S04:E01+02 - Princess Twilight Sparkle

[Lateon 589]

I sincerely enjoyed this episode, and believe it makes up for the flop (in my opinion) of the S3 finale. A couple of highlights I'd like to point out:

 

- I too enjoyed the fact that they had to give up the Elements of Harmony in order to save the Tree of Harmony (and, by extension, the princesses and Equestria). I personally thought that the Elements in their physical representations were simply the key to channeling the Elements themselves, and that their true representations lay in their bearers. That's why I enjoyed the connection that was made that, even without the necklaces, the things that brought the Mane 6 together as friends still lives on. Removing the elements also removes the whole "Oh, gigantic threat to Equestria? Get the elements, girls!" dynamic to any really major problem that the Mane 6 encounters.

 

- Discord. So...complex. Just as twisted as before, but not in an overly malevolent way.

"Oh, I would have helped if you had asked, but you guys all blame me for this, so good luck!"

"Why did you listen to your friends when you clearly are part of the solution? Who cares about being a princess?"

"Oh yeah, I was the one who caused this all along, but it wasn't supposed to happen now, muh bad"

"Oh, why didn't I tell you? Well there's no fun in not learning anything, is there?"

 

FUCKING.....GENIUSSSSSS

 

- I was wholeheartedly confused as to why Applejack would suddenly come to the conclusion that, since Twilight is a princess now, she must not do anything that would endanger herself. I feel like that's a more...Rarity thing to say. I don't, however, believe this was a lapse in writing. Twilight's friends were simply still under the delusion that being a Princess actually matters in the grand scheme of things, and that that fact was more important than finding the solution to the threat coming from the Everfree Forest (I've only watched the episodes once, so I fully expect there to be some rebuttal in the form of one of them saying that being a Princess comes after being their friends or something, which is okay). Only after they split up did they realize (one with the help of Discord, the others simply by not being able to fix the problem (WHODATHINKIT, NEED ALL SIX)) their mistake.

 

- Dose flashbacks doe. So gud.

 

EDIT: oh yeah, I forgot the box.

 

WHAT'S IN THE FUCKIN' BOX

 

All I want is them to find keys over the course of the season instead of all at once in the finale. That would be great.

Edited November 23, 2013 by HandMan

[Lonely 93]

I was confused cause why would they a a tree of hamony if the the Everfree forest is alive. why?

[None42069 520]

Luna's Lunaite is reacting to the Nightmare Force's mega ring.

Luna has Mega evolved into Nightmare Moon.

[Felix 1,363]

Wow. That was a lot to take in. I think I'm gonna have to watch it again later because, any time you watch something like this twice you make better sense of it later.

 

I liked how they didn't throw in a villain this time. Though it was technically Discord, it wasn't based around a villain. That was a nice change. Overall, I loved the episode! It was everything I wanted it to be! "And now, on a day like today, I can honestly say that-" I have great anticipation for what comes next for season 4.

Edited November 23, 2013 by FeIix

[Castle Bleck 19,333]

I will want to watch the episode again before posting any in depth opinions. For now, I am very happy with it. The flashbacks probably wrecked a large number of fanfics, but they were worth it. I loved Discords antics, but also his role and actions a thousand years in the past. I am very happy with the episode, and like I said, I want to watch it again before giving a real opinion.

 

 

Youtube link if anyone wants it:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXb4qdlBzog&list=PL62AB0439C7019684

hopefully it stays up. This is low quality version, so if you can find HD, go for it.

Well, that certainly made my weekend.

 

Nice to see Twilight still remembers how to use Sombra-style magic; disappointing that we didn't get to see the Crystal Empire fiasco in her flashback(s), however.

 

P.S.: Dear Discord,

 

In regards to your future in agriculture...

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HL8TzsmM4A

 

Sincerely,

Al Gore

[Lonely 93]

I wonder what happens in the next episode. the theme is more pleasant to me cause it has princess luna reading the letters awiting snowdrops letters of friendship

[Nulln 755]

They were right about her not needing to put herself in danger, since she's the last princess.  If anything went wrong, they would all be left without a ruler.  But they also should have known that they needed her, since she was the only one who knew what the tree looked like, and it was pretty obvious that they'd need ALL the elements of harmony to fix things.

[Dashabel 381]

Oh for pony's sake. I just spent 10 minutes writing my newly-watched, hyped review of the episodes. Then my iPad decides to run out of battery.

Don't you just HATE when that happens?

Perhaps I will rewrite it tomorrow, once the humiliation has worn off and I have the will to type it all again. I might watch it again, too — always helps.

[Emperor Posh 360]

Here is a higher quality version of episode 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b46xx6PYjnU

Episode 2 will come soon.

Edited November 23, 2013 by Emperor Posh

[Skullbuster 1,906]

wow, there was a lot of awesome stuff in these episodes!

 

i declare bad ass crocodile as new best pony

 

also, i was kinda ehh with the whole "Lead us oh great one for we are lost without you" attitude her friends had near the end

Edited November 23, 2013 by Skullbuster

[The Swedish Brony 153]

I know I'm probably just going to be a shout among the crowd but... it has to be said.

 

THAT WAS FREAKING AMAZIIIIIIING!!!

 

 

I mean wow! That was everything I could have ever have expected from a premiere! (My first one actually )

The Discord scenes where fan-bucking-tastic, the flashbacks where so cool, the whole tree of harmony thing was totally awesome and the whole episode as a whole was the amazingest thing I have yet to lay my eyes on!

 

(If this was a thing on youtube, I'd like like comment and subscribe that shit 54 times over! )

 

And then that box... the intriguing box! What is in it? How will it affect them? When will we find out?!

A very good way to keep our suspense going, is it not? 

 

There's only one thing that maybe could have been added and that thing  is a song...

 

But that is only a minor thing. This episode left nothing to be wanted from and I am thrilled to see what other amazing episodes will come to us in a near future. ^^

 

This was a good day to be brony. 

Edited November 23, 2013 by The Swedish Brony

[Discount_Flunky 75]

Most people are harping on the whole "Send Twilight back for the good of the Empire" thing, but I think it was necessary.  First off their reasoning made perfect sense, it can be hard for modern day people to understand why it's so important to leave someone with a legitimate right to the throne alive, but in monarch based governments not having a king/queen for literally a day can cause nation wide panic and complete social and economic collapse.  Not to mention all the power struggles that follow. So ya, having at least one princess left is important.

 

Second of all, her going back to Ponyvile set up Discord's argument with her that taught her a very valuable lesson.  That even though she needs to live it still doesn't justify staying back sitting on her comfy throne while her subjects, who happen to be her friends, fight and possibly die for her.  She also learned that her new status as Princess doesn't make her more important as a person, and that her life is worth the same as everyone else's.  

 

These are all lessons she had to learn eventually.  I think the problem here is that they kind of throw it in there and it seemed like rushed filler.  Maybe a separate episode dedicated to it would be better.

Edited November 23, 2013 by Discount_Flunky

[ChristophR 20]

Finally watched the episode, too, and it is... Well... I don't really know what it is... I think it's a pretty good start. The main story with the forest attacking Ponyville and all that stuff wasn't really my thing, to be honest, but the end was okay. I mean, it's just logical for me that they are giving up their elements (I mean, MLP is ending, so...), and the stuff with the keys opens a new mystery throughout the season! The part I liked most was the part with the flashbacks. Finally we are seeing the stories which were just told in the past! So, yeah, best part XD. And Discord... Well, oh Discord, always causing trouble, that little reformed idiot...

[Radiance64 7,053]

I don't know if it's already been said but in the theme, when Twilight gets down the balloon, she doesn't have her wings. Do you think it was laziness or has it been done on purpose, like it had a real meaning ?

 

But the rest of both episodes was awesome. Best episode for me too !!!

I think it's supposed to be representitive of her path in the series or something- coming to Ponyville, meeting her friends, and then eventually becoming a princess. That's how I interpreted it anyway.

[DiscordAnarchy 770]

Such twists and turns they did ran

My chaotic little seeds took longer than I planned

Ah but my return onto the silver screen

Is what made this episode truly gleem

 

Laughter and merriment came all around

Watching Dashie fighting with clouds

Flashbacks were fun with their history

Seeing myself turn to stone was a misery

 

Darkness loomed

Alicorns zoomed

All in all it was Delish

 

Discord Laughs

Twilight Crash

This episode was a dish!

[Commander_PonyShep 349]

So I watched this episode, and I had one little complaint: It doesn't reveal if Twilight will return to Ponyville with her friends.  I mean, I understand this whole, "we'll always be together, even while we're apart" thing, but I feel depressed that she didn't move back to Ponyville with her friends, like she did in the book, "Twilight Sparkle and The Crystal Heart Spell".

 

Other than that, I had doubts about this episode, especially after that whole Equestria Girls fiasco, but when I actually watched it, they dissipated.  It's too bad I can't see episode three of the show, because I'll be on vacation in a place that has no Hub channel or Internet connection.

[SaburoDaimando 1,196]

I sincerely enjoyed this episode, and believe it makes up for the flop (in my opinion) of the S3 finale. A couple of highlights I'd like to point out:

 

- I too enjoyed the fact that they had to give up the Elements of Harmony in order to save the Tree of Harmony (and, by extension, the princesses and Equestria). I personally thought that the Elements in their physical representations were simply the key to channeling the Elements themselves, and that their true representations lay in their bearers. That's why I enjoyed the connection that was made that, even without the necklaces, the things that brought the Mane 6 together as friends still lives on. Removing the elements also removes the whole "Oh, gigantic threat to Equestria? Get the elements, girls!" dynamic to any really major problem that the Mane 6 encounters.

 

- Discord. So...complex. Just as twisted as before, but not in an overly malevolent way.

"Oh, I would have helped if you had asked, but you guys all blame me for this, so good luck!"

"Why did you listen to your friends when you clearly are part of the solution? Who cares about being a princess?"

"Oh yeah, I was the one who caused this all along, but it wasn't supposed to happen now, muh bad"

"Oh, why didn't I tell you? Well there's no fun in not learning anything, is there?"

 

FUCKING.....GENIUSSSSSS

 

- I was wholeheartedly confused as to why Applejack would suddenly come to the conclusion that, since Twilight is a princess now, she must not do anything that would endanger herself. I feel like that's a more...Rarity thing to say. I don't, however, believe this was a lapse in writing. Twilight's friends were simply still under the delusion that being a Princess actually matters in the grand scheme of things, and that that fact was more important than finding the solution to the threat coming from the Everfree Forest (I've only watched the episodes once, so I fully expect there to be some rebuttal in the form of one of them saying that being a Princess comes after being their friends or something, which is okay). Only after they split up did they realize (one with the help of Discord, the others simply by not being able to fix the problem (WHODATHINKIT, NEED ALL SIX)) their mistake.

 

- Dose flashbacks doe. So gud.

 

EDIT: oh yeah, I forgot the box.

 

WHAT'S IN THE FUCKIN' BOX

 

All I want is them to find keys over the course of the season instead of all at once in the finale. That would be great.

Don't jinx it.  The last thing that will come out of that box will most likely be the head of William Shatner singing "Hey Mr Tambourine Man."

[Winona the Dog 1,984]

I was confused cause why would they a a tree of hamony if the the Everfree forest is alive. why?

 

From what I understand. The Tree of Harmony is a natural living thing that produced the Elements of Harmony themselves. It's what keeps the Everfree Forest under control. After the EoH was taken from the tree of Harmony; it gradually was drained of it's powers (plus the seeds from Discord accelerated it.) So The Tree of Harmony and the Everfree are two different entities. 

[Radiance64 7,053]

Finally watched the episode, too, and it is... Well... I don't really know what it is... I think it's a pretty good start. The main story with the forest attacking Ponyville and all that stuff wasn't really my thing, to be honest, but the end was okay. I mean, it's just logical for me that they are giving up their elements (I mean, MLP is ending, so...), and the stuff with the keys opens a new mystery throughout the season! The part I liked most was the part with the flashbacks. Finally we are seeing the stories which were just told in the past! So, yeah, best part XD. And Discord... Well, oh Discord, always causing trouble, that little reformed idiot...

MLP isn't ending, I haven't heard anything like that from anywhere. Don't get ahead of things now.

[silverreverb 129]

these episodes are great. world building is something I always look forward to and I say we got plenty start off with. discord was a lot of fun to watch, sitting in his "almost good bad guy" zone, helping everybody but still having fun.

 

I was hoping to see a new villain in these episodes but all things considered there really was no need. I still wonder how that dark magic counts as alicorn magic /=|

 

can't wait to see what's in that box though, guess we'll see at the season finale :3

[Lonely 93]

From what I understand. The Tree of Harmony is a natural living thing that produced the Elements of Harmony themselves. It's what keeps the Everfree Forest under control. After the EoH was taken from the tree of Harmony; it gradually was drained of it's powers (plus the seeds from Discord accelerated it.) So The Tree of Harmony and the Everfree are two different entities. 

okay thanks so since Zecora's house is destroyed where will she live now?

[crazitaco 596]

OMG it was amazing!!!! Everyone's pretty much said what i had to say about all the good aspects of the episodes. I did have a couple nit-picks though, this doesn't mean i didn't enjoy the episode. It was a pretty strong start to the 4th season, imo.

 

Here's some nit-picks:

• I find the concept of a magic (harmony) tree to be kinda... cliche.... meh.
• I get slightly annoyed every time this show plasters twilight's large-ass cutie mark on everything. i mean, i know she's the "chosen one" and all but you don't need to rub it in my eyes! (same thing in MMC)

• I also see alot of people complaining about the zecora potion set up. I don't have any issue with the potion itself, seeing as it seems like something Zecora would do. She's an expert in the field of potions/spiritual magic, and its not unlikely that she has potions that induce magic visions. The only thing that bothered me about it was the fact that it had to be activated with "alicorn magic." Why was that a thing? Seems like a rather pointless detail that didn't really change anything. It was kinda unecessary to the plot making it have to be activated at all.

• Princess Twilight will always rub me the wrong way. Sorry, but i've accepted this fact. I don't have anything against the current Twilight Sparkle, but she's not the character that i fell in love with in season 1. There are now two Twilight's in my mind, Past and Present. Past twilight was/is my favorite character in the show. She was delightfully sarcastic, prone to a bit of a temper, more individual, had more of a bite/edge and was just plain funnier. New Twilight is pretty much the opposite, she's a cautious, humble, optimistic leader whose prone to feels of anxiety. Maybe i'll find myself liking New Twilight over time, but i'll always hold feelings of sadness over the fact that New Twilight has overwritten Old Twilight. Kinda like replacing a deceased pet with a new one. You may grow to love the new pet, but it can never fill the hole in your heart that the old one has left behind.

• The emotional moments....didn't really pack much of an impact for me. Which is surprising considering i'm usually the one crying like a baby. I'm not saying they were bad, but they felt a little forced. Twilight crying over Celestia's fall especially, since you know she's not dead and that its all just a flashback.

• Pinkie pie (in the first half).....Her drooling over cake icing and doing her own thing in the background. I like pinkie pie, but i get a little annoyed when her comedic relief overshadows her ability to stay involved with the story. They tend to overdo her randomness sometimes. She was totally fine in the second half though. The confetti letters were great though! They both made twilight feel more secure, were relevant, hilarious, AND totally Pinkie!

Non-nitpick: Okay, what's the deal with you guys and saying stuff is rushed? I feel like yall just like using that word, or that you don't fully understand what it means. This was 2 full length episodes, i actually thought the plot was pretty evenly paced. Lots of exposition maybe, but not bad pacing on it. Edited November 23, 2013 by crazitaco

[Winona the Dog 1,984]

okay thanks so since Zecora's house is destroyed where will she live now?

 

The next episode might time skip ahead to where Zecora rebuilds her house there since the Everfree is back under control now. At least that's how I imagine it. 

[Lonely 93]

The next episode might time skip ahead to where Zecora rebuilds her house there since the Everfree is back under control now. At least that's how I imagine it. 

probally or they will show Zecora living in the libray cause twilight lives in the canterloat I think

[I am Lunar Fire 198]

At first thought the episode seemed looked like a bad fan-made one. In around 15 minutes we had seen Celestia, Luna, Discord, Zecora and Nightmare Moon. This felt like Double Rainboom all over again.

Then things started to make sense. The Nightmare Moon flashback, the Discord flashback, the Tree of Harmony flashback, they all had a key role in storytelling in the end. At one point after seeing them I was wondering why they left the Sombra banishment out of the picture, but it was basically because Sombra and the Crystal Empire had nothing to do with the episode.

Felt weird right off the bat, but as the episode progressed it made a lot more sense.

I like how there wasn't a big bad vilain like the other 3 seasons premiere, rather focusing on the quest. And how they didn't use the already over-used Rainbow Splash finale, rather giving up the elements to the tree of harmony. This will make for some interesting new episodes and vilains battle, since now they no longer have the elements. Can't wait for the Power Ponies episode.

Also, something that was missing from S2 and S3, we have a season ark. Meghan McCarthey announced on Twitter that the box with the 6 keys was a season ark, so it'll be fun to see where they go from there.

The episode didn't seem perfect to me, but it got me genuinely interested for the reminder of the season. Can't wait for next week Castle-Vania episode.