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S04:E13 - Simple Ways


Yellow Diamond

S04:E13 - Simple Ways  

325 users have voted

  1. 1. Did you like it?

    • No, I hated it! >:(
      7
    • I didn't like it.
      23
    • Meh. It was okay.
      59
    • I liked it!
      136
    • I LOVED IT! <3
      100


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  On 2014-02-10 at 7:54 AM, Music Chart Fan said:

Overall, I don't think this is an episode I'll be watching again any time soon. As one would expect, it was painful to watch Rarity's increasingly pathetic and desperate attempts to win over Trenderhoof (including her fake accent, which grew annoying very quickly), not to mention Trenderhoof's sudden and total obsession with Applejack. I know that was kind of the point of the episode, but that doesn't make it any more enjoyable to watch. Also, the episode seems to spend too much time establishing Rarity's desperate attempts to woo Trenderhoof, while rushing through Rarity's realization of her foolishness and return to normal, making that seem less realistic.

 

Rarity's crush on Trenderhoof seems, at best, a little premature and unrealistic, given that she apparently has never met him in person, let alone gotten to know much of anything about his personality, day-to-day lifestyle, personal likes and dislikes, etc. She might know a little bit about him from third-party sources, but of course, those don't shed much, if any, light on how he is outside of his media-established persona. But Trenderhoof's crush on Applejack is even worse; he falls for her simply by looking at her, despite not knowing a thing about her. I feel like I wouldn't develop a crush on someone whom I haven't seen on a regular basis and whom I don't know anything about their everyday life, personality, etc. 

 

Another thing I don't understand is that Rarity continues to believe that Trend is about to admit heretofore unseen romantic feelings for her, even when it's well established that he has feelings for Applejack. In particular, Rarity thinks that Trend's (painful) impromptu song is about her, and right after Applejack goes into the chicken coop, she thinks that Trend is about to ask her to be his date or profess his love to her or some such thing. Does Rarity have any reason to believe that Trend has such feelings for her? Rarity also comes up with the completely unwarranted idea that Applejack is "stealing" Trend away from her, even as Rarity has seen Applejack show no interest in him and even act exasperated and annoyed by him.

 

. . .

 

Rarity says to Applejack that she's "a true friend who probably knows me better than I know myself". I know I've heard that phrase elsewhere, and I find it odd and don't really see how it's true. Maybe it would be better to say that sometimes you need a friend to help you get out of your own head, bring new knowledge and/or perspective to a situation, and help you make a decision that will be good for you. The moral about not excessively changing yourself to impress someone else is pretty good, though. Maybe another lesson that could be learned from the episode (that might be related to the stated moral) is that one should fall in love with an actual person, not solely their looks, a handful of (assumed) traits, and/or the constructed image of that person in your mind.

 

Now a few more incidental observations:

 

. . .

 

When Twilight and Rarity are at the train station, why are all of these well-known background ponies (e.g. Berry Punch, Colgate, Lyra, Bonbon, Hayseed Turnip Truck, etc.) riding on the same train as Trenderhoof? Where were they all coming from?

 

Has Rarity never seen anyone plowing a field before? Even if not, how does she expect the plow to move when she's just sitting on top of it? What did she imagine would be providing the force?

 

Respectfully, I think you have overanalyzed certain aspects of the episode.  There actually is some scientific evidence behind the phenomenon known as "love at first sight."  Overall, I think much of the episode rings true as to how things work in real life.  People will go to great lengths to get someone else to become attracted to them, and some will still have feelings for another even after finding out that that person likes somone else (I can vouche for the latter point from personal experience).  The smallest positive gestures can give us hope that our crush is finally coming around; again, I've been there.

 

As for Rarity having a crush on Trenderhoof without having met him, well, this happens in real life, too.  How many teenage girls (and even the rare twenty-something) have pictures of pop stars covering their bedroom walls, and how many faint when they finally see him in concert or up close?  It is not uncommon.  Perhaps what is odd here is that Rarity is, presumably, more mature -- as well as older -- than your average teenaged girl, and so we'd expect her to be a bit more rational and restrained towards those in whom she's interested.

 

Regarding Rarity getting angry with Applejack, again, love does that to people.  It can cause us to act irrationally and make us liable to misinterpret the actions of others.  Just as she clung to every positive gesture from Trenderhoof, so too did Rarity misread Applejack's words and actions (that she secretly did want him).  Rather than get angry with Trenderhoof for liking Applejack, Rarity directed it towards the object of his affection; again, I have seen this happen before.

 

I think that Rarity's comment to Applejack could have been better phrased, "I had forgotten who I was, but you know me quite well."  She changed who she was in order to win Trenderhoof's heart.

 

Maybe it's easier and/or faster to reuse well-known background ponies than it is to come up with brand new ones?  I don't think much, if any, thought was put into whence they were coming.

 

Rarity sitting on top of the plough and trying to use it like a carriage was simply a joke, in my opinion, and shouldn't be read into too much.  I want to end by saying that I do appreciate the analysises you give on the episodes, and they are a pleasure to read! :D

Edited by SouthpawLink
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  On 2014-02-12 at 12:49 AM, SouthpawLink said:

Respectfully, I think you have overanalyzed certain aspects of the episode.  There actually is some scientific evidence behind the phenomenon known as "love at first sight."  Overall, I think much of the episode rings true as to how things work in real life.  People will go to great lengths to get someone else to become attracted to them, and some will still have feelings for another even after finding out that that person likes somone else (I can vouche for the latter point from personal experience).  The smallest positive gestures can give us hope that our crush is finally coming around; again, I've been there.

 

As for Rarity having a crush on Trenderhoof without having met him, well, this happens in real life, too.  How many teenage girls (and even the rare twenty-something) have pictures of pop stars covering their bedroom walls, and how many faint when they finally see him in concert or up close?  It is not uncommon.  Perhaps what is odd here is that Rarity is, presumably, more mature -- as well as older -- than your average teenaged girl, and so we'd expect her to be a bit more rational and restrained towards those in whom she's interested.

 

Regarding Rarity getting angry with Applejack, again, love does that to people.  It can cause us to act irrationally and make us liable to misinterpret the actions of others.  Just as she clung to every positive gesture from Trenderhoof, so too did Rarity misread Applejack's words and actions (that she secretly did want him).  Rather than get angry with Trenderhoof for liking Applejack, Rarity directed it towards the object of his affection; again, I have seen this happen before.

 

I think that Rarity's comment to Applejack could have been better phrased, "I had forgotten who I was, but you know me quite well."  She changed who she was in order to win Trenderhoof's heart.

 

Maybe it's easier and/or faster to reuse well-known background ponies than it is to come up with brand new ones?  I don't think much, if any, thought was put into whence they were coming.

 

Rarity sitting on top of the plough and trying to use it like a carriage was simply a joke, in my opinion, and shouldn't be read into too much.  I want to end by saying that I do appreciate the analysises you give on the episodes, and they are a pleasure to read! :D

 

Of course, it has always been establish that beauty and looks are very high up on Rarity's list. She has always been easily smitten and obsessed over anything/anyone that strikes her beauty senses.  

 

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Just watched it again. Liked it more.

 

For me, season 4 episodes have grown on me significantly with repeat viewings. It's not the sort of appreciation I have to "squint my eyes" to realise, either - I'm just noticing great stuff the second and third times around

 

I think this season will age quite well.

  On 2014-02-10 at 9:32 PM, Cheesythumbs said:

Why does Trenderdouche point to Derpy and call her unappreciated? Everyone appreciates her! :muffins:

Not necessarily in Ponyville. They're not always addressing us fans, you know. ;-)

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Just by looking at the poll results, this has to be the most polarizing episode of the season. A lot more "Meh, it was okay" and a lot less "I LOVED IT!!!" than what we usually see. I for one loved the episode (if that wasn't made painfully obvious by my avatar) and while I can’t call it perfect, I did want to touch up on the positive aspects since there’s too much negativity going on here. :(

 

Spoilered for protection because this is a pretty large post. One of these days I'll learn to say more with less text.

 

  Reveal hidden contents

 

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  On 2014-02-12 at 12:49 AM, 'SouthpawLink' said:

Respectfully, I think you have overanalyzed certain aspects of the episode.  There actually is some scientific evidence behind the phenomenon known as "love at first sight."  Overall, I think much of the episode rings true as to how things work in real life.  People will go to great lengths to get someone else to become attracted to them, and some will still have feelings for another even after finding out that that person likes somone else (I can vouche for the latter point from personal experience).  The smallest positive gestures can give us hope that our crush is finally coming around; again, I've been there.

 

As for Rarity having a crush on Trenderhoof without having met him, well, this happens in real life, too.  How many teenage girls (and even the rare twenty-something) have pictures of pop stars covering their bedroom walls, and how many faint when they finally see him in concert or up close?  It is not uncommon.  Perhaps what is odd here is that Rarity is, presumably, more mature -- as well as older -- than your average teenaged girl, and so we'd expect her to be a bit more rational and restrained towards those in whom she's interested.

 

Regarding Rarity getting angry with Applejack, again, love does that to people.  It can cause us to act irrationally and make us liable to misinterpret the actions of others.  Just as she clung to every positive gesture from Trenderhoof, so too did Rarity misread Applejack's words and actions (that she secretly did want him).  Rather than get angry with Trenderhoof for liking Applejack, Rarity directed it towards the object of his affection; again, I have seen this happen before.

 

Overanalyzing is my specialty (or so it seems)! I don't really know enough to say just how much of Rarity's and Trenderhoof's behavior can be explained away by "that's just what people in love do". Plus, as I mentioned in my previous post, I don't have much experience with crushes, so I find it a little difficult to relate to Rarity's and Trenderhoof's situations, and I think I therefore end up viewing them from a more distant and skeptical perspective. Besides that, looking at my posts, I think I sometimes don't distinguish between my sentiments of "people don't do this in real life" and "ideally, people shouldn't do this in real life". Sometimes I think both apply, but my comments about Rarity's and Trenderhoof's behavior are probably more of the latter than the former.

 

  On 2014-02-12 at 12:49 AM, 'SouthpawLink' said:

Maybe it's easier and/or faster to reuse well-known background ponies than it is to come up with brand new ones?  I don't think much, if any, thought was put into whence they were coming.

 

Yeah, my guess is that the real-life reason for throwing a bunch of well-known background ponies into that scene was just as an Easter egg/shout-out to more dedicated fans of the show. I was just wondering what in-world explanation there would be, if any, for all of those well-known characters to be coincidentally riding the same train, and the same train as Trenderhoof, no less.

 

  On 2014-02-12 at 12:49 AM, 'SouthpawLink' said:

I want to end by saying that I do appreciate the analysises you give on the episodes, and they are a pleasure to read!

 

Thanks! I've been told on previous occasions that my analysis is annoying and to stop doing it, so it's really nice to get a compliment.

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*The following morning.*

Applejack: *Yawn.* Has Trenderhoof left yet?

Big Mac: *Yawn.* Nope.

Applebloom: *Yawn.* I'm so sleepy.

Applejack: *Yawn.* We all are.

Big Mac: *Yawn.* Yep.

Applebloom: *Yawn.* I can't believe Granny kept us up all night with that noise. *Looks at Big Mac.* Big Mac, what was Granny doing with that guy?

Big Mac: *Zones out for a moment and then leaves the room.*

Applebloom: What was that about?

Applejack: Maybe he heard Granny yacking on about things. You know how Big Mac gets when Granny is all yak yak yak.

Applebloom: Ha. Ha. He always zones out. *Yawn.* So can I stay home?

Applejack: No.

Edited by Singe
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  On 2014-02-09 at 12:40 AM, CITRUS KING46 said:

 

Oh, and Derpy being called "unappreciated" was pretty darn cool.

 

.Whats the cool thing being called unappericiated, i would be sad if someone say that to me


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  On 2014-02-12 at 6:22 AM, Twilightlicous said:

.Whats the cool thing being called unappericiated, i would be sad if someone say that to me

 

Why? That means you deserve much more apreciation than you get. You have to think about the context here.


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Just watched this and enjoyed the storyline about how people do change to try and get people to like them I think we all have done that at least once in our lives.

 

Rarity acting country was too over the top but Applejack as a fancy was funny.

 

Loved spikes reactions in this episode priceless.

 

All in all it was good and worth at least a watch.


Chase The Rainbow., Love The Rainbow!!

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The site banner switched before I watched this episode, and, upon seeing it, along with having read the synopsis of the episode provided by iTunes, I got a good idea of what was going to happen and consequently braced myself for a horrible experience. And yes, the episode did turn out to be damned awkward to watch as I expected, but it was also really funny. 

 

So, overall... I'm not sure. I'll have to come back with more detailed thoughts later. 

Edited by ByTheTides
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I personally liked it and it really brought a new side to applejack and rarity. But it was SO painful to watch. Just seeing the characters embarras themselves so many times. I was in so much pain.

But yeah what I found was a major flaw was trend had absolutely no reason to love the farm. I mean sure he said he wanted to slow down, but a farm? Seriously? I am disappointed of the writers for this very sin.

Anyways the main reason why i liked this video is now I can say this:

I don't care what the hell other people say, applejack is NOT a background pony!

After this episode if you are still saying applejack is a background pony then shut up.


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Just been reading the YMMV page on TV Tropes (which I've banned from!) and I found this stupid entry:

 

*They Wasted a Perfectly Good Plot: After Rarity and Applejack realize how ridiculous their situation became, it abruptly cuts to the festival itself going off without a hitch, Rarity delivering the moral, and the episode just... ends. Lampshaded by the episode's writer. In fact, it could be said that "A Perfectly Good Plot" was wasted just by virtue of being crammed into a twenty-two minute episode.

**Rarity does mention that getting the event up and running in time turned out to be one of the hardest things she’s ever done, avoiding (at least with a Hand Wave) a fairly glaring Plot Hole.

 

This is a mistake. This is a BIG mistake, because everything that we see at the ending makes it highly evident that Tenderhoof had learned to like both Applejack AND Rarity after what Applejack and Rarity had both learned. Anybody agree?

Edited by BlueEyedPegasus

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Lol Rarity flipping out is a third to me followed by Twilight as two and the best flip out goes to Pinkie in Party of One.

 

Watching those scenes Lol Scootaloo during the Pre-Fashion show part her face was like " Ok I'm getting the heck out of here Crazy Mare."


Chase The Rainbow., Love The Rainbow!!

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Finally got my review up!

 

Just in time to start work on reviewing the next episode.

NO-my-little-pony-friendship-is-magic-28

 

Anyway, subjectively, I enjoyed this episode.  I liked the dynamic between Rarity and AJ.  The scenes with Twilight and Spike were also great.  But what the hey were they trying to do with Trenderhoof?  I seriously can't figure out what they were going for with the character.

 

On a side-note: Windows Movie Maker is of the Devil.

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