S03:E13 - Magical Mystery Cure

[GuillermoGage 246]

Ah, this was the big one. The one we've all been waiting for. And to be honest, I wasn't worried, I knew that I could never lose faith in the gifted people who work on the show to just blow it out of nowhere. It's the way it will always be, in my opinion. I was interested to see how they would take the formula of, not only the whole cutie mark switcheroo thing, but making Twilight Sparkle an alicorn princess.

 

First off, I was curious as to how they would cram a finale this big into 22 minutes of showtime. Regardless of the fact that the multiparter will end with the beginning of season 4, a lot of people have been saying the whole thing was rushed. I admittedly agree, I mean they had to end this episode with Twilight's transformation anyway, like it or not. But anywho, they had a grand total of seven stellar Disney-esque musical numbers packed into the episode, so I'm assuming that's part of the reasoning. The songs were great, especially the unexpected ones, namely Celestia's, so that leveled it out for me.

 

The cutie mark swapping portions of the episode were also rushed, but they were slightly less relevant, so I see why it was taken in that direction. Surely was a much-needed concept for the show, I've wanted something like it for a good long while now, and I'm glad it has finally taken place.

 

Also, nice to see Derpy returning, not once, but a surprising 6-ish times. For this reason and many more, I know the right thing is to have absolute faith in the wonderful staff that have given us the gift of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic for the same reasons that have brought us all here in the first place. Hear me out; they have started something of a revolution. It wouldn't be like any person with half a brain to just let all that success just die and fall to pieces in an instant.

 

As for the third season of the show so far, I thought it was pretty good. We've had good fanservice, excellent episodes, many finally-canonized theories and terms, and a heck of a finale. I, for one, am eager to find out how the story continues once we get information on season four. In the meantime, I will enjoy this hiatus by further kicking back, watching the fandom do its thing, and catch up on some LPS.

^This. Yep. Littlest Pet Shop. The MLPFIM S3 finale makes me wonder if there will be any  continuity or potential "big events" in LPS, even though it is more of a laid-back show. The prospect of people finding out that Blythe can talk to the pets, or the question of how aware humans are of animal intelligence, could be a theme. I'm still looking for an active fan community/forum for LPS, maybe one will start growing as more episodes happen.

[Squid 100]

Am I the only individual who actually didn't feel that the episode was rushed?

 

I'm not sure how it would work out as a two-parter.  I've heard people suggest that it would cut off at the time Twi disappears, and everyone thinks she's dead.  But then the next episode would have been just Twilight becoming an Alicorn, and that for 22 minutes would be a bit drawn out.  I dunno.  It felt right the way it was.

[Dashabel 381]

Well. One word to describe this tremendous finale - WOW!

It was really surprising, so much change, and the fact that nearly the whole episode was told through singing (a total of seven songs) but weren't the songs great?! I especially love Twilight's dramatic song and Dashie's singing voice, I could listen to it all day... <3

I've been so excited to see this episode, and it really surprised me! It was so exhilarating! Though liquid happiness threatened to shed, though I kept them brewing.

Season four will be strange with alicorn Twilight. And to be honest, I don't see why there are so many negatives about it. All the mane 6 have jobs, responsibilities, destinies... But what's Twilight's? That was what this episode told us. Her destiny WAS to be a princess. I mean, don't you think she deserves it? High time if you ask me.

And I'm sure Bronies rejoiced at the split second sit of Derpy, eyes and all!

Overall, a truly amazing finale, can't wait for Easter Day, where I shall be sitting with my sister and cousin eating chocolate watching episode 1! I only fear that this will be the last season - perhaps all their destinies will be fulfilled, the CMCs will get their cutie marks... I mean, what else can happen!? MLP has really outdone themselves - the BEST show EVER!

[Mr. Jaguar 1,403]

Well, speaking just for myself, I have no intention of writing the show off just because of this episode.  I was looking forward to seeing Twilight "graduate", and I'm glad she did.  I just have some issues with how they executed it, and I can't help but think that the season opener is going to have to retroactively explain this episode in order to bridge the gap.

 

But is the series ruined?  Maybe, maybe not.  It's up to the writers to decide.  I still have hope.  I was just quite disappointed with this finale.

 

 

I'll say this, if all the plot holes in this episode are left unexplained, than yes, it will most likely irredeemably ruin the show for me. I hope that everything will be explained, but I don't have much optimism at this point. Sad, how a show can be good for so long and then all of a sudden, one episode comes along, and throws it under a bus, where it is mangled beyond repair. But like I said, hopefully season 4 will fix it, and at the end of the day, it's just a TV show, so if it's ruined than whatever.

Edited February 17, 2013 by Mr. Jaguar

[Cantankerous 106]

I don't want to say something only to change my mind about it later but my conclusion, tentative though it is, after watching this episode five or so times and reading many of the criticisms in this thread is that... well... I found it a majestic work of art worth loving dearly. Wow, that was a strong statement to make. There have been episodes this season that I've loved at first then later had to concede to not being as good as I thought and I'm scared that will happen with this one, too. All signs seem good though, and it's nice to see Digibrony has my back.

Edited February 18, 2013 by ByTheTides

[Marcusaralius76 150]

 

These are my general thoughts on the episode.

 

TL;DR I thought it was meh.  It was way too short compared to what it should have been.

[Shanks 10,816]

At first I was like "Cool, season finale was pretty good." Then, it started to sink in...and I'm desperately grappling with the episode, trying to make sense of the second half. As it stands...I just can't. I CAN'T DO IT, MAN! It just doesn't make sense. Every potential conflict with Twilight's ascension just isn't there.​ It's nonexistent. The end was clearly a series finale. No "What's this going to do to my friendships?" or "What sort of new stuff will I have to do?" or the most basic one which was thrown out the window just as I was thinking it, "How the hell do I fly?"

Yeah I wanted to like this or at least not hate it I really did, and tried to rationalize in my head how it couldn't be that bad but that was the most God awful piece of crap I have seen in a long time. The cutie mark switching was a good idea with a lot of potential but should have been a prelude which should have led into Twilight becoming an alicorn which in and of itself should have been a two parter. It would have given the writers more time to flesh this out and actually do it right, this is still salvageable despite the horrid start but does not inspire confidence. Sure I trust the writers but when Hasbro interferes in such a way that it makes it impossible for them to do their job it doesn't matter how talented they are it is still not going to work. 

[Alleviate 342]

I feel like I'm one of a small number who found that season final quite good...

 

I actually liked it more than I thought I would, I mean, I wasn't expecting much after seeing what everyone was saying about it, but I was pleasantly surprised. It was a nice, fun, finale. Less gritty than the changelings or the gala-crash. Just plain fun to watch. 

 

I liked it. Twilicorn seems like a fun character to be developed too- A new and uncertain princess, but with the mindset of her old self. I can see several strong possible story lines to come from this. 

 

But, like everyone else...Season 4 looks a long way off...Is there a date yet even?

[Whofch 128]

I've now seen the episode several times and I've come to the conclusion that I actually find it a very good episode. There are many implications made which I'm not overly keen on but as an individual episode, I liked it.

It might need the first episodes from season 4 to support it which might take the bitterness away pushing it up to a top tier episode imo.

I'm still very much looking forward to the next season.

 

Not sure if it's been mentioned, but a lot of the clothes just looked awkward on the ponies in this episode to me. Might just be me though.

[alexdehooves 28]

Well it was a Ok episode . The wierd void thing reminded me of star trek enterprise Stormfront Part 2

 

Here is a video that should display the connections i made between star trek and MLP FIM

[LuckyStar 17]

My daughter finally got to watch the episode. She audibly gasped during the transformation sequence and such, but at the end of the episode she seemed less than thrilled. I asked her if she was disappointed and she said yes - the story was good, but she didn't understand why Twilight became a princess.

 

She's 7. :\

[hi300 56]

I don't care that Twilight's rule is permanent. Let's just add that to the checklist of things we survived:

 

1.4-chan war

 

2.Derpy Dilemma

 

3.Twilight becoming an Alicorn

 

There.

[Kitty Cat Moonshire 629]

Here's my recommendation. Watch it twice. 

The first time I watched it, I hated it. And everything I previously said that they should have changed still stands.

But I went back and watched it again and I actually liked it! Perhaps it made more sense, or maybe it was because I realized that everything needs to change to keep things fresh. Whatever it was, the second time I saw the episode I found it rather enjoyable! 

I still think it was rushed, yes, but it wasn't a bad episode after all

Here's my recommendation. Watch it twice. 

The first time I watched it, I hated it. And everything I previously said that they should have changed still stands.

But I went back and watched it again and I actually liked it! Perhaps it made more sense, or maybe it was because I realized that everything needs to change to keep things fresh. Whatever it was, the second time I saw the episode I found it rather enjoyable! 

I still think it was rushed, yes, but it wasn't a bad episode after all

Plus, twilight looks freaking awesome with wings, you can't deny that

 

Just don't give rarity wings. Remember what happened last time? xD

[roptiriolg 49]

It was a beautiful episode. I shed a little bit of liquid pride at one point. The all the songs and especially Celestia's balled amoung the various flashbacks was just amazing. A great way to end an overall great season.

 

My biggest complaint is how early they leaked Twilicorn. I never watch leaks or spoiler clips of the episodes before they come out, but even by doing that I couldn't avoid all the rumors of her transformation. I didn't know how exactly it was going to happen, but I knew she would be an alicorn and a princess by the end. That really took away a huge part of the surprise for me.

 

Overall, I think it was an amazing episode that could've used a lot better spoiler control from hasbro.

 

Exactly my thoughts, man! Just like I said in my previous posts. I suppose it's not the fans' fault but these Hasbro, Hub or whoever deices it is so cool to show us what happens. This killed a lot for me when watching the episode, all t hese spoilers of Twilight Alicorn and I always avoided spoilers. I could still send some complaint to loose the spoilers a bit, why did they decide ppl want to know what happens in advance, damn it.

Edited February 17, 2013 by ImtR

[RockinRarity 1,605]

This is the first episode that I can think of where I need to watch it over and over again...

 

I think it's the songs. After listening to a song that I love in the series I just listen to the song over and over again, but because they crammed so many songs in this one I may as well just watch the whole episode.

 

Well played, Hasbro. Well played.

 

I am totally buying that DVD when it comes out BTW.

[GenderIsAnIllusion 2,177]

My daughter finally got to watch the episode. She audibly gasped during the transformation sequence and such, but at the end of the episode she seemed less than thrilled. I asked her if she was disappointed and she said yes - the story was good, but she didn't understand why Twilight became a princess.

 

She's 7. :\

 

A seven year old who questions an unexplainable magical event? Wow  even i find that kinda sad.... most kids who watched this show were probably like "OHHH Spakley PRINCESS YAY...... and she has WINGZ!!!" 

 

I hope she dosent quit the series...

[LuckyStar 17]

A seven year old who questions an unexplainable magical event? Wow  even i find that kinda sad.... most kids who watched this show were probably like "OHHH Spakley PRINCESS YAY...... and she has WINGZ!!!" 

 

I hope she dosent quit the series...

 

I don't think she will. One thing I can say for my daughter is that she's very, very observant. It helps that she likes to read and is already reading near a 2nd-Grade level. She's very good at following plot and just seemed less than thrilled because she wanted to know where Twilight was going after this.

 

My husband and I made it a point to not color her interpretation. I just thought it interesting that she was also wondering what all this was for. 

[Mr. Jaguar 1,403]

Here's my recommendation. Watch it twice. 

The first time I watched it, I hated it. And everything I previously said that they should have changed still stands.

But I went back and watched it again and I actually liked it! Perhaps it made more sense, or maybe it was because I realized that everything needs to change to keep things fresh. Whatever it was, the second time I saw the episode I found it rather enjoyable! 

I still think it was rushed, yes, but it wasn't a bad episode after all

 

Plus, twilight looks freaking awesome with wings, you can't deny that

 

Just don't give rarity wings. Remember what happened last time? xD

 

If I watch it again, the plot holes and the rushed story will still be there, so I'll still dislike it, unless I do the most spectacular mental gymnastics possible in order to justify every fault in the plot. Which I won't, because I would no longer respect myself. I also have no desire to subject my eyes, ears and brain to that bile ever again.

Edited February 17, 2013 by Mr. Jaguar

[Kitty Cat Moonshire 629]

If I watch it again, the plot holes and the rushed story will still be there, so I'll still dislike it, unless I do the most spectacular mental gymnastics possible in order to justify every fault in the plot. Which I won't, because I would no longer respect myself. I also have no desire to subject my eyes, ears and brain to that bile ever again.

Then it's simple. Don't. It was simply a recommendation, because that is exactly what I thought the first time too. But to each his own, and you are entitled to you own opinions.

If you didn't like it, there is nothing wrong with that

[lalaithmlp 5]

I liked the episode, I don't know why everyone is making a big deal about Princess Twilight, she kinda deserved it if you ask me.

 

Also I loved how Celestia didn't give Twilight Sparkle a chance, just HERE IS YOUR WINGS! HAVE FUN!

Re: 'here's your wings, have fun!' - that's one of the things I've been thinking about since yesterday too.  They gave Twilight a lot of facial expressions of uncertainty and confusion about her transformation, and you're absolutely right, it wasn't really a choice.  But if we believe the transformation was caused by her having 'grown up' as Celestia said, then even Celestia didn't have a choice about Twilight's transformation at that point.  She was just there to keep her company and keep Twi from panicking.  

 

Even so, her poor little face!  

[immblueversion 331]

I don't think she will. One thing I can say for my daughter is that she's very, very observant. It helps that she likes to read and is already reading near a 2nd-Grade level. She's very good at following plot and just seemed less than thrilled because she wanted to know where Twilight was going after this.

 

My husband and I made it a point to not color her interpretation. I just thought it interesting that she was also wondering what all this was for. 

 

Well, from what the showrunners have said, princesshood in Equestria seems more along the lines of knighthood in real life. I believe looking at it like that makes it easier to swallow her still living in Ponyville with her friends, like Tara Strong said she would. The wings just seem to be a bonus.

Edited February 17, 2013 by immblueversion

[LyraHeartstrings 482]

 

Anyone else find this extremely funny?

Just a sofa clerk and his quills. 

[Discovery Dream 592]

Quill and Sofas is the best shop in Ponyville xD
 

Anyone else think the scene with Celestia and Twilight was like in Harry Potter with Harry and Dumbledore? I just noticed that now!

[Wingnut 6,994]

Episodes like this have so much to them, I have to watch it twice to take it all in. 

 

So why am I NOT watching the second telecast of Magical Mystery Cure this Sunday morning?  I think it's because the whole Twilicorn thing has been so overhyped all season long.  It was simply a great relief to get this over with and I'm just not into watching it again now.

 

I wonder...if this was a SERIES ending episode, would it have been a two parter in that event?  It was incredibly rushed from Twilight fixing everyone's scrambled destinies to her elevation to princess at the end.  Twilight was never given a minute to breathe and take in this incredible change.  She never had the chance to express any sense of loss of her old way of life.  And no matter what, by finally completing that old spell, Twilight summed up the complete underlying theme of MLP:FiM for seasons 1 through 3. 

 

I am glad they had their best overall writer, Mitch Larson, write the script.  Nobody else could've crammed all of this into 22 minutes.  Where they go from here is beyond me since the elementary lessons about friendship and letters to Celestia appear to be over with.  Which is sad in a way because Twilight is driven to learn new things every day of her life.  Nothing, not even possibly replacing Princess Celestia in the distant future will ever change that.   

 

On a sad personal note, I find it highly ironic that the day Magical Mystery Cure aired with its overall message about the power of friendship was the same day my former best friend and I decided to go our separate ways. 

Edited February 17, 2013 by Wingnut

[Heart's Desire 181]

Hmm...I will have to watch it again at some point to see if it feels different. As it is it was kind of strange to me, it felt more like a series finale than a season finale. It also felt like they tried to squeeze a movie into a half hour episode. I think the actual plot was brilliant, and the way Twilight figured out what she had to do was good too, but it was all so rushed there was no time to enjoy the strangeness of the situation. I would have liked to try to figure the mystery out myself rather than just having it be "we're all doomed!...Oh, wait! We're fine now!"

 

Also, the fact that the alicorn ending had been leaked, or whatever, made that whole segment less than thrilling. I've no problem with alicorn Twilight as long as they write it well. Also, is she the princess of friendship?

 

And I really don't think one just knows how to fly the second they have wings. I mean, it seemed to me like she couldn't even figure how to put them down.

 

 

 

...Derpy