S04:E10 - Rainbow Falls

[DerpyFanatic 114]

DERPY!   

 

I squeed like an idiot when Derpy showed up. I don't think Tabitha would be brave enough to voice her again after that whole mess with The Last Roundup, though.

 

But still, I LOVE YOU DERPY! *squees*

[CHAOS_FANTAZY 42]

Honestly, after this episode, I'm out of respect for Spitfire and the Wonderbolt operation in general.

 

She and Fleetfoot not only deliberately introduced the episode's major conflict for Rainbow Dash, but also betrayed their (Presumably) long-standing friendship with Soarin' just because he "may not be good enough to guarantee victory."  This episode was basically Wonderbolt Academy over again, only without Lightning Dust so it was less interesting.

 

I've let it slip by multiple times now, but even for a while now, I've been wondering what Dash really sees in them.  I mean, yeah, they basically make a living doing what she does for fun, that's always nice, but what makes them so notable that Dash gives them an inkling of respect?

 

I've tried really hard to like the Wonderbolts.  Really, I have.  They were doing fine 'til now, even.  But they have proven more than once that they value victory and glory over friendship, and are grossly incompetent in the face of danger.  I'm done with liking them.

[SpitfiretheScrub 7]

"Aw cool next episode...something about relay race.."
Spitfire shows up! Best episode so far.
Then she became a jerk...
But she did gave RD her medal-or-whatever in the end.
*End of the episode* medal-or-whatever close up...*rainbows*
Spitfire contributed to the mane6 Rainbow Power!!

[kyderman225@aol.com 6]

I CANT BELIEVE DERPY WAS THE REPLACEMENT  

[TheJournalisticBrony 9]

Am I the only one who wants that Raonbow Dash solo. I mean, it has been around 4 Seasons and we do not have a big solo for her. We also need a bigger solo for Fluttershy, but Rainbow Dash doesn't even have a little bit of a solo at all. It would be interesting if we did a song about something very close to her heart. I really want the Rainbow Dash song to be really good if I have been waiting this long.

[DerpyPieSparklePants 3]

DERPY!!!!!!!! YAAAAY!!!!!!!!! YESSSSSSS!!!! :lol: :derp: :muffins:

[TwilightDreamer 69]

That was an interesting episode even though it was a little week at points in my mind.

 

Spitfire and Fleetfoot really were out of character for the majority of the episode since they just left one of their most trusted comrades on the wayside just because of  a simple injury he obtained. Those two seemed to be like idiots in my case when they wooed Rainbow into joining their team and to fly for her hometown with them in Soarin's place but that's part of the issue I have with them. If those two wanted Rainbow Dash to fly with them in Soarin's place in the condition he was in at the time thanks to his crippled wing, they would've gone to Twilight and the others first about the deal and the offer they want to give to their tomboy friend. It would've made the story a lot stronger than it is with the involvement of the others and to have their reasons for Rainbow Dash to fly for Ponyville clash with those of Fleetfoot and Spitfire. Then, Rainbow would really have to truly decide between her own wishes and her lifelong dream and her friendship with the others, being caught between those two reasons and leading her to make the toughest decision of her life ever. However, it's nice to see that there was a bit of a relationship between Rainbow and Soarin, maybe there should be an episode in the near future surrounding on them.

 

Rainbow was an interesting character but she seemed to be placing her desires in front of her friends and teammates, which is something of a repeat of the Canterlot Wedding incident at the wedding rehearsal. This is something that has been really bugging me ever since I saw the episode. She wanted to fly with the best team instead of what she sees as a stupid and lousy team in the Equestria Games but what she didn't realized that herTwilight should've gotten frustrated or furious at Rainbow at some point and, the talk she had with her in the episode is too soft in my eyes and she should've said her last bit of advice to her with a bit of disdain towards her boisterous friend, having realized that she truly threw her friendship away for her own wants and needs again. She should've just showed Spitfrie and Fleetfoot up at the qualifiers with the team she was meant to fly with and at the end of the qualifiers, she would simply tell the two that she lied to find out the real reason why they would want her to fly for Cloudsdale and dismiss them for her friends like she did in the episode; that way, she would not just go up to them and tell them off for the offer they made to her earlier, she would actually have a way to prove her worth to flying for Ponyville and to be with her friends in the games. In short, Rainbow, although she has some things in the episode that I've nagged about, she's a pretty cool character in the episode, 20% cooler to be precise.

 

I was surprised to find Derpy returning to the show and in her truest state when she was brought as Rainbow's replacement for the qualifiers, cross-eyed and all. Snowflake was finally brought into the show again, named as Bulk Biceps and he talked in the episode, nice to know that he's got a role in the show. The one thing that caught my attention was that some of the background characters like Crescent Moon actually had some lines to themselves, as if they were part of the episode. That's something that was not in the show and it was pretty amazing for the team to put that in.

 

All in all, even if the episode does have a few weak spots that have yet to be improved, this was a really good episode for Rainbow and for what it is.

[Simon 4,557]

I really don't have any problem with how they portrayed Spitfire and Fleetfoot.  I think one of the lessons they were trying to include was that it's easy to get swept up in competition.  That's something they've had several episodes go into, and I think it's an important value for the show to discuss, so I have no problem with them having two ponies whose lives basically revolve around competition letting their competitive side get a little out of hand.  After all, I think in real life there are plenty of examples where someone does something they wouldn't normally do because the stakes are higher than normal.  I think the same thing applies here... while those two might not have lied or dumped Soarin like they did for any normal race, this was the equivalent of their Olympics, so it's not hard for me to believe two ponies going to the Olympics whose lives revolve around competition might go a step too far.

 

I also really disagree with the idea that Rainbow puts her own feelings above that of her friends.  I get why you might have thought that though... it's pretty obvious that season 4 is doing episodes where they challenge the core element of each of the Mane 6.  We already saw an episode where Rarity's generosity was challenged and she almost gave up being generous because of a bad experience, and in the same way we saw loyalty conflicting with Rainbow's goals.  Like I said in my last post, I think the writers did a bad job here of making a realistic conflict, so I think that it made Rainbow come off as worse than she really is, because it doesn't sound realistic that she would dump her friends for the chance to simply fly with the wonderbolts in one race.  That aside, I think that it's not that Rainbow puts her own goals ahead of her friends, it's that the show frequently puts Rainbow in situations where her loyalty is in direct conflict with her own goals, so she's faced with really hard challenges.  Afterall, if they never challenged the ponies core identities, their elements wouldn't be interesting.  Just imagine a show where Pinkie never got sad, Rarity wandered around the streets handing out gifts constantly cause she's so generous, Applejack walked around telling everybody what she really thought of them without it ever being hard cause she's so honest, etc... it would be dull and strange because it's not realistic to think that those core attributes would never be challenged or come back to bite them in the butt.

 

Anyway like I said in my post, I think there are definitely flaws in the episode and I didn't particularly like how the episode was done, but I just don't really agree with you on those two particular points.

[Celli 4,337]

I liked it. Also Derpy front and center!!! And Bulk Biceps/Snowflake was cool as well. 

[Charming Shadow 2]

I found it kind of stupid that at the end she simply says that if she has to choose between being loyal to her friends or go with the winners that she would go with her friends. I mean come on, you are the element of Loyalty. It's not because you love your friends more, it's because loyality is in your blood!

[Simon 4,557]

I found a lot stupid about the ending... the deciding between the two, Rainbow deciding to dump both groups and cry in a corner... I just think the writers got carried away with the fan-service and were so focused on writing funny Bulk Biceps lines and planning the best way to make Derpy appear that they forgot to actually put effort into writing a good plot.

[King Sejong 859]

   I just bought Rainbow Falls from iTunes, and I am slightly conflicted, some parts I enjoyed, like Bulk Biceps, that name is quite funny, it takes me back to MST3K and Space Mutiny, and Mike and the bots' nicknames for the main character David Ryder. This episode is very relatable to me, once again I have been in Rainbow Dash's position, I know what it is like to be exploited by people I once trusted, and being held back by people, and this is my current predicament, going back to my military years, I knew I was going to be used by the Department of Defense or politicians, I expected that, but then I was exploited by my own family, using my status to boast to other people, the same thing happened to other servicemen, like my step brother in the Army and my cousin who is Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, my step brother would say "Mirror mirror on the wall who is the most nationalist of all?" So it seems possible that the Wonderbolts would do this to Rainbow Dash and Soarin, they may be in an elite outfit but they are prone to folly same as us, and Ponyville was not as motivated as Cloudsdale, if they were sending Bulk Biceps and Fluttershy undone to their fates, thus was just a wrong keeping Rainbow Dash from her ambition. Rainbow Dash is an amazing pony, so I felt sorry for myself I have not resolved the exploitation from my family, nor restraining my aspirations, I wish I could be like Rainbow Dash and have the friends that would hear me out, and go to new locations seeking a new beginning, so now that Ponyville is headed to the Equestria Games, I will still root for them, but because they have Rainbow Dash, a pegasus as colourful as her mane.  

[Castle Bleck 19,327]

Rainbow Falls...

 

...More like Rainbow FAILS!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlzaNtzLrF8

 

Anyway, as I said before, a second viewing softened my opinion. Granted, it's still worse than Castle Mane-ia, just not with a burning passion anymore.

Edited February 24, 2014 by Anti-Villain

[Persona22 205]

Anyone else noticed something about the scene where the teams that qualified are given medals?

 

 

Every team, even the Griffon team, consists of two females and one male participant. Ponyville, the Griffons, the Wonderbolts/Cloudsdale, the other two...

 

Do you think that's a coincidence or was it a rule of the event itself?

[Simon 4,557]

Coincidence... cause they were going to replace Soarin with RD.

[Deesinn 393]

I do have a problem with this episode.  I actually think it would have been better for Rainbows character if she had chosen the wonderbolts over her fake injuring herself so she didn't have to choose, because it is her life long dream, she spends so much time talking about them and practicing, that her not taking that place makes her entire motivation through the series seem pointless.  Sure, it may piss her friends off, but it's her life long dream we're talking about, you would think her friends may be somewhat understanding, and even exited for her.  Why is ponyville even trying to quality anyways?  Wouldn't all of the other really good flyers in ponyville want to be on a team with Rainbow Dash, who has clearly proven she is at least one of the best flyers in Equestria?  Sure they were in other evens, but you would think that some other decently qualified ponies would have jumped on the opportunity the second they knew Dash wanted to compete.  She's a loud mouth, everypony in town would know the second she decided. 

It's like if Dave Matthews Band band was competing in a massive battle of the bands, and asked me to ditch my band who barley got any gigs, to play with them instead because their drummer sustained an injury to his wrists. Yeah, obviously I'm going to go play with Dave Matthews Band, they're my favorite band, why would I pass this up?  Over my friends?  Please, this is a huge opportunity.  I get Rainbows thing is loyalty, but there's a difference between being blindly loyal, throwing your own desires out the window for your friends, and just loyal.  It's not like Fluttershy even cares about qualifying or not, she's only doing it to make ponyville proud, her own personal motivation is not there, and she's scared of flying.  Snowflake was seen in Wonderbolt Academy flying seamlessly in the program, so clearly he can fly just fine, is this a different character or something?

It's funnier to see Rainbow fake an injury, more entertaining, and shows some character growth, but I think they should have saved this kind of thing for a more minor situation, something that has a little less context with what she thinks is her ultimate dream and aspiration, to fly head to head or on par with the wonderbolts. 

Obviously these changes would make the episode feel even more useless, like a re-hash of Wonderbolt Academy, so I think this episode should have never even been considered..  But the more Dashie I get, the better!, I can't complain <3 <3 <3

Edited January 22, 2014 by Deesinn

[CrystalRecord 3]

I feel this episode was mostly cliche except for the choosing not to chose which strengthened rainbows loyalty in her character and how badass rainbow looked when walking towards spitfire i also loved Derpy showing up and also wish it was Rainbow Dash, Derpy and Fluttershy on the team.finnaly idid you notice that Snowflake or "bulk biceps" while having been accepted to the Wonderbolt academy Helped making the tornado and shown in Hearts strong as horses, flying perfectly fine by the way, has issues flying now,seriously!?

 

Thanks for reading

 

-Rainbow Vinyl

 

I do have a problem with this episode.  I actually think it would have been better for Rainbows character if she had chosen the wonderbolts over her fake injuring herself so she didn't have to choose, because it is her life long dream, she spends so much time talking about them and practicing, that her not taking that place makes her entire motivation through the series seem pointless.  Sure, it may piss her friends off, but it's her life long dream we're talking about, you would think her friends may be somewhat understanding, and even exited for her.  Why is ponyville even trying to quality anyways?  Wouldn't all of the other really good flyers in ponyville want to be on a team with Rainbow Dash, who has clearly proven she is at least one of the best flyers in Equestria?  Sure they were in other evens, but you would think that some other decently qualified ponies would have jumped on the opportunity the second they knew Dash wanted to compete.  She's a loud mouth, everypony in town would know the second she decided. 

It's like if Dave Matthews Band band was competing in a massive battle of the bands, and asked me to ditch my band who barley got any gigs, to play with them instead because their drummer sustained an injury to his wrists. Yeah, obviously I'm going to go play with Dave Matthews Band, they're my favorite band, why would I pass this up?  Over my friends?  Please, this is a huge opportunity.  I get Rainbows thing is loyalty, but there's a difference between being blindly loyal, throwing your own desires out the window for your friends, and just loyal.  It's not like Fluttershy even cares about qualifying or not, she's only doing it to make ponyville proud, her own personal motivation is not there, and she's scared of flying.  Snowflake was seen in Wonderbolt Academy flying seamlessly in the program, so clearly he can fly just fine, is this a different character or something?

It's funnier to see Rainbow fake an injury, more entertaining, and shows some character growth, but I think they should have saved this kind of thing for a more minor situation, something that has a little less context with what she thinks is her ultimate dream and aspiration, to fly head to head or on par with the wonderbolts. 

Obviously these changes would make the episode feel even more useless, like a re-hash of Wonderbolt Academy, so I think this episode should have never even been considered..  But the more Dashie I get, the better!, I can't complain <3 <3 <3

 

 um you metinoed at the beginneing her not choosing was bad.. well do you remember wonderbolt academy, she chose her priciples over her dreams and she's done it again now ahes being loyal to her friends and finds difficulty letting either down

[RaptorJaysus 178]

This is probably the best episode of this season! I mean, come on, Snowflake gets a canon name, Bulk Biceps AND TALKS! Not to mention the jokes.

[Sobori 46]

I found Twilight pretentious Really your friend's feelings mean so much. How about Dashie's feelings. These games obviously mean alot to her and winning is important to her. (Even fluttershy mentions that) Oh these are you freaking heros. The team you want to be part o one day? Well it would be wrong to ot compete at a sporting event with thousnds of ponies watching WITH FLUTTERSHY!!!!!!

[L-Ring 165]

While the episode itself really disappointed me, seeing as how the moral was visible from the moon, I did enjoy the little touches in there o3o

 

The gryphons 8O Just yes.

 

Snowflake... has a real name? Oh, okay. He's still Snowflake in my eyes.

 

I liked seeing how dickish the Wonderbolts were.

 

OH AND DERPY HAD SOME ACTUAL SCREEN TIME THAT WASN'T A RANDOM CAMEO. THAT MADE MY DAY PRETTY AWESOME.

 

Detail-wise, I give this episode a solid 10/10

 

But, plot and moral-wise, maybe a 6/10 :s

[Sobori 46]

Next problem what the hell is with all the Snowflake (Don't care wat his real name is still snowflake) and Fluttershy shipping? Where is my DashieXSorin?

[RaptorJaysus 178]

Next problem what the hell is with all the Snowflake (Don't care wat his real name is still snowflake) and Fluttershy shipping? Where is my DashieXSorin?

This is the internet. Welcome. BACK TO TOPIC:

Well, for me, this episode was probably one of the best of this season, if not than at least the funniest. I mean, come on, look at this.

[Koelath 445]

Also, i forgot to mention Derpy.

Tbh, i think i actually like Derpy more as a sort of mute/charades kind of character than when she speaks.

I love that she communicated via facial expressions in this episode, cause her facial expressions are so adorable.

Derpy speaking was terrible. The soccer mom reaction was completely overblown, as was the censorship response but she still sounded like a retarded stereotype (as in, a stereotype of mentally retarded people) that insensitive cocks adopt when mocking people they think are dumb. And that was terrible.

 

Facial Derpy is best Der-...Uh...You know what I mean.

 

Also, can anyone explain why some are screaming about season four killing continuity? I'm not seeing it...

[RainbowCottoncandy 14]

I just hope The Wonderbolts end up more honorable if RBD ever becomes one... 

[Blossomshy 39]

Ok after watching this a couple more times i have found that it is not as great as I first thought at midnight after watching it. It had some funny parts but it was too obvious that soarin would get better and rainbow dash would fly for ponyville. I haven't enjoyed season 4 very much tbh but maybe it will get better later on....you never know. I am not sure what it is exactly whether it is overall of the mane 6 or twilight being an ali corn or something. Just my opinion