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Cuddlepug β MLP FiM: S4 E18 - Maud Pie Review
Published: 2014-03-16 13:11:15 +0000 UTC; Views: 5911; Favourites: 46; Downloads: 127
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Review of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Season 4, Episode 18: "Maud Pie"Final score: C
Previous review (Season 4, Episode 17):
Next review (Season 4, Episode 19):
These episodes are all rated in the context of the show - therefore, if I give an episode a score, it is in relation to how it compares to the standard set by the show itself and not external factors.
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Comments: 93
This episode was a little disappointing. I saw a lot of fan arts and heard a lot of people discuss maud but the episode itself didn't really expand her character much. Even though her character is, well, plain and 'rocky' with a boring outward appearance, I still feel they should have expanded on the character of maud more than they did.Β
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I was beginning to think I was the only one who didn't like this episode.
I get that Maud's portrayal was probably meant to be reminiscient of someone with a developmental disorder, but her monotonous speech patterns and general lack of expression just made it look like she didn't care enough to put in any effort in trying to socialize with Mane 6 when they were all trying to do so.
And when Pinkie Pie gets stuck in the rock pile, the Mane 6 just stand there until Maud saves the day, in what seems like an attempt on the writers' part to shill a not-particularly-likeable new character over Pinkie's best friends. Overall, this just didn't click with me. I understand why people liked it, but I didn't.Β
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Exactly, which is why I want NASA, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and ESA, the European Space Agency, to collaborate with JAXA, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Hasbro Studios, the creators of MLP: FiM, DARPA, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, and the Anderson Institute, to build a time travelling version of Hayabusa 2 called Hayabusa 3TTMLPE (TTMLPE beng an abbreviation for TIme Travel for My Little Pony Episodes). It'll be launched onboard a H-IIA rocket from Tanegashima Space Center, reach Low Earth Orbit, and time travel to the year 2014, where the satellite will drop its reentry module on its way to Hasbro Studios HQ in Burbank, CA, where the CEO of Hasbro Studios will open the box and see the altered script and story. If anything goes well for my time travelling mission, the mission will be a full success and time travel back to the present, where the satellite will burn up as it reenters the Earth's atmosphere. As it does, I awant to make sure that the satellite, once deorbited, falls into the Pacific Ocean. Does that sound like a good idea to you as an alternative to the writers' part to shill a not-particularly-likeable new character over Pinkie's best friends?
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I actually read a really good paper on Maud Pie which outlined why this was a really good character and how she and Pinkie demonstrate very accurately two extreme ends of the autism spectrum: docs.google.com/document/d/1WAβ¦
The words you used to describe her, like "rude", I think are rather unfair because it implies she was actively *trying* to be unlikable. She wasn't. She just didn't understand how she came across to the other ponies because her brain is wired differently than other ponies'.
The point of the episode was that family love is the kind of love that people don't often understand, like the love between a sister and her mentally challenged brother, but is definitely real and worth appreciating because it can be the strongest of all.
I especially loved the line at the end: "I don't like candy . . . but I do love Pinkie Pie." I was sort of on the fence about the episode until then, but this pushed it up to a B+ for me. I think they could have stood to make Maud a little more likable, but the line at the end makes up for it because of how brilliant it is.
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Maud is almost impossible to like?
Eh...a good chunk of the brony fanbase would have to disagree, considering the amount of fans she gained after the episode.
Ok, but seriously, it's not like Maud was being intentionally rude or distant. Β She was genuinely trying, such as trying to help AJ with her apple peeling, and reciting her poetry to Twilight. Β The only real problem was that she clearly didn't understand social cues, such as not understanding Rarity when she said that Pinkie never told her she was so funny, and being extremely literal minded. Β However, she clearly was trying. Β In fact, she's much like Pinkie, but with a massive difference in their delivery. Β Most of the stuff Maud did really wouldn't be that OOC for Pinkie, but she would've done it in a more energetic way.
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I think they definitely overdid Maud's awkwardness.Β Just a little more emotion would've gone a long way.Β And she misidentified the rock in the beginning, it was metamorphic (gneiss), not sedimentary!!!Β Β
As for Maud falling off the tightrope: I'd care for her, if only for Pinkie's sake.Β
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For me, this episode was neither here nor there; not good but not bad.
The episode itself was an extension of Maude's personality.
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for me it was one of the best episodes of the season so far!
Β I believe it's due to the theory I thinks as true, that Maud Pie is actually a represantation of people with social problems, autism or similar disorders.
And a big lesson to everybody else, that even though those people do not express their feelings like the rest of the world, it doesn't mean that they don't have them!
It's a freaking amazing episode if you think about it that way!
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what the actual fuck is that thing supposed to mean? Β
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cut it out it's creepy! o_o
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I dig Maud man. Especially near the end where she was punching dem boulders and just straight up owning that obstacle course like a boss. She's like a mix between Raven from Teen Titans and Chris Redfield. As for that grade, Maud made the episode imo. Nothing else really jumped out at me so yeah a C or C+ is about right.
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Let's imagine. If you glimpsed the future and were frightened by what you saw, what would you do with that information? You would go to...who? Fandom site administrators? Artists? And how would you convince them? Art? Screenshot? Good luck. The only facts they won't challenge are the ones that keep the wheels greased and the dollars rolling in. Now, what if...what if there was a way of skipping the middleman, putting the critical news directly into everyone's heads? The probability of MLPβs popularity Β kept going up. The only way to stop it was to show it, to scare bronies straight. What reasonable brony being wouldn't be galvanized by the potential destruction of everything they've ever known or loved? To save Milky Way and the Galaxy Girls, I would show My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic's collapse. But how do you think this vision was received? How do you think people responded to the prospect of imminent doom? Β JAXA has sent my time-traveling spacecraft named Hayabusa 3TTMWGGR (TTMWGGR being an abbreviation for TIme Travel for Milky Way and the Galaxy Girls Restoration) to alter the past! All of the original contractors (NASA, ESA, JAXA, DARPA, and the Anderson Institute) didn't fear the Mane 6, they collaborated together to erase both the show and the fandom. It could be enjoyed as a news article, as a news broadcast, documentaries, video on You Tube, the entire fandom wholeheartedly embraced the demise of the show and sprinting towards it with gleeful abandon. Meanwhile, your fandom was crumbling all around you. You've got simultaneous epidemics of furries and bodily crushing artists! Explain that one! Rainbow Dash and Twilight start to disappear, the Gauntlet of Fire episode is no more, the show is dead all around you, the Transformers movie series are dropping dead, and you WON'T TAKE THE HINT! In every moment, there is the possibility of a better future, but you people won't believe it. And because you won't believe it, you won't do what is necessary to make it a reality. So you dwell on this terrible future and you resign yourselves to it, for one reason: because that future doesn't ask anything of you today. So, yes, you saw the iceberg and warned the Titanic, but you all just steered for it anyway, full steam ahead. Why? Because you want to sink. You gave up. That's not my fault. It's you evil bronies.
(Copied and modified from Nix's monologue, revealing his true nature to Frank, Casey and Athena in Disney's Tomorrowland movie.)
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Also, despite people saying similarities between Maud and Raven and I understand why they can see some of them, they are not similar. Maud shows emotion, but expresses it differently. Raven chooses to not show emotion because her powers are linked to her emotions and if she loses control of them she loses control of her magic. Raven can feel, but she has to be careful since emotions for her are dangerous. She's not the daughter of a Demon Lord for nothing.
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Ii have to disagree with you. This was a very entertaining episode and that's primary thanks to Maud. Maud reminded me so much of Daria and her attitude and behavior, and it's a contradiction to Pinkie Pie. The two work well with each other chemistry wise and while her behavior was something the gang wasn't use too, let's face it, they aren't always use to Pinkie Pie's attitude in general either. I think the Pie family is the case of having extreme emotions and it's one who big weird family that way. But what works with Maud's character, beside the jokes that worked well with this episode, is the fact that she acted like Pinkie's Older Sister. She rushed to her rescue, was the first one to scold her, but then hug her because while was angry at Pinkie's stupid idea, she was more relieved her sister was okay. And as an older brother, I understand a part of that, especially at the end where she admitted she didn't eat the candy they made, but kept the necklaces because she loved her sisters, showing the only smile in the entire episode which shows how much she means that sentence.
And it did have a lesson that I think was learned, you may not always get along with friends of your other friends. But the one thing you do share is the care and love for that friend you hold dear, and you understand just how important he or she is to you. Maud didn't hate Pinkie's friends, she thought well of them, and the gang certainly didn't hate Maude, they just didn't click because of their behaviors. Yet, they share one bond and that's Pinkie and that's what matters. This is a B+ for me.
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That's what I was trying to do, erase Maud rescuing her! But now, Milky Way and the Galaxy Girls is my primary focus.
Β
Β
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I actually enjoyed this episode a lot, mostly because Maude's deadpan expression and tone really appealed to my sense of humor, but to each his own. I can understand why this episode wouldn't resonate well with some people.
I was a little thrown off by the moral too, but I think it still applies. I've met multiple people who are difficult to befriend, but it's a matter of personal space and their own way of life. Some people just don't make friends easily.Β
Overall, B+.
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You raise a solid point - have a great weekend!
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I was trying to erase the rescue scene. Everything's in the past now, and I'm going to erase MLP:FiM in favor of her original idea, Milky Way and the Galaxy Girls.
Β
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I am not too fond of the episode myself. I also didn't enjoy Pinkie Pie that much, but I kinda made a sport out of it by now counting how often she is NOT shriking within an episode, and the counter is sadly pretty low, at least that's what it feels like. Regarding that I used to like her charakter a lot, I guess I'm biased when it comes to that.
Maud, however, didn't really effect me as a character, because... she's boring. Yeah, I though about Daria at first as well, but then again, Daria had a bit more personality than "I am boring and dull". She was sarcastic, smart and showed some irony. And Maud does... not really.
I'm unsure, but for some reason, FiM turns more and more into a "just"-cartoon without a really special flair by now. Don't say that the artists aren't doing their very best, maybe I am just burned out after three years. But really, if this goes on for the next 5 years... errrrgh. Perhaps the change to Rainbow Kingdom IS good for the series in general.
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Yes, there's something wrong with you.
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While I may disagree, I do see where you're coming from. Β After three years solid, it can be difficult to maintain a strong interest, but I guess that's why having different shows to watch can help and maybe changes to this show's dynamic such as Rainbow Kingdom is needed.
I guess we'll just have to wait and see, but I'll still keep watching the show. Even if it does start losing it's flair, or if it's just going through a rough patch in some people's eyes, I still appreciate the characters and the setting.
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To be honest with you, I have thought about this issue a bit more, and I have to say that I was quite unfair towards FiM. It was quite easy, I just had to look at one of those "just" cartoons you can watch easily, and my goodness, ponies still beat them easily, even with their worst episodes.
I think my disappointment is also due to my personal investment for the show and the fans. I've been at several conventions by now, reading fanfics, comics, I have some pony-posters on my wall dear god... And due to this, I developed this "fan-perception" combined with internet-grumpyness, not the best combination.
I suppose until I really let go off the show, it has to become so messed up that it becomes, as I said, just a random cartoon, though I wonder if that is possible to be honest.
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"and my goodness, ponies still beat them easily, even with their worst episodes."
Well, you see, that's one of the things I really like about MLP episodes. Even if the episode itself is agreeably a dud, there's often at least something good to take out of it, like a moral or the comedy. I mean, I didn't particularly enjoy It Ain't Easy Being Breezies, but I appreciated the moral it was trying to teach.
Ah yes, 'fan-perception', that can be very dangerous, especially when it comes to fanon and fanfics. A lot of us get so caught up in what we want the show to be, rather than what it is. We're not the only ones guilty of that, but it happens. My negative of perception of Shining Armor gets constantly reinforced mainly through fanfics turning him into a corrupt, petty, spiteful dickhead.
I've left quite a few long comments on Cuddlepug's latest review. Maybe you could check them out.
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You're not alone, I'm also losing interest in this show, and I'm not even sure why either.Β
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It can be difficult to be invested in a show solidly for three years straight, going on four.
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It is best to move on when you get to that point of boredom, as there are countless things to get into. It also healthy to do so.
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Exactly. That's not to say you can't still like it while getting into other things. Though if it's got to the point of boredom, then those other interests could serve as a welcomed break, or as to move onto if you no longer have any interest.
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There certainly wasn't much to Maud - the Daria comparison isn't quite so apt, considering that Daria was a personification of all manner of teenage anxiety and apathy. It would be generous to say that Maud was anything other than moderately like that character in surface mannerisms.
FiM has been becoming more and more of 'just a cartoon' for years. It struck midway through the second season and has lingered throughout the underwhelming third and fourth. While I always used to bemoan the people who claimed that Faust was the be-all-and-end-all of the show, I do think it lost a lot of its magic after she departed from the show. It seemed a lot more focused back then and the writing was stronger.
I don't think it's burn out after years, though - of that I'm pretty confident. Plenty of shows go on for the same length - or longer - than FiM and remain consistently enjoyable. I think this modern apathy towards MLP is a result of weaker writing, honestly, and episodes that don't make much sense and have tenuous messages.
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you will probably not like Raven from Teen Titans either
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Why do people keep saying that?
Raven and Maud are completely different.
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I think it has to do with their demeanors (Raven and Maud). As soon as she said something, I thought of Raven instantly. They practically sound the same too. I'm honestly surprised people are saying otherwise.
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They are mostly emotionless, I give you that.
But they are emotionless in different ways.
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I know! Β Silly people and their strange comparison skills Β >.<;
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Don't make assumptions about me.
You don't know me!
Who are you?
Sir?
Who are you?
Jon Snow, sir.
And who am I?
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After having to read this, of course I have to disagree on some, but agree and think about some of the points you've made. I was actually laughing throughout the entire thing, just because of the awkward silences and the jokes about rocks here and there. Not to mention the naming of "Boulder", since after watching JakeWhyman's "His Name is Boulder" video.
Yeah, not a lot of us or not everyone would actually like how this episode is portraying the major contrast of emotions and liking between the Mane 6 and Maud. Although I think that's what the main goal of the episode was supposed to be made. Even if it wasn't, well I don't know. But when watching the ending of the video and how Twilight came up with a solution, I actually didn't think about the solution that was portrayed, and I felt rather bad about it since it was rather a good thing to learn.
Personally, I'd give this a B. I can't really be specific with grade lettering because this was a good episode, yet had it's awkward moments here and there that didn't really feel comfortable or fitting.
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