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This was my favorite episode so far this season. I like that they finally explored some of the questions raised by the Cutie Mark Crusaders' mission (What happens if others don't like the cutie mark they get? What happens to the group if one of them gets their cutie mark before the others?), and that Apple Bloom finally got her life-changing field trip with Luna. Plus, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle's dreams imply that they do recognize their true special talents (singing and scooter-ing), at least subconsciously. And Babs got her cutie mark! Not that it makes total sense to me, but I still appreciate that they're willing to push the status quo.

I think this was my favorite episode of the season, so far anyway.

I'm not sure if I want them to get their cutie marks this season or not. It'd be nice since this has been going on for four seasons, and it'll get ridiculous eventually. But I'm not sure what CMC episodes will be like if that does happen. 

This was my favorite episode so far this season. I like that they finally explored some of the questions raised by the Cutie Mark Crusaders' mission (What happens if others don't like the cutie mark they get? What happens to the group if one of them gets their cutie mark before the others?), and that Apple Bloom finally got her life-changing field trip with Luna. Plus, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle's dreams imply that they do recognize their true special talents (singing and scooter-ing), at least subconsciously. And Babs got her cutie mark! Not that it makes total sense to me, but I still appreciate that they're willing to push the status quo.

 

 I don't disagree with any of this.

 

HOWEVER

 

I am befuddled as to why they didn't take this opportunity to showcase Starlight Gleam again (is that her name?). I mean, Applebloom's dream set it up perfectly: pony gets a cutie mark, pony doesn't like it, pony wants it removed...

 

I totally get that the evil dream-thing being Apple Bloom herself has more symbolic meaning (and arguably makes it a better episode), but it would have been nice to get confirmation that Starlight Gleam is still out there, potentially powerful and trying to recruit new members to her cult. It even makes sense that she would prey on people Twilight knows... cause, you know, revenge.

 

(I'm always down for some Luna dream-invasion, though. I hope Sweetie Belle gets an episode this season.)

 

I'm not sure if I want them to get their cutie marks this season or not. It'd be nice since this has been going on for four seasons, and it'll get ridiculous eventually. But I'm not sure what CMC episodes will be like if that does happen.

 

I thought for sure they would get them in season 3- after all wasn't that supposed to the last season if the show couldn't get renewed? I wouldn't mind at all if they got them soon. Just because a pony gets a cutie mark doesn't necessarily mean that's the end of the line for them trying to find themselves. Look at Rainbow Dash, she's had her cutie mark for ages and she still hasn't accomplished her dream. Twilight's destiny of becoming a princess wasn't fulfilled until long after she got hers. Apple Bloom's goals, once she realizes what they are, might be similarly hard to accomplish.

 

Apple Bloom's talent (judging from the season 1 episode) is artwork/visual design, right? It'd be really interesting to see her as an apprentice to Rarity. It would completely change the dynamic between her and Sweetie Belle in a way that offers lots of development opportunity for all three of them. Alternatively, once they get their cutie marks, their episodes could focus on how they help other blank ponies with the process of finding who they are.

 

This was my favorite episode so far this season. I like that they finally explored some of the questions raised by the Cutie Mark Crusaders' mission (What happens if others don't like the cutie mark they get? What happens to the group if one of them gets their cutie mark before the others?), and that Apple Bloom finally got her life-changing field trip with Luna. Plus, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle's dreams imply that they do recognize their true special talents (singing and scooter-ing), at least subconsciously. And Babs got her cutie mark! Not that it makes total sense to me, but I still appreciate that they're willing to push the status quo.

 

 I don't disagree with any of this.

 

HOWEVER

 

I am befuddled as to why they didn't take this opportunity to showcase Starlight Gleam again (is that her name?). I mean, Applebloom's dream set it up perfectly: pony gets a cutie mark, pony doesn't like it, pony wants it removed...

 

I totally get that the evil dream-thing being Apple Bloom herself has more symbolic meaning (and arguably makes it a better episode), but it would have been nice to get confirmation that Starlight Gleam is still out there, potentially powerful and trying to recruit new members to her cult. It even makes sense that she would prey on people Twilight knows... cause, you know, revenge.

 

(I'm always down for some Luna dream-invasion, though. I hope Sweetie Belle gets an episode this season.)

 

I thought that the fact that Starlight Glimmer WASN'T involved was a pretty brilliant fake-out. The possibility was obviously on everyone's mind, but in this case Apple Bloom's conflict was internal, not external—in the context of her dream, her own fears were her own worst enemy. There was no need for an external malefactor.

 

As for the CMCs getting their cutie marks: I do think it might be more likely now that the fears that it would spell the end of the group have been allayed. But it doesn't necessarily need to happen any time soon—after all, the majority of the CMC's lessons go to show that destiny isn't something that needs to be rushed.

Derpy Dolphin is best cutie mark.