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I actually really liked the episode overall, though my biggest gripe is that it didn't address the elephant in the room: Starlight Glimmer looking like she should be Twilight's sister. Name similarities aside, they even had similar colorations down to the differently colored stripe that goes down their manes. I think what they were going for is that they wanted her to be sort of a foil to Twilight... which would be fine if they didn't already do that for Sunset Shimmer who also has a name modeled after Twilight's. Midnight Glow must be waiting around a corner somewhere.

 

Also, as for that brony reference, are you referring to the muffins? Honestly, unless someone comes along and says otherwise, I'm calling coincidence. That scene required a food that's so bland, so tasteless, and so gross that even Pinkie wouldn't want to eat it. And I have no idea if you've ever eaten bran muffins, but if you had, you would know that description fits them to a T. The only other thing they could have used there was tofu.

I think if they tried to give the cutie marks back to the wrong ponies its possible they might reject them, kind of like how a human body can reject an organ transplant. Let's not forget what happened when Twilight tried to magically give Apple Bloom a cutie mark in Season 1. It just didn't take.

Which "brony reference" were you referring to? I don't remember any that particularly stood out.

In general, I thought this was a great episode, and a great change of pace after the more action-packed Season 4 finale. There were some very interesting themes, powerful imagery, and an unsettling tone, despite maintaining the series' characteristic cuteness and humor. It even explored the very real way that down-on-their-luck individuals can be targeted for recruitment into a cult.

The episode also sets up for some interesting future adventures. It's clear that we'll be seeing Starlight Glimmer again, but she's a smart enough character not to try to pull the exact same scheme over again (especially knowing that the Mane Six somehow managed to track her down even in the middle of nowhere). Also, it'll be interesting to see what other places the map sends the Mane Six and what other friendship problems they have to help solve.

I do hope that at some point we get another more action-y episode where the Mane Six get to use their Rainbow Power forms again, because I loved those. All the dramatic flair of the Elements of Harmony coupled with Super Saiyan–style magical makeovers! I'm also excited for what other songs we might get this season, because between Season 4 and Rainbow Rocks, there have been some really fantastic songs lately.

I actually really liked the episode overall, though my biggest gripe is that it didn't address the elephant in the room: Starlight Glimmer looking like she should be Twilight's sister. Name similarities aside, they even had similar colorations down to the differently colored stripe that goes down their manes. I think what they were going for is that they wanted her to be sort of a foil to Twilight... which would be fine if they didn't already do that for Sunset Shimmer who also has a name modeled after Twilight's. Midnight Glow must be waiting around a corner somewhere.

 

I'm just guessing we'll be seeing her again around the end of the season, maybe clues or something leading up to wherever she is.

She better. The most annoying thing about season 4 are the few times it dropped "Chekhov's Guns" (for lack of a better term) only to have them never be brought up again (the disappearing comic book, Fluttershy's fangs). It reminded me of those really bad episodes of X-Files which revealed that the villain/creature was still alive at the end.

 

So if she doesn't return I will be very annoyed, especially given her lack of development.

She better. The most annoying thing about season 4 are the few times it dropped "Chekhov's Guns" (for lack of a better term) only to have them never be brought up again (the disappearing comic book, Fluttershy's fangs).

The Shadow Pony too.. Guess we'll have to see.