S03:E01+02 - The Crystal Empire

[Zygen 6,066]

Something else I wanted to say! It's strange how no one but me seems to be questioning how Celestia is running her kingdom/world/part of the world/whatever. I like her okay and I don't want to bash her, but let's face it: this is like the President of the United States calling up six Girl Scouts (Mane 6), giving them the most powerful weapons on Earth (Elements of Harmony) and sending them off to resolve an international crisis with no pay and no backup. And it's not the first time. I mean, Celestia and Luna are arguably the most powerful creatures in Equestria and all they do is stand around having mysterious conversations while Twilight and friends run off totally unprepared into all these dangerous situations. I mean, doesn't Canterlot at least have an army? Shining Armor is captain of the Royal Guard. Where are they? I understand they're one with the elements and it's their destiny and everything, but still. Celestia seems to think that "testing" Twilight yet again is worth risking the fate of an entire town--excuse me, I mean "Empire." If that was the reason Luna objected to this whole thing, I hear her loud and clear. This is crazy. I came out of this thing doubting Celestia more than I ever did before. At least in the S2 finale she tried to help out.

 

I do agree, while I know that the reasoning behind why they always put Celestia and Luna on the side is for the sake of the other Characters getting to do things, but I've never remembered a time where Celestia or the Equestria Royal Guard has done any real fighting except for the one time Celestia tried to beat The changling queen.

 

And it does sometimes bother me, if not just a little that Celestia is willing to jeopardize a whole *Empire* for the sake of twilight's test.

Maybe she just has an insane amount of confidence in twilight. Who knows.

 

The piece of his horn that got chipped off grew dark crystals all on its own so, again, I don't think it's a stretch for his entire horn to reform his shadow body. Call what you will, 'consciousness laid dormant inside his horn' or something else.

 

Thats true, Also are you talking about the crystals growing when he was still alive or did this happen after his death?(I really need to go go rewatch this episode so i can get all these details straight .) Because if it was when he was alive it may have to do with that.

 

I think that the creators are trying to do atleast some type of foreshadowing with the horn. I find it hard to believe its just a coincidence. Like I said it may be a more major plot with him returning sooner, or just opening up the chance for him to return while it still making sense.

[NavelColt 22,881]

I do agree, while I know that the reasoning behind why they always put Celestia and Luna on the side is for the sake of the other Characters getting to do things, but I've never remembered a time where Celestia or the Equestria Royal Guard has done any real fighting except for the one time Celestia tried to beat The changling queen.

 

And it does sometimes bother me, if not just a little that Celestia is willing to jeopardize a whole *Empire* for the sake of twilight's test.

Maybe she just has an insane amount of confidence in twilight. Who knows.

 

 

Thats true, Also are you talking about the crystals growing when he was still alive or did this happen after his death?(I really need to go go rewatch this episode so i can get all these details straight .) Because if it was when he was alive it may have to do with that.

 

I think that the creators are trying to do atleast some type of foreshadowing with the horn. I find it hard to believe its just a coincidence. Like I said it may be a more major plot with him returning sooner, or just opening up the chance for him to return while it still making sense.

 

It was when he was alive, but they made a clear difference between it doing it on it's own, and when he forced it to spread due to his magic.

[Zygen 6,066]

It was when he was alive, but they made a clear difference between it doing it on it's own, and when he forced it to spread due to his magic.

 

Oh ok, thank you. I think that the fact that he was alive and had power allowed it to spread his dark crystals. However I think its safe to say he proably won't regain his power for a while, I think whether he was fully defeated or not he still is going to have recover his energy.

He did also technically already come back once. So maybe they won't do that, simply because it's repeating the same thing again. Regardless if he had to recover his power when he was defeated a thousand years ago, I imagine hes going to have to do so again.

[NavelColt 22,881]

He did also technically already come back once. So maybe they won't do that, simply because it's repeating the same thing again.

Discord came back technically, because the princesses defeated him way back when as well, and he's coming back a third time this season This argument is invalid.

Edited November 11, 2012 by ~Chaotic Discord~

[Zygen 6,066]

Discord came back technically, because the princesses defeated him way back when as well, and he's coming back a third time this season This argument is invalid.

 

Wait Discord is coming back this season? Is that speculation of factual? If its true Omg that's awesome

I'm sure its not something that you can totally put past any show. Its happened in quite a few shows before.

I don't think he'll be coming back soon though as he will have to regain atleast some of his power. Although i can believe that maybe his soul is contained in his horn or something.

 

Ps. I love how they made him look much different then normal unicorns. It wasn't just a recolor, but a whole different design. Especially his horn.

[NavelColt 22,881]

Wait Discord is coming back this season? Is that speculation of factual? If its true Omg that's awesome

I'm sure its not something that you can totally put past any show. Its happened in quite a few shows before.

I don't think he'll be coming back soon though as he will have to regain atleast some of his power. Although i can believe that maybe his soul is contained in his horn or something.

 

Ps. I love how they made him look much different then normal unicorns. It wasn't just a recolor, but a whole different design. Especially his horn.

 

Discord's been confirmed for season three. What we don't know is if it's him actually coming back or if it's a flashback. But either way, it's awesome :3

 

I like his design too. People whine about how he looks like an OC, but eh, I love his design. The end of his red cape is kinda cliche for the generic storybook king with a red cape and white fluffy brim, but that's just a nitpick on my part.

Edited November 11, 2012 by ~Chaotic Discord~

[Zygen 6,066]

Discord's been confirmed for season three. What we don't know is if it's him actually coming back or if it's a flashback. But either way, it's awesome :3

 

I like his design too. People whine about he looks like an OC, but eh, I love his design. The end of his red cape is kinda cliche for the generic storybook king with a red cape and white fluffy brim, but that's just a nitpick on my part.

 

Who cares if he looks like an OC.. Atleast he isn't a copy paste of a normal background unicorn or something. Not that I hate the unicorn design, but he needed a new design of some form regardless.

 

And YES discord in S3 Aweomeness levels overload for S3...

The only thing that worry's me about this is I hope that there will still be a S4. I hope it doesn't mean they're gonna throw back together all the Villains in a Season finale this season and end it. I still think after this season is over they will have plenty of things left to do with the show. I have no problem with the Discord return though, just that I worry what it may mean...

[NavelColt 22,881]

Who cares if he looks like an OC.. Atleast he isn't a copy paste of a normal background unicorn or something. Not that I hate the unicorn design, but he needed a new design of some form regardless.

 

And YES discord in S3 Aweomeness levels overload for S3...

The only thing that worry's me about this is I hope that there will still be a S4. I hope it doesn't mean they're gonna throw back together all the Villains in a Season finale this season and end it. I still think after this season is over they will have plenty of things left to do with the show. I have no problem with the Discord return though, just that I worry what it may mean...

 

Season 4 was hinted to existing in a message record from Hasbro, and Discord's likely being brought back simply due to how unbelievably popular he was. Has nothing to do with the show ending xP Don't worry.

 

Indeed. I like the black magic thing he introduced, and that Celestia and Twi showed. I hope we see more of them using that in the future.

[Dusty Soul 2,611]

I honestly thought sombra was a good villain. Though he didn't say much, you have to ask, did he have to? I mean he was probably the most ferocious thing in Equestria. I can't believe they actually killed Sombra, I mean dang...

[Zygen 6,066]

Season 4 was hinted to existing in a message record from Hasbro, and Discord's likely being brought back simply due to how unbelievably popular he was. Has nothing to do with the show ending xP Don't worry.

 

Indeed. I like the black magic thing he introduced, and that Celestia and Twi showed. I hope we see more of them using that in the future.

 

Phew, Thank you for that I'm less worried now Xd.

Discord is certainly popular that is no doubt. I am overjoyed about him coming back(I don't even have to ask if you are hehe..)

The black magic thing was a very cool concept in my opinion, and I think it has plenty of room to become even more interesting. I also have the slight feeling that princess luna is going to be involved in maybe teaching twilight about it. Just speculation, but the book near the end of the episode she has makes me want to believe she may end up teaching twilight some.

 

2 things I had problems with about dark magic. One is that I felt the particle effects for it where slightly awkward at first. It felt like it didn't blend well on the rest of the show. But I got use to it eventually, might just be me.

Also I think that the fact that twilight learned dark magic just by watching Celestia preform it is a bit of a stretch. I know shes the element of magic, but dang.

 

Regardless I love the concept of dark magic

[NavelColt 22,881]

Phew, Thank you for that I'm less worried now Xd.

Discord is certainly popular that is no doubt. I am overjoyed about him coming back(I don't even have to ask if you are hehe..)

The black magic thing was a very cool concept in my opinion, and I think it has plenty of room to become even more interesting. I also have the slight feeling that princess luna is going to be involved in maybe teaching twilight about it. Just speculation, but the book near the end of the episode she has makes me want to believe she may end up teaching twilight some.

 

2 things I had problems with about dark magic. One is that I felt the particle effects for it where slightly awkward at first. It felt like it didn't blend well on the rest of the show. But I got use to it eventually, might just be me.

Also I think that the fact that twilight learned dark magic just by watching Celestia preform it is a bit of a stretch. I know shes the element of magic, but dang.

 

Regardless I love the concept of dark magic

 

I'd love that. Celestia may know it but I imagine that'd be even more up Luna's ally than anything. That'd be a great interaction too. Luna seems to harbor not-so-happy feelings for Twilight, knowing Celestia has used Twilight for every emergency instead of her, and that it was Twilight who had to take her by the hand and teach her how to fit in, back in episode 4 of season two. Having them bond over learning black magic and mastering it so Twi can defend against it would be awesome. Black magic could also partially be why Celestia did this whole test, maybe black magic is one of the expanses on magic that Celestia wants to teach Twilight about, and what she meant by 'getting her to the next level'.

 

Like how you liked Sombra's design because it was different from normal unicorns, I love the purple, black and green sparkle orb effects for the Dark Magic. It's vivid, threatening and 'sizzly', which fits it's theme for being dark magic born from negative, 'heated' emotions like hate perfectly.

[miygaiya 138]

So I just watched the premiere episode. I can safely say that the best part was when Pinkie was disguised as Fluttershy. Anyone in favor? Everyone? Good.

[Satsuki Kiryuin 1,155]

I thought the episodes were pretty good, I enjoyed everything. Pinkie Pie definitely stole the show for me, once again. I do find it a shame they didn't expand on Sombra's backstory and the history of the Crystal Empire more, I find it would've made the premier so much better, even if they had to make it a 3 part story, and give us episode 3 the next week!

[cuteycindyhoney 13,307]

But we've already established that twilight might not be the most powerful unicorn around, with the one screeny of Trixie in control of ponyville, and possibly Sombra as well- after all, he's an ancient evil tyrant, and he managed to control his own empire for a while.

 

Um, what are you talking about? Do you think there's going to be an episode where Trixie takes over Ponyville, and that will be the end of the series?

[Zygen 6,066]

I'd love that. Celestia may know it but I imagine that'd be even more up Luna's ally than anything. That'd be a great interaction too. Luna seems to harbor not-so-happy feelings for Twilight, knowing Celestia has used Twilight for every emergency instead of her, and that it was Twilight who had to take her by the hand and teach her how to fit in, back in episode 4 of season two. Having them bond over learning black magic and mastering it so Twi can defend against it would be awesome. Black magic could also partially be why Celestia did this whole test, maybe black magic is one of the expanses on magic that Celestia wants to teach Twilight about, and what she meant by 'getting her to the next level'.

 

Like how you liked Sombra's design because it was different from normal unicorns, I love the purple, black and green sparkle orb effects for the Dark Magic. It's vivid, threatening and 'sizzly', which fits it's theme for being dark magic born from negative, 'heated' emotions like hate perfectly.

 

Yeah I agree, I think its very likely that something along those lines will happen. And I think an episode where Celestia has Luna teach twilight about dark magic would infact be very interesting. And I do agree that I felt alot of foreshadowing in this episode about dark magic(Or black magic or whatever you call it. I believe its refered to as dark magic in the show, correct me if I'm wrong ). Its certain that this will not be the last episode it appears in.

 

 

As for the particle effects. I don't really dislike them or anything, I suppose it was just very different to me at first. Eventually I got use to it. It looks to me less strange and out of place after a while. The colors of it are perfect though, plus I love that it isn't just pure black or something.

 

Um, what are you talking about? Do you think there's going to be an episode where Trixie takes over Ponyville, and that will be the end of the series?

 

Actually theres going to be an episode about trixie taking over ponyvile its on the episodes list, its going to be a duel twilight somehow loses to trixie and she banishes her and takes over.

However its like episode 3 or 4 or something lol. Not the end of the series

[DJShy 873]

Loved everything about the two-part episode!

 

 

Also, you think Cadance is the rightful ruler of the Crystal Empire? If so, how did she leave before the empire disappeared?

[Rarietty 632]

About Sombra, he was much scarier than any other villain, and as he wasn't given much of a personality you can't sympathize with him. Our fandom finds a way to justify every villains' evilness. Chrysalis "was just trying to feed her subjects". Nightmare Moon is a "tortured soul who was betrayed by her own sister and she desperately wants to be loved by her subjects". Discord was awesome and isn't so much evil rather than mischievous, at least according to the fandom. As Sombra wasn't given any development we can't justify why he's evil. He's just evil, which is plain awesome, and makes him a much more effective villain that we don't have a reason to cheer for.

Edited November 11, 2012 by Rarietty

[Victor van Dort 202]

Loved everything about the two-part episode!

 

 

Also, you think Cadance is the rightful ruler of the Crystal Empire? If so, how did she leave before the empire disappeared?

 

Maybe Cadance was the original ruler, but she was overthrown and cast out by Sombra so he can take over.

[Rarietty 632]

Maybe Cadance was the original ruler, but she was overthrown and cast out by Sombra so he can take over.

 

I kind of just thought her ancestors ruled or something, but after Celestia found out that the Crystal Empire was in danger she sent Cadance (maybe the only remaining heir to the throne). I don't think Cadance is immortal. Spike does mention the princess' golden apple tree at the beginning of Best Night Ever, which in Norse Mythology granted immortality though.

[SUPERFOX5 387]

In my own opinion, I thought this was a great episode.

 

I could explain in a review, but I have not written one yet.

 

Is there a place I can place an episode review? (I am going to assume for now to put them in a blog)

[Yellow Diamond 7,569]

In my own opinion, I thought this was a great episode.

 

I could explain in a review, but I have not written one yet.

 

Is there a place I can place an episode review? (I am going to assume for now to put them in a blog)

 

You can post your review of an episode in the appropriate episode discussion thread. In this case, if you would like to share your thoughts on this particular episode, write it here.

[Motion Spark 7,807]

@@akita-ken, I saw Berry Punch instantly, I thought, wow, another error in the show, but then I thought, haha they got me. I'm sure this was an easter-egg

[Starshine 16,333]

Can't say I'm not disappointed with the episodes, but overall it's quite good. So many exploitable stuff! I won't be surprised if there would be some crazy fanfic about Sombra being misunderstood good guy and Crystal Pony OC with wings and antler horns

[AustralianFries 213]

Holy shit this episode was good. It was pretty suspensful right until the end. What does this mean for Twilight? What did Celestia mean when she said "When she completes the task, she will be ready"? Ready for what?! So many questions!

[poniesforfun 716]

About Sombra, he was much scarier than any other villain, and as he wasn't given much of a personality you can't sympathize with him. Our fandom finds a way to justify every villains' evilness. Chrysalis "was just trying to feed her subjects". Nightmare Moon is a "tortured soul who was betrayed by her own sister and she desperately wants to be loved by her subjects". Discord was awesome and isn't so much evil rather than mischievous, at least according to the fandom. As Sombra wasn't given any development we can't justify why he's evil. He's just evil, which is plain awesome, and makes him a much more effective villain that we don't have a reason to cheer for.

 

Celestia already explained Sombra wanted to enslave the Crystal Kingdom. He wanted to rule the Crystal Kingdom. This is the same thing with Chrysalis who wanted to take over Canterlot. The fact is there isn't very detailed backstories in a kid's cartoon for villains. Luna probably had the most depth so far.