S04:E11 - Three's a Crowd

[whizzball1 10]

Anywho, here goes, with tonnes of spoiler alerts!

 

 

Cadenza is here again! Breezies? G3 reference FTW. That Used Patio Furniture poster cracks me up, as you Americans say it. Fluttershy looks like Daring Do but cuter in that explorer outfit! Fluttershy's attempt at yelling is hilarious. Pinkie Pie forgets about Fluttershy, who she just said that she would never forget, because of a balloon. I'm not surprised.  Pinkie Pie loses her balloon! No!  Starswirl the Bearded! Rainbow Dash is being typical (again). A whole train just for Cadenza. And a fanfare. No, Flash Sentry, why! Now everybrony's going to get all worked up over it for like the umpteenth time. And yes, I just made up everybrony for some reason why I'll stop now. Oh, the old "it's not a duck" joke. A sick Discord? That's going to ruin the whole visit, isn't it? I didn't know Rarity was so precise about colours! Also, Discord is so obviously faking. Discord and Fluttershy are pen pals? What. Whaaat. Pinkie Pie was born on a Tuesday? To quote my friend, "This changes everything." Which it really doesn't but who cares no really STOP GRILLING ME! Anywho, things to do, so I'll finish this later.

 

 

[RaptorJaysus 178]

New episode? WELL I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING TONIGHT!

Sorry, I thought of something... different. Too many cloppers say that. Anyways, this was an awesome ep, IMO. That song, the puns, the innuendos. And this moment.

[BrilliantVenture 334]

okay...quick synopsis?...here goes.

 

I...was "meh" about this episode...

It was pretty good at the beginning, had some potential in the middle, and fell through at the end...for me at least.

In this episode discord is back, which is a real surprise considering the fact they already used him a lot in the Premiere.

Not really "that" much time has passed. I hope he doesn't become overused, but still...I love a good John de Lancie episode, and

he did really well in this. Really, John was on par and outstanding! So mega props to him. But my main issue on this was the writing...

There were some great references in the song, there was some great dialogue in the opening, and to be honest the episode flowed quite smoothely...But here's my 2 main problems with this one...The first, is that the ending was entirely predictable...I knew instantly

what was going to happen from the start, and was disappointed to find out my prediction was true. One of the things I love about MLP is that in the earlier episodes, and some of the later ones in the season, it always had a pretty good way of making you believe something was going to be the outcome, and then completely turning things around in the end. This one's "twist" was very weak...

(However I will say that the strange sneezing plant/worm/tentacle thing was an incredibly horrifying surprise!)

But my main issue with this episode was Cadence...lemme start out by saying, I know she gets a bad rep from some as being just "a new pony made to sell toys" but I love her design, VA, and just herself in general. I was really excited to have her in an episode! And while Britt did a great job voice acting...the script was very...bland. Especially the ending...My main issue is that while I was happy to see Cadence here, it didn't felt like she needed to be there...the concept would have worked just fine if Twilight had gone through everything with Discord by herself...I felt Cadence was very forced into this script so it just felt bland...I mean, here's a thought...

Just hear me out...

 

The ending would have worked way better if we had actually gotten to SEE why Cadence was all "My life in the Crystal Empire has become predictable" n' stuff...If they had actual footage running of like the townspeople boring her in a comedic way or something, or anything visual to give her some real developement...that would make the things in this episode more acceptable. But no...all we get is dialogue saying "oh yeah, since you left...I've had some developement, and it turns out I miss the old days fighting the forces of evil with you!" which just feels very underwhelming to me, especially to be the "closer" of the episode...

 

That all being said though, there was a lot to appreciate here, good animation style, good vibes in some parts, good music by daniel Ingram (As always!) and a great trip from john.

 

So all in all, I give it a 6.5 out of 10.

 

Script flows, music was good, VA was on par as always...but the writing was a little bit "meh" this time.

 

So yeah! That's my review, take care until the next episode!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

...

 

 

oh you're still here?...why are you looking at me like that?...

 

I forgot to mention something?...oh don't be absurd...

 

There was something else to cover you say?...

 

A blue haired stallion?...

 

 

...

 

..

*Sigh...fine...I'll talk about it.

 

So yeah, Flash Sentry has a cameo here...to be honest, I didn't notice because the scene went by fast, I was focusing more on Cadence at the time, and I really wasn't expecting him to be in this season...

I guess I have to say first of all, I don't like Flash...to me he's a boring, generic, copycat of every "popular guy" who got what they wanted without effort, has the emotional range of a teaspoon, and focuses mainly on looking "Cool."

Am I super upset about this being part of the episode?...no.

It was such a small part, and there was no interaction with the other characters whatsoever, so it didn't really bother me.

If he talked?...then all would burn and the wrath of Brilliant Venture would be upon thee! (Jk, really...it's just a show people...I love it as much as you do, but it's one character out of a ton of other amazing ones...let's focus on them shall we?)

But yeah, do I want Flash/Brad in Season 4 even if he's only in the background?...no...not really...

He doesn't really need to be there. But I'm not going to leave the fandom if he is...

The best way I can put it, is that if you think about it, the world is full of different people, some great, some not-so-great...but you have to learn to deal with and accept all of them as human beings.

 

You can't let a "bad apple" spoil the whole bunch...

Coming from a musician/producer, let's put it in a musical perspective...because this is the best example I can think of...

Say on one hand you have a massive group of artists that make organic and original music, just wonderful songs that drive you deep to the core. And then you have this blue haired rich kid, ("Brad" as we'll call him, or Will.I.Am as a similar example) who steals other people's music/patches/vocals/melodies/whatev. and tries to get popular off it. Are we going to let such a small group of uncreative people poison an entire group of musicians? or the entire concept of music itself? no! Instead, we ignore it...it's cancer yes...but a cancer that can't keep up with the fast moving pace of the surrounding industry!

 

The same goes for flash sentry here...unless he becomes a majour intergal part of the show, (which is a scary thought but highly unlikely) just ignore him, and let it go...who knows? he may even turn around one day and actually show some character/originality.

 

So all the flash-haters who are going crazy over this small segment...keep calm. There's more to MLP than flash...focus on that part!

 

(Disclaimer Note!: If you like flash, or disagree with my opinion on him, you are entitled to your beliefs, just as I am entitled to mine. I realize some people like that character and they have every right to. this is all simply based on opinon and what I have seen. )

Edited January 27, 2014 by BrilliantVenture

[Shawn Parks 1,798]

And Pinkie Pie was born on a Tuesday? To quote my friend, "This changes everything." 

 

 

Some fans say that she was born on May 3rd.  That is based on how long she said it was until her birthday in "A Friend in Deed."  The hypothesis makes the assumption that the real world original air date of the episode corresponds to the fictional date within the episode.  That is silly, of course.  But if we just go along with it anyway, then we can narrow down the list of years in which Pinkie Pie could have been born.  May 3rd fell on a Tuesday in the following years:  2005, 1994, 1988, and 1983.  So her age as of the air date of the very first episode could have been 5, 16, 22, or 27.

[Acchan 232]

All I can say is this, since I haven't gotten around to seeing the episode yet-

 

I hear that Discord sings.

All of my yes.

[Bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb 167]

Those are some big age gaps

[Ponyswag89 28]

This song reminded me of this episode lol:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QZMjFC_RgY

[RaptorJaysus 178]

@@Ponyswag89, 

I'm sorry to tell you this, but the original is way better. Anyways, back to topic, those faces. I have never seen so many rape faces in one episode.

[Budding Night 1,043]

Initially, I was very excited for this episode. I love Meghan McCarthy and after Flight to the Finish, I was eager to see Ed Valentine show up again. Also in hearing that Discord sang in the episode? That made my excitement go to it's highest, but after watching the episode.. I'm disappointed. 

 

There were some cool little things in the episode like seeing Flash Sentry again (I seriously freaked out when this happened) and breezies being mentioned (though I did facepalm pretty hard), and I heard there were some references in the episode that I personally didn't catch, but I imagine it being cool for the people that did, but overall the episode seemed pointless and didn't really live up to my expectations.

 

The song, I'll admit was quite cool, but I had to watch and listen to it two times before I got myself to be completely okay with it. Ed Valentine did an okay job on the lyrics, though quite a few of the lyrics just seemed off and not right for MLP, even if it is Discord. At one point in the song I just can't help but cringe at the words. The visuals were good but I'm not quite sure if I liked the spotlight part with Discord and Twilight, I'll admit there's not much else that could be there but I really just didn't like it. There's nothing much else I'd expect from Discord apart from what 'A Glass of Water' is, but the song was just... bad. Just bad.

 

Pinkie Pie's parts weren't very entertaining. Her joke with the Patio wasn't very Pinkie Pie. Yes we all know Pinkie as being random and that's very much her, but she isn't a character to shove all the jokes and weirdness onto, she has her own development and depth and this really just annoyed me. She was hardly there for the episode and the while that she was just didn't feel needed.

 

This may have just been the video I watched the episode on, but whats up with Rainbow Dash's coat? Is it just me or does it seem darker than usual?

 

 

And what the world is THIS thing?

(do ignore the quality thing)

What annoys me about this thing is the fact that, even though there is this huge brony community, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic is a KIDS SHOW. I know if I was a little kid I would scream and probably cry if I saw this thing appear on my little pony. I understand this season if more focusing on the viewers that are in the fandom, but there are still kids that watch the show! Surely the team couldn't have just forgotten this?

 

Now, I'm tired, so I'm not going to go on anymore.

 

Overall, this episode was predictable and a little pointless. This definitely isn't one of the better episodes in the show.

[joecal97 340]

Blu-Flu?

Really Discord?

Everyone knows being blue is about 20% cooler

 

On a serious note, i was wondering what was going on in the show in that episode:

1. Rainbow yet again 'forgot' loyalty and left

2. Discord is as unreformed as ever

3. It was a 2 pony show

 

Anyone else think this?

[Galen 1,354]

This was possibly my favorite episode of the season. Discord never fails to disappoint and once again made the episode. Even tho I don't exactly approve of his action (more on that later), his shenanigans were hilarious! Every time he sneezes, something happens xDDDD I lost all my shit when the house started floating, and again when the lamp post became alive and bowed to everyone before taking off. I'm also REALLY happy that Discord made another appearance outside of the opening and ending episodes, and I hope there's more to come yet.

 

Now the moral at the end was a bit less obvious than it's normally been but it was effective all the same to me as the point of it was simply to show how even the hardest times can be overcome and become even pleasant memories when they're spent with close friends. And that's something Twilight and Cadence needed since they barely see each other now. And it also helped form a tighter bond between herself and Discord, which is always really cool. Now in spite of this, I don't exactly like how Discord took advantage of Twilight's good will just to test their friendship since that's not what friends do. I can appreciate that he's still inexperienced with making friends which is why he would play childish games like these, but that's also to be expected given his character's namesake.

 

Also, Pinkie being distracted by balloons all the time was funny xD

[dmolken 17]

It is so cool to see discord and cadence returning! The discord song was really funny. "Can I have a glass of water?"

[FNGRpony 658]

Question:

 

Why didn't Discord just snap his fingers and heal himself after the Tatzelwurm infected him?

Well,

 

it boils down to how clever you think discord is.

Did he know the worm would be there?  Did he face sick a second time?  I mean discord seemingly sets himself up to fail, the plunder seeds,

the elements any of the times,

either he's really dumb or really smart.

it's hard to tell but isn't that the point?

[Fluttershutter 2,543]

And what the world is THIS thing?

(do ignore the quality thing)

 

All fictional deserts have giant worms. Everypony knows that.

 

Edited January 27, 2014 by Fluttershutter

[Forlong 1,726]

Here is a bit of headcanon that I sort of hope comes true. Discord was testing to see if Twilight really was his friend, right? What if he's on the verge of admitting something to her, if she really is a friend.

 

 

Discord knows that Twilight worships Starswirl The Bearded. What if he reveals his secret identity, and offers to teach Twilight all of his "lost" spells, once he is sure she's genuinely his friend?

 

 

And what the world is THIS thing?

(do ignore the quality thing)

I just called it a "wang worm", because it looks like...well...

 

Actually, it's a Tatzlwurm.

[GoldenCal 52]

Applejack eyebrow though I can't help watching that scene.

Fluttercord shippers will be having a field day as well

That worms was literally a "didn't see that one" moment (good lord I referenced johnny test I'm going to hang myself now)

bit intersting seeing Cadance play a major role in the episode although I felt the character interaction on the whole were a bit stale.

The best part was probably the first half, flash and pinkie didn't bother me that much and the rest of the mane 5 were pretty hilarious

7.5/10   

[My Little Mandy 838]

I am starting to think that Discord has a slight crush on Twilight and Fluttershy the way he's been acting around them. 

Knowing Discord, he probly wouldn't care either way. LOL! XD

[BronyJammer 0]

-_- shame that the weird al was in another episode, but i liked this one! 

[Life Giver 1,063]

What could I possibly said about this episode that hasn't been said.... this episode was great!

 

Also Fluttershy is very cute in her safari clothes....

 

[My Little Mandy 838]

What could I possibly said about this episode that hasn't been said.... this episode was great!

 

Also Fluttershy is very cute in her safari clothes....

 

534253__safe_solo_fluttershy_spoiler-colon-s04e11_artist-colon-reiduran_explorer+outfit.png

i agree. she did look ADORABLE in that outfit!

[roptiriolg 49]

This was an OK episode for me, nothing big happened or story wise to make it from the best episodes but it was fine, when I first read it would be with princess Cadance , I expected some serious and interesting plot. Of course the episode was funny with Discord doing these things all along, I find it weird that there is such a friendship between Discord and Fluttershy !? It's like more than we've seen in previous episodes.

 

Also sorry but I don't remember who that pony in guard armor is to make me feel any apocalypse about his (seemingly out of place) appearance in the episode. Other than the fact that there was a crystal pony,. lol bug?

 

And are you guys/gals/guys for real when saying such a monster is not suitable for kids? It was kind of poorly drawn and for that matter pony parts (like in Castle-mania) or some other episodes and villains would have been times scarier.

 

Maybe I am not hard-core enough of MLP and maybe it's for the better - yeah I didn't even see Discord was faking but I somehow am too okay with the episodes, to feel disappointed or anything.

 

Also this medallion in the end, together with Rainbowdash's from the previous episode and others - are they gonna be used somehow? Don't want to spoil, just asking for guesses.

Edited January 28, 2014 by ImtR

[MLPFanatic34 3,234]

@Fluttershutter those are exactly the images I was gonna post, all the fictional worms in movies and television. Also I loved seeing Twilight and Cadance interact, those two I always enjoy seeing together, even when the fate of Equestria is in the balance.

[FNGRpony 658]

Was i the only one happy they didn't do the lady bugs awake dance?

[Forlong 1,726]

Was i the only one happy they didn't do the lady bugs awake dance?

I don't think you were.  I didn't have any strong feelings one way or the other, but I can see how it would get annoying.

 

Yeah, Cadance!  Shake that plot!

[Sectus 246]

Loved the episode. As per usual, my full analysis can be found in its regular spot below:

 

 

This episode was classic FiM for me. As always, humor before plot in a cartoon show, but sometimes, plot can be important too, especially in a show that has shown it can have its serious moments.

 

Story - Loosely constructed? Sure. Fits the episode enough that it doesn’t seem weird? Definitely. Fluttershy has to leave town to go pursue an ambition that she has apparently been looking forward to for a while, causing Discord to stir up trouble once more. His trouble causing doesn’t go according to his plan, however, and it turns out to speak a moral lesson to a friend (or ‘friend’ if you prefer Discord to still be evil) so that they grow as a person.

 

Animation - The only complaint I had was the slight continuity error in animation that had two trains on the same track going opposite directions. Other than that, the animators did an amazing job this episode. All of the scenes in Discord’s song were amazing, the references scattered all over the episode were enough to make any fan squee, and the sight gags were limitless and entertaining as usual.

 

Characters -  Discord is quickly becoming one of my favorite semi-regular FiM characters. The writers for these past few episodes containing him have done an awesome job, and it is great to see the great god of chaos running rampant, causing trouble wherever he can (even if he is a bit limited in what he can do).

 

It was great to see Princess Cadence as well, though I can’t help but feel that she seemed a little stale and limited in this episode. She served merely as a convenient plot device, and I feel like she deserves to be more fleshed out, detailed, and complex as a character in the series. The mane six and the rest of the cast certainly get the most attention, and for obvious reasons, but these family ties need to be explored further and made more tangible for the fans.

 

Continuity - The one thing that stood out for me was the mention of the Breezies made by Fluttershy. It has been mentioned in popular media that an upcoming episode is due to contain them, and though this is more foreshadowing than continuity, it is always nice to see such things in the show. Don’t get me wrong, Cadence’s reappearance and tire from working in the Crystal Empire was lovely to see, it just feels like the name drop from Fluttershy sort of outshined it in that respect.

 

Message - Some would say that the message used in this episode is similar to that of ‘The Best Night Ever’, but it kinda seemed more like a follow up on that, to be honest. The alternate version, if you will, is more about friends being united by chaos rather than surviving and remaining friends throughout any kind of chaos.

Story: [18/20]
Animation: [20/20]
Characters: [20/20]
Continuity: [17/20]
Message: [18/20]

 

http://sectussection.tumblr.com/post/74893815434/mlp-fim-episode-review-threes-a-crowd - It can be found here in the regular tumblr format as well!