S04E25-26: Twilight's Kingdom

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

Moderators: Perrydotto, Dexanth, Venusy, Wayoshi

Re: S04E25-26: Twilight's Kingdom

Postby Discord (?) » Sat May 10, 2014 10:51 pm

I'm going to post this before I read through this thread so apologies if this is redundant at all.

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


Just...holy crap did My Little Pony just do a completely metal fight sequence that was as visually stunning as anything I've seen?

Did Discord just become a Chekhov's draconnequiss?

Did they just do a song with all 4 princesses?

Did they just put TIREK into the FiM Universe and make him completely awesome?

Did they BLOW UP THE FREAKING LIBRARY AND HOLY :cry:

Did they just completely lampshade Twilight this season and work it into an awesome character arc? (These are part two and three of MMC, not the opener...or at least parts four and five).

Did they just actually use subtlety with something as gaudy as Rainbow Power?

Did they cap off that season, or what? :ponydrugs:

I'm pretty stunned by this all. It has its issues in balancing spectacle and heart, but at the same time, that was such a satisfying wrapping up of so many loose storylines while also opening up more and it still pulled off that balance more evenly superb than any other two-parter.

I wish there was more, because that felt like it would have made a really good full-length movie. But I'll take what we got. Many times over.
Discord
User avatar
Agents of Chaos
Joined: Dec 11, 2011
Gender: Male

Postby SoundMonkey44 (?) » Sat May 10, 2014 10:52 pm

I liked the song, it was nice to see all the princesses sing, & the one at the end was a catchy lil victory tune!


Honestly This 2-parter is prob by fav 2-parter ever! I might even be Ballzy enough to put it in my Top 3 pony stories so far! :awesomedash:
Image
Sunset Shimmer is BEST Hu-Mane!!
SoundMonkey44
User avatar
Ain't Got No Sense, No Sense At All.
Joined: Feb 04, 2013
Location: The South West
Gender: Male

Postby Wayoshi (?) » Sat May 10, 2014 10:59 pm

The Doctor wrote:What did everyone think of the songs this episode? I can't even hum a few bars off the top of my head. I didn't think they were bad, but apparently they weren't too memorable for me.

I do remember some of the neat animations during the Princess's song though.

I thought both were great all-around, actually. :allears:
Wayoshi
User avatar
Paper Fluttershy
Stare Masters
Joined: Oct 26, 2011
Location: Boston, MA
Gender: Male

Postby Big Boss (?) » Sat May 10, 2014 11:00 pm

I thought the princess song was pretty rad (seriously, we all need more singing pony princesses in our lives) and while the ending song was nice it's not like it's going to be on repeat for me. It was good. :pinkieshrug:
Big Boss
User avatar
:twonk:
Rarity's Roughnecks
Joined: Feb 14, 2011
Location: Mother Base
Gender: Male

Postby PonyHag714 (?) » Sat May 10, 2014 11:02 pm

The songs were good. It was cool to hear Luna sing. :speakest:
: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 Fizzbuzz (?) » Sat May 10, 2014 11:04 pm

I enjoyed the ending song. Though I don't remember much of its tune (of course, this episode gave us a lot of things to remember), I really appreciated its uplifting message. The other song with the other princesses was nice too, if a bit cheesy.
Image
Fizzbuzz
User avatar
Stare Masters
Joined: Mar 02, 2013
Location: TN
Gender: Male

Postby SpaceHowitzer (?) » Sat May 10, 2014 11:05 pm

I enjoyed the episodes, as with all previous finales though the last 5 minutes feel super rushed but I really don't see how it could be any other way with all the ground they're covering. With this level of story and a full movie length they could really do some great stuff with having the story space to breath.

I don't mind the rainbow powers, just look weird, I don't think we'll see them every week and I can put up with super power mode coming up twice a season.

SoundMonkey44 wrote:
Same multiverse anyway. :-P I eagerly await Twy to find the magic mirror that takes them to Cybertron! :v:



Fluttershy Tea Party with Discord and Megatron, with Energon and Cumber sandwiches
SpaceHowitzer
User avatar
Meets MIL-STD-1472
Joined: Aug 01, 2013
Location: Florida
Gender: Male

Postby Heather Breckel (?) » Sat May 10, 2014 11:11 pm

At long last my love of ponies and Dragonball Z has been combined.

Image

They even went pony SSJ :-D
Heather Breckel
User avatar
Cat Loaf Army General
Rainbow Racers
Joined: Nov 21, 2012
Location: Columbus, OH
Gender: Female

Postby The Doctor (?) » Sat May 10, 2014 11:17 pm

:starity: The credits don't list Kazumi Evans as singing for Luna, only Rarity. Did we finally get Tabitha singing?

Image

:ponder: sure sounded like Kazumi...
The Doctor
User avatar
Turner of all things timey wimey
Celestia's Champions
Joined: May 05, 2011
Location: Time & Space
Gender: Male

Postby Dal (?) » Sat May 10, 2014 11:25 pm

It was Kazumi.
Undecided wrote:Every time you write a story I can't help but sigh, because I know I'm gong to lose another man card.
Image
Dal
User avatar
Praise the Sun
Celestia's Champions
Joined: Aug 08, 2011
Gender: Male

Postby Mr. Big (?) » Sat May 10, 2014 11:26 pm

Part 1 was storyboarded by Mike Myhre and Mike West. Part 2 was Sibsy and Johnny Castuciano.

Let's give them a round of applause. :party:
Mr. Big
User avatar
A batty bat
Scootaloo's Pro Scooters
Joined: Mar 27, 2011
Location: TN
Gender: Male

Postby The Doctor (?) » Sat May 10, 2014 11:28 pm

Dal wrote:It was Kazumi.


https://twitter.com/kazooms27/status/465221887824392192

Yup.

Best ponies do their own singing.

Image :awesomedash: :allears: :flirt:

:spoiler: Fun fact. I might be a giant Celestia fan, but I do think Luna is really, really awesome too.
The Doctor
User avatar
Turner of all things timey wimey
Celestia's Champions
Joined: May 05, 2011
Location: Time & Space
Gender: Male

Postby MasterOfKnees (?) » Sat May 10, 2014 11:33 pm

Eh, it was okay-ish.

I liked Twilight's own conflict, I liked Discord's betrayal arc (I'd never trust him again given this is his second fallout though, but I'll give it a pass), I liked that the princesses gave up their powers to Twilight, and I liked how she goofed up with said power.

I didn't care for any of the songs, I didn't care for the villain, I didn't care for the DBZ fights (and I even like DBZ, at least as a manga), and I didn't care about the toy advertisement segments (let's get real here, they've been in every two-parter save for the pilot and RoH, this is no different.)

And ditching the treehouse... that was a real killer for me. It's one thing to change the main character so drastically, and I was even for ditching the elements, but changing the main hub? Just try and remember how many memorable scenes have been had there, Pinkie's welcome party, the Dragonshy briefing, curses smurshes, Twilight reading the Pinkie Sense, finding the Elements in RoH, Twilight going nuts in LZ and IAT, I can keep going on. Sorry, but I'm not behind that, they changed the so charming provincial main hub into something straight out of the Crystal Empire, something regal and grand, which was never the charm of Ponyville, those things were only cool because they showed up only when big things were abound, otherwise we'd always be in this laidback environment. Heck, even with Twilight as a princess she could still relax in this location like an everyday character and stay herself, the girl next door doesn't just live in a big castle. And I know she doesn't live in a tree either, but I'm thinking the inside structure here. The show is constantly moving towards a more unrelatable setting due to having to sell all this sparklerific stuff, first with the main character, and now the main location itself, and I don't like that one bit, it has no charm to it.

Nothing grand stands out to me besides that, which is a big problem with a 40 minute episode. Nothing else was of impact really. That's my take on it, I personally feel it's the weakest 2-parter we've seen yet, and not exactly a good thing to go out on for nearly a year, but I've not been that big on pony lately anyways, so I'll easily live through it.
MasterOfKnees
Joined: Jun 08, 2012
Location: Denmark
Gender: Male

Postby The Doctor (?) » Sat May 10, 2014 11:37 pm

The two parters this season were both weak I thought, but I would put this one over the first one simply due to Tirek. He was awesomely menacing, and it sure beat evil plants.
The Doctor
User avatar
Turner of all things timey wimey
Celestia's Champions
Joined: May 05, 2011
Location: Time & Space
Gender: Male

Postby Kitsune (?) » Sat May 10, 2014 11:47 pm

So I watched this episode and it was totally awesome! :party:

Not the best thing ever, I don't think it was written as perfectly as some other episodes - in particular, Tirek was only a bit less underwhelming than Sombra, and his defeat felt kinda anticlimactic.

Still, I really liked it for taking huge risks - making the diary a significant part of the plot, giving Discord such major character development, actually showing Tartarus, blowing up the library, giving a genuine magical battle... So much stuff in the episode that just totally surprised me.

Also I'm a total sucker for scenes featuring lots of ponies, so I really loved the ending showing all the important characters this season.
Kitsune
User avatar
8-bit 9-tails
Rainbow Racers
Joined: Jan 26, 2013
Location: Texas
Gender: Female
Pronoun: She

Postby Durandal (?) » Sat May 10, 2014 11:49 pm

Image

Someone hold me, I'm crying over a tree :saddershy:
ImageImageImageImage
Durandal
User avatar
dunkification in progress
Faithful Students
Joined: Jun 05, 2011
Location: Issaquah
Gender: Male

Postby DerFurShur (?) » Sat May 10, 2014 11:53 pm

Congratulations Golden Oaks Library, you're the new Hedwig.
"Why does life have to be so IRONIC?" :milkshake:
DerFurShur
User avatar
Joined: Nov 01, 2013
Location: Tennessee, US

Postby The Doctor (?) » Sat May 10, 2014 11:54 pm

Foxfyre wrote:
Also I'm a total sucker for scenes featuring lots of ponies, so I really loved the ending showing all the important characters this season.


:fluttersmith: But missing the best new pony this season...

Image

:allears: Her mane is so cool.
The Doctor
User avatar
Turner of all things timey wimey
Celestia's Champions
Joined: May 05, 2011
Location: Time & Space
Gender: Male

Postby DerFurShur (?) » Sat May 10, 2014 11:55 pm

Image

Nah best new pony was totally there.
"Why does life have to be so IRONIC?" :milkshake:
DerFurShur
User avatar
Joined: Nov 01, 2013
Location: Tennessee, US

Postby The Doctor (?) » Sun May 11, 2014 12:04 am

DerFurShur wrote:Image

Nah best new pony was totally there.


:squintyjack: You and I are going to have to have a throw down at some point...



:spoiler: you're awesome
The Doctor
User avatar
Turner of all things timey wimey
Celestia's Champions
Joined: May 05, 2011
Location: Time & Space
Gender: Male

Postby DerFurShur (?) » Sun May 11, 2014 12:12 am

:applejargh: Bring it!....................
.........................
.........................
.........................
............................................................................ :ohboy: Nah, but seriously you're cool
"Why does life have to be so IRONIC?" :milkshake:
DerFurShur
User avatar
Joined: Nov 01, 2013
Location: Tennessee, US

Postby Mr. Big (?) » Sun May 11, 2014 12:17 am

Durandal wrote:Image

Someone hold me, I'm crying over a tree :saddershy:

Is it just me, or does this look 3D?

Still, the library getting destroyed is serious business. Damn.
Mr. Big
User avatar
A batty bat
Scootaloo's Pro Scooters
Joined: Mar 27, 2011
Location: TN
Gender: Male

Postby DerFurShur (?) » Sun May 11, 2014 12:20 am

To me it looks like fanart, like it's not done in the same style as the show. It almost looks like a model, too bad it's not like in Negima!? where I'm almost certain SHAFT made a replica of a dorm building and then blew it up, Panty and Stocking did something similar with one of their monsters.
"Why does life have to be so IRONIC?" :milkshake:
DerFurShur
User avatar
Joined: Nov 01, 2013
Location: Tennessee, US

Postby Mr. Big (?) » Sun May 11, 2014 12:24 am

Yeah, it looks like a 3D model to me as well. I wonder how this was done.
Mr. Big
User avatar
A batty bat
Scootaloo's Pro Scooters
Joined: Mar 27, 2011
Location: TN
Gender: Male

Postby Durandal (?) » Sun May 11, 2014 12:29 am

Okay, so the one big question I still have is: what were Discord's reasons for telling Twilight and the others about the box? The obvious answer is "because the plot dictates it" but I want to go beyond that. I'm thinking of the seeds he spread around in S4E1. Was he trying to accomplish some similar plan of his own here?

Here's the way I see it:
- Celestia told him to hunt Tirek
- I assume the betrayal wasn't premeditated, so he's still on the good side at this point
- But, he knows that the game might change, Tirek could banish him or depower him or something and that'll be no good
- So, he needs a backup plan. A failsafe to put in motion which, at worst could backfire on him, but at best will end up defeating Tirek and leaving him innocent

The elements of harmony are stuck to the tree, so he can't rely on them. But what about the box? It's obviously connected to Twilight. It was created by the Elements, so presumably it's capable of the same kind of power (re: rainbow laser) that the original Elements had. And, it's something that only Twilight can open.

So, on the assumption that the box contains some kind of weapon/power that could end up helping him, he takes it on himself to crack the clues and leave a clear trail for Twilight and the others to get the box open. And the blammo; Rainbow magic saves the day, and no pony is the wiser.

:excellent:

On an entirely unrelated note, I'm stupidly pleased that Friendship is Witchcraft maintains its 100% prophetic accuracy, during the "star waving mad" segment
ImageImageImageImage
Durandal
User avatar
dunkification in progress
Faithful Students
Joined: Jun 05, 2011
Location: Issaquah
Gender: Male

Postby Strangepony (?) » Sun May 11, 2014 12:30 am

Great episode, but I hate that Discord was instantly forgiven for the horrible things he did this episode. He rounded up victims for Tirek! Why is he not rotting in Tartarus after that?

Watching it, I was thinking that he had a Fluttershy clause in his deal with Tirek. But no, she got locked up and drained along with the rest of the mane six.

I just don't get it. :pinkieshrug:
Strangepony
User avatar
That's your answer to everything!
Joined: Apr 02, 2011
Location: Memphis, TN
Gender: Male

Postby Durandal (?) » Sun May 11, 2014 12:38 am

Mr. Big wrote:Still, the library getting destroyed is serious business.

well have I got news for you :facehoof:
ImageImageImageImage
Durandal
User avatar
dunkification in progress
Faithful Students
Joined: Jun 05, 2011
Location: Issaquah
Gender: Male

Postby Highbrow Dash (?) » Sun May 11, 2014 12:47 am

I can see why some people say they tried too hard, cause they totally did :v: I'm not much of a fan of adventurey episodes, and the more serious they are the worse, so I didn't like the season premiere too much. This time though, they went all in with ridiculously high stakes and a fucking crazy DBZ fight scene, a cheesy transformation and a super serious villain and it was all so over the top it worked :-P

As a one time thing, anyway :gotcha:

I really don't like the change to the status quo though. I had no problem with MMC but this giant castle out of nowhere seems out of place. This season had no slice of life Twilight episodes, and those will be harder to pull off when she lives in a damn castle in the middle of a small village.
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 citric (?) » Sun May 11, 2014 12:50 am

:pcstare: In order to protect our magic, we're going to put it all into you. Tirek doesn't know you exist, which is the one reason we have of believing our plan will work. We'll wait for him in this throneroom for when he eventually arrives.
:shock: Ok, Princess Celestia. Actually, isn't there a pretty big stained glass window informing any passers-by of my existance and ascension right here in this very room? Shouldn't we redecorate or smash it, in case Tirek turns his head slightly to the right?
:dwi: We'll get round to it. Go hide or something.
citric
User avatar
Joined: Mar 20, 2013
Gender: Female

Postby Kitsune (?) » Sun May 11, 2014 12:52 am

Strangepony wrote:Great episode, but I hate that Discord was instantly forgiven for the horrible things he did this episode. He rounded up victims for Tirek! Why is he not rotting in Tartarus after that?

Watching it, I was thinking that he had a Fluttershy clause in his deal with Tirek. But no, she got locked up and drained along with the rest of the mane six.

I just don't get it. :pinkieshrug:


Equestria's never been so decisive about punishment; sure, he did some absolutely horrible stuff in these episodes, but he was repentant afterward - like, completely, genuinely regretful about it, to the point where he was enough of a friend to give the final key. Twilight and Celestia aren't exactly known for being vicious or spiteful, they're the sort of ponies who are willing to forgive someone who saved their hides.

I mean, after all's said and done, he realizes he's genuinely friends with the cast, and proves it by helping them save the day, both by marking the diary and giving the final key, so what's the point of locking him up? At best he'd just mope about in Tartarus, at worst he might get angry and go evil again.

Plus, realizing just how badly he screwed up and getting drained of magic himself was probably punishment enough. It certainly hit him hard, both physically (magically?) and emotionally.
Kitsune
User avatar
8-bit 9-tails
Rainbow Racers
Joined: Jan 26, 2013
Location: Texas
Gender: Female
Pronoun: She

Postby Fizzbuzz (?) » Sun May 11, 2014 12:52 am


At least this is somewhat cheesy in tone. At first I thought this was going to be a serious request, that perhaps fanfic writers would have no idea what to do with their stories now that the library is no longer usable as a central location or as a convenient source of magic spells or whatever.
Image
Fizzbuzz
User avatar
Stare Masters
Joined: Mar 02, 2013
Location: TN
Gender: Male

Postby DerFurShur (?) » Sun May 11, 2014 12:55 am

Nah, that's just Knighty being Knighty
"Why does life have to be so IRONIC?" :milkshake:
DerFurShur
User avatar
Joined: Nov 01, 2013
Location: Tennessee, US

Postby Highbrow Dash (?) » Sun May 11, 2014 12:57 am

I kinda agree though, the library was probably the show's most iconic location and they just blew it up and replaced it with a garish playset that looks like it'd fit better in the Crystal Empire :pinkieshrug:

I wouldn't mind it as much if it had a decent design that looked like it fit her character.
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 Stuff (?) » Sun May 11, 2014 12:58 am

Okay, for some reason I don't remember much about the episode. I guess I'm not even at 50% during the early mornings. Is there a decent HD version floating around? I want to refresh my mind now that I'm fully awake. This question probably got asked already, but you know me. :v:
Stuff
User avatar
Scootaloo's Pro Scooters
Joined: Nov 05, 2011
Location: Home means Nevada, Home means the hills

Postby Higsby (?) » Sun May 11, 2014 1:00 am

Image

Those books would have been much better off with the poor little pony who had the broken quill, rather than being turned into smoldering ashes on the ground. Thanks Pinkie. :rainbert:

(Isn't there a Pinkie Sense for "Your house is going to be destroyed by a gigantic fireball"?) :v:
Last edited by Higsby on Sun May 11, 2014 1:08 am, edited 2 times in total.
Higsby
User avatar
Faithful Students
Joined: Aug 14, 2013
Location: Canada
Gender: Male

Postby Wayoshi (?) » Sun May 11, 2014 1:01 am

Discord was looking for the cool new friend that promised him "freedom" - being friends without any concessions. Win-win situation! He then comes to realize that true friendship does require some sacrifices to work as part of this moral here.

Yes, Discord I suppose committed another big crime, but now unlike the end of KCaFO, we know for sure he is firmly on the path of reformation. He deserves to stay on and keep having tea parties with Fluts.

And no, I don't think this is a big master plan of Discord's anymore, to eventually backstab everyone. :pinkieshrug:

I agree that Golden Oaks --> Castle Playset Deluxe is a downgrade, but it doesn't affect this episode. It's up to S5 to implement it well and make it feel as comfortable as Golden Oaks.
Last edited by Wayoshi on Sun May 11, 2014 1:03 am, edited 1 time in total.
Wayoshi
User avatar
Paper Fluttershy
Stare Masters
Joined: Oct 26, 2011
Location: Boston, MA
Gender: Male

Postby Mr. Big (?) » Sun May 11, 2014 1:02 am

Stuff wrote:Okay, for some reason I don't remember much about the episode. I guess I'm not even at 50% during the early mornings. Is there a decent HD version floating around? I want to refresh my mind now that I'm fully awake.

It's on Hub's website

Part 1
Part 2
Mr. Big
User avatar
A batty bat
Scootaloo's Pro Scooters
Joined: Mar 27, 2011
Location: TN
Gender: Male

Postby Wayoshi (?) » Sun May 11, 2014 1:04 am

That's SD, though.

Look, EqD will have the link somewhere, or right on DerpyNews in an embed also. It doesn't take much searching.
Wayoshi
User avatar
Paper Fluttershy
Stare Masters
Joined: Oct 26, 2011
Location: Boston, MA
Gender: Male

Postby Mr. Big (?) » Sun May 11, 2014 1:06 am

Couldn't tell that was SD. Goes to show how much I care about video quality.

Here's an HD YouTube link

Mr. Big
User avatar
A batty bat
Scootaloo's Pro Scooters
Joined: Mar 27, 2011
Location: TN
Gender: Male

Postby The Doctor (?) » Sun May 11, 2014 1:10 am

Higsby wrote:Image

Those books would have been much better off with the poor little pony who had the broken quill, rather than being turned into smoldering ashes on the ground. Thanks Pinkie. :rainbert:

(Isn't there a Pinkie Sense for "Your house is going to be destroyed by a gigantic fireball"?) :v:


:-I Come Pinkie, together we will destroy the magic of reading.

:-D


:gotcha: Twilight, a blind man from the Starship Enterprise would like a word with you.
The Doctor
User avatar
Turner of all things timey wimey
Celestia's Champions
Joined: May 05, 2011
Location: Time & Space
Gender: Male

Previous Next

Return to Pony Media Release Threads

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 5 guests