What's more exciting than the World Series, Super Bowl, and Daytona 500 combined!? Well... nothing actually but IT'S SEASON 7 BABY!!!! We're back in the groove!! Onward to whatever adventures the magical land of Equestria has to offer!! So, this is a first for the series; a premier of 2 new episodes that are not an actual 2-part episode. Personally, as closely linked as these 2 are, I can live with that. So we start of with some Celestial Advice from our favorite sun-butted princess. I really enjoyed this one. It was so nice to see that, despite being born well over a millennium apart, Tia and Sparky really aren't all that different personalitywise. Others may disagree but I loved Tia's laugh! Anygoo, I liked the theme of "leaving the nest" in this episode. Letting go is so hard to do sometimes and I think it was expressed very nicely. Of course, we got some of MLP's trademark Sparky freakouts... THIS TIME WITH VISUALS!!! Getting to actually SEE Sparky's thought process was very relatable for me who, having seen Lesson Zero before any other episode in the series, really grabbed my attention and reminded me why I love this show!! Now for the tidbits!! Looks like Spike has learned the art of the one-swipe hairstyle from Dashie!! Also, Tia finds out that "Celestia knows..." is an expression. Let's hope that's the ONLY meme she finds out about. I want that Flurry Heart cuckoo clock!! And finally, Pinkie's Party Vac is now a thing (available for $49.95 if you call 1-800-LIL-PONY in the next 5 minutes)!! Overall: 8/10
Contrary to my original plans, I wasn't able to watch the episode on its own, at least not in its entirety. (I don't have the means of watching Discovery Family, so I had to resort to watching a sub-par recording that was posted on YouTube, which left me rather unsatisfied.) I'm not in the habit of analyzing what I watch, so I'll just say that I liked what I saw and left it at that. In the meantime, I think I'll go back to my old stand-by of reading TV Tropes and watching reaction vids for the time being.
I'm just glad to see that Starlight is finally developing a personality beyond reformed villain/Twilight clone.
I was pleasantly surprised with this. We got character development for Tia and Starlight, so that was pretty good.
This episode made me want a spin-off Celestia prequel series even more. She's the one I want more character development on.
Alright, here are my thoughts: Spoiler: Ah boy, here we go 0/10 Starlight should have died on her way back to her home planet Joking aside, I felt the episode was decent enough. Giving Twilight and Celestia a character arc like this just seems perfect. Discord was... eh, he was alright in this. Starlight... again, half decent. Seriously though... I can't wait for when Starlight IS ready to leave.
Due to blatantly obvious reasons, my thoughts are going to be in spoilers. Because, as always, they're controversial. Which means you probably shouldn't read them. In fact, don't. But if you do... don't be an opinion hating jerk. There's your 'viewer discretion' warning. Spoiler Yes. This makes total sense. Give medals to the HORRID NOT REDEEMED characters because they TOTALLY deserve it. OH WAIT THEY DON'T. Good job idiots. The Luna/Thorax part was funny though. HOW MANY TIMES IS THIS GOING TO HAPPEN BEFORE THIS JERK ASS IS FINALLY PUT IN HIS PLACE AND TURNED BACK TO STONE FOR GOOD?! DISCORD ONCE AGAIN PROVING HE'S AN ASS AND CAUSING THE PROBLEM. Why is Twilight freaking out cute? For some reason it just is. Twilight's 'fantasies'. The only one I liked was the one where Glimmer FELL INTO A BLACK HOLE. YES. SEND HER THERE NOW. *sighs* Crap... THAT CELESTIA LAUGH. OH. MY. GOD. You know what actually liked though? AT LONG LAST WE GOT CELESTIA CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT. TOOK LONG ENOUGH. Not much else to really say here. The Twilight/Celestia relationship is still strong as ever and I like that. The HORRID NOT REDEEMED character NOT leaving? Not so much. I actually kind of liked this episode. Mostly due to Twilight freaking out and the Celestia development. However... Current Status: Stay: 30% Leave: 70% Reason: Continued expectation to like HORRID NOT REDEEMED characters.
Aaaaand I just had a mental image of Starlight meeting Alex Armstrong. Thanks, man! "Do you doubt the integrity of a man who can make his muscles do this?! This fine physique has been passed down the Armstrong line for generations!" "...Maybe I should've asked that suit of armor to help send me home instead."
I know from past experience that a craven little milksop like you will never respond to any attempt at rational communication, but what the heck, I'll ask again: What exactly would it take for Starlight to be redeemed in your eyes? I mean, she saved Equestria, stopped Chrysalis, and gave the entire Changeling race a chance to live in peace. So what more does she need to do?
"Give medals to the HORRID NOT REDEEMED characters because they TOTALLY deserve it. OH WAIT THEY DON'T. Good job idiots. " They saved the god damn country, if not the world. "HOW MANY TIMES IS THIS GOING TO HAPPEN BEFORE THIS JERK ASS IS FINALLY PUT IN HIS PLACE AND TURNED BACK TO STONE FOR GOOD?! DISCORD ONCE AGAIN PROVING HE'S AN ASS AND CAUSING THE PROBLEM. " I mean, if you had the slightest bit of comprehension, you could see that while it may not have been Discord's intention, he did drive Twilight into seeking counsel from Celestia. That's a win for her. "Reason: Continued expectation to like HORRID NOT REDEEMED characters." Jesus Christ man, no one is forcing you to like the characters. I personally don't like Spike that much but I don't freak out when he has an episode centered around him.
What Starlight needs is counseling. Are there any therapists in Ponyville? I'm just saying, Starlight has legitimate mental issues, but everyone (in-universe and outside) is too blind to see that. And as for Discord...not only does Fluttershy adore him, but him being free is Celestia's decree. Everyone is putting up with him either for Fluttershy's sake, or for fear of getting sent to the Moon by Celestia for disobeying her.
You do raise a valid point. Starlight's magic is connected to her emotions at a level we haven't seen in any other pony. She may indeed have some kind of mental illness, and I honestly think that an episode that addressed that, if it were done correctly, would be fantastic.
