S04:E22 - Trade Ya

[ThunderQuartz 8]

They are a few things I didn't like about this episode. I mean, the part when Rainbow Dash couldn't "get through the crowd"... It obviously didn't make sense considering she flew all over the place minutes ago. I would have expected that kind of stuff at the beginning of season 1 but it clearly lacked of coherence there.

[radPie 7]

Best part of the episode > the dog thing.

What was his name again? Who cares. That creature was adorable and I would adopt one if they existed.

[Pony.inc 38]

I liked the nod to Look Before You Sleep, and basically everything else. I had a similar experience at a Swap Meet once, so it was relatable. Over all, one of my favorite episodes.

[Justin_Case001 4,888]

I loved this one for many reasons.  It was a lot of fun and very humorous.  I laughed more than usual during this episode.  I really like the fact that they actually used Twilight's princesshood.  (Is that a word?  Princesshood?)  There hasn't been much acknowledgement of it yet, apart from the premerie.  In many scenes, it's downright strange that nopony seems to notice or care that an alicorn princess is present.  Now, that's kind of a good thing, because we wouldn't want things to change too quickly.  The last thing we'd want is to lose our adorkable Twi and have her transform into Celestia instantly after becoming a princess.  They've done a great job of staying true to her character, not changing things drastically, and having her take time to adjust to her new role.  But it's okay to have at least some royal duties once in awhile.  I would have preferred it if they had waited longer to make her an alicorn/princess, but it's really fun and nice to see her actually doing something with it.  And it's a small job, too, so it's plausible.  I also love how she's embarrassed at times, wanting to hide her face.  I'm glad to see that, again, they didn't just make her Celestia instantly.  It's so cute how she's not yet comfortable with all the attention.

 

I also really love how they split the six into three groups of two, so we get some nice one on one character developement.  AJ and Rare have a great chemistry due to how different they are, but how well they can still get along.  They haven't had much one on one time, as far as I can remember, since Look Before You Sleep, so this was nice.  I was cracking up at their comments when they exchanged gifts on the train at the end. "This was the most beat up piece of junk I could find."  "I know you'll like it because you have a dozen more in a drawer at home doing nothing."  LOL!  Rainbow and Fluttershy have always had a special bond because they've known each other longer than anypony else.  They grew up together, went to flight camp together, so it was great for them to have more one on one time.  (And yes, RD did make a pretty big blunder there, but I fully agree with @RainbowDash24's post on that, so nuff said.).  Pinkie and Twi were great together as well.  They have a wonderful chemistry, and they don't get a lot of one on one time.  I loved them together during the Starswirl Wing infliltration in It's About Time.  Great to see more of them.

 

@@Ianpiersonjdavis, I do agree that Twilight should have nullified the trade.  That was a bit of a blunder on her part, but I can let it slide.  Also, I'd like to point out that even if they couldn't get out of the deal, it's not like Fluttershy would have gone all 12 Years A Slave.  She probably would have had the pup trained in a few weeks and been home.  Not completely the end of the world.  But still, yeah.

 

 

Dash wanting to trade for a first edition Daring Do book, despite the fact that she KNOWS Daring personally, went on an adventure with her, AND was featured in the book written after the fact which was sent to her for FREE.

I hear ya.  I kept thinking, "Why is Dashie trying to trade a piece of crap horseshoe for the book?  Why not, just, idk, fly over to Daring's cottage, steal her hat, and then trade THAT.  Yeah!  Here's the REAL DARING'S F*CKING HAT.  Can I have the book now?"  Better yet, I have an idea.  Let's pretend that Daring Don't never happened, which is how it should be, and then this episode works beautifully.

[Dulset Tarn 441]

The episode wasn't terrible, but I feel like there was a huge missed opportunity in simply making three completely independent stories. Any other show would have at least made the things that happened in one group's story affect what happens to the other groups, so by just having three completely unrelated arcs it kinda says the writers couldn't even be bothered to write a single 20 minute episode.

 

Also Twilight's lesson was stupidly backwards, and the fact that she's a librarian makes it all the more idiotic for her to believe it's a good idea. Kind of hilarious in hindsight, now that all those books are blown to bits!

 

Only other thing I can gripe about I guess is that Rarity and AJ's story had a really lackluster ending. I mean I'll admit it would have been kinda sappy and a bit contrived, but could they at least have had the seemingly worthless things they wound up getting each other turn out to be surprisingly valuable in the other's eyes?

[RainbowTashie 378]

 

I wouldn't throw it past him. 

 

sableye card would probably be worth more than a first edition 'zard. Is there anyone who hasn't got this thing

[Worldfrog 121]

.....................

Edited December 10, 2020 by Tadpole

[sweetolebob18 728]

To people who wonder why Dash was so hot to get a 1st Edition Daring Do book even after meeting her.  I've read that this was supposed to be 1 of the 1st episodes in the season & problems delayed it (IDK what problems).  Thus, it was supposed to take place before Daring Don't.

 

This does feel like it was maybe T's 1st Princess job, so I see why she was so stressed.  Overall, OK but not great.

[Sunny Fox 5,950]

To people who wonder why Dash was so hot to get a 1st Edition Daring Do book even after meeting her.  I've read that this was supposed to be 1 of the 1st episodes in the season & problems delayed it (IDK what problems).  Thus, it was supposed to take place before Daring Don't.

 

This does feel like it was maybe T's 1st Princess job, so I see why she was so stressed.  Overall, OK but not great.

Eh? RD wanted the 1st edition book because nopony had collected the entire set of 1st edition books. It has zippo to do with the Daring Don't episode (personally, worst episode of S4, and maybe evar.)

[Hypernova_Melody 4]

In MY opinion this was the worst episode of the season. It was kind of silly and an episode that some other tv shows have had. Like rainbow dash just going on a wild goose chase for something really simple. I just thought it was kind of boring and plain...

[Chaton 3,765]

I'm still confused why Twilight Sparkle would even consider selling all of her books! I mean really...

[SnowSunbeam 41]

I'm sure Princess Twilight can 'bend' a few rules at the Traders Exchange?

[JonasDarkmane 19,785]

I liked the episode . The deal with Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash reminded me of a story that I can't remember the name off, but they always had to find someone to trade something for since each wanted something different 

[Graystrip 551]

This was an okay episode, but not my favorite. Not must story going on between Rarity and Applejack, just arguing the whole time. Pinkie made it hard for Twilight to get her books traded but then she realized that she wanted to keep them in the first place.

 

I did love the part with Fluttershy (shocking, huh!?) but not just because Fluttershy is my most favorite pony, but Rainbow Dash was so funny.  Having to get something for something else again and again; reminds me of an old children's story I read in a library book when I was a kid.  

 

However, we never discovered what happened to Fluttershy's bear call whistle.  Although she did sacrifice this for her friend's happiness, as she always does for her friends, Rainbow Dash rewarded her in kind with a bird whistle; that was a nice touch. Cuteness to the n-degree, especially when she played it, a little bird came to her - so precious. =^.^=

I'm still confused why Twilight Sparkle would even consider selling all of her books! I mean really...

I know what you mean, they're really special to her.  I think Spike talked her into it. He is usually the one having to climb up the ladder for them whenever she asked for them, perhaps he was so tired of going through so many books to find what she wanted. That's my guess, what do you think?

[Chaton 3,765]

This was an okay episode, but not my favorite. Not must story going on between Rarity and Applejack, just arguing the whole time. Pinkie made it hard for Twilight to get her books traded but then she realized that she wanted to keep them in the first place.

 

I did love the part with Fluttershy (shocking, huh!?) but not just because Fluttershy is my most favorite pony, but Rainbow Dash was so funny.  Having to get something for something else again and again; reminds me of an old children's story I read in a library book when I was a kid.  

 

However, we never discovered what happened to Fluttershy's bear call whistle.  Although she did sacrifice this for her friend's happiness, as she always does for her friends, Rainbow Dash rewarded her in kind with a bird whistle; that was a nice touch. Cuteness to the n-degree, especially when she played it, a little bird came to her - so precious. =^.^=

I know what you mean, they're really special to her.  I think Spike talked her into it. He is usually the one having to climb up the ladder for them whenever she asked for them, perhaps he was so tired of going through so many books to find what she wanted. That's my guess, what do you think?

 

Those pictures though XD

 

And I have no opinion on what you just said

[Truffles 2,033]

I know what you mean, they're really special to her. I think Spike talked her into it. He is usually the one having to climb up the ladder for them whenever she asked for them, perhaps he was so tired of going through so many books to find what she wanted. That's my guess, what do you think?

I don't think it would have made a difference, she would have replaced them with new books and he still would be climbing that ladder. In fact I assumed she was going to do this to make room for newer books.

 

She should have gone through with the plan; a few weeks later her entire collection got incinerated by Tirek, anyway...

[PinkieAwesome 65]

I loved this episode

I love the bioshock infinite reference

And my favorite pair was pinkie and twilight

Pinkie can make a great salespony one day

[Pinkiesister75 92]

I like the lesson and there's a lot of amusing moments but somehow that darn Daring Do fangirl character needed to be called-out for her jerkassery. It's so obvious that she was just stringing Dashie around! No one called her out! No apologies from her. Her attitude was worthy of a punch in the muzzle. Twilight should have ruled in Dash's favor and addressed that Daring-Do pony's goalpost-moving and deceiving. If indeed I'm wrong about Twilight's ruling, at least have Twilight call that pony out or something.

 

I know everything worked out in the end and friendship is more important and Rainbow was happier with the Daring-Do book that Twilight gave her.

 

I understand that sometimes, nasty people are never called out and jerks exist with impunity but it just seems a bit disconcerting in MLP. Even the alleged "Karma Houdinis", Flim & Flam would get called out, their schemes flop despite technically succeeding and run out of town.

 

The Daring-Do fangirl, along with that cherry-selling guy in "Putting Your Hoof Down" just grinds my gears big time and spoil an otherwise decent and funny episode. That's just me, of course.

 

Also; Pinkie never apologized to that filly. She went all OOC-jerkass on that poor thing and never apologized. Pinkie loves children and would never be a jerk to them unless she was apologetic, afterwards. At least show Pinkie apologize and buy the kid a candy-apple or something.

 

I finally watched "Rainbow Falls"....aka....The "Jerkass Wonderbolts" episode.....but I LOVED it! The difference between that episode and "Trade Ya"/"Putting Your Hoof Down" is that in "Rainbow Falls", the Wonderbolts deeply regretted being jerks, apologized and admitted that they were just "caught up in the moment". Their OOC-moment had an excuse and they were sorry.

 

I know it's a bit over-the-top for me to let 1 or 2 small details spoil an episode for me but bullies and "Karma Houdinis" are a HUGE "Berserk Button" for me. I was seriously-bullied as a kid and it does a number on you.

 

I would've enjoyed these episodes if.....

* Cherry-Seller Guy was included in Fluttershy's "Flutterjerk" rampage.

* Daring-Do Fangirl Mare admit that she was stringing Rainbow along and had no intention of trading that book (then get called out).

* Pinkie Pie later apologizes to that filly and buys her a nice treat or they have a hug or offers to cater that filly's upcoming birthday party for free. Twilight gives the kid a book.

 

Another episode that irks me is "Just For Sidekicks".....a big "Shaggy Dog Story" that dumps on Spike.

 

I do confess that, despite Jerkie Pie and Ms. Daring-NO, Spike at least had a great time in "Trade Ya".

Edited January 19, 2016 by Pinkiesister75

[AmberDust 1,118]

Okay guys, I'm concerned.

I recently saw this post on a Facebook group I'm following. I assumed they were talking about Stellar Eclipse from this episode.

 

So, did this really happen? I'm tempted to call BS on it, and assume it was made up to make the fandom look bad, but I'm really not sure.

[Merion 783]

Okay guys, I'm concerned.

I recently saw this post on a Facebook group I'm following. I assumed they were talking about Stellar Eclipse from this episode.

 

So, did this really happen? I'm tempted to call BS on it, and assume it was made up to make the fandom look bad, but I'm really not sure.

 

According to Equestia Daily, the Make A Wish part is true!

http://www.equestriadaily.com/2014/04/trade-yah-story-behind-wheel-chair-pony.html

 

But seriously, the Bronies went out of their way to create as much porn as possible part is just... Ugh. Sounds sooo legit. 

Has anyone actually seen any Stellar Eclipse clop?

[Jeric 46,851]

ATTENTION

 

Let's not get too focused on the r34 aspect of a character please. There is actually a thread in Debate Pit that would be perfect for that specific discussion. 

[powerpuff-tsubasa 448]

the episode was kinda fun to see ponies trading a bunch of random stuff.

[Thrond 3,263]

Pretty nice little bit of fluff. Could have been more than it is, frankly, were Fluttershy less of a pushover, and maybe without the weird human trafficking subtext. Dash at least doesn't lean too hard into selfishness, and the whole human trafficking deal is at least relatively sedate, given that Fluttershy agreed to it, but it's irritating that she doesn't stand up for herself. How many episodes have we had about that by now? Seriously, it took until season 6 for that to actually take effect. 

 

But there's more to love here than I initially thought, even if it demonstrates - once again - zero character growth. The Rarity/Applejack dynamic is perfected here, and if it were like this more often, then maybe I wouldn't dread it so much. Dunno what's left to say about their friendship that wasn't perfectly encapsulated here and hasn't been demonstrated a million times. 

 

Also worthwhile is Twilight's initial anxiety about being a princess. Wish the episode (and the show in general) had done more with that, especially given that it's significantly diminished by how the finale portrays it. Part of me dreads getting back to that, because I know I won't like it as much as I did at the time, considering that I am absolutely not a fan of how it depicts Twilight's arc. By season 6 it's less that she's uncomfortable with it and more that it feeds her unhealthily high expectations of herself, but I increasingly doubt the show will ever actually address this. 

 

Anyway, its lightness gets a bit overwhelming at times, but that ending is the sweetest damn thing. This season does little to move the show forward, but when it goes for the emotions, it hits all the right buttons. Perhaps it's coming across better now that I've had two and a half seasons to get used to the main characters being stagnant, but at least seasons 5 and 6 take *some* risks. Hoping season 6 takes a lot more in the remaining episodes after a couple of disappointingly safe episodes. 

[cmarston1 5,959]

While this was a rather weird episode, I found it to have some decent comedic moments in it, and was decent enough of an experience.

[Moony the Cat 3,702]

I liked this Episode, it was funny and entertaining.