The Round Stable

(?) · by **Youtwo** (?) » Tue May 05, 2015 8:10 am

PaulloDEC wrote:
Some episodes are just like that, for me anyway. You watch them and enjoy them, but at the end there's just not a lot you wanna say.

I actually feel that way a lot of the time :pinkieshrug:

There really isn't much to say if you post late into the conversation because everything has been talked about. Including similar opinions and whatnot

(?) · by **MurdER_weapOn '78** (?) » Tue May 05, 2015 10:32 am

Re-watched this, my opinion hasn't really improved unfortunately. Oh well :pinkieshrug:

For me this episode definitely felt like it erred more on the 'kiddy' side of things, more than the show usually does (yes I realise it's a kids show :v:

). Not just with 'rodeo clown' tomfoolery at the end but with the plot and resolution.

It was good when AJ showed off her trophy and the CMC basically just blanked her, though :gotcha:

And I should probably point out that I like the CMC :anticipation:

(?) · by **Fizzbuzz** (?) » Tue May 05, 2015 11:05 am

I have to wonder if this episode was meant specifically to appeal more to the younger kids in the target audience. Even recent episodes featuring the CMC (Bloom and Gloom, all of the ones in S4) have felt more like they were addressing themes and problems that kids deal with as they move into adolescence, whereas this episode barely went into that sort of territory.

(?) · by **Headless Horse** (?) » Tue May 05, 2015 11:14 am

Which is interesting considering how big a role Sweetie Belle and her progressing adolescence (i.e. magic) played in it.

(?) · by **Fizzbuzz** (?) » Tue May 05, 2015 12:34 pm

That wasn't really important to the story, though. Even the bit where she grabbed the keys could've just as easily been done by one of them standing on another's shoulders, after Apple Bloom had distracted Sheriff Silverstar. Her other two uses of magic (shutting the door of Troubleshoes's trailer and floating that barrel at the end) were completely incidental. Since no one actually talked about Sweetie Belle doing this, part of me feels like Dave Polsky never specified any of these and that they were all added during storyboarding.

Still, I am not dismissing the importance of this just because it might have never been written into the script. After all, aside from giving them their cutie marks, having Sweetie Belle use magic more and more often is perhaps the only way the show can visibly imply that the CMC are getting older. Changing their basic designs (like making them taller, etc.) is likely out for toy-making reasons, Scootaloo can't fly, and since earth ponies don't have a racial talent that visibly develops as they grow up, there's not much to do on that front with Apple Bloom.

(?) · by **Xenon** (?) » Tue May 05, 2015 12:41 pm

Also I put off watching this episode because of its opening with the CMCs once again chasing their Cutie Marks. It felt like treading old ground after the last CMC ep, and made me fear that this was going to be the dud that ended the recent streak of great episodes we've had so far this season.
Glad I finally watched it, though. There's a lot to like here. :allears:

(?) · by **Durandal** (?) » Tue May 05, 2015 4:10 pm

This episode felt very... linear. There's exposition about the rodeo and Troubleshoes, then the CMC meet Troubleshoes and learn about his problem, and then they solve his problem. Roll credits. I totally agree that this feels very "Season 1", but I'm not complaining. Like my wife said, "Just because it doesn't have a complicated story or a nuanced ending doesn't mean the moral is worthless". Still, this is not on my list of favorite episodes.

Is it odd that there's been so much focus on cutie marks this season? The premiere is all about "Cutie marks are important signs of individuality", but then this episode and Bloom & Gloom are like "Actually, they're not that important; just do whatever makes you happy, kid"

(?) · by **Factory Factory** (?) » Tue May 05, 2015 4:26 pm

I can see it trying to weave a complex picture of agency and adulthood for kids who don't understand either - like the CMC, who alternately worry about who they will be and whether who they will be will control them against their will. Troubleshoes is the older sibling who moved back home after college trying to scrape together a career, fudged a bit for cartoon horses.

(?) · by **ROBOT B9** (?) » Tue May 05, 2015 4:59 pm

I think that the whole cutie mark idea is going to be the defining thread this season. We've had, what, 5 episodes that are somewhat related to it already?

(?) · by **Fizzbuzz** (?) » Tue May 05, 2015 5:02 pm

Aside from this episode, it's just been the premiere and Bloom and Gloom that have covered that subject.

(?) · by **Mr. Big** (?) » Tue May 05, 2015 5:07 pm

Yeah, I do get the feeling that Cutie Marks will tie to something in the end of the season. They devoted four out of six episodes to it already. It makes me wonder what the rest will be like.

(?) · by **ROBOT B9** (?) » Tue May 05, 2015 5:18 pm

Fizzbuzz wrote:Aside from this episode, it's just been the premiere and Bloom and Gloom that have covered that subject.

I counted both parts of the Cutie Map. Still, oops. :v:

(?) · by **Fizzbuzz** (?) » Tue May 05, 2015 5:54 pm

Bakertoons wrote:Yeah, I do get the feeling that Cutie Marks will tie to something in the end of the season. They devoted four out of six episodes to it already. It makes me wonder what the rest will be like.

Well, I can think of three little ponies who still don't have theirs...

(?) · by **Weird Autumn** (?) » Tue May 05, 2015 8:33 pm

Fizzbuzz wrote:Aside from this episode, it's just been the premiere and Bloom and Gloom that have covered that subject.

Whether you count it as 3/5 or 4/6 it's still enough to say there's a pattern. Pretty much every CMC episode involves cutie marks in one way or another, sure, but the Bloom and Gloom and this episode both cover the very specific thematic ground of what does a cutie mark mean for you, how do you interpret it, what if you get one you don't like, etc. and the premier is about very similar concerns re: the importance of cutie marks, which leads naturally to the conclusion that this is something the writers specifically wanted to tackle this season.

(?) · by **Durandal** (?) » Tue May 05, 2015 8:41 pm

I wonder though, how much of it (if any) is mandated because of the Cutie Mark Magic toy line?

(?) · by **ROBOT B9** (?) » Tue May 05, 2015 8:57 pm

Could be...it seems like all this is definitely building up to some major conflict of sorts. I wouldn't be surprised if all this ties in together at the season finale.

(?) · by **Fizzbuzz** (?) » Tue May 05, 2015 9:17 pm

ROBOT B9 wrote:Could be...it seems like all this is definitely building up to some major conflict of sorts. I wouldn't be surprised if all this ties in together at the season finale.

I still don't think so. After all, the premiere this season was a deliberate step down from premieres of seasons past. Hell, if the CMC get their cutie marks this season, perhaps the finale will be nothing more than them celebrating their cute-ceañera together (since even if they get their cutie marks at different times, they can at least plan a party in advance).

(?) · by **SlateSlabrock** (?) » Tue May 05, 2015 11:48 pm

The CMC discover that they all have one giant cutie mark, but only when they combine to form Friendatron.

(?) · by **Bremen** (?) » Tue May 05, 2015 11:57 pm

Fizzbuzz wrote:I still don't think so. After all, the premiere this season was a deliberate step down from premieres of seasons past. Hell, if the CMC get their cutie marks this season, perhaps the finale will be nothing more than them celebrating their cute-ceañera together (since even if they get their cutie marks at different times, they can at least plan a party in advance).

To go where you will go, to see what you will see, to find what you will be, for it's time for you to fulfill your dest-

:annoyed:

This is way less fun than Ah thought having a cutie mark would be.
:scootawoo:

Let's go see if our destiny involves dragon slaying!
:amazed:

Your cutie mark is a scooter.

(?) · by **The Doctor** (?) » Tue May 05, 2015 11:57 pm

I cant decide if a big finale with Starlight Glimmer stealing all cutie marks only to be saved by the CMC who have no Cutie Mark to steal would be the stupidest thing ever, or the most hilariously stupid thing ever.

(?) · by **Headless Horse** (?) » Wed May 06, 2015 12:45 am

WHAT?

I DON'T HAVE FUCKING EARS

(?) · by **Wylie** (?) » Wed May 06, 2015 3:35 am

Oh no you broke Headless Horse :ohdear:

(?) · by **WandereringPony** (?) » Wed May 06, 2015 4:49 am

Last year's big toy thing was "Rainbow Power", and look what that got us at the end. Tirekball Z and Super Saiyan Friendship Ponies.

This year it's "Cutie Mark Magic". Lots of episodes relating to cutie marks. Some kind of cutiecatastrophe for the finale is inevitable.

(?) · by **Ransom** (?) » Wed May 06, 2015 4:56 am

WandereringPony wrote:Last year's big toy thing was "Rainbow Power", and look what that got us at the end. Tirekball Z and Super Saiyan Friendship Ponies.

This year it's "Cutie Mark Magic". Lots of episodes relating to cutie marks. Some kind of cutiecatastrophe for the finale is inevitable.

Glimmer is going to hack the Tree's mainframe to wipe out all cutie marks. :ponynet:

(?) · by **SlateSlabrock** (?) » Wed May 06, 2015 4:57 am

We need marks. Lots of marks.

(?) · by **ROBOT B9** (?) » Wed May 06, 2015 6:11 am

SlateSlabrock wrote:The CMC discover that they all have one giant cutie mark, but only when they combine to form Friendatron.

Not going to lie, this would be the dumbest yet coolest thing ever.

(?) · by **Headless Horse** (?) » Wed May 06, 2015 10:23 am

WandereringPony wrote:Last year's big toy thing was "Rainbow Power", and look what that got us at the end. Tirekball Z and Super Saiyan Friendship Ponies.

This year it's "Cutie Mark Magic". Lots of episodes relating to cutie marks. Some kind of cutiecatastrophe for the finale is inevitable.

Surely "cutastrophe".

(?) · by **Durandal** (?) » Wed May 06, 2015 2:21 pm

Headless Horse wrote:
Surely "cutastrophe".

Hurricane Applebloom :sweet:

(?) · by **Perrydotto** (?) » Wed May 06, 2015 4:28 pm

The Doctor wrote:I cant decide if a big finale with Starlight Glimmer stealing all cutie marks only to be saved by the CMC who have no Cutie Mark to steal would be the stupidest thing ever, or the most hilariously stupid thing ever.

That sounds pretty neat actually, though? Especially if it leads to the CMC actually getting their cutie marks in the end.

(?) · by **ROBOT B9** (?) » Wed May 06, 2015 4:35 pm

Thinking about it, it WOULD make sense for the season finale to end on that note of the CMC getting their cutie marks. It'd cause a lot of discussion and could be used for a lot of storylines later on.

(?) · by **Fizzbuzz** (?) » Wed May 06, 2015 5:05 pm

They don't have to get their cutie marks all wt the same time, though. If that happened then I don't think it'd be able to properly pay respect to who each of them have become.

(?) · by **Perrydotto** (?) » Wed May 06, 2015 5:12 pm

Fizzbuzz wrote:They don't have to get their cutie marks all wt the same time, though. If that happened then I don't think it'd be able to properly pay respect to who each of them have become.

It really depends on how it would be handled. Making it part of an adventure like that for at least one of them though would be pretty cool.

(?) · by **Mr. Big** (?) » Wed May 06, 2015 7:19 pm

Yeah, a two-part finale with the CMCs in the lead would be kinda awesome. :awesomedash:

(?) · by **ROBOT B9** (?) » Wed May 06, 2015 7:50 pm

And it doesn't even have to be a epic adventure. Just a simple Slice of Life dealing with how their lives change could have enough material for a two parter.

(?) · by **Niels Olof** (?) » Wed May 06, 2015 8:18 pm

I really enjoyed this one. I thought this aspect of Troubleshoes’ (what kind of idiot names their foal thus? :angry:

) cutie mark was rather neat:

Not an upside down horseshoe but a rodeo gate.

(?) · by **Fizzbuzz** (?) » Wed May 06, 2015 8:45 pm

ROBOT B9 wrote:And it doesn't even have to be a epic adventure. Just a simple Slice of Life dealing with how their lives change could have enough material for a two parter.

That why I suggested earlier ITT that the finale could easily just be them celebrating their cute-ceañera together. Even though they've grown up to have different skills and somewhat different interests, there's no reason they can't be friends anyway, and them celebrating this would be a great way to end the season. Hell, make it like The Best Night Ever. A story like that doesn't really need 44 minutes to tell or a big bad villain to defeat.

(?) · by **SlateSlabrock** (?) » Wed May 06, 2015 9:56 pm

Niels Olof wrote:Not an upside down horseshoe but a rodeo gate.

Holy moly.

(?) · by **Frith** (?) » Thu May 07, 2015 12:01 am

This was quite good episode. Nothing groundbreaking though. It felt very "season 1" as some have written.

Clyde was nice character. The story and the moral were good but not particularly interesting. And it was nice to see Braeburn again.

(?) · by **WandereringPony** (?) » Thu May 07, 2015 2:23 am

Niels Olof wrote:I really enjoyed this one. I thought this aspect of Troubleshoes’ (what kind of idiot names their foal thus? ) cutie mark was rather neat:

Not an upside down horseshoe but a rodeo gate.

Which goes right along with the whole "misunderstood talent" thing to the very last.

(?) · by **Pocket** (?) » Thu May 07, 2015 3:23 am

The Doctor wrote:I cant decide if a big finale with Starlight Glimmer stealing all cutie marks only to be saved by the CMC who have no Cutie Mark to steal would be the stupidest thing ever, or the most hilariously stupid thing ever.

See, this just serves to further highlight why Tirek's magic-stealing also taking ponies' cutie marks was a dumb idea. It might have been one of those things that wasn't in the script, and was something the storyboarders or animators added in. But it had nothing to do with anything, and it kind of dulls any impact it would have if a future episode actually used it as a plot point (and, for that matter, the impact it had when "The Cutie Map" already did use it as a plot point).

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