S04E20: For Whom the Sweetie Belle Toils

Episode, movie, and comic book discussion threads are kept here once they have been released.

Moderators: Perrydotto, Dexanth, Venusy, Wayoshi

Re: S04E20: For Whom the Sweetie Belle Toils

Postby Space Ghost (?) » Mon Mar 24, 2014 6:01 pm

ShieldedDiamond wrote:Perhaps if nobody knew Weird Al would appear, it would have been rated better?


It worked really well for the S2 opener. No one knew anything about Discord or who was voicing him.
Space Ghost
User avatar
Applejack Aces
Joined: Mar 28, 2011

Postby The Doctor (?) » Mon Mar 24, 2014 6:02 pm

Tailspin wrote:
Worked well for the S2 opener. No one knew anything about Discord or who was voicing him.


John de Lancie isn't really a big name except to Trek fans though. Weird Al is much more a household name.
The Doctor
User avatar
Turner of all things timey wimey
Celestia's Champions
Joined: May 05, 2011
Location: Time & Space
Gender: Male

Postby Space Ghost (?) » Mon Mar 24, 2014 6:05 pm

The Doctor wrote:
John de Lancie isn't really a big name except to Trek fans though. Weird Al is much more a household name.


Yeah, but you gotta admit it would've been a better surprise if we didn't know he was in the episode.
Space Ghost
User avatar
Applejack Aces
Joined: Mar 28, 2011

Postby Highbrow Dash (?) » Mon Mar 24, 2014 6:59 pm

How did MMC do? To be honest, I hated musical numbers when I was a kid :pinkieshrug:
Image
Highbrow Dash
User avatar
but why would you post such a thing??
Rarity's Roughnecks
Joined: Oct 15, 2011
Location: Spain
Gender: Male

Postby ROBOT B9 (?) » Mon Mar 24, 2014 7:06 pm

I'd assume it did good due to the fact that it was the season finale and was hyped up for weeks.
:plonk: Image :)
ROBOT B9
User avatar
Round and round and round she goes, where she'll stop, nobody knows :pinkietoot:
Semper Pie
Joined: Mar 27, 2012
Location: Albir, Spain
Gender: Male

Postby Frith (?) » Mon Mar 24, 2014 7:21 pm

MMC drew 478,000 viewers. At least The Crystal Empire (601,000) and Too Many Pinkie Pies (494,000) drew more viewers than that episode so the episode wasn't particularly great ratings success.
Frith
User avatar
Princesses of Soul
Joined: Jun 21, 2012
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Gender: Male

Postby Mr. Big (?) » Mon Mar 24, 2014 7:55 pm

As Octavia said, I think the fact that "Pinkie Pride" got leaked is what killed the ratings.

(also, production number wasn't swapped. Somebody accidentally switched the synopsis in the press release)
Mr. Big
User avatar
Feeling witchy, aren't we?
Scootaloo's Pro Scooters
Joined: Mar 27, 2011
Location: TN
Gender: Male

Postby Wayoshi (?) » Mon Mar 24, 2014 8:22 pm

^ How do you explain Google Play having PPride's airdate as 1/25/14, which caused the leak?
Wayoshi
User avatar
Paper Fluttershy
Stare Masters
Joined: Oct 26, 2011
Location: Boston, MA
Gender: Male

Postby Mr. Big (?) » Mon Mar 24, 2014 8:27 pm

Wayoshi wrote:^ How do you explain Google Play having PPride's airdate as 1/25/14, which caused the leak?

Somebody goofed? Mistakes happen :pinkieshrug:
Mr. Big
User avatar
Feeling witchy, aren't we?
Scootaloo's Pro Scooters
Joined: Mar 27, 2011
Location: TN
Gender: Male

Postby Tears (?) » Mon Mar 24, 2014 8:46 pm

kefkafloyd wrote:Image

Here be true sibling love, right here.



Ahhhhhhhhhhhh the expressions are perfect :allears: :allears: :allears: :allears: :allears: :allears: :allears: :allears:
Image
Tears
User avatar
An appalling piece of pimpwork or a thoroughly botched token of sincerity
Joined: Apr 06, 2013
Gender: Male

Postby Frith (?) » Mon Mar 24, 2014 9:11 pm

Damn, that image is sweet :allears:

Anyway, I have now seen this episode several times and I simply love it. The relationship between Rarity and Sweetie Belle has been one of the best and the most reliable things of the entire series so I had high expectations for this episode. Fortunately I didn't need to be disappointed.

Sweetie Belle was the main character of the episode and she was great in it. Her characterization was spot on, her conflict was excellently written and it was really believable and relatable for me. I could totally understand her behavior in that situation even though her behavior wasn't always acceptable.

As for the other characters, Rarity was really awesome big sister. It was also really nice to see Luna again and I liked her role in this episode. Some of the dream visuals were also really awesome.

This is definitely the best episode in S4 and at the moment it's also one of my favorite episodes of the entire series.
Frith
User avatar
Princesses of Soul
Joined: Jun 21, 2012
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Gender: Male

Postby Jill (?) » Mon Mar 24, 2014 10:53 pm

Just watched. That last dream sequence was legit freaky. :amazed: At the same time I laughed at how they threw in Fluttershy just straight-up begging Rarity for a dress. I can only wonder what she would want one for, and if that was actually something that would have happened or just Sweetie Belle's way of perceiving the outcome.

:modesty: "I just haven't been feeling pretty enough lately."

Anyway, loved the whole thing. Another :ponydrugs: / :ponydrugs: episode, yeah. :allears:
Jill
User avatar
me? late? unthinkable.
Special Flowers
Joined: Oct 05, 2011
Gender: Female

Postby Weird Autumn (?) » Mon Mar 24, 2014 11:18 pm

I got the sense that the dress request was for Rarity's benefit, not Fluttershy's.

Actually it really felt like a moment that could have been straight-up from another episode where Rarity is in a funk and refuses to make any dresses... Which makes sense since we've already had that scene in that episode.
Weird Autumn
User avatar
Better beware
(she's a real mad operator)
Try not to stare
(at the fault line indicator)
Pretend you care
(about a gamma ray generator)
Brace yourself, she might be anywhere.
Faithful Students
Joined: Feb 14, 2011
Location: Philadelphia
Gender: Female

Postby Amethyst_Gem (?) » Tue Mar 25, 2014 2:01 am

Grim wrote:Just watched. That last dream sequence was legit freaky. :amazed: At the same time I laughed at how they threw in Fluttershy just straight-up begging Rarity for a dress.

My impression was Fluttershy was using a mean sarcastic tone, a la Putting Your Hoof Down, knowing what's happened already to Dark Future Rarity, which I figured was a legit alternative possiblity to trying to cheer her up, cause it was an Everything Goes Horrible nightmare sequence. :dreamworks:
But then she cowers instead of chuckles after Rarity's response. Granted, Rarity can be scary when dramatic... :saddershy:
Amethyst_Gem
User avatar
Joined: Apr 01, 2013

Postby Frosthawk (?) » Tue Mar 25, 2014 5:44 am

Finally got to watch this episode when it reran at 3:30 today on the Hub. I would say it's a great episode, but something just felt a teensy-bit off.

I was hoping this would be a lot like Sisterhooves Social, and to an extent it was, but it didn't quite reach that level. Another thing that was interesting was that, in SS, I was strongly sympathizing with Sweetie Bell, whereas in this episode I was totally feeling for Rarity. I actually thought that was an interesting little progression. In Sisterhooves Social, SB causes trouble with child-like innocence overall well-meaning-ness, which is what made me sympathize with her. Here she seems a lot more like an adolescent, which would naturally happen to a kid as they grow up - it's almost character growth, in a way. So while I think Sweetie Bell was waaayyyy ungrateful (I mean, I saw why she was mad, but come on), I think that was overall a good thing for her character and the episode.

I also loved the ending sequences - Sweetie Bell warming back up to Rarity was just so sweet to see, and it cast Rarity in such a good light. I also liked how the ending wasn't one final punchline like it usually is, but ended on a sweet moment. That almost seemed jarring at first, but that's just cause I'm so used to the Scooby Doo endings.

The kind of "off" factor in all of this was basically Luna. I'm still not too big on her "stalking children's dreams" trope, and in this episode it seemed particularly egregious. I guess she has nothing better to do? It just sort of gave the whole episode this Christmas Carol-esque mystical tone which I think distracted from the more slice-of-life sentiments this episode handled really well.

Oh, and I really like Sapphire Shores, which other episode was she in again?

Also did I watch it incorrectly or was Fluttershy the only other member of the main six that got standalone lines in this episode? That's kind of a diversion from the norm.
Last edited by Frosthawk on Tue Mar 25, 2014 5:46 am, edited 1 time in total.
ImageImageImage
ImageImageImageImage
Frosthawk
User avatar
ABOUT ME:
1.) Gay
2.) Sullen Pizza Addict
3.) Gay Sullen Pizza Addict
Maud Squad
Joined: Jul 14, 2011
Location: Who can even keep track nowadays
Gender: Male

Postby Perpetual Lurker (?) » Tue Mar 25, 2014 5:46 am

She was in the beginning of A Dog and Pony Show, and her request for more bedazzled stage outfits is what made Rarity go out digging for gems with Spike.
Perpetual Lurker
User avatar
No. 1 scarer
Special Flowers
Joined: Oct 16, 2012
Gender: Genderless

Postby ROBOT B9 (?) » Tue Mar 25, 2014 7:13 am

Wow...they brought back a minor character from the first season. It's neat to see more of that kind of continuity from the show.
:plonk: Image :)
ROBOT B9
User avatar
Round and round and round she goes, where she'll stop, nobody knows :pinkietoot:
Semper Pie
Joined: Mar 27, 2012
Location: Albir, Spain
Gender: Male

Postby Sailor Yue (?) » Tue Mar 25, 2014 7:50 am

Image
Image
PayPal for stuff sailoryue@me.com
Sailor Yue
User avatar
Pttttl
Joined: Nov 12, 2012
Location: Nowhere. Certainly not in that tree.
Gender: Female

Postby ROBOT B9 (?) » Tue Mar 25, 2014 7:55 am

Damn...I was expecting something like that to happen but Sweetie's reaction is hilarious.
:plonk: Image :)
ROBOT B9
User avatar
Round and round and round she goes, where she'll stop, nobody knows :pinkietoot:
Semper Pie
Joined: Mar 27, 2012
Location: Albir, Spain
Gender: Male

Postby Fizzbuzz (?) » Tue Mar 25, 2014 11:36 am

Frosthawk wrote:The kind of "off" factor in all of this was basically Luna. I'm still not too big on her "stalking children's dreams" trope, and in this episode it seemed particularly egregious. I guess she has nothing better to do? It just sort of gave the whole episode this Christmas Carol-esque mystical tone which I think distracted from the more slice-of-life sentiments this episode handled really well.

By our standards it's definitely supernatural, but Sleepless in Ponyville already established this as a thing that happens in Equestria. The episode didn't make a very big deal of it, either. Notice how Sweetie Belle wasn't massively shocked that Luna had showed up or surprised that she could do this or anything. I think in-universe context is important here.
Image
Fizzbuzz
User avatar
Stare Masters
Joined: Mar 02, 2013
Location: TN
Gender: Male

Postby Headless Horse (?) » Tue Mar 25, 2014 11:52 am

I found it interesting that she didn't even call her "Princess Luna" more than the once. Throughout the whole rest of the episode it was just "Luna".
Headless Horse
User avatar
The yoke is strictly ornamental
Faithful Students
Joined: May 23, 2011

Postby Fizzbuzz (?) » Tue Mar 25, 2014 11:58 am

Headless Horse wrote:I found it interesting that she didn't even call her "Princess Luna" more than the once. Throughout the whole rest of the episode it was just "Luna".

And even back in Twilight Time, she pretty much only used the "Princess Twilight" title when she was hamming it up in front of Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon and the other kids.
Image
Fizzbuzz
User avatar
Stare Masters
Joined: Mar 02, 2013
Location: TN
Gender: Male

Postby Venusy (?) » Tue Mar 25, 2014 12:14 pm

Fizzbuzz wrote:By our standards it's definitely supernatural, but Sleepless in Ponyville already established this as a thing that happens in Equestria. The episode didn't make a very big deal of it, either. Notice how Sweetie Belle wasn't massively shocked that Luna had showed up or surprised that she could do this or anything. I think in-universe context is important here.
It's interesting, when you think of how the acclimatization period from Nightmare Moon as figure of myth and legend to Princess Luna regularly visiting dreams must have gone. Must have been weird, but fairly short.

:twasnothin: "If you eat all that cheese before bed, Nightmare Moon will haunt your dreams!"
:gah:

:moonie: :flail:
Venusy
User avatar
hey look, i'm the headless horse for halloween, remember that joke
Stare Masters
Joined: Apr 23, 2011
Location: South Yorkshire, UK
Gender: Genderqueer
Pronoun: They

Postby Ransom (?) » Tue Mar 25, 2014 12:18 pm

I'm surprisingly glad thy brought back Sapphire Shores. I don't know why, I like her.
Ransom
User avatar
Joined: Mar 24, 2012
Gender: Male

Postby Big Boss (?) » Tue Mar 25, 2014 2:11 pm

I know Niels expressed interest in the RT for this episode, but who else wanted in?
Big Boss
User avatar
:twonk:
Rarity's Roughnecks
Joined: Feb 14, 2011
Location: Mother Base
Gender: Male

Postby PonyHag714 (?) » Tue Mar 25, 2014 2:22 pm

:anticipation: Hi, Luna!

:speakest: How darest thou use our name so casually? For that, you shall suffer the ultimate nightmare!

:applejargh: You leave mah little sister be! :squintyjack: But, uh, just between you, me an' the grand piano, what happens in the nightmare?

:speakest: All thy apples will be taken away and replaced by blackberries!

:aghast: :flail: NOOOOOOO
Last edited by PonyHag714 on Tue Mar 25, 2014 2:24 pm, edited 2 times in total.
:speakest: The fun has been doubled!
PonyHag714
User avatar
Trick or treat, smell my feet
Joined: Mar 18, 2013
Location: Oromareocto, Canterda
Gender: Male

Postby The Doctor (?) » Tue Mar 25, 2014 2:22 pm

Always game if you have room.
The Doctor
User avatar
Turner of all things timey wimey
Celestia's Champions
Joined: May 05, 2011
Location: Time & Space
Gender: Male

Postby Niels Olof (?) » Tue Mar 25, 2014 3:03 pm

Headless Horse wrote:I found it interesting that she didn't even call her "Princess Luna" more than the once. Throughout the whole rest of the episode it was just "Luna".


Well, Princess Luna granted the entire village permission to call her 'Luna' back in Luna Eclipsed...
In omnibus requiem quaesivi, et nusquam inveni nisi in angulo cum libro
Niels Olof
User avatar
Wide-ruled paper is for foals.
Rarity's Roughnecks
Joined: Nov 20, 2013
Location: Denmark
Gender: Male

Postby Just Scuds (?) » Tue Mar 25, 2014 3:06 pm

Venusy wrote:It's interesting, when you think of how the acclimatization period from Nightmare Moon as figure of myth and legend to Princess Luna regularly visiting dreams must have gone. Must have been weird, but fairly short.


:flutterunsmith: what's wrong Rainbow Dash?
:saddash: Last night I had this weird dream where Princess Luna jumped out of the moon. She introduced herself and said that she'd be 'checking up' on me from time to time. And then she asked me to fill out a survey card on how well I was sleeping.
:flutterdear: I... I had the same dream just a few nights ago!
:awkward: uh. I guess this is a thing she's doing now.

Meanwhile, in Canterlot:
:gotcha: Oh. I guess this is a thing you're doing now.
Last edited by Just Scuds on Tue Mar 25, 2014 3:55 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Just Scuds
User avatar
Did you know?

Every little thing you'd learn pushes another thing you'd learned out of your head, so Think Twice before you pick up that book.
Fashion Queens
Joined: Feb 14, 2011

Postby ROBOT B9 (?) » Tue Mar 25, 2014 3:07 pm

If they ever do a Main Six dreamwalking episode, let it be said that Pinkie should definitely have the ability to lucid dream.
:plonk: Image :)
ROBOT B9
User avatar
Round and round and round she goes, where she'll stop, nobody knows :pinkietoot:
Semper Pie
Joined: Mar 27, 2012
Location: Albir, Spain
Gender: Male

Postby Corpy (?) » Tue Mar 25, 2014 3:27 pm

Sweetie Belle episode, so I'm up for the RT.
Corpy
User avatar
LOOK OUT BABY ...

HERE I COME.
Maud Squad
Joined: Jan 08, 2012
Location: Olympia, WA
Gender: Female

Postby Ransom (?) » Tue Mar 25, 2014 3:30 pm

I'm still hoping for Luna to call a group dream to announce a danger to society.

:-/ Luna it's the middle of the night, is this really urgent?
:unenthused: YES! And you're all asleep anyway, you're not missing any rest.
:v: Is this a good idea? I usually forget my dreams right after I wake up.
:unenthused: This is different, specifically lucid for easy remembrance. You may wish to write everything down once you wake up though.
:pinkieshrug: Wait, are we really group dreaming or am I just dreaming that we're group dreaming.
:angry: I was dreaming about the biggest apple cobbler pie I'd ever seen when this happened.
Ransom
User avatar
Joined: Mar 24, 2012
Gender: Male

Postby Doctor Wheeze (?) » Tue Mar 25, 2014 3:39 pm

ROBOT B9 wrote:If they ever do a Main Six dreamwalking episode, let it be said that Pinkie should definitely have the ability to lucid dream.

How would that be different from when she's awake? :amazing:
ImageImageImageImageImage
..... :hatte:
:dreamworks:
Doctor Wheeze
User avatar
:backaway: :flutterunsmith:
Stare Masters
Joined: Jul 25, 2011
Gender: Male

Postby ROBOT B9 (?) » Tue Mar 25, 2014 3:41 pm

It wouldn't! Which is why it makes perfect sense. :-P
:plonk: Image :)
ROBOT B9
User avatar
Round and round and round she goes, where she'll stop, nobody knows :pinkietoot:
Semper Pie
Joined: Mar 27, 2012
Location: Albir, Spain
Gender: Male

Postby Tears (?) » Tue Mar 25, 2014 3:45 pm

I am up for the RT but worry about an echo chamber :flutterdear:

Are any humourless scolds up for rounding it out?
Image
Tears
User avatar
An appalling piece of pimpwork or a thoroughly botched token of sincerity
Joined: Apr 06, 2013
Gender: Male

Postby MochaBean (?) » Tue Mar 25, 2014 5:23 pm

Venusy wrote:It's interesting, when you think of how the acclimatization period from Nightmare Moon as figure of myth and legend to Princess Luna regularly visiting dreams must have gone. Must have been weird, but fairly short.

Maybe that's why she mostly dreamwalks with children, since they don't have a lifetime of being indoctrinated into the whole Evil Princess thing, and she has a chance to start fresh with them.
MochaBean
User avatar
Take it from me, little buddy
Semper Pie
Joined: Mar 25, 2011

Postby The Doctor (?) » Tue Mar 25, 2014 5:31 pm

MochaBean wrote:Maybe that's why she mostly dreamwalks with children, since they don't have a lifetime of being indoctrinated into the whole Evil Princess thing, and she has a chance to start fresh with them.

This episode established that Luna's dream visits aren't limited to children though, as she visited Sapphire Shores dreams.
The Doctor
User avatar
Turner of all things timey wimey
Celestia's Champions
Joined: May 05, 2011
Location: Time & Space
Gender: Male

Postby MochaBean (?) » Tue Mar 25, 2014 5:41 pm

The Doctor wrote:This episode established that Luna's dream visits aren't limited to children though, as she visited Sapphire Shores dreams.

Hence the "mostly". There's also the question of whether she always interacts with the dreamer, or if she just observes most of the time.
MochaBean
User avatar
Take it from me, little buddy
Semper Pie
Joined: Mar 25, 2011

Postby ROBOT B9 (?) » Tue Mar 25, 2014 5:44 pm

I think that Luna can go into anyone's dreams but only does it for life lessons and important reasons.
:plonk: Image :)
ROBOT B9
User avatar
Round and round and round she goes, where she'll stop, nobody knows :pinkietoot:
Semper Pie
Joined: Mar 27, 2012
Location: Albir, Spain
Gender: Male

Postby Fizzbuzz (?) » Tue Mar 25, 2014 5:47 pm

Given that we've seen Luna entering someone else's dreams a grand total of two times, I don't think we can conclusively tell if she just prefers to visit children. Maybe she mainly gives guidance to children since perhaps they would be more likely than adults to heed it.
Image
Fizzbuzz
User avatar
Stare Masters
Joined: Mar 02, 2013
Location: TN
Gender: Male

Previous Next

Return to Pony Media Release Threads

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Google [Bot] and 2 guests