S03:E01+02 - The Crystal Empire

[rainbow_hearts 148]

I thought this episode was awesome! This is the first time I saw a villain died in g4! But I still didn't like King Sombra. He did nothing.

[Koori 156]

What actually caught my attention while watching this on livestream was a commercial about MLP on episode 2. I won't say exactly what it was, but it simply caught my interest totally. Let's just say it might be about what Celestia said to Luna in the beginning. Which just confirmed to me at least that THIS SEASON IS GOING TO BE SO AWESOME!!

[Java Jive 440]

Great start to the new season. Yes, i can understand that many are thinking that King Sombra could have used a lot more background to him to make him a convincing villain. But from the entire feel of the episode, Sombra was entirely portrayed as an outside threat and it seemed to focus on the test itself more than Sombra himself. The test ultimately was the protection of the Crystal Empire. A race against time.

 

I do wish that he will return at some point. As his horn flying off into the distance was perhaps a sign that in some way that he might be. I dont count on it. But when his horn was cut off, it did leave the slightest influence of his dark magic when it was absorbed into the ground.

[Starswirl the Trixie 975]

I think Trixe just wants revenge. For basically being considered a loser and a fraud by this point. We have no idea what has been going on with Trixe. She could very well be the laughing stock of the entire Equestria. Of course she wants revenge. What better revenge then towards the place where it started it all.

 

My problem more emerges with the images of Trixieville decorated with dozens of Trixie images. Hasbro, I fear, will say that arrogance and lying are the only two parts of her personality simply because that's how the Mane 6 interpreted "Boast Busters".

[Dtox 128]

I LOVED this opener, possibly my favorite by far.

 

Sombra was a disappointment though, I wanted to see more out of him other than the whole "big bad monster hell bent on control"

 

But, to be fair, the focus was on twilight running against the clock, with sombra being the impending force that would ruin everything. He was definitely bad ass, showing off a darker side to G4 than what was made previously. I think we even had our first death of the show (suggesting that he WAS destroyed).

 

Also, I liked how they fleshed out cadance a bit more, especially when she and shining teamed up to stop sombra.

 

Someone has GOT to make something out of that "heroic wife throw!" that they pulled off XD.

[Lightning Fluttershy 1,844]

@@Clarity Did you watch it without me?

 

I loved them. I'm not afraid to admit and destroy my masculinity/ego that I nearly got teary eyed near the end.

[Marshmallow 1,137]

That was a pretty good season starter, although I do wish we had seen more of the villain. I liked the crystal ponies and the crystal empire and how medieval-like it was. It was pretty cool seeing Spike save the day in the end too. The songs were pretty neat too, even though we had heard the first two before.

 

So now Twilight is pursuing "advanced studies" under Celestia? What's that supposed to mean? Is she still studying friendship or what? I have a feeling that Celestia's intentions are to prepare her to become a princess or something. Anyway, we'll see how it goes in the next episodes!

 

On an unrelated note, is there an episode next week or is there a break between the season premiere and the rest of the season like it was the case for season 2?

[Dtox 128]

@@Clarity Did you watch it without me?

 

I loved them. I'm not afraid to admit and destroy my masculinity/ego that I nearly got teary eyed near the end.

 

Oh god tell me about it. I felt my heart drop seeing spike having his little nightmare, and then baww'd when twilight comforted him.

[Mister Jack 566]

Canterlot's stained glass salesponies must really love Celestia. She will take any opportunity she can get to have a new window installed.

 

"I really liked that sandwich I had for lunch. CALL THE STAINED GLASS COMPANY. EQUESTRIA NEEDS TO KNOW HOW GOOD THIS SANDWICH WAS."

 

I kid. It's nice that Spike is finally recognized as one of the heroes. If I have one complaint about the episode it's that King Sombra ended up being more of a force of nature than an actual character. I'm kinda hoping he shows up again in the future so they can flesh him out a bit.

 

By the way...What was that book the princesses had at the very end? It seemed important.

Edited November 10, 2012 by Mister Jack

[Thewookie Wooker 64]

Equestria Daily has posted higher resolution versions of the Trixie episode screenshots.

 

No Discord after all, or at least not on the banners.

Spoilers below:

http://fc00.devianta...sto-d5knmm3.jpg

 

Now I truly am worried about this. I mean, I guess it's possible that Hasbro could characterize Trixie such that this picture of her taking over Ponyville would make sense, but my gut tells me that they won't. Hasbro will say "We already made Trixie the antagonist for an episode, so everyone will automatically assume that she's evil incarnate and we don't need to go around explaining why."

 

On a lighter note, if anyone wanted more Gak: http://www.gak-is-back.com/

 

It looks like they decided to make Trixie take a chapter out of the Soviet Union's decorating book. Have many banners of yourself on every building, statues of yourself showing your greatness, and posters doing much of the same. Hell she even nailed the dreary sky the USSR had.

 

Though a couple of the banners seem Nazi-esc... Trixie = 1930s/40s dictator?

Edited November 10, 2012 by Thewookie Wooker

[CosmicFaerieDust 39]

Do you think we'll be able to keep the gak thing going?

[PonyHag1 591]

I liked the premiere very much, especially Spike finally getting his due (and his own stained glass window.) Sombra didn't seem to have much of a role aside from looking and acting threatening, though. Chrysalis is still best villain IMO.

[moneyshredderofdeath 414]

Really enjoyed the premiere. There were some funny moments like Pinkie in the Fluttershy costume or Rarity having to make a minimalistic hat, and i enjoyed the songs. it was a nice surprise to see Spike save the day.

[Party Cannon 876]

It looks like they decided to make Trixie take a chapter out of the Soviet Union's decorating book. Have many banners of yourself on every building, statues of yourself showing your greatness, and posters doing much of the same. Hell she even nailed the dreary sky the USSR had.

 

Though a couple of the banners seem Nazi-esc... Trixie = 1930s/40s dictator?

 

Nailed it. Wouldn't be surprised if there is a Trixie anthem in the episode. What's strange though is how Celestia and Luna could let it happen. Pony revolution? Oh boy.

[~The Snowy Wolf~ 1,579]

I just watched episode 1 and recorded my reaction. Now I just have to wait for some more peace and quiet to record the second.

 

So far, it looks pretty good. Was episode 1 worth the wait? Not really, but lets watch the rest of it before I make my judgement

[Red Brick 37]

I just watched the new episode and...I almost cried when Twilight nearly sacrificed herself and Spike instead saved the day before the "happy ending" moment.

 

How come Spike saved the day but not Twilight? Why?

 

Perhaps Twilight (she's still alive!) has eventually passed the test! WAYDAGO TWILIGHT!!! WHOHOOO!!!

Edited November 10, 2012 by Rahkshi Pinkerton

[Zeruis 53]

Spike's a badass. I loved the new episodes! King Sombra was an interesting guy, probably may even tie with Discord as my favorite villian. Really enjoyed the whole "worst fears" in Sombra's door. I'd like to see that more with other characters. All in all, looks like it will one great ride of a season.

 

Was that book that Luna holding at the end the history of the crystal empire? I honestly have no clue.

[Nothing&NoOne 695]

I really hope Luna has a bigger role in season 3. She seemed bitter at the beginning of the episode, and a bit sinister at the end when she was holding the book up.

[Betez 1,734]

Man, both parts were awesome. This is the first episode I've seen when it first aired. I can honestly say that I think season 3 is gonna be good!

[SonOfTheNorthe 412]

A question:

Celestia says "Here's a test, protect the crystal empire. But it must be you and you alone."

And it turns out the test was self sacrifice. How did she know that Twilight had to make a sacrifice when trying to protect it?

 

(My current headcanon: Sombra escaped the glacier he was trapped in, went to Celestia, shit happened, and then they became drinking buddies. Sombra agrees to bring back the Crystal Empire and pretend to take over it for Twilight's test.)

[moongarnet77 47]

OMG!!!!! So epic.... I loved the character development, And I loved how the mane 6, cadance, and shining armor looked all crystalized.

[Victor van Dort 202]

Man, both parts were awesome. This is the first episode I've seen when it first aired. I can honestly say that I think season 3 is gonna be good!

 

This is the only show where when I start watching it when the episodes first air, I fear it won't go downhill. But seriously, it's like a curse with me.

[PonyPowaX1000 69]

www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpCcAXyWTH8# (all 2 episodes with no interruption)

 

Anyway, THAT WAS EPIC!!!!.

 

I really hope Luna has a bigger role in season 3. She seemed bitter at the beginning of the episode, and a bit sinister at the end when she was holding the book up.

 

Yeah the look she gave Twilight in the beginning made me flinch. I thought she would have more faith in Twilight, but anyway an two epic episodes.

[SonOfTheNorthe 412]

Oh, another question.

We saw that King Sombra was destroyed by that giant blast coming from the crystal heart.

Well, he's a pony too. Why didn't he just turn into crystal Sombra?

I can understand if it dispelled shadow, but he had already become a pony again.

And why would he become a pony in the first place, when he could just swamp the entire place with his enormous shadow body?

[Motion Spark 7,807]

I want to say many things about this episode, but with this post I am gonna focus in my disappointment with Rarity for not saving Spike when he was falling with the crystal heart.

I was pretty sure that she was about to save him, her being the only unicorn available.