S05E01-02: The Cutie Map

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Re: S05E01-02: Cutie Markless

Postby Aramek (?) » Sat Apr 04, 2015 4:04 pm

Absolutely amazing.

:ponydrugs:
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Postby Mr. Big (?) » Sat Apr 04, 2015 4:04 pm

Also, they used "Cutie Map" on-screen. So that's the official title, I guess.
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Postby The Doctor (?) » Sat Apr 04, 2015 4:04 pm

Best two-part episode since Return of Harmony. Finally a return to six friends on an adventure.
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Postby PonyHag714 (?) » Sat Apr 04, 2015 4:05 pm

Great kickoff to the season. The resolution was a nice break from all the the dramatics of earlier premieres/finales, just a good old chase scene. :twasnothin:

We definitely haven't seen the end of Starlight Glimmer. :ponder:

Ski pony is my favorite of the town ponies.
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Postby Mr. Big (?) » Sat Apr 04, 2015 4:06 pm

This really was a different two-parter from most of the others. The bad guy was just a normal pony, no real monsters...not bad, McCarthy/Larson/Sonneborn.
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Postby Perrydotto (?) » Sat Apr 04, 2015 4:06 pm

Hot damn, I liked that more than I expected! Very happy about the fresh wind they got by making Meghan a producer and having Larson & Sonneborn writing the premiere. It felt much more low-key, but still like an adventure, just much more character-driven. Pacing was hella good too, a lot happenened in those 44 minutes. The concept of the map and the changes it brings are also very intriguing. Characters were well-written, nobody was too over the top or flanderized, and the side characters were good as well. And hot damn ... that cult story. It was just extreme enough to impress and legitimately creep me out, but not too goofy to be unbelievable. It hit a lot of notes spot-on with cult situations, they really did their homework with it. Larson once again showed that he has a good eye for details and little beats that really drive the point home. Also, the lyrics in the song were great, I seriously got creeped out shivers at the "You don't have nightmares if you never dream" bit.

Wow, seriously, I'm flashed. This wasn't a huge, flashy story, but it felt very significant and suspenseful all the same. What a fantastic way to start this season!
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Postby Stuff (?) » Sat Apr 04, 2015 4:07 pm

In conclusion:

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Is my pony hype... returning? aaaaaaaaa :awesomedash:
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Postby Perrydotto (?) » Sat Apr 04, 2015 4:08 pm

Also, some fantastic gags in there. Our mini-meetup here just about died at stuff like Applejack forgetting her country slang or some of the Pinkie bits.
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Postby RudeCyrus (?) » Sat Apr 04, 2015 4:09 pm

I just realized what Double Diamond's name means. Well done, writers.
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Postby die Fledermaus (?) » Sat Apr 04, 2015 4:09 pm

Bakertoons wrote:This really was a different two-parter from most of the others. The bad guy was just a normal pony, no real monsters...not bad, McCarthy/Larson/Sonneborn.


Yea I liked that this big bad was just a pony who's a fuckin asshole. No big DARK FORCES GATHER bullshit, she's just a megalomaniac and a dick. Good on em not constantly 'raising the stakes'.
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Postby ROBOT B9 (?) » Sat Apr 04, 2015 4:10 pm

Well, I'd have to say that personally, this was the best two parter yet. They hit all the right notes, managed to put a great amount of comedy in it and the whole vibe was just creepy enough to work. The song was actually pretty damn scary when you think about it.
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Postby Mordja (?) » Sat Apr 04, 2015 4:10 pm

Dexanth wrote:
Harrison Bergeron beat DS9 by a bit, as did Sirens of Titan.

This is Vonnegut :twiright:

Oh shit, I didn't even think about that, but you're totally right.

Anyway, what a great premier and, it's gotta be said, what a unique premier. Usually the villain's been some sort of demigod, or all encompassing threat to Equestria; this time the enemy was existential. I already knew the premise for the episodes, but I definitely didn't expect it to be pulled off so well, or so creepily. I really should remember never to underestimate this show. :-P
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Postby acksed (?) » Sat Apr 04, 2015 4:11 pm

That was a legitimately good episode. :yay:
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Postby Perrydotto (?) » Sat Apr 04, 2015 4:11 pm

Also, Zippy-Sacs creep me right the fuck out.
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Postby Snow Drift (?) » Sat Apr 04, 2015 4:11 pm

Well that was a dang good season premiere. I think I need to watch it again.
Also, recurring villain maybe please? :allears:
Also pacing was really good. Didn't feel too rushed or too long.
Stakes were just high enough to keep it tense but not so high it felt ridiculous.

Also, eastern unicorn magic? There are different schools of Unicorn Magical Theory? I need more on this stat. :twonk:
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Postby LardLad3545 (?) » Sat Apr 04, 2015 4:12 pm

My god it's good to be back. :flutterunsmith:

Really liked it, no surprise. I'm glad they didn't try to top Tirek with a big ol' villain or anything. It wouldn't have worked and would have felt quite repetitive and even bland. A couple nice little twists. The Mane 6, at the climax, weren't the ones to save the day. The villain also got away, which makes it far more interesting than a one off character. The whole equal thing really did touch on some pretty deep social and moral issues, which is where I've always thought the show thrived the best. Good character dialogue moments, good funny lines, great animation. Solid. Loved it. Greatly looking forward to watching again.

We're back bitches. :golfclop:
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Postby Wildfire (?) » Sat Apr 04, 2015 4:12 pm

Outstanding start to the season. I think this is the first time the mane 6 relied on others to help them win.
there was a very heavy 1984 feel to it. The only thing missing was "Room 101" (unless you count it as the house they were locked in).
The announcements over the speaker reminded me of that one scene in Red Dawn, and that scene where they smash the cutie mark holder was definitely a ref' to this:


Onward to the rest of the season! :amazing:
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Postby Wayoshi (?) » Sat Apr 04, 2015 4:13 pm

Perrydotto wrote:Also, some fantastic gags in there. Our mini-meetup here just about died at stuff like Applejack forgetting her country slang or some of the Pinkie bits.

Pinkie subdued by the = mark probably was the funniest, but Rarity's drapes comment was also pretty good.

I think I liked Sugar Belle the best out of the background ponies.
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Postby Davyinatoga (?) » Sat Apr 04, 2015 4:14 pm

shotgunbadger wrote:
Yea I liked that this big bad was just a pony who's a fuckin asshole. No big DARK FORCES GATHER bullshit, she's just a megalomaniac and a dick. Good on em not constantly 'raising the stakes'.

That "remove someone else's cutie mark" spell is something she learned. Other ponies may also have that ability and who knows how long that's been going on. Damn, that's gotta be scary.
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Postby PonyHag714 (?) » Sat Apr 04, 2015 4:15 pm

Balloon pony does have some mad skills. :-P

Good episode for Fluttershy for sure, especially her being the one to reveal Starlight's secret. :allears:
Last edited by PonyHag714 on Sat Apr 04, 2015 4:15 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Postby Perpetual Lurker (?) » Sat Apr 04, 2015 4:15 pm

Starlight was a great villain, and she gets extra bonus points for interrupting the Twilight Friendship Speech™. Really this whole episode was great and well paced. The atmosphere in the beginning was creepy and unsettling, and became much more sinister and direct once the town dropped the pretense of being a nice place. The side characters were also quite nice, and yeah, I'm going to have to agree that Party Favor is the best. The coolness of creating functional balloon constructs outweighs the implausibility of him having that many balloons :v: .
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Postby Wylie (?) » Sat Apr 04, 2015 4:17 pm

Wayoshi wrote:Pinkie subdued by the = mark probably was the funniest, but Rarity's drapes comment was also pretty good.

I think I liked Sugar Belle the best out of the background ponies.


Rarity's bit with the drapes was amazing.

:starity: Look at those drapes! I can't tell if they're tacky or not!
:flutterunsmith: Well, I think they're nice.
:gonkity: I DO TOO!

Seriously, we have to preserve Tabitha for future generations to enjoy.
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Postby Pocket (?) » Sat Apr 04, 2015 4:18 pm

So, Orwell meets the Law of Jante by way of the Buddy Bears. I wonder, if this is supposed to be the first of many parallel episodes rather than just the set up for them, if they're all going to be two-parters this time. Given how late the season started, extra twofers would be a good way to still have time for a season break.

Ransom wrote:Next week, the mane 6 face pony Andrew Ryan.

I would unironically love to see a pony Ayn Rand on the show as an antagonist.
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Postby Highbrow Dash (?) » Sat Apr 04, 2015 4:20 pm

:ponydrugs: :ponydrugs: :ponydrugs: :ponydrugs:

I mean, that was cool :-P
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Postby Aramek (?) » Sat Apr 04, 2015 4:20 pm

Perpetual Lurker wrote:Starlight was a great villain, and she gets extra bonus points for interrupting the Twilight Friendship Speech™. Really this whole episode was great and well paced. The atmosphere in the beginning was creepy and unsettling, and became much more sinister and direct once the town dropped the pretense of being a nice place. The side characters were also quite nice, and yeah, I'm going to have to agree that Party Favor is the best. The coolness of creating functional balloon constructs outweighs the implausibility of him having that many balloons :v: .

Not just interrupting, but with an eyeroll and a sneer. Not since President Business' "What a bunch of hippie dippy baloney!" have I'd been so alit by a villain. Good times.
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Postby Ruflux (?) » Sat Apr 04, 2015 4:22 pm

It was pretty cool overall, I liked the bits with the little horses in them
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Postby Dexanth (?) » Sat Apr 04, 2015 4:22 pm

I would love Pony Ayn Rand as a villain too because hah!

Also, also, if they go around multiple times Cutie Map questing, this brings the show in one way closer to Lauren's original plans of 'The Mane 6 travel round and have adventures' which is hype!

Well, that's to say, more adventures that we've previously gotten, aka not 'ADVENTURE ALWAYS' but rather more Dragon Quests
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Postby SlateSlabrock (?) » Sat Apr 04, 2015 4:25 pm

Well, that was a fun episode. I think I'll need to reserve judgment until a second viewing, though. With commercials, the pacing was pretty funky near the beginning and end. They really dive straight into the field trip without any pretense, and they could've spent less time cutting back to the main 6 during the final chase.

Davyinatoga wrote:That "remove someone else's cutie mark" spell is something she learned. Other ponies may also have that ability and who knows how long that's been going on. Damn, that's gotta be scary.

"What else was I supposed to do with a special talent for removing people's cutie marks?!"
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Postby The Doctor (?) » Sat Apr 04, 2015 4:28 pm

Bakertoons wrote:This really was a different two-parter from most of the others. The bad guy was just a normal pony, no real monsters...not bad, McCarthy/Larson/Sonneborn.


I'm curious how much of this was Meghan. It's no secret that I'm not her biggest fan, but I want to see her do great episodes again. She wasn't credited as a writer, and even the story editor credit was just for Larson. I wonder if her involvement ended at "Cutie Mark Map sends them on adventure. Have at it!"
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Postby Snow Drift (?) » Sat Apr 04, 2015 4:30 pm

Also is it just me but do unicorns seem to have a higher instance of becoming completely evil. Or at least total jerkfaces. :pinkieshrug:
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Postby InC (?) » Sat Apr 04, 2015 4:32 pm

Welp, I guess I'm hyped for ponies again. :awesomedash:
That was a lot of fun! I know the staff mentioned worrying about trying to be too "epic" after the S4 finale, and it feels like they realized that even two-parters should still play with the strengths of the show. Twilight's friendship speech getting interrupted felt almost as good as her "tell me she's not..." from the pilot, funny how things turn around. :gotcha:
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Postby acksed (?) » Sat Apr 04, 2015 4:36 pm

Snow Drift wrote:Also is it just me but do unicorns seem to have a higher instance of becoming completely evil. Or at least total jerkfaces. :pinkieshrug:
Studying magic does seem to make them more neurotic. And most of the branches (love that little detail) seem to be pretty much Wild Magic, friendship magic especially.
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Postby drunkill (?) » Sat Apr 04, 2015 4:38 pm

Pocket wrote:
I would unironically love to see a pony Ayn Rand on the show as an antagonist.


Well, we could use another railway episode :-P

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Postby Niels Olof (?) » Sat Apr 04, 2015 4:39 pm

This was really, really good. The Mane Six all had their moments and seemed well in-character (though if Rarity never says ‘divine’ again, it will be just fine by me). The overall feel of the village was more Body-Snatchers or It is a Good Life than 1984 to me, but some of the most disturbing material that pony has wrought hitherto in this generation. Very well done.

The resolve was of course brilliant – our heroines may have been the catalysts that got the reaction started, but after that it was all the locals doing the derring-do.
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Postby Wayoshi (?) » Sat Apr 04, 2015 4:40 pm

I thought the pacing was pretty good. Yeah the beginning and ending are kinda quick, but look at how much the show is able to breathe and let the Mane 6 interact in Acts III-IV in particular.
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Postby Mechanical Ape (?) » Sat Apr 04, 2015 4:41 pm

:iamapony: So once again the day is saved, thanks to -- The Normal Little Ponies! Good going, ponies.

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Postby Stuff (?) » Sat Apr 04, 2015 4:48 pm

What's the general reaction at the other places.

In before "it sucked!!! The show is ruined. Again."
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Postby SlateSlabrock (?) » Sat Apr 04, 2015 4:52 pm

Stuff wrote:What's the general reaction at the other places.

In before "it sucked!!! The show is ruined. Again."

Protip, don't waste time caring about other places' bad opinions.
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Postby Factory Factory (?) » Sat Apr 04, 2015 4:52 pm

Pinkie being angry is just the funniest thing to me, so the first half of the first episode was fantastic. I also appreciate that when they needed a character to not catch the hints, it wasn't silly Pinkie, but rather she was the most on-the-ball of anyone.

Fluts, though... She really dropped the ball on the whole "situational awareness" thing.
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Postby RudeCyrus (?) » Sat Apr 04, 2015 4:53 pm

Great moments in this ep:

-- Pinkie Pie's suspicious face
-- Fluttershy bopping along to the song
-- All the equal sign symbolism
-- Pinkie forced to eat shitty muffins
-- Countryisms!
-- Pinkie slowly succumbing to her lack of a Cutie Mark
-- Tabitha St. Germain's voice acting
-- Rarity pawing at the door
-- Rainbow Dash can't go fast!
-- Interrupting Twilight
-- Balloon Pony
-- Ski Pony
-- The fact that ponies other than the Mane 6 were the heroes
-- BUTT MAGIC

Best two-parter since S2, imo.
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