S03:E05 - Magic Duel

[Sunny Fox 5,950]

This was probably the first episode of My Little Pony that I watched (but not the first MLP thing I viewed). It was a bit weird considering the episode was a sequel to Boast Busters, so I didn't get all the references (nor the characters' names as much).

 

I think Trixie still has plenty to be upset about considering they made a mockery of her and is now "homeless" (or who knows) because of Boast Busters, but redemption's cool too. Pinkie Pie was pretty quiet that episode lol .

Well, I'm of the opinion that she brought much of that upon herself. And the Mane 6 did not make a mockery of her, it was the general population of ponies that did that, and can you blame them? She proved herself incapable of doing what she had boasted she could do, and made herself a laughing stock.

 

My dislike of Trixie continues unabated, it seems. 

[DubWolf 17,263]

Yeah, maybe mockery wasn't a good word for that (although if you read plenty of fanfics with Trixie, it does appear Trixie's repuation was damaged). The mane 6 did sort of challenge her previously, though the Great and Powerful Trixie did sort of quiet them down. I'll agree that the Ursa Major tale was her worst mistake, but can you not forgive her at least?... dang, no Trixie w/tear drop emote!

Edited August 10, 2013 by Wingin'Wolf

[Sunny Fox 5,950]

Yeah, maybe mockery wasn't a good word for that (although if you read plenty of fanfics with Trixie, it does appear Trixie's repuation was damaged). The mane 6 did sort of challenge her previously, though the Great and Powerful Trixie did sort of quiet them down. I'll agree that the Ursa Major tale was her worst mistake, but can you not forgive her at least?... dang, no Trixie w/tear drop emote!

Well, what fanfics have to say about Trixie don't really seem relevant to me, you know? And yes, "Magic Duel" itself reveals that Trixie's reputation was damaged, and that her livelihood was affected by the events of "Boast Busters". I never really accepted the assumption that Trixie got money for her shows until then, but her comments make it clear that she indeed did use her show to get money to live off of, hence why she had to spend time on a rock farm.

 

Despite that, she brought her woes upon herself. She blamed Twilight for her position instead of considering her own behaviour, and that path led her to the alicorn amulet. She was warned that it was too dangerous, but still chose to buy and put it on. That is why I don't accept the excuse of "The amulet made her do it" when you look at the horrendous stuff she did there. Some of the stuff later in the episode I can believe were due to the amulet, but she was pretty cruel from the start of the episode too. Vengeance for something you caused to happen to yourself doesn't seem right, even if vengeance itself were something noble. (I should like to think that as a species, we've moved on a little bit from the Old Testament teaching of "an eye for an eye".)

 

That being said, she did apologize to Twilight and show remorse, so I can add those to the plus column. They don't make me like her, but I can acknowledge them.

Edited August 10, 2013 by Full Spectrum

[DubWolf 17,263]

Mmm, that's more eye-opening. Sure Trixie couldn't blame herself for her actions in the first place, but hey, how often do we lose our judgement because of external forces like evil amulets? Trixie did try too hard by wasting her funds on the amulet because of her ego, which only proves she's powerful with the amulet, so there's plenty to dislike about a boaster. I appreciate her abilities as a performer (that we never see lol) and her "NEIGH"sayers line lol.

[Dark Horn 430]

As FullSpectrum said, putting on the amulet and not claiming responsibility for your actions is like getting drunk, driving, and hitting someone on the road.

 

Nevertheless, I enjoyed the episode, though to be honest, I saw right through Twilight's tricks.

[GreyScholar 1,584]

The episode that proves not only is Twilight better at magic, unless Trixie cheats, she's also a better performer by creating a more convincing show.

[ReverseFaller 2,483]

I didn't care for Trixie at first, but I've grown to really love her character, especially after the cracker scene in Equestria Girls. Ahh, Trixie, she never ceases to amaze me.

[unil 14]

Oh gosh, this episode is really wonderful. I really enjoyed dat moments with Fluttershy - as usual cute, beauty and adorable. I'm going crazy of her ​​facial expressions, movements and relationships with animals ( and their reaction to her timid actions), oh she is the best character i've ever seen.
Every time I witness her lovely shyness and indecision I fall into a state of ultimate tenderness...

So I'm a little bit distracted. I'm happy to see Zekora again, i'm true fan of her melodious speeches. Also nice to meet Trixie again, her apologize make me pleasure.
So, no doubt, it's admirable series.

[Speedy_Dashie 11]

Trixie needs to learn a lesson or two, to not be bragging about everything just because she's good at something. Twilight sould know her friend wont be mad at her just for that

[Singe 2,111]

Trixie still gets to keep her magic duel win over Twilight. The second duel was forfeit on Twilight's part since she admits to not actually doing magic but just putting on a show.

[the musty book 156]

The glass dome thing kinda confused me. But, the hoof biting was like, SO KAWAII!!!! Overall, the episode was decent, but (I'm sorry for all you Trixie fans out there) I really hate Trixie right now.

[GreyScholar 1,584]

Trixie still gets to keep her magic duel win over Twilight. The second duel was forfeit on Twilight's part since she admits to not actually doing magic but just putting on a show.

How so? Trixie knew she was too weak and uses a magic necklace to make it so she was more powerful then Twilight.

 

Technically Trixie did cheat in her own way while Twilight simply outsmarted her.

Edited August 24, 2013 by EquestrianScholar

[Sapphire Quill 1,186]

I quite liked the episode all together, all episodes are enjoyable in my eyes, really, but this one caught my eye, and well, it was just enjoyable.

[Singe 2,111]

How so? Trixie knew she was too weak and uses a magic necklace to make it so she was more powerful then Twilight.

 

Technically Trixie did cheat in her own way while Twilight simply outsmarted her.

 

Trixie won the second duel since Twilight admits to not using any real magic. Just parlor tricks and outside assistance to put on an act. Not volunteer to use real magic on. Trixie was allowed to use the magic necklace in the second duel.

 

 

Edited August 24, 2013 by Singe

[GreyScholar 1,584]

If Trixie won how did she lose the necklace and get beaten at her skill of performance?

 

The magic duel was a performance of sorts to see who was better and no matter how you try to twist it Twilight out performed Trixie... beat her at her own game.

Edited August 24, 2013 by EquestrianScholar

[Singe 2,111]

If Trixie won how did she lose the necklace and get beaten at her skill of performance?

 

The magic duel was a performance of sorts to see who was better and no matter how you try to twist it Twilight out performed Trixie... beat her at her own game.

 

 

The necklace bit is irrelevant.

 

Magic duels are about casting real spells that use magic energy. The first duel established what they were about.

 

Twilight admits she faked her own spells in response to Trixie's boosted up real magic in the second duel. So Twilight still didn't out perform those spells.

 

Hence, The Great and Powerful Trixie won the second duel.

Edited August 24, 2013 by Singe

[Sunny Fox 5,950]

The necklace bit is irrelevant.

 

Magic duels are about casting real spells that use magic energy. The first duel established what they were about.

 

Twilight admits she faked her own spells in response to Trixie's boosted up real magic in the second duel. So Twilight still didn't out perform those spells.

 

Hence, Trixie won the second duel.

Which would all be very good logic, assuming there is some sort of legimate and recognized code for dueling between two unicorns which states exactly what is allowed and what is not. We don't have any evidence of that being the case. And I'm pretty sure, if there were to be such a code, that using an amulet to artificially increase your magical power, as well as attacking others who have no magic and no defenses in order to goad your opponent into accepting the duel, would be included on the list of fouls.

Edited August 24, 2013 by Full Spectrum

[Singe 2,111]

Which would all be very good logic, assuming there is some sort of legimate and recognized code for dueling between two unicorns which states exactly what is allowed and what is not. We don't have any evidence of that being the case. And I'm pretty sure, if there were to be such a code, that using an amulet to artificially increase your magical power, as well as attacking others who have no magic and no defenses in order to goad your opponent into accepting the duel, would be included on the list of fouls.

 

The first duel was forced. I know that. The second duel is different as both agreed to the terms.

 

One of the conditions of the second duel was that both parties agreed to allow the use of the magical boosting amulet.

 

Twilight admits to not being able to beat Trixie anyway and also admits to faking her magic using outside help. No amount of Friendship is Magic spinning can change the fact it was all faked and the amount of outside help that wasn't agreed upon prior to the duel.

 

Trixie still won the second duel.

Edited August 24, 2013 by Singe

[Sunny Fox 5,950]

One of the conditions of the second duel was that both parties agreed to allow the use of the magical boosting amulet.

 

Twilight admits to not being able to beat Trixie anyway and also admits to faking her magic using outside help. No amount of Friendship is Magic spinning can change the fact it was all faked and outside help that wasn't agreed upon prior to the duel.

Both parties agreed to a use of amulets. At no time was there an agreement that Twilight could not outside help, or even that spells actually had to be cast. If the use of something not specifically prohibited in the first duel was legimate, then it has to be legimate in the second duel.

[Singe 2,111]

Both parties agreed to a use of amulets. At no time was there an agreement that Twilight could not outside help, or even that spells actually had to be cast. If the use of something not specifically prohibited in the first duel was legimate, then it has to be legimate in the second duel.

 

That's because the agreement of the duel was between Twilight vs. Trixie. Twilight then went on to change it to Trixie vs.Twilight and friends. Other ponies was used as volunteers, but they were announced during the duel itself.

 

There has to be real actual magic since that was the point of a Magic Duel shown the first time around. Along with Twilight getting angry over Trixie's advanced magical power.

 

Trixie uses real magic. Twilight admits she faked it and couldn't beat Trixie under her own magical power.

 

Twilight's own words at the end can be taken as a sign of forfeit or cheating on her part. The whole point on her part was a throw away duel just to get Trixie to take the amulet off.

 

That's just me thinking Trixie gets the win.

Edited August 24, 2013 by Singe

[Misty Shadow 7,897]

I remember watching this one after reading lots of comments telling me that it was amazing, and my reaction was...

 

 

 

I...didn't know what to think of it. I didn't really enjoy it that much, though I did like it a little better when I watched again.

[Sunny Fox 5,950]

I still have to disagree. The rules for a magic duel are not laid out anywhere. http://mlp.wikia.com/wiki/Transcripts/Magic_Duel

 

Your assertion that in the first duel both unicorns used real magic necessarily means they both had to use real magic in the second duel is also one I disagree with. The first duel is one example of what a duel might entail. Generalizing it to ALL magic duels is a fallacy known as proof by example.  

 

And I could also argue that Trixie is the one who forfeited. She was the one who took off the Alicorn Amulet and replaced it with the fake one. Once she found out she had lost her power because of this, she had to slink away, knowing she couldn't compete with Twilight without the Amulet's power.

Edited August 24, 2013 by Full Spectrum

[Singe 2,111]

And I could also argue that Trixie is the one who forfeited. She was the one who took off the Alicorn Amulet and replaced it with the fake one. Once she found out she had lost her power because of this, she had to slink away, knowing she couldn't compete with Twilight without the Amulet's power.

 

Not forgetting that Rainbow Dash did interfere in the duel when she swooped in to steal the Alicorn Amulet at the behest of Twilight. Even if Trixie tossed it to the ground, she still legally owned it since she paid for it.

Edited August 24, 2013 by Singe

[GreyScholar 1,584]

What facts have been established involving a magic duel between unicorns? Well magic is to be used, which technically during the second duel Twilight did use magic. She used magic to hide the switches that were taking place so the illusion of using age, duplication, and gender spells was seen.

 

There was no rule stated that friends could not be used, and by Trixie's standards Twilight was using magic. What was Trixie's magic but parlor tricks and stage magic? That is the sort of magic Twilight used and better than Trixie I must again add.

 

Trixie unseated Twilight from her position as strongest unicorn through deceit and false power not her own... Twilight simply defeated Trixie without the use of magic at all apart from a couple flashes of her horn and puffs of smoke.

 

Not forgetting that Rainbow Dash did interfere in the duel when she swooped in to steal the Alicorn Amulet at the behest of Twilight. Even if Trixie tossed it to the ground, she still legally owned it since she paid for it.

Trixie wasted her money for revenge against a pony that really have done nothing to hurt her. Money she could've instead use make a new name for herself. Edited August 24, 2013 by EquestrianScholar

[Singe 2,111]

What facts have been established involving a magic duel between unicorns? Well magic is to be used, which technically during the second duel Twilight did use magic. She used magic to hide the switches that were taking place so the illusion of using age, duplication, and gender spells was seen.

 

There was no rule stated that friends could not be used, and by Trixie's standards Twilight was using magic. What was Trixie's magic but parlor tricks and stage magic? That is the sort of magic Twilight used and better than Trixie I must again add.

 

Trixie unseated Twilight from her position as strongest unicorn through deceit and false power not her own... Twilight simply defeated Trixie without the use of magic at all apart from a couple flashes of her horn and puffs of smoke.

 

Trixie wasted her money for revenge against a pony that really have done nothing to hurt her. Money she could've instead use make a new name for herself.

 

Twilight admits to not actually doing any real magic. She just used an alternative of fake it to throw Trixie off guard and to steal the amulet. The duel itself was a throw away on Twilight's part. Twilight didn't get the amulet through the duel, she had Rainbow Dash steal it.

Edited August 24, 2013 by Singe