MLP Review: Call of the Cutie (Season 1, Episode 12)

This episode, for the first time doesn't star any of the main six. Rather, it focuses on Applebloom (Michelle Creber). As the rest of her classmates get their cutie marks (essentially, the pony equivalent of puberty), Applebloom finds herself left out, as she doesn't have one. Due to the teasing she receives, mostly from class bullies Silver Spoon (Shannon Chan-Kent, who also provides the singing voice for Pinkie Pie) and Diamond Tiara (Chantal Strand, who has played several roles throughout the Gundam series, such as Lacus Clyne in "Mobile Suit Gundam Seed") , Applebloom is desperate to get her cutie mark. Or failing that, fake a cutie mark.

The plot of this episode is...all right, I guess. However, I do think that it is a plot that is way too overdone in anything. Bullies pick on the main character, main character tries to change herself to match up to the bullies' standards, main character finds out that they are fine the way they are. However, the whole "cutie mark" thing is a fairly interesting twist.

The voice acting in this episode, for the newly major and newly introduced characters, is well done. Michelle Creber shows that she can do fine being the main focus of the episode, keeping her voice acting consistent. A bit too whiny at times, but that is the character, not the voice acting. As for Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon...I really did not like these characters, which attests to just how well done the voice acting was done. It's almost easy to forget that they are ponies, and expect Diamond Tiara to be a blonde cheerleader tossing her hair. Overall, all the voice acting was extremely well done, as is usual for the series.

Not that Silver Spoon has much room to talk about looking cool, Granny.

Since none of the mane six make any major appearances (Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash all get a scene or two, while Fluttershy, Rarity, and Spike are all not scene), the character development goes to Applebloom. And this is another faltering point of the episode. While the episode ends well for Applebloom, she doesn't really develop that much as a character. She makes a couple of friends, but rather than accept that her cutie mark will come when it is time (which, considering she spends the episode trying to force it to appear without success, you'd expect her to realize), she just decides to keep trying with her new friends. Then again, considering her age, maybe logic isn't her strong suit.

Overall, this episode wasn't very strong. It was still enjoyable, but the plot was a bit too cliche for me, and didn't really do anything differently to break the mold, no one really developed as a character, and the cutie mark thing was left a bit...vague. I mean, it is visible, and the slur of "blank flank" seems to suggest it is similar to breast development on females. Understandable, because I have seen girls in high school teased for being flat-chested. But colts get them as well, which bungles up the whole "cutie marks=breasts" thing. It just seems a generic reference to puberty, and generic is something this episode is. Its impact is felt later in the series, but by itself, it is a bit of a "meh". The only reason I gave it .5 over average is because Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were very well played as the villains, being "love to hate" rather than simply "get them off-screen".

Overall: 5.5/10

MLP Review: Winter Wrap Up (Season 1, Episode 11)

The plot of this episode follows Twilight Sparkle (Tara Strong), who is celebrating Winter Wrap-Up for the first up. Basically, Ponyville welcomes spring by clearing the skies, the snow, and in general preparing for spring without the use of any magic. However, that last part causes issues, as Twilight finds it hard to find a place to help out without her magic, bringing the source of the conflict for this episode as Twilight tries to find a way to help out.

This episode's plot is...not that unique, unfortunately. The plot of "someone tries to find a place to fit in/tries to find a way to use their talents" has been done quite a lot. However, the way it is presented is pretty interesting, holding my interest even as I could guess where the episode would end up.

The characterization is good in some parts...and not so good in others. Twilight's character development is part of the former. Here, she shows some vulnerability, which hasn't really been seen in her character. She's had some shaky moments, but she is usually pretty confident. This does not happen here, showing that without her magic, she feels pretty helpless and useless, which is something she does get over at the end of the episode. As for the latter...Spike does not act as a good friend this episode. It can partially be explained by him being tired, but some of the tendencies he shows in this episode, such as laughing at Twilight when she is in trouble and selling her out for protecting himself from criticism, do show up later on.

She looks pretty cute in that outfit. In a non-sexy way.

Speaking of Spike, this is the first episode where he has a relatively large part, which allows Cathy Weseluck to show off her vocal talent for him, something she does a really good job of. If I didn't know it was a female voicing him, I wouldn't be able to tell just from listening, as she has a fairly deep voice when voicing male characters, unlike the feminine voice she uses for the mayor (Mayor Mare?). Overall, a fairly impressive performance for a part that isn't exactly important in the overall scheme of things. Yet.

This episode is the first one that has a real musical number. There were a couple of other episodes that had songs, but they were treated as being just another sign of silly Pinkie Pie, even in universe. This time, however, it is treated as songs in most musicals are, as just part of the viewing experience. I have to sacrifice my man card for good at this point, because I really enjoyed the song sequence in this one. Basically used as a method to explain to the audience what Winter Wrap Up is all about, the song is catchy, has a nice rhythm, and most importantly, does a good job of pairing up singing voices for the characters.

Granted, Andrea Libman provides the singing voice for Fluttershy, and Ashleigh Ball provides the singing voice for Applejack and Rainbow Dash. However, Twilight Sparkle, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie all get different voice actresses to do their singing. Despite this, all the singing voices do match up well to the normal speaking voices, making it hard to tell that they are different people, a tricky thing to do.

                         But hey, you judge for yourself. Good luck getting it out of your head, though.

Overall, this episode is not without its problems, but leaves me with an overall good impression. The song is very well-done, the characterization is pretty nice, and despite the cliche plot, it still holds my interest. However, where the episode really works is on an emotional level. I really felt for Twilight through the episode, as she found herself struggling to find a place to fit in, and eventually driven to tears by her failures. In the end, this is an episode that shows that just because it is more light-hearted doesn't mean it can't have some serious character moments, and that is what the show is about.

Overall: 8/10

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

MLP Review: Bridle Gossip (Season 1, Episode 9)

The plot of this episode, unlike many other episodes, has no real main character. Rather, it focuses on the mane six as a group. As a zebra comes into town named Zecora (voiced by Brenda Crichlow, who has made her career off of bit parts), almost all of the mane six are terrified of her, seeing her as being evil due to her actions. However, Twilight Sparkle is the only pony, other than Applejack's sister Applebloom (voiced by Michelle Creber, who also provides the singing voice for Applebloom in later episodes), who notices that all the evil acts are...ambiguous at best, such as "lurking" around stores and digging at the ground. However, after they save Appleboom from the Everfree Forest and/or Zecora, the mane six find themselves afflicted by some kind of curse. Is there something to their fears, or is it all coincidence?

This plot is...not bad. Granted, it is somewhat cliche, in the sense that the plot of "newcomer is met with suspicion" has been done fairly often. However, the fact that more than one character in-universe points out how foolishly everyone is acting is a nice twist, as is the effect the curse has on the mane six.

Each pony is affected differently, and in a way that actually reflects who they are. Twilight Sparkle, the magician, has her horn, and source of magic, rendered impotent (and if you think my choice of words there is a bit suspicious, just watch the episode). Rarity, the fashionista, is covered with a fluffy coat, leaving her face completely covered. Applejack, the most physical of the ponies, is made extremely small. Rainbow Dash, the athlete, is left unable to control her flying. Finally, the soft-spoken Fluttershy is given the voice of Blu Mankuma, who has an extremely deep voice. It's pretty clever, actually.

I hear they have pills for that now.

As far as the voice acting goes, there are two new characters to discuss. The first one is Applebloom. This isn't her first episode (that was the premiere), but this is her first major role. And Michelle does a great job. The voice itself isn't that hard to hit, considering that Michelle is currently only 13, but the accent is dead-on, and it is easy to believe that Applebloom is Applejack's sister, just from their voices.

As for Zecora, Brenda does an equally good job with her, making Zecora sound suitably mysterious and odd, but still coming across as friendly when necessary. Plus, speaking entirely in rhyme is not the easiest thing to make sound natural, but she pulls it off.

This episode does have some racial undertones. It's not racist, exactly. However, the fact that the ponies are afraid of a zebra (an animal native to Africa) and are locking her out of stores because of that fear raises some questions. That doesn't hurt the episode at all, though. In fact, if the racial undertones were intentional, they were added quite subtly, along the same lines as the ones put in "The Princess and the Frog", not intruding on the story at all.

OK, she's about as African as "The Lion King". That's a lot.

Overall, this is another well-done episode. While the plot has some cliche elements, they are given a new twist. The writing is clever, the new characters (or not new, but given far more focus) are done quite well, and some of the humor is almost on the level of Animaniacs in terms of getting past the censors (seriously, look at the picture of Twilight. Also, Spike gives the entire cast nicknames for their cursed forms. Applejack becomes Apple Teeny. Get it?). My only problem with this episode is that, since it focuses on the cast as a whole, none of them really get any character development, other than Twilight learning to literally not judge a book by its cover (the solution to their problem was in a book she dismissed due to the title "Super Naturals"), which is a shame. It is still a solid episode, and well worth a watch.

Overall: 8.5/10

MLP Review: Look Before You Sleep (season 1, episode 8)

The plot of this episode follows Rarity (Tabitha St. Germain) and Applejack (Ashleigh Ball) as they clean up a park before a rainstorm. However, mostly due to Rarity's "fussiness", as Applejack puts it, they are still outside when said rainstorm starts. Offering shelter from the storm in her magically protected treehouse, Twilight Sparkle (Tara Strong) suggests a sleepover. As for how it goes...let's just say Applejack and Rarity have personality clashes.

This plot is actually pretty good. It's a bit cliched in the whole "sleepover party" sense, but it does it well. Again, the main conflict in the episode comes from Rarity and Applejack having personality clashes, which are understandable. Also, the episode avoids taking the easy way out by having one pony learn that the other was right all along, instead showing that they were both wrong in different ways, emphasizing compromise over forcing someone to change how they are.

This is the first episode that has Rarity in a main role, which allows for Tabitha St. Germain to really show her character, which she does quite successfully. Rarity is a very proud pony, and her voice reflects both the positive and negative of it. Tabitha also portrays Rarity's obsession with cleanliness well, making it funny and endearing, rather than annoying. It feels like it is part of who Rarity is, not just a cheap joke.

Good times are had.

That brings me to the characters. I covered Rarity's character development pretty well, but Applejack also gets a fair bit of character development. She is shown as being "practical" or "boorish", depending on whether you ask her or Rarity. She doesn't see the point in being fussy, or in following manners, or dressing up. She is basically a rancher, after all. You don't wear a dress when you are herding cattle, and you don't eat ranch food politely (wonder what Applejack's family eats besides apples. Or what any pony eats, for that matter. Are they all vegetarian? I guess that makes sense). The characters do develop through the episode, showing a willingness to compromise for their friendship, though.

Overall, this is not as good as "Dragonshy", but it is still a solid episode. The plot takes an old idea and gives it a new twist, allowing for character development, the characters get some good characterization, and most of all, the humor is there. The scene with Rarity and Applejack fighting over the bed is one that has been done a lot, but due to how the characters act, it makes the scene quite entertaining and well done. It's definitely one of the more light-hearted episodes, but that's not always a bad thing. Another interesting thing about the episode is that it is the first one to not feature the entire cast. Only Twilight, Rarity, and Applejack are in this episode, showing that not every episode needs to have every pony, something that happens quite a bit later on.

Of course, they have to have a "fight over the blanket scene". Is it just me, or does Applejack look odd without her hat on?

Overall: 8/10

MLP Review: Dragonshy (Season 1, Episode 7)

The plot of this episode follows Fluttershy, mostly (Andrea Libman) as the group of heroes go try to convince a dragon to move somewhere else to sleep, as the smoke from the dragon's snoring is covering up the sky, which will wreak havoc on the climate. However, while most of the group is more than up to going up the mountain, Fluttershy is...not, being scared of everything (up to and including her shadow). Therefore, she needs to learn to confront her fears, or she'll let her friends down.

This plot is...pretty solid, actually. I see a few of parallels between it and The Hobbit, actually. After all, it's about a group going after a dragon, with one member of the group being unfit for the task and being shunned by the whole group for it. Granted, they aren't going to kill the dragon, but they are going, in a way, to take their home back.

As for the characters, Fluttershy definitely gets a fair chunk of character development. She is shown as being easily scared, but more importantly, she is shown as being aware of her faults, and feeling inadequate compared to the others. However, despite everything, she proves that when it is her friends involved, she is willing to go against her usual personality to protect them. Unfortunately, Rainbow Dash in particular really bothered me in this episode. While she's always had an abrasive side to her, Rainbow Dash here is just a jerk towards Fluttershy, constantly begging Twilight Sparkle to send her back home. It's not an episode killer, but it definitely shows one of Rainbow Dash's flaws, that of being a bit too...open to revealing what she feels.

This is totally not Smaug.

An interesting thing about this episode is that the dragon is almost secondary to the true problem, that of Fluttershy's scared nature. I say "almost", as the dragon is a key part of Fluttershy overcoming that problem, but the fact remains that this is one of the first episodes to really have two sources of conflicts. "Boast Busters" had a second source introduced at the end of the episode, but this one had two sources throughout the entire episode.

Overall, this is one of my favorite season 1 episodes, and not only because I'm a Fluttershy fan. The fact that the story was basically adapted from The Hobbit really helps the writing along, and the characters are done realistically, and not out of character for the sake of added conflict. Add in two conflicts, each of which could have taken up a different episode, and making them both satisfactory, and each character getting a chance to shine and get a bit of character development, and you have a great episode.

This is also the first appearance of badass Fluttershy. More to follow.

Overall: 9.5/10

MLP Review: Boast Busters (Season 1, Episode 6)

The plot of this particular episode, once again, features Twilight Sparkle (Tara Strong). After experimenting with her magic, and shrugging off all compliments about said magic, the unicorn finds out about another traveling magician who is in town, The Great and Powerful Trixie (voiced by Kathleen Barr, who did the voice of Kevin in "Ed, Edd, & Eddy"), who specializes in, well, basically showing off and one-upping everyone while proclaiming how awesome she is. Twilight, despite her friends' encouragement, is unwilling to step up, afraid that to do so would be just as bad as the boasting that Trixie specializes in.

This plot...is actually quite good. There is a threat later on in the episode, but it is a minor part of the story, overall. The main plot of the episode focuses on Twilight's battling with her feelings of wanting to one-up the braggart, while feeling that doing so would be just as bad as what Trixie does. It's very...Nietzsche.

Of course, Tara Strong's voice acting is quite, well, strong. The big surprise in this episode is Kathleen Barr as Trixie. For a villain with little screen time (she gets a few scenes, but not even as much as last episode's Gilda), she shows a talent for very easily getting the character's personality of bragging across, something that is not easy to do.

You dare question the great and powerful Oz Trixie?

The characterization is one of the strongest parts of this episode. Twilight, despite having more episodes around her character than the other members of the mane six combined, shows that there is still more character development left in her. She is definitely proud of her magic, but she doesn't want to brag about it, feeling that it is simply her talent, no different than Rarity's fashion, Rainbow Dash's speed, or Fluttershy's affinity with animals.

As for the villain, considering her lack of screentime (seriously, Trixie gets less screentime than Gilda did last episode), Trixie leaves quite an impact. Granted, her character isn't exactly original, being basically "What if the Wizard of Oz was a villain and a unicorn?", but the character is just done with such gusto that you look forward to the character getting what is coming to her. At the same time, when it happens...you almost feel bad for her, since what happens isn't directly her fault, and the people truly at fault get away with almost no punishment, one of my issues with the episode.

Overall, this episode is definitely a step up from the last one. While the villain isn't really that much more developed than Gilda, she still is at least enjoyable, something that Gilda was not, despite both serving as a dark side of what the mane cast could be (Gilda being Rainbow Dash without the underlying kindness, Trixie being Twilight without humility). Twilight's struggles through the episode are also easier to relate to, since she is aware of what her dark side is, and is trying to avoid that dark side. Both of these elements take a plot that has been done fairly often (that of the braggart having their bragging come back to bite then), and make a new twist on it. Finally, this episode shows just how Twilight became Celestia's student in magic, and is pretty awesome to behold.

Yes, yes you are.

Overall: 7.5/10