S04E24: Equestria Games

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S04E24: Equestria Games

Postby Wayoshi (?) » Wed Apr 30, 2014 2:51 pm

Spike is elated when he’s given the honor of lighting the torch to open the Equestria Games. But when his nerves get the best of him, Spike goes to great lengths to prove he’s the heroic dragon others believe him to be.


This thread is for discussion of this episode. The episode airs at 10:30 AM Eastern / 7:30 AM Pacific on Saturday, May 3!

Official preview clips and images are okay to post, as is speculation about the episode.

Writer: Dave Polsky (5th of S4, most recently: From Whom the Sweetie Bell Toils)
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Postby ROBOT B9 (?) » Wed Apr 30, 2014 2:56 pm

Wow...I hope we get to see more Equestria nations and some awesome Spike moments. I really hope they manage to create a great ending for this storyline.
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Postby Fizzbuzz (?) » Wed Apr 30, 2014 3:19 pm

I'm more concerned about Spike than the Games themselves. Whatever he does, hopefully it won't involve engineering a "disaster" for him to fix. Twice now (Boast Busters, as done by Snips and Snails, and SAYS, by himself) he's seen how that just causes more problems.
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Postby PonyHag714 (?) » Wed Apr 30, 2014 3:20 pm

I hate to think it's going to be a rushed episode to fit everything in, but let's hope for the best. :yay:
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Postby The Doctor (?) » Wed Apr 30, 2014 3:32 pm

Clips from the commercial show the relay race. I hope we see Rainbow Dash lose. Would be a great cap to her choice to help out a struggling team, instead of competing with Ponyville's stronger flyers. Show her lose and still celebrate with her team.
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Postby Mechanical Ape (?) » Wed Apr 30, 2014 3:42 pm

Fizzbuzz wrote:I'm more concerned about Spike than the Games themselves. Whatever he does, hopefully it won't involve engineering a "disaster" for him to fix. Twice now (Boast Busters, as done by Snips and Snails, and SAYS, by himself) he's seen how that just causes more problems.


I dunno, that whole "the hero others believe him to be" suggests otherwise.

Spike gets ignored, neglected, and overlooked a lot (to the point where it was the whole plot of Power Ponies), but this synopsis looks like the opposite of that. Here, for a change, Spike seems to be getting this huge honor and a lot of respect from everypony, and that's not a prize he earns at the end, it starts like that. The conflict is in Spike himself feeling worthy of the spotlight he's already getting.

It's pretty awesome that they're giving Spike, of all people, the kind of rock-star-fighting-inferiority plot Rainbow Dash usually gets. I predict that fans who think Spike gets shit on too much will be pleased by this one.

e: This doesn't really speak to your point, though, I can't read today I guess, sorry :pinkieshrug:
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To be continued, though!
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Postby Big Boss (?) » Wed Apr 30, 2014 3:49 pm

Don't forget that Spike's the one on the stained glass from the Crystal Empire, they probably (rightly!) see him as their hero.
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Postby Aramek (?) » Wed Apr 30, 2014 4:18 pm

I'm so excited, and I just can't hide it. I'm about to lose control and I think I like it. :ponydrugs:

I hope we get to see lots of non-ponies. And Sports! AND CRYSTALS! AUUUGH! :awesomedash:
Last edited by Aramek on Wed Apr 30, 2014 4:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Postby ROBOT B9 (?) » Wed Apr 30, 2014 4:19 pm

Pony sports would be really interesting to see. I wonder if they'll have a "Parade Of Nations" of sorts.
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Postby PonyHag714 (?) » Wed Apr 30, 2014 4:22 pm

I'd like to see something like that. It would be even cooler if they followed the Olympics and let wherever the Games originated march in first, as Greece does.

:offendash: That's Cloudsdale!

:rage: Get real Dash! You mean the Griffon nation!

:-/ Come on guys...it's Canterlot.

:applejargh: Ponyville enters first, and that's mah final word on it!

Image SILENCE! We shall play cider pong to decide.
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Postby Fizzbuzz (?) » Wed Apr 30, 2014 5:30 pm

Mechanical Ape wrote:
I dunno, that whole "the hero others believe him to be" suggests otherwise.

Spike gets ignored, neglected, and overlooked a lot (to the point where it was the whole plot of Power Ponies), but this synopsis looks like the opposite of that. Here, for a change, Spike seems to be getting this huge honor and a lot of respect from everypony, and that's not a prize he earns at the end, it starts like that. The conflict is in Spike himself feeling worthy of the spotlight he's already getting.

Interestingly, another synopsis had a slightly different wording:
With the Equestria Games just around the corner, Spike is thrilled to be selected to light the opening day torch, until his nerves get the best of him; Spike takes drastic action to show his friends that's he's the brave dragon he claims to be.

In this case, who are "his friends"? If it says that "he claims to be brave" in front of them, I'm inclined to think that this refers to him bragging in front of the CMC or other ponies his age, since I don't think the Mane Six would take any such claims that seriously. However, if the synopsis in the OP is more true, maybe he's going to hear a bunch of adoration from the crystal ponies and will have to live up to grossly-inflated legends of what he did back in TCE, as Kefka suggested. I'm not sure which possibility I want more.
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Postby The Doctor (?) » Wed Apr 30, 2014 6:08 pm

I would love there to be some nod to TCE, even if it's just the reason he was selected to light the fire.
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Postby ROBOT B9 (?) » Wed Apr 30, 2014 6:11 pm

That would be an awesome callback and would work perfectly for the episode.
:plonk: Image :)
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Postby ShieldedDiamond (?) » Wed Apr 30, 2014 8:24 pm

I hope this isn't the wrap up of all that is the Equestria Games. Because if it is, my concern is it might be a little rushed. If it isn't, I would like to see Equestria Games be the first season premier that isn't "Equestria is in danger!"
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Postby Applepie (?) » Wed Apr 30, 2014 8:31 pm

Awesome, I'm hyped for another Spike episode.
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Postby LardLad3545 (?) » Thu May 01, 2014 1:54 am

For the life of me, I can't remember. Probably because it was something like a year ago. Who was it who said that Whackbat should be one of the Games? Aramek? Wayoshi? Uh... hmm... :-I I really... :facehoof: don't want to go :notthisshitagain: thread excavating... :heehaw:
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Postby The Doctor (?) » Thu May 01, 2014 2:02 am

I wonder if we'll get any glimpses of other games for Unicorns or Earth ponies, or will this really establish that the Equestria Games are a Pegasus (or Griffon) only thing.
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Postby LardLad3545 (?) » Thu May 01, 2014 2:06 am

Oh my god! :amazing: Guise... GUISE! There's like... this magical button at the top right that lets you SEARCH for keywords and THEN YOU GET A SCREENFUL OF RESULTS FROM THAT SEARCH. NOBODY TOLD ME THIS WITCHCRAFT EXISTS! :twonk:

Zuzie wrote:Or maybe as someone suggested earlier, some sort of incomprehensible sport with all kinds of nutty rules, kind of like Whackbat from Fantastic Mr.Fox.


In other words, I'm a dumbass and it was Zuzie. :smirk:

K bai now... Imma go hide before my stupidity catches up with me. :gotcha:
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Postby Fizzbuzz (?) » Thu May 01, 2014 2:08 am

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So I guess it is the crystal ponies who will be adoring him, after all.
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Postby PonyHag714 (?) » Thu May 01, 2014 2:14 am

You'd better be ready to answer the bell when it's time to light that torch Spike. Image :eep:
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Postby Veradox (?) » Thu May 01, 2014 2:28 am

I love Spike as a character, and I love Dave Polsky as a writer, but I'm really nervous with this one. Polsky's last work with Spike was Spike At Your Service. I'm worried he'll make Spike very out-of-characteristically nervous and make a fool out of himself. Also, I'm worried that if they try to focus too much on Spike's story they'll end up not spending enough time on the actual games themselves, and have each event rushed and underwhelming. I keep trying to tell myself that he won't mess up something so important, something that's been building up since season 3, but then I remember Polsky's last effort that involved changing the show's dynamic in some way: Keep Calm and Flutter On, AKA one of the worst episodes in the entire series. He's managed to get back on my good side, Polsky, but he manages to make this episode flop, then he will be irredeemable from that point forward. Actually, if he messes this up, he should be fired as a writer from the show. Sorry about this sort of rant, I've just been so nervous about this episode ever since it was first announced who was writing it.
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Postby The Doctor (?) » Thu May 01, 2014 2:30 am

I can agree with that. Spike in general is portrayed as a pretty confident character. Little bit cocky sometimes, but outside being a bit of a fool around Rarity, he's not very timid.

PonyHag714 wrote:You'd better be ready to answer the bell when it's time to light that torch Spike. Image :eep:


Image Don't worry, Spike. I got your back.

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Postby Fizzbuzz (?) » Thu May 01, 2014 2:38 am

Veradox wrote:I love Spike as a character, and I love Dave Polsky as a writer, but I'm really nervous with this one. Polsky's last work with Spike was Spike At Your Service. I'm worried he'll make Spike very out-of-characteristically nervous and make a fool out of himself. Also, I'm worried that if they try to focus too much on Spike's story they'll end up not spending enough time on the actual games themselves, and have each event rushed and underwhelming. I keep trying to tell myself that he won't mess up something so important, something that's been building up since season 3, but then I remember Polsky's last effort that involved changing the show's dynamic in some way: Keep Calm and Flutter On, AKA one of the worst episodes in the entire series. He's managed to get back on my good side, Polsky, but he manages to make this episode flop, then he will be irredeemable from that point forward. Actually, if he messes this up, he should be fired as a writer from the show. Sorry about this sort of rant, I've just been so nervous about this episode ever since it was first announced who was writing it.

SAYS was largely written by Merriwether Williams. Dave Polsky was only responsible for the story, and who knows if he worked on the first version where it was Spike serving Rarity, or if he did both that and the version with Applejack, or what. Either way, I have always assumed that she was responsible for Spike's poor characterization in that episode.
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Postby Mechanical Ape (?) » Thu May 01, 2014 2:53 am

Everything and everyone in the Crystal Empire is edible to Spike.
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To be continued, though!
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Postby Minty (?) » Thu May 01, 2014 2:54 am

You have to be careful not to spoil Spike or give him too many things unless you want another Spikezilla.
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Postby ROBOT B9 (?) » Thu May 01, 2014 5:57 am

Oh boy...just that picture alone has me all hyped up for this episode. :excite:
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Postby Frosthawk (?) » Thu May 01, 2014 7:10 am

Still seems kind of weird to me that the whole Equestria Games arc that begun last season is all leading up to a Spike episode which reads more like a Fluttershy episode.
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Postby Highbrow Dash (?) » Thu May 01, 2014 11:35 pm

Yeah, I'm not sure a single episode will be able to do justice to a 2 season "arc" like this. Sounds fun, anyway :-P
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but why would you post such a thing??
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Postby The Doctor (?) » Fri May 02, 2014 12:45 am

Highbrow Dash wrote:Yeah, I'm not sure a single episode will be able to do justice to a 2 season "arc" like this. Sounds fun, anyway :-P



But then we wouldn't get another two parter about how awesome Twilight is and how only she can save the day. :v:
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Postby Mr. Big (?) » Fri May 02, 2014 12:57 am

Preview clip is on Facebook

Spike is their messiah :v:
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Postby The Doctor (?) » Fri May 02, 2014 12:58 am

We have a clip!

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=85 ... _video_set

The Doctor wrote:I would love there to be some nod to TCE, even if it's just the reason he was selected to light the fire.

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Postby PonyHag714 (?) » Fri May 02, 2014 1:15 am

Well, definitely at least one place where Spike gets some recognition. :spike101:
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Postby Minty (?) » Fri May 02, 2014 1:23 am

Twilight is so proud of Spike and that's adorable.
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Postby ShieldedDiamond (?) » Fri May 02, 2014 1:30 am

Spike saves an empire, gets lots of attention, and a giant statue of himself.

The Mane 6 save Equestria twice...

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:cry:

(Yes I know there are the glass windows. But Spike got one too. :rainbert: Plus the mention of that wouldn't make this funny. :-I )
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Postby Fizzbuzz (?) » Fri May 02, 2014 1:43 am

Man, I guess it's good thing that he and the CMC had to leave as quickly as they came back in JFS. Had Spike been noticed then that would've just multiplied the clusterfuck happening then.
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Postby Wayoshi (?) » Fri May 02, 2014 3:11 am

This is pretty lame.
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Postby Fizzbuzz (?) » Fri May 02, 2014 3:11 am

Wayoshi wrote:This is pretty lame.

Care to elaborate?
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Postby Wayoshi (?) » Fri May 02, 2014 3:14 am

It reminds me how badly CE has aged. The reason Spike had to go and save the CHeart is still convoluted as hell to me. And this is a very generic and semi-nonsensical way of setting up the conflict.

I'm probably sensitive to the Mane 6 (7!) being singled out as heroes of the land - I prefer they're not - but when it's clearly for the plot, I think I have a point here. :pinkieshrug:
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Postby Fizzbuzz (?) » Fri May 02, 2014 3:23 am

Honestly, I think the reverence of Spike actually feels quite natural here, as opposed to it being forced in for the sake of this story. In Ponyville it's hard for him to be a hero, given 1. how he's a friend to pretty much everyone there and 2. that he did destroy a bunch of the town back in SoME. Meanwhile, the crystal ponies have had a year or two to see Spike's acts and transform him into a legendary savior of their people.
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Postby ShieldedDiamond (?) » Fri May 02, 2014 3:26 am

Definitely agree with you Fizzbuzz. I feel like it also adds more pressure to Spike in the story. "Oh no, if I screw up with this, they'll stop worshipping me!" I like the way they added this, and I wonder if Spike will have anything else to do with this in future episodes.
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