S07E13: The Perfect Pear

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Re: S07E13: The Perfect Pear

Postby marshmallow (?) » Thu Jun 29, 2017 7:56 pm

This season has a lot of top tier episodes already and it's only halfway done.

When the Apples were freaking out at the Pear reveal I thought of this old meme:

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Postby Applepie (?) » Sat Jul 01, 2017 12:50 am

The Doctor wrote:I'm kind of mixed on this episode.


I'm also mixed on this episode
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Postby Wayoshi (?) » Sat Jul 01, 2017 4:33 am

Applepie wrote:
I'm also mixed on this episode

I have to admit I'm flabbergasted you of all people are anything but high on this episode. :starity: :v:
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Postby The Doctor (?) » Sat Jul 01, 2017 4:53 am

Wayoshi wrote:I have to admit I'm flabbergasted you of all people are anything but high on this episode. :starity: :v:


My mixed feelings come from the framing of the episode. The flashabck stuff is absolutely fantastic. And in the end,the flashback is what this ep was about, so I would still rank it pretty high for the season.
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Postby Wayoshi (?) » Sat Jul 01, 2017 6:45 am

The Doctor wrote:
My mixed feelings come from the framing of the episode. The flashabck stuff is absolutely fantastic. And in the end,the flashback is what this ep was about, so I would still rank it pretty high for the season.

Your points are perfectly valid, was referring to Applepie
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Postby The Doctor (?) » Sat Jul 01, 2017 7:50 am

Wayoshi wrote:Your points are perfectly valid, was referring to Applepie

:-P misread what you said. Sorry.
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Postby Aramek (?) » Sat Jul 01, 2017 2:33 pm

I'll disagree with your points.

No real reason, but if you didn't like something about this ep, I rebuke you.
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Postby Daring Do (?) » Sun Jul 02, 2017 6:46 pm

Aramek wrote:I'll disagree with your points.

No real reason, but if you didn't like something about this ep, I rebuke you.


Will I have to pay you recompense for my transgressions?
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Postby Aramek (?) » Sat Aug 05, 2017 4:23 pm

Aramek wrote:Time to watch the Burnt Oak part again.
hnnnng
"I'd like that very much."
Auuuugh! Fuck!

OH NO THIS HAPPENED AGAIN!
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Postby Rainbow Crash (?) » Sat Aug 05, 2017 4:44 pm

It's still incredible every time I watch it. I'm only sad we'll probably never see Grand Pear again unless they get a different voice actor. I doubt Shatner is as available as De Lancie
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Postby Fizzbuzz (?) » Sat Aug 05, 2017 4:53 pm

Well, I think I'm the only person who watched Discordant Harmony but not this episode early.

This was an utterly beautiful episode. I have to wonder if I'd care quite so much were it not for the framing story of the three of them only now learning how their parents came together, or of the faintly tragic implication that Bright Mac and Pear Butter are now deceased, or maybe I would've cared anyway because the two of them were so damn sweet to each other regardless. Like I said, beautiful. I hope nothing happens in the future to devalue this episode; having an episode that says "oh no, they're not dead at all, they've been [insert some horribly contrived activity] all this time and are back now," or having an episode that explains how they died, would both do it. Just implying that they died at some point shortly after Apple Bloom was born seems like enough.

In every one of Grand Pear's scenes I found myself feeling thankful that FiM makes appropriate roles for celebrity guest stars instead of just making ponified versions of them and shoving them into Equestria (compare The Simpsons in its golden age vs. seasons 9+). If FiM keeps growing in star power like this then I hope it doesn't ever start doing the latter.
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Postby Octavia (?) » Sun Aug 06, 2017 1:40 am

THE FEELS :gonkity:

It's a story that's been told so many times, but it gets me every time. :cry:
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Postby Aramek (?) » Sun Aug 06, 2017 12:08 pm

Octavia wrote:THE FEELS :gonkity:

It's a story that's been told so many times, but it gets me every time. :cry:

There's so many fucking lines and little things that are just weaponized feelonium.

Like, Grand Pear knew the instant he saw Applebloom.
Pear Blossom's "Are you making me choose?"
Mac really obviously wanting to know more but having to ask in his reserved way.

:cry:
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Postby Juniper Phoenix (?) » Mon Aug 07, 2017 1:45 am

*catching up on ponies*

Okay, mid-season finale. It's an...Applejack episode? Well, okay I guess.

*20 minutes later*

I'm...not...going to cry...

...

Goddammit. :sadrarity:
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Postby Mechanical Ape (?) » Mon Aug 07, 2017 2:12 am

Time to see what little ponies are up to! :anticipation:

• There's something I don't quite trust about this evasive, rootless pear salespony. :ponder: Must be that he's Canadian.
• I'm guessing pears and pear accessories aren't allowed in the Apple house. They probably have sensors or something.
:gah: "But I already ate some!" :aghast: "Then it's too late! The sickness is already inside of you!"
• It's a lie, you know. Twilight never used to wonder what friendship could be. That was the very problem.
• "This place is not a place of honor. No highly esteemed deed is commemorated here. It's just a jar of pear jam."
• Granny goes to the outhouse to "wash up" but I see a sink right there in the kitchen! ... Oh. She's not really washing up. It's a euphemism.
• Ha, the return of Goldie Delicious! Magnificent.
Cat-amari Damacy. :twiright:
• Really wish everypony was in '70s clothing for this flashback.
• Aw, Nightmare Moon. :fluttersmith:
• Little pony kids are adorable. :ohboy:
• Mom was a Pear, and like all pears, they buried her under the floorboards. Sure, she struggled, but you can't fight tradition.
• I like Burnt Oak. He can split logs with his mouth-axe. You don't want to underestimate a pony like that.
• And now Mrs. Cake knows part of the secret? This is Planescape: Torment layers of mystery here. :ponder:
• Chiffon Swirl! Of the New Hampshire Swirls, I presume. :vogue:
• Yeah, if you hire Felicia Day for your pony show, you jolly well better give her a song. (That rule should apply to Bill Shatner too but I doubt they'll give him one.)
• Oh my gosh these kids are just too adorable. :awesomedash:
• Pink-haired Mayor Mare Justice of the Peace Mare!
• It's so nice that the ceremony wasn't halted for a long time for suspense purposes, just like 15 seconds.
• Aw, but Mama Smith was pretty accepting of it. :flutterunsmith:
• It's also cool that Shatner is doing a distinct character and not just playing Shatner.
• That final shot :sweet:


EDIT: Sorry, I forgot to write a summary review. Okay, uh, the episode didn't have anything to do with friendship, 0/10.
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Postby Mechanical Ape (?) » Mon Aug 07, 2017 2:19 am

Also, with Patton and Felicia we now have both nu-Mads voicing ponies and who'd have thunk it. :ponydrugs:
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Postby Kronos (?) » Mon Aug 07, 2017 2:40 am

Mechanical Ape wrote:Also, with Patton and Felicia we now have both nu-Mads voicing ponies and who'd have thunk it. :ponydrugs:


Who was Patton voicing?
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Postby The Doctor (?) » Mon Aug 07, 2017 2:49 am

Kronos wrote:
Who was Patton voicing?



Quibble Pants last season.
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Postby SlateSlabrock (?) » Mon Aug 07, 2017 4:59 pm

Mysteries of how ponies hold things
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NO PEARS
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I'm not sure you need such a big hole for such a tiny jar.
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CATBOMB
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Olde Timey Ponyville, when high collars and bolo ties were in fashion.
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Is that a three pipes cutie mark? :squintyjack:
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Parasol cutie mark.
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Apple cores as a cutie mark. Kinda... hm.
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Personally, I would've made 'em Applebloom's age.
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Gasp!
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Postby SlateSlabrock (?) » Mon Aug 07, 2017 5:03 pm

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The Dude.
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Hey, it's that guy!
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Hubba hubba!
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Did you hear something?
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Mind your nose when using the short-handled wood-chopper.
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"I'd like that very much."
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Young Chiffon Swirl
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A delicate operation
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P'tooie!
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Postby SlateSlabrock (?) » Mon Aug 07, 2017 5:06 pm

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Carrier finches.
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Suddenly -- tragedy struck.
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Granny's one redeeming moment in this episode
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Postby Angel Beat (?) » Mon Aug 07, 2017 5:12 pm

SlateSlabrock wrote:Apple cores as a cutie mark. Kinda... hm.
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Hey now, they're apples to the core. :v:
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Postby Kronos (?) » Mon Aug 07, 2017 5:41 pm

The Doctor wrote:

Quibble Pants last season.


That was him? :starity:



I just now realized there's a heart in the middle of the tree.
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Postby Fizzbuzz (?) » Mon Aug 07, 2017 6:55 pm

Thinking back on this episode, I wonder if A Canterlot Wedding could've been played as more of a straight-up love story like this, with Twilight and Spike learning how Cadance and Shining Armor met and fell in love. Cut out all that stuff with Chrysalis and the changelings and make it more about the two of them and about Twilight getting over being possessive of her brother. I'm pretty sure such a story could at least come close to this episode's emotional impact.
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Postby SlateSlabrock (?) » Mon Aug 07, 2017 7:02 pm

Kronos wrote:I just now realized there's a heart in the middle of the tree.

Also, I think someone pointed this out already, but:
Wikipedia wrote:Such trees are often colloquially referred to as "husband and wife" trees, or "marriage trees".
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Postby Juju&Lulu (?) » Mon Aug 07, 2017 7:20 pm

Well for one thing you'd probably have to make Canterlot Wedding a one part episode instead of a two part episode, and even then it probably wouldnt pack the punch this episode did for a variety of reasons.

-this episode put a spotlight on a mystery nearly three quarters of a decade in the making, people have waited years to see anything about AJ's parents. An episode about a brother we didn't know Twilight had and a new Alicorn would'nt have that (the new Alicorn thing was already an uphill battle)

- then there's the tragic element. Watching a love story about two people that you know won't end well in the end carries a different weight then learning about two people who fall in love and then live happily ever after without any conflict

Now maybe you could have made a separate episode earlier in season 2 that introduces them and gets you to invest in their love story, so that when Canterlot Wedding rolls around you agree with Twilight that Cadance is suddenly acting weird and you have more of an interest to see them get their happily ever after, but the show worked on way less continuity back then so oh well. Hindsight is 20/20
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Postby Wayoshi (?) » Fri Aug 18, 2017 3:19 am

Decent interview with Felicia Day from EqD: https://www.equestriadaily.com/2017/08/ ... -head.html
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Postby Auxiliatrix (?) » Sat Sep 09, 2017 10:36 pm

Wayoshi wrote:Decent interview with Felicia Day from EqD: https://www.equestriadaily.com/2017/08/ ... -head.html


She seems really nice. :allears:


Still thinking about this episode, even though it's been quite a while since I've seen it. I've actually seen a couple reviews from people deeming it cliche and unoriginal, which has been a little disheartening. :crushed:
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Postby Headless Horse (?) » Fri Sep 29, 2017 12:33 pm

OH MY GOD YOU GUYS THIS EPISODE :saddershy:


...Ahem.


This was unusually good. I don't mean necessarily on an emotional level or storytelling level, though both of those were great and a cut above what the season has been so far too. I mean on an execution level, and that's my main takeaway since most of the thread so far has been about the story.

What struck me so much about the ep is the level of detail—not just in animation and character design and continuity (haha Mare in the Moon, remember when we used to get annoyed that flashback episodes didn't show the moon correctly), but in stuff like dialogue. The stuff they wrote for Shatner to say, and Goldie Delicious especially! Did you hear some of her lines? Pointing out how a cutie mark of apple butter wouldn't be distinguishable from pear butter? Neatly resolving a plot difficulty that I had just been wondering about a minute before. They were on point. And all the texture that the dialogue gave to the characters of Grand Pear and Granny Smith, like how they called each other "prickly old pear" and "crabapple" at the end. Perfect. The kind of stuff you wonder why it took them this long to get around to, it's so obvious in retrospect.

And the acting! Like at the wedding especially! Everything Bright Mac said and did was just so full of life, and the same goes for Buttercup; lots of physical acting, lots of emoting, all kinds of character design changes and hairstyle changes and stuff that conveys just what it needs to convey wordlessly—like when the sneeze puts all the flowers in Buttercup's hair and she looks all disheveled but still really pretty, like that was the whole point, and she's totally cool with it, because that's the kind of person she is. The tearful goodbye, the are you making me? line! God damn! That's some densely written, heavy stuff. It seems like the show recently has been a lot more light and fluffy in its subject matter, and this is such a huge departure thematically it feels almost jarring.

But that song, man... okay, so they brought out the big guns and the star power for this episode, and it really shows. If this was the season's showpiece episode, it goes a long way toward elevating S7 to near the top of the heap just on its own merits. Those good old-fashioned watching-pony-show tears, they did flow freely.

Okay so sure, the framing story was on the implausible side, and the wrapup was brief, but I consider those pretty minor gripes. We've already had an awful lot of reimagining of the show's core premises lately for the sake of better storytelling, and I'm glad they waited this long before giving us the backstory that we've been waiting on for so long, because only now do the writers seem to have a sense for which parts of the show's world are set in stone and which parts can be safely massaged a bit if it gives us a bigger storytelling impact.

But just as interesting, for me, is the clear fandom influence. I don't think it's coincidence that an Apple/Pear feud is the basis for this story; it's a gag that's been part of fan-art since the early days, and I laughed pretty hard at the battling fruit stand vendors for that reason. (Why can't I find that John Joseco pic with AJ and the pear vendor, you know the one I mean) And for that matter I think they didn't really need to tell this story at all; the show seemed pretty content to leave well enough alone with the Apples' parentage, but it's such a persistently interesting meme among fans that I think the writers simply couldn't resist.

And yet they did manage to resist saying anything definitive about the fate of the parents... except they didn't, did they? Sure, they've still never said explicitly that they're dead, but there are quite a number of references to the parents in the past tense—talking about states of being, like "my mother was a Pear" and so on, but all tinged with a clear shade of "they aren't anything anymore". Not to mention them leaving the trees to remember them by. But the biggest kicker for me, which people are either overlooking or taking for granted:

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IT'S HER DADDY'S HAT YALL

I mean if that isn't the fandom's oldest "what is the show telling us about the Apple parents" meme ever, I sure don't remember another one, and the show's pretty explicitly giving it the nod of approval :hatte:


I have a few more details to point out, if I can remember to come back to this, but there's one that I wanted to give special recognition: Grand Père is a fucking stellar pun. :ponydrugs:
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Postby SlateSlabrock (?) » Mon Oct 09, 2017 6:20 am

So, on a tangent, I was talking to my parents today, and they'd taken a trip up to the Northern California foothills, where there's a big apple farming group that sells apple cider, pies, and so forth around this time of year. My folks were mentioning that they'd never heard the history of the place: The town had originally been known for its pears but had to switch to apples in the '60s because of a pear blight. :starity:
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Postby Aramek (?) » Tue Oct 10, 2017 9:03 pm

I'm so happy you liked this ep, HH.
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