S09:E22 - Growing Up Is Hard to Do

[KH7672 1,604]

Well guess I'll take some time to address my thoughts on this working as a last episode, compared to The Last Crusade.

I inquire to you how our journey with the CMC started. It started with Apple Bloom fretting over not receiving her cutie mark, a pony's sign of purpose, maturity and a future in this world. At least that was the illusion she had. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle came to her to show there's no shame in being a late bloomer-no rush to get that mark, but they'll still try just together as friends.

However almost every episode afterwards what do we see them doing? They're doing nothing but trying to earn those marks. We didn't see too much of them just being kids like this episode got to portray them as.

These are our resident kid characters for the show and throughout the entire show we got to watch them grow and mature not just in the show but outside it too. I absolutely love looking back and seeing the change in Michelle, Maddie, and Claire's performances, and then to get a closing episode where they get to use their real voices (at least in character as Michelle had to keep the Southern accent and Maddie had to keep the coarse vocals) is a testament to how much they grew up along with the characters.

Establishing your place in the world is important and The Last Crusade did it's job in that, but you can't tackle your future keeping a childish mindset, you need to grow up to handle the responsibilities too. And that's what this episode does. Enjoy your time as a kid while you can because adulting is tough, but that doesn't mean you don't stop being a kid, stop making those mistakes, stop having fun, you just have more to keep in mind as well. This episode establishes confidence in the CMC's ability to not rush growing up like they did so early on, and when they finally do they'll be ready just like they were when they got their marks.

[Latecomer 439]

4 minutes ago, KH7672 said:

 

I do think this might have made a decent final episode... if the CMC had got their own one-season spinoff that was cancelled when it might have been renewed.

The fact is, this epsiode, while decent by itself, is hurt by it's placement. The CMC should be standing on the edge of true adulthood - those models we saw today would be their actual ones if the show ever updated those things. Waiting to grow up is only a moral that works if you actually get too.

[bwrosas 252]

This was mostly a hybrid both the 80s comedy "BIG" with Tom Hanks (Story), and Disney's "Beauty and The Beast" (Magical Item/Flower)

[ChB 18,557]

Though this episode doesn't, on its own, give me the "This is so much fun!" vibe, I consider it a nice and satisfying way to wrap-up the CMC's story arc and character development.

For that, I give it a 7.5/10

[Ganondorf8 11,314]

So this was the CMC's final episode? Considering that their previous one also from season nine pretty much gave them a proper send-off, this one feels like an unusual extension combined with a what-if scenario. First of all, I foresee fanart of the CMCs as grown ups... well... ones that are now accurate as opposed to what they were previously... visual attempts. They also learned some valuable lessons in the process. Adults may be grown up, but they don't always have the best interests in mind. Also, having fun is something they don't always get to do as work and other important matters must come first.

Growing up physically is one thing. Growing up mentally is another. The CMC now understand this equation so hopefully it will stay in their minds as they do eventually become older though we aren't likely to see that before the series ends. Fanfiction writers will handle such things in their own way. Bloofy... reminds me so much of baby puppies. I now have a soft spot for the little guy because of this. I was actually expecting him to become a giant monster instead of a tornado with a cute head attached, but when it comes to strange creatures in Equestria, you never know what you're going to get.

Another thing that surprised me was the nature of the magical flower that caused the CMC to age. Think of the flower like any kind of magical wish granter. You get your wish granted whether you realize it or not only to soon discover that there is always some kind of catch involved. This flower turned out to be just that. Think of it like the proverbial monkey's paw only without a horrible fate. It was funny how Fluttershy figured out exactly what happened whereas Twilight came up with something more realistic but wrong. Strange that Pinkie Pie wasn't able to take the CMC to Appleloosa. Had she been available, we'd have had a completely different story.

The song... Definitely didn't expect it to show up though it wasn't what I would call memorable. Then again, I was distracted by something else so maybe I ought to give it a second view in case I missed anything. One missed opportunity was Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash seeing the CMC as adults. Their reactions would've been priceless among other things. I mean, Twilight and Fluttershy could tell them about it but then telling isn't the same as seeing it with your own eyes.

Did I like this episode? Yes, but I do have to wonder why they went with something like this as the CMC's actual final send-off.

[KH7672 1,604]

2 hours ago, Latecomer said:

I do think this might have made a decent final episode... if the CMC had got their own one-season spinoff that was cancelled when it might have been renewed.

The fact is, this epsiode, while decent by itself, is hurt by it's placement. The CMC should be standing on the edge of true adulthood - those models we saw today would be their actual ones if the show ever updated those things. Waiting to grow up is only a moral that works if you actually get too.

I don't disagree with that mindset and I completely acknowledge my bias toward these characters....I mean you're talking to the guy who absolutely bawled for minutes at Crusaders of the Lost Mark, mostly because of the circumstances but still  While it may not be the perfect send-off, it was at least a satisfying one in that it did their characters justice. I'm seeing all these things about Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Pinkie not seeming to get their due personal endings, and I'm just happy that the CMC didn't get that kind of feeling. Meh, is better than offended.

Plus another fact is the crusaders are secondary characters. They don't star in premieres or finales, at most they're support, so I was never expecting some big grand exit for them, because that's not how the show treats them. Their premiere didn't even have two of them show up until the end and their next appearance is a basic sleepover episode co-starring Fluttershy. Their biggest achievement moment didn't even come until the last 5 minutes of an episode where they played support to Pipsqueak and Diamond Tiara.

I honestly treat both of these episodes as two part finales to their entire time on the show, but still feel the order works. One establishes their lasting friendship and purpose and once that's done we now know they'll grow up together properly in that place in Ponyville they created for themselves. They've been kids this entire time so ending it with a glimpse of adulthood and a reassurance that they will be ready is all I need to see them off, as they're last time in the protagonist spot.

[Misty Shadow 7,882]

This final CMC episode is hard not to like. I found it to be better than The Last Crusade, which left a seriously bad taste in my mouth with its forced “happy ending”. The exposition leading up to the feature presentation of the episode may be dry, but everything else after that put a smile on my face. I love how the song shows how naive the CMC and most kids in general are about what being an adult means, especially when they say, “Facts don’t matter, we can win any argument with, “Because we say so.”” I was not expecting that, the callbacks to the pony from Sounds of Silence and Trouble Shoes, or that pet turning into a cyclone. I really like how the moral in this episode is not just about how grown-ups need to be responsible, but also that grown-ups aren’t perfect and can mislead children. The only real disappointment this episode brings is being the last CMC episode, but not ending their arc on a conclusive note.

[bwrosas 252]

Spoiler

Was "Growing Up Is Hard To Do", More of A Fan Pandering Episode?

(audio recorded on 9/27/2019) In this video, I ask the question on wither or not this episode was a fan pandering episode?

Comments are Welcomed

#MLPSeason9 #GrowingUpIsHardToDo #CutieMarkCrusaders #CMCs #MLPFIM

 

[Latecomer 439]

37 minutes ago, KH7672 said:

I don't disagree with that mindset and I completely acknowledge my bias toward these characters....I mean you're talking to the guy who absolutely bawled for minutes at Crusaders of the Lost Mark, mostly because of the circumstances but still  While it may not be the perfect send-off, it was at least a satisfying one in that it did their characters justice. I'm seeing all these things about Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Pinkie not seeming to get their due personal endings, and I'm just happy that the CMC didn't get that kind of feeling. Meh, is better than offended.

Plus another fact is the crusaders are secondary characters. They don't star in premieres or finales, at most they're support, so I was never expecting some big grand exit for them, because that's not how the show treats them. Their premiere didn't even have two of them show up until the end and their next appearance is a basic sleepover episode co-starring Fluttershy. Their biggest achievement moment didn't even come until the last 5 minutes of an episode where they played support to Pipsqueak and Diamond Tiara.

I honestly treat both of these episodes as two part finales to their entire time on the show, but still feel the order works. One establishes their lasting friendship and purpose and once that's done we now know they'll grow up together properly in that place in Ponyville they created for themselves. They've been kids this entire time so ending it with a glimpse of adulthood and a reassurance that they will be ready is all I need to see them off, as they're last time in the protagonist spot.

Oh, don't get me wrong, I like the CMC, and I like this episode more than Last Crusade, so on that note it (and next week) are a good way to see them off since they're probably not going to get big parts in the finale. But it's because I like them I feel they deserve to have their growth acknowledged, and from that perspective it's a pretty terrible sendoff, rubbing their eternal foalhood right in our faces . It's a pretty good ep on it's own though.

(I wanted to cry during Lost Mark too, but probably for different reasons.)

 

[Lucky Bolt 35,063]

I really liked this episode, its cute and also different. Grown up CMCs were lookin good  

[Sonic5421 423]

Well, I generally enjoyed today's new episode. First off, I liked the designs of the Crusaders as older versions of themselves. Second, I did not expect their older selves to be the result of a wish made on a magical flower that Star Swirl wanted Twilight to analyze. Third, it was nice to visit a few places like Hayseed Swamp and Appleloosa again and meet some new characters as well. Fourth, I do like how Rarity was working on something for Fancy Pants, Rainbow was in her Wonderbolt uniform again after being called into duty by Spitfire, and Applejack was tending to an ill Big Mac, rendering all three big sisters unable to escort the Crusaders to the fair, as was Twilight and Fluttershy because of the research they were doing for Star Swirl.

Overall, I give this episode a 9, 9.5, maybe a perfect 10/10.

[ImpctR 155]

Hmmm the writer of this episode (Ed Valentine) seems to specialize in CMC episodes. I've previously mentioned CMC eps are less interesting to me when they are about learning something (like in the older seasons) but this one had some nice things and I liked it. Seeing what episodes were written like 'The Cart before the ponies' was a quite boring episode from Season 6. Not much to say about the episode but will break it into few things.

It starts as a really ordinary CMC ep, where can they be if not in the tree house. 

Sick Mac, 1st time we see the poor stallion like that... Yeeup. So they have this flower that makes wishes come true and as they are seen grown, they traverse some forest on their way to Appleloosa aand this guy is either the same from the Sound of Silence? when Fluttershy visited Chirens or it is another place. Well this is a swamp, the others was the Aires rock terrain.

 

Spoiler

 

 

What's with the faces from under of the three? BFFs?

The two fillies arguing remind me of the ones in the Rainbow Roadtrip, very similar plot.

What the heck is that purple animal thing that makes a tornado.

 

This may tickle some seeing it so much in Season 9 but Fluttershy is the voice of reason this season.She is the smartest and I liked how she guessed what was going on (or saw) and Twilight's reaction .. "or that"  Good to see them btw, whether random that Fluttershy once again saved the rest from animals. In Daring Doubt it was saving Caballeron from tigers now from this thing. 

 

Spoiler

 

Not much to say, for some this would be a CMC episode from past seasons, the only prob is the timing of such episode towards the past seasons.

 

What is really nice about this episode (to me at least)? A view from the future! Imagine this was Season 11, they are now the age of their sisters. And they look so much nicer, im not fond of fillies in MLP in general.Scoot or Sweety Belle cant say who looks the coolest but all 3.

 

Spoiler

 

What is lacking? Continuity (I suppose just wrong order). Isn't The Last Crusade the last CMC episode? It looks like this ep should have gone before the last crusade. 4/5 for being the old seasons type but still for being a nice ep.

[Splashee 28,564]

This was an amazing episode! It is nice to finally see the CMC's grown up looks. I was surprised they went with standard 'pin' eyelashes for Apple Bloom, but I like the standard eyelashes!
 

Now, I had completely figured out the plot after they started singing, but how it would end I didn't know. The best part about the episode was that it felt like a season 5 or season 7 episode, making me feel less worried about G4 ending.

If this was the last episode of the CMC, then that seals Scootaloo's no-flying-by-herself condition, something I support!

 

Now, the song... It is down there with "Hearts as Strong as Horses". Maybe even lower considering I didn't enjoy the music as much.

[Lambdadelta 1,462]

The lesson is: Growing up mentally is more important. Nice and simple lesson i got from this episode.

This is the last Ed Valentine episode of the show and i really like it even it didnt end up to something big (like other episodes of this season), heck, this ep can be placed in other season anyway but i’m still glad this idea didnt go to waste. This ep could go deep into more mature subject like when you become adults, you have so many responsibilities (like Rarity, RD and AJ in the early part of the episode) to appreciate your elder but it look like our foal just become teenager, not real adult because teenager do party, drug... CMC just have bigger body with the same mind. About CMC adult designs, i still  like them being little, their adult designs are a bit weird to me, maybe i cant used to see CMC as adults. Adult Sweetie Bell eyes has nice eyelashes and she can teleport now, she will surpass her sister in no time. Applebloom just become bigger. And Scootaloo... still cant fly... *crying in the corner*

Anyway, it’s good to see that station old pony again, that guy is still crazy but thanks to his asthama, he didnt laugh as hard as he did back then. Hope he will get well (mentally). 

The new creature look like a weird monkey with Bongo cat’s face that can do tornado, very interesting creature indeed, we should see these kind of fascinating creature more often. 

Twilight and Fluttershy saved the day was so easy that’s so anticlimactic. It would be better if the CMC could utilize their new adult form to solve the problem but it didnt fit the lesson they need to learn, i guess.

Song is nice, not really special but still very catchy with great visuals (unlike some repetitive animation in some S6-7 songs). Talking about animation, this ep has many cute face but not over the top, i think people may prefer this one than Trivial Pursuit. Characters dont stay in the same place for too long so i dont feel like boring to watch even the plot is not that intriguing.

So yeah, i like it overall. This ep feels much better than The Last Crusade, much better. The problem is this ep maybe a bit letdown if you realized this is the last CMC episode, no big conclusions or any Wow moments like any last episodes of any characters arcs SHOULD BE. The Last Crusade may fit the bill better but that ep feels underwhelming and boring anyway so i still prefer Growing Up. I blame the way season 9 wrap up character story arcs but not the episode individually, they are enjoyable standalone episode in their own right but the placement is just suck. Beside the finale, i dont think they try to make every last episode of every character story arcs feel like something big or anything. CMC best conclusion episode still lies in season 5: Crusader of the Lost Mark. 

I give this ep an 8/10 for its own merits. Right now, how i feel about season 9 doesnt affect its episodes individually.

Random: Growing up is the goddamn hard thing to do, look at that old station pony. He’s old, he’s lonely, and he becomes crazy now. Just enjoy your childhood as much as possible because the colors of life maybe less colorful when you grownup, sound a bit cynical for a kid huh? Huh?.

[Lulaypp 2,555]

My favourite part of the episode is probably the little creature. It is one of those animals that may seem like it is fine, even enjoying something but are actually in distress. Like chimpanzees. Also an animal that (from what I get) in uncomfortable around too many strangers and the turning into a hurricane thing was like a self-defense mechanism. It was cool. I want to know more about it.

The story itself was relatively enjoyable. I just prefer actual grown CMC instead of magically grown. But Scootaloo's tiny wings and lack of flight was nice. It probably means the wings won't be growing. Plus the song reminds me of "I'm Not Too Little" from Strawberry Shortcake (the early 2000s cartoon).

Although, Sweetie Belle can teleport herself and someone else and they both are unharmed? I remember back in Ticket Master (I think it was that episode) where Twilight was chased by the entire town and she teleported herself and Spike away. Spike was smoking/burnt because of it. And Twilight's 'talent' is magic and she is rather expirienced, from what I can tell. So when did Sweetie get the sudden mastery over teleportation spells?

[Cash In 22,320]

This was a pretty solid send off for the Cutie Mark Crusaders and I feel that it fit the bill better than The Last Crusade. I liked how it incorporated the three turning into grown ups, thanks to that magical flower. I feel that it was a neat way of wrapping up the arc. The size and voice differences of the older CMCs is definitely a testament to the voice actresses themselves. Anyways, the plot wasn't too overly complicated, but then again, I think it did well enough to convey it's message properly - which is a valuable one. In terms of complaints, I guess hearing the CMCs constantly refer to themselves as grown ups got old and I do feel that their decision to allow Bloofy go to the fair was way too uncontested on their part. Those are just minor nitpicks at best, though. The song was good. Not the best, but good. In summary, yeah, I enjoyed this.

[Latecomer 439]

16 minutes ago, Lulaypp said:

 So when did Sweetie get the sudden mastery over teleportation spells?

Probably the same place she got her new height. Which says some things about Scootaloo not being able to fly.

[Rising Dusk 27,731]

Kudos to the voice actors that managed to blend making them sound older, but still easily identified as themselves.  Delivering a good message that growing up is more than just physical, but also a mental process, especially when wanting to wave that 'I'm an adult' card around.  Losing that get out of jail free card by just passing off mistakes as that they're just kinds.  Oh how I remember those days, but at least in the work force you get a brief 'new guy' card to keep in the back pocket from time to time.

A little sad to see Applejack tied up by helping a sick Big Mac.  Where was Sugar Belle?  Would have been nice to see her again.  I'll admit I got a little excited when the Crusaders ran into the crazy ticket pony from Sound of Silence, anticipating them to run into Autumn Blaze.  Sadly not the case.  Biscuit and Spur were enjoyable enough though.  I was rather surprised to see Sweetie Belle teleport.  So she was magically capable of doing so, but needed an adult body for the energy reserves?  Very interesting.  Equestria has a budding magical prodigy.

An enjoyable episode overall with a decent song and good moral of not rushing the growing up process.  I do feel like that was an odd placement for the episode in the season and probably should have switched places with The Last Crusade.  Probably another episode the writers really wanted to do, and I'm glad they did, but saved it for the last season.  The absence of Sugar Belle and Twilight's tie up not being related to royal preparations sort of point that direction for me. 

Edited September 29, 2019 by Rising Dusk

[Oleks 1,993]

So, they found a way to make an episode about the grown-up CMCs without having them actually grow up. Clever. They even showed the teen version of Cozy Glow through a recolor.

It also has a nostalgic vibe: CMCs acting more immature than they have lately, then getting lost in the forest, and being actually the cause of a problem rather than helping somepony – just like old times. And Scootaloo still had tiny wings. She really needs to ask Bulk Biceps how he manages to fly with those. The best parts of the episode, in my opinion, were the song montage, the reference to the Wizard of Oz and that new cute pet monster. All in all, a decent last episode of their arc, even though it feels like a bonus after the main story. If only I had more free time I'd start rewatching all CMCs episodes in chronological order right now. But unfortunately I have to do a lot of boring grown-up stuff. Is there a plant that turns you back into a kid?

And kids, remember that adults are just children who got bigger and have to deal with more responsibilities. No need to rush to grow up.

[cmarston1 5,959]

I thought that this was a cute episode.  While The Last Crusade may initially seem like it would have been a better sendoff to the CMC compared to this episode, I do feel that this is a good way to end their character arcs as well.  Mainly in that given that they are the show's residential child characters, it would make sense that for a final episode for them to focus on growing up.  Especially given that them wanting to get their cutie marks also involved them being impatient to grow up.  So I see this working as a final episode for them.   I rather liked the designs of the CMC as adults, and I found the new song to be pretty fun.  I also enjoyed Fluttershy and Twilight correctly being pretty causal about the whole situation going on in the episode.  And I found Bloofy to be adorable, and I want that type of creature as a pet now.  All and all a good episode in my book.

[Latecomer 439]

21 minutes ago, cmarston1 said:

I thought that this was a cute episode.  While The Last Crusade may initially seem like it would have been a better sendoff to the CMC compared to this episode, I do feel that this is a good way to end their character arcs as well.  Mainly in that given that they are the show's residential child characters, it would make sense that for a final episode for them to focus on growing up.  Especially given that them wanting to get their cutie marks also involved them being impatient to grow up.  So I see this working as a final episode for them.   I rather liked the designs of the CMC as adults, and I found the new song to be pretty fun.  I also enjoyed Fluttershy and Twilight correctly being pretty causal about the whole situation going on in the episode.  And I found Bloofy to be adorable, and I want that type of creature as a pet now.  All and all a good episode in my book.

Except that the episode focused on them not growing up, which fits poorly at this point, especially since we've seen them growing a lot more in recent seasons.

[TransitPony 238]

This was a pretty impressive episode done here. The classic case of showing 'be careful what you wish for' (i.e. Scootaloo's wings are still pretty short, not fully developed). The beginning of their show of excitement to their diminishment to a time they were more better off young after seeing that being an adult had much more responsibilities, especially when dealing with the pet of the two ponies they came across in the woods. Overall, it's a good episode to look at no less. 

Oh, and did anyone see Lyra and Bon Bon on the ferris wheel? 

[DonMaguz 1,023]

A very well done and entertaining CMC episode. The song was not particularly great, but it was a good one nonetheless.

A few things to notice about the episode:

• Classic CMC stuff, would have worked better back at S6 because of how childish the CMC acted.
• Scootaloo's wings didn't develop as an adult.
• Fluttershy landing the hard truths was great. Growing up is more about experience and understanding why responsibilities come first, rather than getting physically mature.

Not the best episode to be the last one for the CMC, but still pretty good.

Oh yeah, I liked the CMC's adult designs, but I definitely think that after S7 they should have gotten a change in design into teen ponies, closer to the size of Biscuit and Spur.

Edited September 29, 2019 by DonMaguz

[Thrond 3,263]

This is very good! The CMC have often been treated like little adults lately, even though they still kinda act like children, so it's really nice to see a story where they behave in a way that seems more true to their age. It reminds me of those three solo episodes from seasons 3-5, the ones with Luna, in that it seems like an authentic portrayal of kids' perspectives; the way the CMC act, and especially the lyrics in the song, reflect what they think adulthood is about while making it clear that they basically have no idea what they're talking about. I was honestly just expecting them to get lost, but the way this winds up being about how adults have a responsibility to be authority figures was even more interesting. And the sense of peril here doesn't feel forced at all; this story is inherently about how kids going off on their own, without the maturity and experience of adults, can be dangerous. It's the ideal blend of this show's fantastical and slice-of-life elements. Plus the song is fun, even if it sounds a lot like every other song in this show, the storytelling is fast-paced, and there's a bunch of funny little moments even though this sticks pretty closely to theme. It's pretty great.

A few funny observations and additional points:

• The fact that this could have happened in pretty much any season is a positive feature. It means this episode doesn't have any of this season's excruciating attempts at finality. It just tells a good story. 
• I'm honestly kinda relieved that this basically ignored the CMC's increased responsibilities and Twilight's preparation to rule Equestria, but I did wonder where Sweetie Belle's parents and Scootaloo's aunts were. That's one bit of continuity I do wish this had kept. I was about to ask that more generally of all three, and then I remembered that Apple Bloom's parents are, uh, not around. Then I got sad. 
• They didn't even bother asking Pinkie Pie to accompany them? She should feel insulted by that. 
• I also liked that this episode didn't foreshadow the flower a whole bunch. The CMC accidentally use it almost immediately after it's introduced. This episode doesn't waste time. 
• The CMC don't even know how old the flower has made them, which is exactly the point. This is one time that the show's age ambiguity really works in its favour. 
• Do the Wonderbolts do weather control? What is their job description? 
• Scootaloo talking about "food on a stick" just reminded me of the old "Scootaloo is a chicken" meme. She had better watch out. 
• Oh my god that new creature is so cute. I want a plushie of it. 

Edited September 29, 2019 by AlexanderThrond

[bwrosas 252]

1 hour ago, DonMaguz said:

A very well done and entertaining CMC episode. The song was not particularly great, but it was a good one nonetheless.

A few things to notice about the episode:

• Classic CMC stuff, would have worked better back at S6 because of how childish the CMC acted.
• Scootaloo's wings didn't develop as an adult.
• Fluttershy landing the hard truths was great. Growing up is more about experience and understanding why responsibilities come first, rather than getting physically mature.

Not the best episode to be the last one for the CMC, but still pretty good.

This is why, some fans feel ( and I intend to agree to point), that from a contunity standpoint and episodic point of view, this episode would have served better as EPS. 12, and "The Last Crusade" as this weekend's eps. 22.