying to hurt her feelings. They were pretty sudden with wanting to take her with them without asking her earlier, but you can see that they didn’t mean to make her sad. 

And I really love the ending. It’s kinda like what I’ve felt in Crusader of the Lost Mark. It reminded me of how much these three had done throughout the series. Although this time it’s like an epilogue to the whole thing.

This was a nice episode to watch. While it may be what everyone thought it would be, it sure delivers some answers and a nice warm closure to our favorite trio. 

Also, yes. The parents and aunts are really nice design-wise. They’re pretty decent characters too ^^
 

Edited June 15, 2019 by Adamgreen

[Jeric 46,851]

23 minutes ago, Rushing cash said:

why did scootaloo say in s7e7 she had no one to encourage her to dash?

Several reasons. First, try and put yourself in the frame of mind of an organic thought process and chain of events. Scootaloo sees Dash's parents. Sees how crazy supportive they are and how involved they were. At this time one would likely be thinking of their own parents as there may be a longing tied specifically to parents sinces it's one-to-one. Then Scootaloo sees how Dash reacts and that longing specific to Scootaloo's parents is what would be in the front of her thoughts. When she finally says the line, it makes more sense for her to connect the issues with her parents not being around much to how Dash was behaving. From a technical standpoint, because this is fiction and mechanics should be accounted for, a line that offers crazy specificity like that would be clunky and confusing to the audience. Besides we can infer that she is talking about her parents from the fact that Scootaloo omits every character in Ponyville that showed her support. 

Basically, the reason Scootaloo did mention her Aunts is because that isn't how normally people talk in a moment like that. 

[Rushing cash 836]

It was a really good episode, we got to meet scoots parents and aunts, and I loved them! Sure her parents did not really consider scoots feeling but they themselves wanted to spend time with her and considering they see her so rarely and finally they have the opportunity to live together thats understandable, and it must be very hard for both of them too. So, her "aunts" are supposed t be the lesbian couple, other then the situation and the fact that the writers confirmed it, there is barely any hints that they are a couple, most kids will probably miss that anyway, so why it gone so viral and every one is pointing at it and discussing it? Its barely noticeable...(would have preferred that they saved the lesbian couple stick to lyra and bonbon or starlight and trixie but its not a big deal). 

It was cool to see all these characters return(will diamond tiara speak again?), really nice callbacks. I loved this moment when scoots dad pointed out how their CM are different, felt satisfying for some reason. So, sombra was the reason they decided to come back? Good job sombra.

It would have been the most emotional episode if scootaloo left with them, but I understand they did not want to get rid of a major character at this point, still it was an emotional episode, not as much as the perfect pear but emotional non the less. easily 10\10 for me, not sure if its better then frenemies or not but it was amazing in its own right.  

  

[Jeric 46,851]

5 minutes ago, TheTaZe said:

Episode was kind of meh. It was honestly super predictable what would happen. Maybe I'm just jaded about it, but I would give it a 5/10. Not bad and not good.

I still have to work out the conflict between a realistic and applicable moral with the fact that Scootaloo doesn't live in a world like ours. For me, I can't get past the judgement of the parents. The resolution wasn't very realistic or relatable so ... the moral is not really a teaching moment for younger kids. I'm biased as I've happily sacrificed opportunities and dreams to raise my kids, and when we did need to move, I would be dipped in shit if I would leave my kids behind. Snips surprise at the fact that her parents don't live in Ponyville already is also kinda telling. Looks like situations presented in the episode are not the norm. 

I still don't know how to rate this, but I liked it and still have major issues with the resolution. 

And yes I am happy the show introduced a canon same sex couple. I am doubly happy it was done age appropriately. 

[Odyssey 5,716]

I am pretty happy that we see Scoot's parents! Before the episode, I didn't really care about what happened to them, so as long as we hear about them eventually. It's pretty nice to see them both and what they do. I was kind of feeling eh about how they were trying to drag her away from the CMC without really considering her feelings about it, but at the same time it's been so long since they have seen their daughter, so I couldn't blame them for assuming that Scoots would come along with them after so long. Plus, Snap Shutter makes me feel proud as an Australian 

The ending is very bittersweet. You got cameos from everyone that the CMC helped out, and Scoot's parents allowing her to continue doing her work. It's so hard for everyone for anyone to let others go. But it doesn't mean that you can't ever meet one another ever again.

[YoshiAngemon 223]

This may be their last episode together, but not their last appearance.

[MangoFoalix 24,957]

Just now, Jeric said:

I still have to work out the conflict between a realistic and applicable moral with the fact that Scootaloo doesn't live in a world like ours. For me, I can't get past the judgement of the parents. The resolution wasn't very realistic or relatable so ... the moral is not really a teaching moment for younger kids. I'm biased as I've happily sacrificed opportunities and dreams to raise my kids, and when we did need to move, I would be dipped in shit if I would leave my kids behind. Snips surprise at the fact that her parents don't live in Ponyville already is also kinda telling. Looks like situations presented in the episode are not the norm. 

I still don't know how to rate this, but I liked it and still have major issues with the resolution. 

And yes I am happy the show introduced a canon same sex couple. I am doubly happy it was done age appropriately. 

Of course I have no problem with same sex couples. I think the aunts characters were pretty well done actually. It's just my thing about this episode is that I kind of saw it coming from a mile away. I really don't think the writers would break up the CMC just because her parents want her to move away. That would be a stupid thing to do in the last season of the show because it would just leave a cliffhanger.

[Zantetsuken 364]

This episode is real nice. Personally the reveal that Scootaloo's parents were a thing would have had far more of a WOAH impact if the wonderful world of youtube thumbnails and titles didn't spoil the hell out of it for me. 

I didn't watch those videos but I saw the episode and I just have to say WOW they are EASILY the coolest parents we've seen. Her dad's a regular Steve Irwin and I like the design of the mother as well. Also on the topic of the aunts, it was interesting to see a same sex couple in MLP, kind of a risk for a children's show to do but I commend them for it.

The episode's issue is very relatable, no kid wants to move far away and leave all their friends behind. It's pretty cliche but it's used to good effect being the central conflict of the episode. 

It definitely feels like a final farewell to the Cutie Mark Crusaders. I actually was tearing up a little at the end even though I knew what the fix was gonna be from act 1. This episode is just a reminder that the show IS indeed ending and I really am gonna miss it when it's gone... I like it quite a bit, it's a good ending to the CMC arc 

Real good stuff 8.8/10 

[Rushing cash 836]

10 minutes ago, Jeric said:

Several reasons. First, try and put yourself in the frame of mind of an organic thought process and chain of events. Scootaloo sees Dash's parents. Sees how crazy supportive they are and how involved they were. At this time one would likely be thinking of their own parents as there may be a longing tied specifically to parents sinces it's one-to-one. Then Scootaloo sees how Dash reacts and that longing specific to Scootaloo's parents is what would be in the front of her thoughts. When she finally says the line, it makes more sense for her to connect the issues with her parents not being around much to how Dash was behaving. From a technical standpoint, because this is fiction and mechanics should be accounted for, a line that offers crazy specificity like that would be clunky and confusing to the audience. Besides we can infer that she is talking about her parents from the fact that Scootaloo omits every character in Ponyville that showed her support. 

Basically, the reason Scootaloo did mention her Aunts is because that isn't how normally people talk in a moment like that. 

Yeah, I kinda figured she said it because of the moment, she would compare her parents to dash's and not too her aunts, it would be the first thing to come to mind of a lot of people and especially young ones. 

[Zestanor 98]

The elephant in the room I guess is are Scootaloo's aunts gay lovers. They're as gay as everyone else in the show that isn't explicitly straight. It is a show about friendship. To reduce friendship between two persons of the same sex to one of erotic love is naive. They could be sisters; they could just be good friends. Two friends living together isn't monopolized by people in romantic relationships. Two spinsters living together was (and still is) a very common living arrangement in the past.

I'll get flack for it, but one of the reasons I still keep up with the show is that most forms of contemporary entertainment that I might find enjoyable are constantly injected with a steady stream of things that are challenges against my religion. I know that the writers and showrunners, and most of the VAs are squarely of a progressive bent, and I'm sure they have their own theories about who are in gay relationships. But from my religious/philosohical background, there is nothing in the episode to suggest that they are romantic lovers (eros) rather than exemplars of true, self-giving friendship (agape). The object of agape is inherently superior to that of eros, according to Aristotle, to leave aside the discussion of the boundaries within which eros is licit. For this reason, I oppose any who think that it is certain that in universe they are homosexual. And, according to Aristotle, and taken up by the patristics and classic and medieval western philosophy, a man and a woman who marry are incapable of sharing a bond of agape that is not somewhat or largely flavored by eros as well. Eros being a means to an end (classically, the growth of the fatherland, and in Christendom, the the growth of the Church and Heaven), rather than agape, which is an end in itself; "friendship is magic." Thus, same sex friendships, assuming there is no erotic attraction, can reach the greatest kind of perfection that is naturally possible, leaving those which have admixture of eros in the dust. Thus it is most beneficent to ascribe agape rather than eros to her aunts, and this is what I will do.

Also I thought Scootaloo should have gone with her parents. Excluding abusive circumstances, kids should live with their parents, period.

Good episode still, and a good tying up of the CMC arc.

Edited June 15, 2019 by Zestanor

[Buttonmash1973 1,026]

If this was 2015 this topic would had been exploding.

[Kion 7,407]

Great episode we finally get another cmc episode it been so long since weve got one. We also finally get to see not only Scootaloos parents but her aunts as well.  We also get background appearences of Diamond tiara and all the other files the cmcs have helped.  And this was just a really good way to conclude the cmcs story arc.  Iam so happy Scootaloo stayed in ponyville. This was very emotional. I do hope thats not the last cmc episode but if it is it was done perfectly. 

Fantastic episode 3rd favorite of the whole season. 

Score: 9/10

Edited June 15, 2019 by Twilight and Starlight

[Twilight Luna 31,378]

I had no idea that Equestria had an Australia. guess it’s nor surprising since we’ve seen ponies with French accents.

Edited June 15, 2019 by Twilight Luna

[Sparklefan1234 170,817]

So, we have three "Daring Do's" on Friendship is Magic now?  I think that's silly. 

[BastementSparkle 20,326]

7 minutes ago, Sparklefan1234 said:

So, we have three "Daring Do's" on Friendship is Magic now?  I think that's silly. 

Daring Do is an Indiana Jones style archaeologist who writes books. These two seem to be some kind of Zoologists, since their study is more related to animals, and as far as we know, they don't go on regular adventures to save the world from villains or anything like Daring does. They're similar in that they're both overexaggerated adventurous versions of real life jobs, but they aren't actually the same thing.

[The Nth Doctor 662]

So glad Holiday and Lofty got rescued from the comics

Not real happy about the fact Scoots' parents have been out of her life for over four years in-universe (going off Heath's Warming episodes)

Unless they met and interacted offscreen...which isn't good writing

On the bright side, I'm relieved Scootaloo adores her parents, even if they were never there when she really needed them

 

Lucky Scoots for having Jane Goodall and Crocodile Dundee for parents

 

Edited June 15, 2019 by The Nth Doctor

[Wingnut 6,992]

I really like The Last Crusade but I don’t love it. What keeps this from going over the top for me is that the premise seems too far fetced. Others have already touched on it.  The parents coming for Scootaloo and changing their mind after seeing CMC Appreciation Day doesn’t really make sense. Of course they’re going to know she has very close friends who will be heartbroken and that she plays a big role in the community.  They probably already know how essential Scootaloo’s “job” is. They have surely taken all that into account before deciding to move her. But anyway...

Episodes like this make me glad that the series is concluding on its own terms and not being cancelled prematurely with a bunch of loose ends. It also allows a proper send off for all of the show’s major characters and groups. For purposes of the plot, CMC Appreciation was aimed at Snap Shutter and Mane Allgood. But this was really intended for audience to reminisce about their many moments, accomplishments, and all the lives they’ve touched. Even though we’ll see more of Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo before all’s said and done, this felt like a bittersweet farewell to the Cutie Mark Crusaders. 

 

 

 

[Rushing cash 836]

Also, is this the first mention of zecora this season? I sure hope she will appear at least once this season. Would like too see an episode revolving around her origins but this extremely unlikely by this point. 

[Will Guide 21,360]

Like I said before, my favorite part is seeing all those characters the CMC helped in the past, even those that had nothing to do with Cutie Marks, like Gabby, Terramar, Feather Bangs, and Zippowhirl.

[StitchandMLPlover 930]

MLP Last Crusade

 

SPOILER ALERT! I missed the original airing this morning but I managed to find the episode on youtube.

 This was another touching episode. It was great to see Scootaloo’s parents who appear to be Steve Irwin and Terri Irwin references. I’m glad the series cleared up that Scootaloo was not being emotionally abused by her parents etc. Scootaloo’s relationship to the parents actually reminds me of how President Obama was raised by other family members while his parents explored other pursuits. It was also interesting to see that Scootaloo is part earth pony. I don’t remember if I saw Scootaloo’s mother fly but I’m guessing Scootaloo’s inability to fly is NOT genetic because if her mother could not fly she would not be as insecure I’m guessing. I liked what Scootaloo’s dad said about her cutie mark being both different and similar to the CMC. I liked her aunts. I know there’s talk of Scootaloo’s 2 aunts being a gay couple but there is NOTHING WHATSOEVER in the episode itself to actually suggest they are a married gay couple and I like this for a few reasons.  It doesn’t make Scootaloo’s aunts the token gay characters of the series like a lot of other recent gay characters where it feels like they just tack on a minority status to a character to seem relevant and inclusive without really developing the character.  If the aunts are meant to be gay I say the MLP staff handled the whole thing with class and grace like Scootaloo’s disability and I hope and pray the show does not get bad press for adding these characters because again unlike other inclusion attempts its not in the audience face. The way the episode ended has me a little torn. I like how Scootaloo’s parents let her stay and that the episode addressed that if Scootaloo’s parents did not give up their jobs for her before in the past, Scootaloo should not be expected to give up her job. At the same time Scootaloo moving away would have been more realistic, especially since this is the last season, and may have given the CMC the ability to help others in other locations like they wanted to a few seasons ago when they thought they were running out of cutie mark problems.     

[BastementSparkle 20,326]

2 minutes ago, Wingnut said:

I really like The Last Crusade but I don’t love it. What keeps this from going over the top for me is that the premise seems too far fetced. Others have already touched on it.  The parents coming for Scootaloo and changing their mind after seeing CMC Appreciation Day doesn’t really make sense. Of course they’re going to know she has very close friends who will be heartbroken and that she plays a big role in the community.  They probably already know how essential Scootaloo’s “job” is. They have surely taken all that into account before deciding to move her. But anyway...

Would they know just how essential her job is though? We don't even know when the last time they visited is, the only contact we know for sure they've had is from letters Scoots has been writing them. She's obviously told them about things like the CMC, her special talent and other stuff, but it's possible as they were only getting this info from their daughter's letters that they didn't quite put together just how important these things actually were. Think back to Forever Filly, when Rarity's image of Sweetie Belle was still that of a little filly who loved costume photo-shoots and puppet shows, having not quite realized just how much Sweetie had actually grown and matured.

 It could be a similar situation here, when you think about it. Considering these are actually Scootaloo's parents, and they don't see her nearly as often as Rarity sees Sweetie Belle, I think it's likely their image of Scoots is still that of a little filly, and even if her letters stressed just how important her "Job" was, they might not have really grasped how true that was until seeing it for themselves in reality.

[Wingnut 6,992]

14 minutes ago, BastementSparkle said:

Would they know just how essential her job is though? We don't even know when the last time they visited is, the only contact we know for sure they've had is from letters Scoots has been writing them. She's obviously told them about things like the CMC, her special talent and other stuff, but it's possible as they were only getting this info from their daughter's letters that they didn't quite put together just how important these things actually were. Think back to Forever Filly, when Rarity's image of Sweetie Belle was still that of a little filly who loved costume photo-shoots and puppet shows, having not quite realized just how much Sweetie had actually grown and matured.

 It could be a similar situation here, when you think about it. Considering these are actually Scootaloo's parents, and they don't see her nearly as often as Rarity sees Sweetie Belle, I think it's likely their image of Scoots is still that of a little filly, and even if her letters stressed just how important her "Job" was, they might not have really grasped how true that was until seeing it for themselves in reality.

I get what you’re saying. Seeing is believing.  Letters and whatever other contact they’ve had over the course of time didn’t do the situation justice.  But sometimes my suspension of disbelief or lack thereof interferes with my enjoyment of otherwise good television. 

[Treeglow Flicker 13,669]

I applaud this episode.

[CastletonSnob 3,074]

Have you noticed that most of Dubuc's episodes have big problems in them that drag down the episode as a whole?

>Twilight thinking the CMC intentionally tutored Cozy Glow wrong
>Starlight being the one to apologize to Discord despite doing nothing wrong the entire episode

[BastementSparkle 20,326]

2 minutes ago, Wingnut said:

I get what you’re saying. Seeing is believing.  Letters and whatever other contact they’ve had over the course of time didn’t do the situation justice.  But sometimes my suspension of disbelief or lack thereof interferes with my enjoyment of otherwise good television. 

I understand that completely. I was pointing something out about the situation that would perhaps make it seem more believable, as I don't find the episodes premise particularly far-fetched. You'd think the parents would have taken everything into account, but people aren't always so rational.

For a personal example, I received toys meant for little children as birthday gifts into my teenage years from various family members who I don't tend to see often. This was despite talking to them on the phone and even hearing them acknowledge my age and just how much older I sounded, and despite my Grandma sending people photos of me all the time showing I was clearly not a young child anymore. So, I can totally buy the parents not quite getting that Scoots job was actually something important until it was shoved in their faces.