MLP Review: Swarm of the Century (Season 1, Episode 10)

The plot of this episode starts off following Fluttershy (Andrea Libman). While caring for the animals, she comes across a bug she declares the "cutest thing ever". Running into Twilight Sparkle and Pinkie Pie as the former makes preparations for Princess Celestia coming to visit the next day, and Pinkie Pie "tests" the sweets, Fluttershy shows them the bug. However, Pinkie Pie does not really seem keen on the bug, which she calls a Parasprite, and runs off in search of a trombone, while all the others find themselves fond of the cute bugs. However, soon things go awry, and the Parasprites turn out to be a bit worse than they appeared, but despite the group trying to get rid of them, Pinkie Pie just seems to be goofing off. But what else is new?

This plot is...all right. Obviously, it does continue the theme from last episode of not judging a book by its cover, but this time in the opposite direction, showing that something looking cute is not necessarily a sign of how that thing will behave. The added pressure of the impending visit from Princess Celestia also adds a bit of urgency, showing why Twilight is so desperate to get the problem cleared up quickly. There is one big issue with the episode, which I'll mention later.

As for the voice acting, this episode really shows the difference that a few episodes of voice acting can make. In "Griffon the Brush Off", I stated that Andrea Libman didn't really seem comfortable as Pinkie Pie, being almost monotone, but at a higher pitch. That changes here. Her voice is still quite high-pitched, but she shows emotions much better, showing the frustration her character goes through quite well.
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Aww....

As for the characters, there is a bit of character development given to everyone, as well as showing character flaws. Twilight Sparkle's OCD nature is first really apparent in this episode, as she gets extremely stressed over the course of the episode due to the idea of the princess's visit not going according to plan. As for Pinkie Pie, this episode shows that while her bouncy nature is well and good outside of a conflict, that same nature can be a hindrance during a conflict.

This episode would be very good...if it weren't for one thing. The way everyone treats Pinkie Pie in this episode is not all that great. I understand that they were all (especially Twilight) stressed out. However, they way they talked to Pinkie Pie was less how you talk to a friend, and more how you would talk to an annoying nephew or child. "Now, now, let the grown-ups deal with the problem", that sort of thing. On top of that, Pinkie Pie never makes her case, either. Instead if explaining anything, she just runs off with a non-sequitur, making it seem like she is just being the same old Pinkie Pie. Come the end of episode, and Twilight apologizes for not listening, but Pinkie Pie feels no need to admit that she could have been clearer.

Overall, this episode is all right. The conflict is rather interesting, being a flipped version of the problem from last episode, there are some references kids won't get (they freaking quote Blazing Saddles), and the voice acting takes another step up. However, the fact that most of the character conflict could be avoided if the mane six minus Pinkie Pie had just acted like friends and listened really hurts the episode, as does the fact that the writing seems to ignore Pinkie's responsibility for the miscommunication.

She...doesn't do well with things not going according to plan.

Overall: 6.5/10