S04:E11 - Three's a Crowd

[Steel Accord 6,660]

I have to ask, what's Discord's game? I understand his "reformation" isn't totally honest and he seems to be only on the loosest of leashes at this point (which, I don't know about you, but I find is pretty unsettling.)

 

Really though, trying to ruin Cadence and Twilight's day together? Why?! What has he to gain? Is he just that petty that he gets his kicks out of making Twilight miserable?

 

Before, he was callous, but he only directly attacked those that were a threat to him. Now he's gone from "chaotic" to just being a prick!

[Cantankerous 106]

On one hand, this episode is a lot of fun. On the other, it's hard to overlook how hollow the whole thing is due to the paper thin plot. I dunno... it seems decent but calling it good is a bit of a stretch. The same accusation of lacking depth could be leveled at Castle-mania and Power Ponies, but here is seems particularly egregious as it's a Discord episode and that's suppose to be something special. 

 

Overall, a six out of ten, seven at best. 

[Pixel Stick 927]

I have to ask, what's Discord's game? I understand his "reformation" isn't totally honest and he seems to be only on the loosest of leashes at this point (which, I don't know about you, but I find is pretty unsettling.)

 

Really though, trying to ruin Cadence and Twilight's day together? Why?! What has he to gain? Is he just that petty that he gets his kicks out of making Twilight miserable?

 

Before, he was callous, but he only directly attacked those that were a threat to him. Now he's gone from "chaotic" to just being a prick!

 

He's a trickster, remember?  Even if he's been "reformed", he only promised to use his powers for good "most of the time".  That doesn't mean he's going to stop being a jerk.   And the fact that you can't predict what he's going to do or who he's going to pick on next seems perfectly in character for him - if he were predictable or had a constant formula, he wouldn't be chaotic.

 

One thing that occurred to me in all of this: Has anyone considered the possibility that Celestia is putting Discord up to all this?  Since she's no longer Twilight's mentor, she seems to have taken a complete back-seat now, and I wonder if she might be using Discord as a vehicle for teaching Twilight further lessons, especially now that Twilight has advanced in her life and career.  While his methods are devious and troll-like, Discord has *twice* now managed to teach Twilight a lesson in Season 4, and I know I was worried that Twilight would stop developing once she attained princesshood.  I think having Discord as an odd sort of mentor makes a lot of sense, in a strange, subtly twisted way.   (And, as has happened in the past, the antagonist has also learned a valuable lesson in the process.)

 

I loved the song, personally.  Daniel Ingram went totally off the rails with it, and John de Lancie did a masterful job with making this song the epitome of chaos.  Also a great time to throw in a plethora of random pop-culture references.

 

 

 

On one hand, this episode is a lot of fun. On the other, it's hard to overlook how hollow the whole thing is due to the paper thin plot. I dunno... it seems decent but calling it good is a bit of a stretch. The same accusation of lacking depth could be leveled at Castle-mania and Power Ponies, but here is seems particularly egregious as it's a Discord episode and that's suppose to be something special.

 

I propose this analysis: One of Discord's most consistent behavior traits has been a deep-rooted need for attention and validation.  In many ways, he's a classic class clown - he'll keep doing irritating things until he gets the reaction he wants, and then he delights in seeing others get mad.  Which would explain why he becomes sullen when Twilight and Cadance realize that they actually had fun together on this adventure - he succeeded in testing his friendship with Twilight, but failed to get a rise out of her or Cadance in the process.

 

When I look at it from that light, I actually don't think the plot is all that thin - it comes off more to me as a carefully crafted plot that requires a deeper look into the characters to fully understand.  Which I'll agree is a bit of a problem when you consider the show's primary audience is supposed to be young children who likely don't grasp these deeper concepts... but by now, it's no secret that the writers see bronies as a significant portion of their audience as well.  I always applaud writing that can both entertain children and be meaningful to adults, without being too far skewed either direction.  I personally think this is one of those episodes, which is why I voted "I LOVED it!".

[FNGRpony 658]

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!

 

okay now imagine discord doing that dance.  You know you want to (LOL). 

I liked the episode.  But like, it could be alot better.  I mean this is gonna be the last john delance we're gonna get in mlp till season 5.

I'm not sure if i was left wanting more?

 

I wonder what KP thought ^^.

[GreyScholar 1,584]

Okay I have now watched the episode all the way through and I have this to say: this... episode... was... stupid!

 

I mean really, it's bad enough Discord is now nothing more then an annoyance to the mane six. In Return of Harmony Discord is a legitimate threat, a danger to Equestria. Discord has gone from being an amazing villain to mere comic relief, nearly everything that made him a wonderful character is gone in my eyes.

 

No the worst part was that the episode was pointless: the beginning dragged on with exposition, no one really learned anything, there really was no character development, and Discord was a joke.

 

I miss the Discord I thought was awesome in Return of Harmony. I was even willing to let Keep Calm and Flutter On by reasoning Discord's behavior in my head but not this, not Three's a Crowd.

Edited January 29, 2014 by EquestrianScholar

[Locky 5]

I agree to everyone of you that say Discord is now more boring.. He changed but he's not fully reformed, writers, why you made Discord such not powerful "villain"? He's not even scary now.

[Forlong 1,726]

okay now imagine discord doing that dance.  You know you want to (LOL). 

Maybe in season 5.

You mad, Discord?

[GuillermoGage 246]

I'm not sure what to think of Discord's changes, but at least the writers are actually trying to make Princess Celestia's idea of him "using his brand of magic for good" someow plausible. He is crafty, after all.

 

more importantly, he got Twilight to finally use her wings! I have looked carefully, and I haven't seen her open her wings one tiny bit since the Season 4 premiere! Not even in action-y episodes like Castle-mania and Daring Don't.

[BassBrony 33]

The episode was alright. I'd honestly put it on the bottom three of this season so far. As for the whole Discord changing thing i'll agree with almost everypony here that he's not as chaotic as seen in previous episodes; probably has something to do with his reforming.

I feel that he is stuck in the middle of chaos and reform. It's getting predictable, bring back the villain and uncertainty (I wish)

 

BTW that worm thing under the flower gave me nightmares

[fimdash 1,196]

Didn't like this episode at all. I was bored throughout it, and Discord was a douche. It really annoyed me how he went about trying to ruin Twilight and Cadance's time together. The lesson and the whole plot was just kind of stupid. On the bright side, they had Twilight use her wings. Glad that she's finally starting to use them more. But yeah, that's how I feel. Just my opinion though.

 

 

[GhostPony750 959]

Well, it seems that not a lot of people liked this episode. xD But for me, it was the best one so far in season 4.

 

Totally epic!

[Rocky Doo 39]

I liked the episode one of my favorites of season 4, loved all the references!

[DizzyMel 1]

I'm not a fan of stretching things for 2-3 episodes ( and MLP doesnt do that necessarily ) but there was action in here for two episodes. The plot was a bit overflowing. Cadance comes to PonyVille and fluttershy leaves ( I didnt even see the connection, why on earth would it matter) then Discord comes in all sick and tries to ruin the girls special day. The girls battle some ugly Dune like creature ( Im sure Im not the first that thought about that)

 

First off, the part about Fluttershy leaving, why would they let her go alone? They never go alone anywhere! Maybe I forgot, remind me, is there an episode where one of the girls leaves alone and nopony goes after her? 

later edit : i remember, it was one episode where Applejack left for a rodeo I think. Yet again why did they let her go alone? No pinky cheer  

 

 

Why is Discord so much into Twilight lately? You might say he's a trickster...and Twilight is an alicorn now... so he might be plotting something...I don't know, he keeps popping up through the series, sometimes out of the blue. Maybe it's because so many people like him  ( I do too, he's fun, reminds me of someone)

Edited January 30, 2014 by DizzyMel

[ggg-2 3,552]

so...i noticed cadance and twi didn't do the sunshine dance in this episode......i don't know if it has to do with twilight being a princess now but shining armor better keep using her nickname or i'm going to be quite annoyed at the writers 

[Twilightlicous 53]

It was an amazing episode. All that refferences (eg: paper twilight), made me, made us happy

The best thing is seeing Cadance and Discord i mean ya' know Cadance is a princess, Twilight's sister, and Discord is the most fun creature in the show. I expected seeing Celestia in this episode but sadly not. I enjoyed seeing more places of equestria it gives us more intelligence about the map. I really want to see Fillydelphia or other cities. Also that monster's skin looked like Discord's skin i thought he was turning back to dark side. Also that breezies, breezies? you know them from G1 the breezie ponies. maybe we see them on "Its not easy being a breezie" episode. Fluttershy mentioned them. It'll be fun seeing them (not in that G1 design :S). I give it a 9/10

[Castle Bleck 19,333]

(...) Discord was a douche. (...)

 

Isn't that the point of his character?

[Fauna Flight 15]

I LOVED THIS EPISODE SO MUCH!!! Even though the song was meh in my view, I could dance to this episode all  day! It made me smile and laugh every second.

I LOVED THIS EPISODE SO MUCH!!! Even though the song was meh in my view, I could dance to this episode all  day! It made me smile and laugh every second.

 

And yes, I am a fan of Attack on Titan. xD

[jorge123esp 912]

The episode is good. Discord is the best villain!. And the best troll xDDDDDD.

 

Flash Sentry...

 

 

 

 

7,5/10

Edited January 31, 2014 by jorge123esp

[FNGRpony 658]

Maybe in season 5.

You mad, Discord?

Me make people mad?

How dare you sir LOL.

[DubWolf 17,249]

It was alright. Princess Cadence got plus 1ed by me for her patience with Discord and Twilight . Also, this episode probably provided fuel for Fluttercord shippers!

[Halifax95 1]

To be honest, this episode had premise but not the execution, in my opinion. The pacing was rushed at the end again; everything tied up far to quickly, especially considering how drawn-out the beginning dialogue was. Give the storyline to a half hour slot and you could sort the rushed ending out, but that's the case with a lot of episodes.

Yeah, I agree Discord looks like he's being toned-down, but unfortunately not by virtue of events in the show that are accountable for, but by pure writing - which makes it all far from true to his character.

I thought that the storyline could have been a good one, though.

 

Brad.

 

Damn.

[Shawn Parks 1,798]

I like reformed villains.  I think that reforming Discord was a great move.  It makes him a lot more interesting, in my opinion.

[GreyScholar 1,584]

I like reformed villains.  I think that reforming Discord was a great move.  It makes him a lot more interesting, in my opinion.

Well the writers aren't doing very well, he's a boring comic relief character now and annoyingly non-threatening.

[ggg-2 3,552]

what was flash doing with cadence? wasn't he one of CELESTIA AND LUNA'S guards?

[takai 1,060]

I know that Discord's goal was to test Twilight Sparkle, but how could he turn down Pinkie Pie cuddles?!?

 

 

I am still legitimately jealous of Discord from that.

 

Pinkie Pie cuddles? That's like offering the ultimate happiness on a silver platter. And that Discord rejected it! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.