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HeRodeABlazingCarpet [2014-05-24 20:20:12 +0000 UTC]

Aw, really? Agree to disagree, I suppose, because this is one of my favorite episodes.

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MyLittlePrimo [2014-05-23 22:08:37 +0000 UTC]

I've never watched this episode, nor might I ever, but let me make sure I've got it straight: Sweetie Belle is mistreated, and when she's finally had enough, she gets punished later for being rightfully pissed off?

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GUILLE832 [2014-03-25 23:26:12 +0000 UTC]

I think that Sweetie Belle´s behavior is actually a reflect of how we sometimes act when we feel displaced, but in this occasion showed from the outside so we can actually see this from the perspective of the "innocent" on who we pour our own stupidity. I remember acting like Sweetie Belle when I was a child towards my very own brother, who I felt that was somehow eclipsing me, so I felt a little identified. Still, I consider this as a good episode for Sweetie´s development of character. It is normal enraging if such an important person as your own sibling makes you feel less than what you are, especially if you suffer of an inferiority complex or you have experienced failure numerous times.
Something I did not like was that Rarity was too "good" and Sweetie Belle too "bad"; I admit that that fact could have been designed a little bit better, not so extremist, but it still worked. The resource of the flashbacks for the past, present and future were clearly a parody, thought well employed. I really enjoyed Luna´s role in this episode too. Anyway, I respect your opinion as you surely respect mine.

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1992andbeyond [2014-03-24 05:51:23 +0000 UTC]

I give it a C+

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ZoPteryx [2014-03-24 03:44:46 +0000 UTC]

I agree with you for the most part, I probably would've given it a C+.  I think the biggest problem is the way the characters' rolls were supposed to match those of the characters from "A Christmas Carol"; imho, it just didn't work well with Sweetie Belle as Scrooge and Rarity as Tiny Tim (or whoever she was supposed to be).  Luna playing the roll of the ghosts worked well, but that was a minor part and a sort of think the episode would've come together better if Sweetie Belle had figured out her misunderstandings for herself, without Luna's help.

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hobovill99 [2014-03-24 02:54:51 +0000 UTC]

I understand why people are saying this deserves an A, it was very well written and interesting. But my personal rating would be between your's and the commenters: B- It is well written, but it's predictable and for the first time in 4 seasons, I referred to a character as a bitch. This was literally the thought that was going through my head as Sweetie Belle screamed at Rarity for ruining her show: "Goddamn, Sweetie Belle is being a bitch." There are some people (Draco Malfoy etc.) that you should think are bitches, but ponies shouldn't.

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TheyCallMePherf [2014-03-24 02:20:08 +0000 UTC]

Personally, I think Luna was necessary for this episode, since she also knows what it's like to be overshadowed by a sibling. That, and it offers a good way to show Sweetie the error of her ways.
It sort of had a "Christmas Carol" feel to it.

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ManaAdvent [2014-03-24 01:09:36 +0000 UTC]

Also, you have fan favorite Princess with a CMC who is the singer of the group in a dream realm where anything visual can happen and NO SONG SEQUENCE (Duet of Little Sisters)?!  Such a friggin' wasted opportunity right there.

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Tsuyoineko [2014-03-23 19:03:40 +0000 UTC]

I started finding objections with your review very quickly. In only the second paragraph you mistakenly go from describing the episode as "one that features Rarity prominently" in the first paragraph to "as much a Sweetie Belle episode as a Rarity episode" and I have to wonder if we watched the same thing or not. This was clearly a Sweetie Belle episode first and foremost; Rarity and Luna played important supporting roles, but were by no means the stars.

The point of failure of this review is when you zero in on just one aspect of the morals the episode, arguably one of the less important ones. You identify early that the "story is complex" so I have to wonder about that.

One of the most common recurring themes in MLP FiM is the issue of pride. Between episodes like the pilot with Luna's back-story leading to her banishment and other great episodes like Pinkie Pride where caution against too much pride is advised vs episodes like Daring Don't and Boast Busters (Twilight's perspective) where confidence in oneself and one's abilities are encouraged. The central theme to this story is closer to the former: identifying when pride is leading you to make poor decisions.

The common trope of a younger sibling existing in the shadow of their older sibling certainly does play a role in this episode, but it is a subset of the more general pride conflict. It happens to be how this lesson on pride is flavored. What also plays a role is the trope of attempting a project on your own vs seeking/accepting help that is needed.

You completely failed to miss the most important moral though, even going so far as to view Luna's role as shoehorned into the episode: jealousy. The issue of pride, misunderstanding her sister's motive, and resentment at being overshadowed were all direct reflections of Luna's own backstory, and led to the same destructive path. While Sweetie Belle certainly lacks the power Luna and Nightmare Moon have, even she had the power to produce misery on her older sister.

Since you completely fail to identify anything but apparently the first thing that caught your eye, the overshadowing trope, I can't really comment much on the direction your review goes from about third paragraph on. Your foundations are incomplete and frail, so your direction and conclusions end up useless. It stands out though, even within the scope of your review, that the conclusion that "Sweetie Belle does need Rarity to accomplish anything" is itself alarming. No, the conclusion is that, like anyone, we need to learn to trust and rely on our friends and family. Don't let pride make us make silly decisions like Applejack in Applebucking Season or Apple Family Reunion. Most importantly though, not to let jealousy turn our perceptions of that help dark.

"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." This disclaimer also stands out as amusing. Your ability to interpret the context of the episode and how well it fits into the series doesn't seem all that strong. External factors are unavoidable, and you even reference things like supposed "audience reaction" as if you can presume how others view things.

Completely missing from your review are any considerations of continuity, which would fit well within your supposed interest in how the episode fits in the series, considerations of the comedic value of any of the jokes used, which is an important part of any FiM episode, or any real examination of the characterizations depicted in the episode or how those fit with previously existing depictions from prior episodes. Instead you give a weak assessment of the plot, draw your conclusions, then call it good.

Thank you for reading along, this has been my review of a review. Using your metric, I give this review a failing grade. It is woefully inadequate for anyone forming any real understanding of the episode in any useful way, and is a thinly disguised complaint about episode from from incomplete information/perception. Ironic.

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MissLuckychan29 [2014-03-23 18:46:53 +0000 UTC]

If you're grading an MLP episode please make an episode that would get an A+

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animegx43 [2014-03-23 18:15:39 +0000 UTC]

I looked at the image and thought...

"And the winner for Best Pony is...Sweetie Belle!"

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Deltaonslot [2014-03-23 17:02:52 +0000 UTC]

I agree with your choice of giving this episode a c- okay range. I really like princess Luna giving sweetie a lesson to not go the same path as she did. Also she can go into other ponies dreams that is truly 20% more cooler! The reason I enjoined the epsiode I understand and Luna's pain, unlike them I'm the older sibling and I usually get out shined by my younger sister and I'm being used as a bad example.

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Cuddlepug [2014-03-23 16:53:05 +0000 UTC]

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Beckyboo94s [2014-03-23 16:45:31 +0000 UTC]

dude I am sooo agreed .. but it looks like there are A in my voting area

see: bc94s.deviantart.com/journal/p…

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RoamingDragon [2014-03-23 15:43:00 +0000 UTC]

The episode was okay. When Luna was in Sweetie Bell's dream showing her the past, present, and future, it kinda looked like a Christmas Carol in a way. Otherwise, with Rarity and Sweetie, Rarity was only helping Sweetie throughout the episode. Even when Rarity fixed up the CMC's dresses, she didn't have to since it was at the last minute, but she made a miracle. Plus, it seemed as though even if Rarity didn't do the dresses, Sweetie would still be upset. In other words, it was the situation where you're damned if you're damned and damned if you're not. Rarity was doing the best for her sister, even when they were young. Otherwise, glad to see Sapphire Shores, Luna seemed to have done most, if not all of the work, and at the play, adults are more interested in how cute the kids look on stage in their outfits. That wasn't even Too much of Rarity's doing.

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Scyphi [2014-03-23 15:28:46 +0000 UTC]

I concede that you have a point, but I don't agree that it is as dooming as you make it out to be. Maybe you do know from the get-go that Sweetie's actions are incorrect and irrational, but that doesn't mean you can't still get something out of the episode, or it's intended moral, which I find to be perfectly clear.

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ndunsmo [2014-03-23 15:13:25 +0000 UTC]

Well, I'll give this episode some credit: this is probably one of the few Christmas Carol parodies that can honestly boast that it's never been told this way before.

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