• The Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000 - Discussion

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    Saturday, January 28, 2012 op
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    1,148 comments:

    1. Yellow 13January 28, 2012 at 4:55 PM

      I'm sorry, but this is more entertaining then watching youtube arguments, and those are usually hilarious.

      ReplyDelete
    2. pmcollectorboyJanuary 28, 2012 at 5:02 PM

      I've also noticed the show has been using more of pancake face.

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    3. HexplosionJanuary 28, 2012 at 5:03 PM

      I didn't really like this episode. The beginning was awesome, I liked the background ponies getting some lines in, and AJ's smug-ass letter at the end was great, but both the FFBs and the Apple family were acting like dumbasses (not to mention Applebloom being obnoxious). Also, the song was boring. Not only that, but the way the ponies were bending their knees was creepy and Rarity swooning over somebody who screamed "sleaze" made her look really bad. It's like the writers hate her or something.

      Anyways, my dark reign of negativity is over. Move along, nothing to see here.

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    4. SaburoJanuary 28, 2012 at 5:04 PM

      One of the 2 brothers sounds like Tom "Yoda" Kane.

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    5. TwiWrite FlareJanuary 28, 2012 at 5:08 PM

      @mycutiemarkisagun
      Lol, I knew someone would take it like that. Sorry I didn’t clarify. I meant segregated comment sections were one was for positive, geeking out about the episode/s and stuff, and the other was for all of those that wanted to be critical and analytical of the episode/s. That way, those who wanted to just geeks out and cheer for the show could do so among like minded fanboys without wading through a mountain of serious discussions and critical arguments, and those who wanted to discuse and critique could do so without a bunch of butt hurt geeks like myself getting offended over them critiquing our favorite episodes. Sorry for the miscommunication.

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    6. SilfirJanuary 28, 2012 at 5:10 PM

      I thought nitpicking IS geeking out. :(

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    7. Author-ManJanuary 28, 2012 at 5:11 PM

      Damn. Now THAT is how you do an Applejack episode. Totally one of the best of the season.

      That said, the villains were kinda a poor man's Trixie.

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    8. Eileen McNuggetsJanuary 28, 2012 at 5:12 PM

      @Hexplosion

      I AGREE-- that creepy Cyriak-esk knee bending! It's so disturbingly like the Cows and Cows and Cows video. D:

      I keep watching because the song and character movements are amazing, but the knees are always there...

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    9. Yellow 13January 28, 2012 at 5:17 PM

      @Harbls

      I KNEW the bending reminded me of something, thank you for reminding me of what!

      ReplyDelete
    10. pmcollectorboyJanuary 28, 2012 at 5:20 PM

      We're also pony bombing some poor schmuck's Music Man Youtube video.

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    11. DrumCorpsNerdJanuary 28, 2012 at 5:26 PM

      This would have been THE Best Episode Ever if at the end of the song, Apple Bloom would have said "BUT HE DOESN'T KNOW THE TERRITORY!!!!!!"

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    12. Yellow 13January 28, 2012 at 5:39 PM

      @pmcollectorboy

      I know that The Simpsons "Monorail" video is being bombed lol.

      ReplyDelete
    13. AnonymousJanuary 28, 2012 at 5:49 PM

      OMG! F&*%ING MUSIC MAN PONIES! MY LIFE IS COMPLETE!

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    14. FilipJanuary 28, 2012 at 5:52 PM

      Some afterthoughts:

      1. All it takes to provide enough cider for all the ponies is to take 5 helpers and work hard FOR AN HOUR. What. The.

      2. The 'villains' lose with themselves, and are not true villains. If only they started with their bottom barrels, they would have made money.

      3. Despite being hillarious, Ajs letter seems really out of the line of the show.

      4. The whole betting on controlling the cider market is a little bit over the top. The Apples could simply say gtfo to the charming gentlemen, and they would have to move.

      5. The Apples must be really stuck to the manual labor, if they didn't improve te production over the years.

      6. How is that the Apples are always on the verge of running out of business?

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    15. FaithJanuary 28, 2012 at 5:58 PM

      My bets are on Big Mac x Rainbow Dash pics will start showing up in about 5 hours at the max.

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    16. B4DD BronyJanuary 28, 2012 at 5:59 PM

      @Filip I'd say the message was fine seeing as it was very similar to Applebuck Season and Applejack had already learned her lesson in that regard. The only addition to that message I think was the importance of Integrity. Also, I know a number of businesses that are always extremely close to closing down. It's everything they can do to just stay in business.

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    17. SothaJanuary 28, 2012 at 6:01 PM

      I can't stop listening to the song. It's so good.

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    18. ShippoyashaJanuary 28, 2012 at 6:03 PM

      Ikkou, it does not matter what stance one has. You seem to watch every episode, so it is fair to be considered brony, even a casual one. I have no qualms with criticism and opinions, but the standoffish attitude needs to lessen. Also, some people seems too eager to trash this show and its writers. It is unnecessary considering this cartoon goes so out of its way to be enjoyable to more than little kids.

      Also, many morals and character depth in the show should not be compared in similar vein as the best arthouse anime. This show having roots in the old MLP branding.

      again, opinions are fine, but try to temper aggravating other fans too much for it. I have my favorite episodes as well, but it does not do much to keep talking down episode on episode basis. Nobody asked this to be a competition between each eps.

      Each episode having fun and funny moments is the one great service this show offers. The depth of characters and lore is great, but they still has to abide by cartoon conventions to a certain point plus the 22 minute time limit. I for one think all the episode does a very admirable job. sure, i can see why squibbles exist, but we really ought not to inflame them. it just results in flamewars, not much more. Perhaps more politely pointing things put is more fun and receptive for more people than spam'this episode sucks, i hate the writers, other fans, whatever

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    19. NolimJanuary 28, 2012 at 6:12 PM

      So, was this technically the first "villain song" of the show?

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    20. SmoigusJanuary 28, 2012 at 6:12 PM

      The best part of the episode was the John Henry nostalgia, but I just wasn't interested in the Flim Flam Bros. so that brought down the overall episode for me. I thought it wasn't as good as the other recent episodes

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    21. Andrea LovvornJanuary 28, 2012 at 6:14 PM

      @Filip

      Flim and Flam said that they would just go get apples from somewhere else then come back to sell the cider.

      ReplyDelete
    22. ReplacerJanuary 28, 2012 at 6:25 PM

      Not sure what to make of this episode. There were so many brilliant and funny moments, but the plot didn't make any sense at all.

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    23. InkJanuary 28, 2012 at 6:27 PM

      Lol there is ALWAYS people who have sticks in their asses about ever episode ever, so I could care less about those who are complaining this episode was rushes, half asses, or poorly done etc. Buck off, they're ponies :D


      So anyway, this is really really late, and there is a lot of stuff I could say about this episode, but I'll try to keep it short xD

      The Flim Flam brothers:
      Haha I still like them xD Even though they looked like they were lazy during the competition, I bet it took a really long time for them to create their machine. They're also big on business, and I'm sure they were both eager to make money, and eager to prove how well their creation worked. I think that, sure they were greedy and sort of heartless sales ponies, but they were also very prideful of their invention. I like 'em! I want to hear that song remixed.
      Dat Mustache! *Swoon*

      Also liked the little details, like the Derpy Easter Egg, the fast that it was Berry Punch who was the first to zoom up to the machine at the notion of free booz- Cider, the background ponies (including a couple new ones) and RD's antics throughout the episode.

      Overall, it wasn't some super duper shining star explosions-of-ecstasy amazing perfect-in-every-way and the very-best-episode-ever-made, but I defiantly laughed and enjoyed it!
      Great Episode!
      I like AJ a bit more also xD Perfect ending!


      As RD would say: Awesome! Cool! Radical!

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    24. InkJanuary 28, 2012 at 6:30 PM

      @Filip
      Yeah, really great points there. Some of them I also wondered about at the end of the episode.
      Never the less, it was still good, and I'm looking forward to the next ep!

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    25. Ivan The AdorableJanuary 28, 2012 at 6:53 PM

      @Harbls

      Oh god, that's what it reminded me of. I've been watching that song like every other hour since the episode aired and was wondering why it felt so strange and familiar to me.

      Not sure how I feel about this. Better watch it again.

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    26. elizalishlyJanuary 28, 2012 at 6:53 PM

      FREAKING YES. Season 2, how are you so awesome? XD

      Steampunk ponies canon!

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    27. LittleJoeRamblerJanuary 28, 2012 at 7:01 PM

      This episode wasn't about the viability of one business practice over another, it was about maintaining your integrity.

      Applejack was willing to allow her friends to help (a great nod to the character development that happened in Applebuck Season) because it was the only way to increase cider production without sacrificing the quality of the product that Sweet Apple Acres was known for. In contrast, the Flim Flam brothers were perfectly willing to sacrifice the quality of their cider to increase their chances of winning, even though losing only meant them having to leave town (which they ended up having to do anyway).

      The low stakes the brothers faced, again contrast to the absolutely world-shattering consequences the Apples faced, and the differences in how each party acted as a result really showcases the integrity Applejack has (and the lack thereof for the Flim Flam brothers). I loved that lesson to bits, if for no other reason than my current employer needing to learn this lesson something fierce.

      Not to say the episode didn't have a few issues; the song seemed like it ran forever, the Flim Flam brothers' departure was rather abrupt, and the near-narcotic effect the cider had on the ponies was worrying. But this was easily the best "Letter to the Princess" yet, in my opinion.

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    28. El_DaraxJanuary 28, 2012 at 7:08 PM

      @LittleJoeRambler

      Well put IMO.

      Except for your some of your last paragraph which I disagree with. Go drink a bucket full of water (aka non-alcoholic substance) and see how you turn out. ;p

      On the other hand I liked the song but it diiiiiiid last a bit too long.

      I think not enough people have given credit to AJ's Princess Letter. That was freakin' win.

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    29. Knight DerpyJanuary 28, 2012 at 7:20 PM

      I love the Flim Flam Brothers! I think it would be awesome if every now and then they would come back to try selling some other crazy contraption they build (with some other epic song.) Kinda like ACME. They would never work.

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    30. DPV111January 28, 2012 at 7:23 PM

      @Filip

      Yes. This 100%.
      I still don't care though. this had all ponies and great scenes even if the story made no sense.

      ReplyDelete
    31. LittleJoeRamblerJanuary 28, 2012 at 7:26 PM

      @El_Darax

      I'm not worried so much about what the cider does, the ponies just seemed a little too eager to get their hooves on it, this being a children's show and all. It was entertaining though, and it provided motivation for the Apples (since the townsponies liked it sooo much, they'd be willing to look to someone else to get some cider). The ponies' desire for it was a bit over-the-top, but it played into the episode rather than just being there, so it gets a pass. Honestly, I kinda just threw that in there because I was having trouble thinking of other issues for the episode. :)

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    32. AlondroJanuary 28, 2012 at 7:34 PM

      @marioandsonic I kinda expected Rainbow Dash to try and jump in on the song just like Home: Cider... D'OH!

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    33. AnonymousJanuary 28, 2012 at 7:34 PM

      I am surprised no one has mentioned Fluttershy squeeing in embarrassment on having her covers pulled off.

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    34. AlondroJanuary 28, 2012 at 7:35 PM

      @GlobalWarmingX John Henry was a cider-squeein' pony... ;3

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    35. HMorris73January 28, 2012 at 7:38 PM

      @Hexplosion
      The writers do not hate Rarity. Or Rainbow Dash. Or Applejack. Or whichever other pony people have a problem with the depiction of this time.

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    36. Jay911January 28, 2012 at 7:39 PM

      Sorry I can't check 1034+ comments, but did anyone else notice Lyra photobombing from the background at around 16:00?

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    37. AlondroJanuary 28, 2012 at 7:39 PM

      @D. Shadows No, the REAL moral of the story is: If you're going to try and take somepony's farm, make sure you're in the town council so you can raise their property taxes so high they can't afford the pay them! Then you can seize their land in a sheriff's sale! (That's how we do it in Jersey!) >:D

      The Apple farm would be ours! And we'd plow under those stupid trees for over-priced, poorly-built Mc Mansions and golf courses! >:D

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    38. AlondroJanuary 28, 2012 at 7:40 PM

      @MyBoyJ The DBZ version: Goku vs the Steam Hammer.

      Goku blows the entire mountain to rubble in 10 seconds flat. Flawless victory.

      ReplyDelete
    39. pmcollectorboyJanuary 28, 2012 at 7:43 PM

      I also get the feeling that, given the reactions of the background ponies, even if the FFB had made a decent product that Ponyville wouldn't be ready to celebrate the fruits of the competition over Applejack's defeat.

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    40. HMorris73January 28, 2012 at 7:45 PM

      This comment has been removed by the author.

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    41. AlondroJanuary 28, 2012 at 7:45 PM

      @D. Shadows John Henry was the first person to officially rage against the machine. ;D

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    42. AlondroJanuary 28, 2012 at 7:47 PM

      @Poppy64 Celestia's reply: So Applejack... I know you like apples. But I was wondering, do you like bananas?

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    43. Jay911January 28, 2012 at 7:47 PM

      @Jay911 Wups, me and about 2 dozen others it appears. :)

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    44. AlondroJanuary 28, 2012 at 7:49 PM

      @Flutterfan Because socialists like to tout themselves as often as possible, even when something has nothing whatsoever to do with it.

      Which is why we must KILL THEM ALL!! AGREE WITH ME OR YOU'LL BE JOINING THEM!! *dictators for the win*

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    45. pmcollectorboyJanuary 28, 2012 at 7:50 PM

      Lyra bounced up in two separate scenes but only one bounce per scene. She was worse in Winter Wrap Up.

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    46. AnonymousJanuary 28, 2012 at 7:51 PM

      For the first time in watching My Little Pony, I actually did learn a lesson at the end, which is odd given its trololol ending this time around.

      When Flim and Flam first showed up, I loved them. Their song was wonderful, I like their designs, and they represented innovation. Now, I knew that they also represented greed, and I knew that they were going to be the "bad guys", but I still wanted them to win. I sincerely did. And not even in a "haha rooting for the bad guys ha this is so fun and edgy but no really I'm going to be happy if the good guys win", in a dead serious "Please just drive the Apple Family out of business" way.

      Seeing as I was raised and still live in the Bible Belt (begrudgingly, I might add), I know a lot of families that remind me of Applejack's family. The only difference is, these families do not exist in a colorful cartoon about ponies, so they have things that colorful cartoon ponies won't have - namely strong political leanings. Political leanings mixed up in hatred and ignorance. Political leanings that have gotten both myself and some of my friends hurt, mentally and physically. Political leanings that just piss me off.

      That said, despite Applejack not actually being portrayed like that, I still made those connections. 'Family' has become a conservative buzzword, so even though each time the Apple family talked about 'family' they sincerely just meant family, my brain just looped me straight back to how that word is so often used for prejudice in real life. So I harumphed at them. Maybe in the back of my mind I knew I was being ridiculous, but I don't have many mediums of expressing my anger, so I decided to irrationally take it out on ponies.

      But then Twilight had to open her big, dorky mouth and talk about "Honorary Family Members" and I know that this is how I am with my tight group of friends and...*sniffle* dangit, you six, I was trying to make false connections and you all had to ruin it with your love and tolerance and friendship ;n;

      Also, the background 'Technology vs. Man' theme added to the whole situation, because I also hate hearing all the anti-technology, anti-progress talk that goes on. In retrospect, I'm really glad they didn't go that route and it wasn't the machine's fault, but it was the fault of the brothers.

      Anyway, wonderful episode. The best of season two so far, as far as I'm concerned. Loved the song and the brothers, it wasn't totally predictable because there were several routes they could have gone with this (and the ending letter to Celestia was totally out of NOWHERE and was hilarious), Fluttershy being embarrassed at being naked XD, and then Rainbow Dash oh lawdy settle down, she really hits that Cider hard.

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    47. That Which SpeaksJanuary 28, 2012 at 7:54 PM

      Wow...
      Holy balls, this episode was magnificent. Quite possibly the high point of the season thus far. I had a lot of fun with this one. Where do I start:
      This one was exceptionally well thought-out. They got the characterization down pat this time. Flim and Flam were very well-written characters, and the over-the-top antics actually fit in place here. The Apple Family especially got a good portrayal this go round, and the ending in question was actually emotionally riveting.
      While this episode didn't do anything to develop Applejack's character as episodes 12 and 13 did with other characters in the bunch, it certainly did a lot to affirm it, and that works just as well. Far better than the slice of moldy cake that was The Last Roundup; in fact, they should've aired this instead.
      I leave you now with a song. It's not Tiger Lilies or Wesley Willis levels of offensive, but if you have (or are) a young-un who is present at the moment, I don't advise you click it.
      http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Al_Duvall/The_Timid_Mischief/Poppycock_amp_Tommyrot

      PS: I saw somebody in the comments section say the episode gave him a hankering for Martinelli's. I'm having childhood flashbacks now...

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    48. AlondroJanuary 28, 2012 at 7:57 PM

      @wackypony Yeah, silly AJ fans. Twilight Sparkle is clearly the most important pony. And the best pony. And she's smokin' hot.

      *everypony stares*

      Uhm.. what? I mean she bursts into flame from time to time. >___>

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    49. HMorris73January 28, 2012 at 7:57 PM

      @Author-Man
      Eh, I don't think they really had much in common with Trixie anyway. Trixie wasn't even trying to win the crowd over, she just wanted the ego boost of looking superior to everypony.

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    50. pmcollectorboyJanuary 28, 2012 at 8:02 PM

      Well I liked Last Roundup. It had Pinkie Pie blowing up, for crying out loud.

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    51. SCOTTTAKAHASHIJanuary 28, 2012 at 8:06 PM

      I LEARNED ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.

      -DELTA-

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    52. AlondroJanuary 28, 2012 at 8:14 PM

      @Nova25 Clearly, the lesson here was that the ponies are ripe for conquest by a superior force of human invaders! >:D

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    53. AnonymousJanuary 28, 2012 at 8:17 PM

      Whoever the next town over is will be thankful for receiving the Flim Flam brothers without warning from their neighbours, just like the parasprites.

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    54. One Radical DudeJanuary 28, 2012 at 8:24 PM

      I hate to say this, but...

      I LOVED this episode! Finally, after three straight episodes with one lousy cameo with no dialogue, Spike is back! I couldn't handle another episode like that in a row. Derpy made her usual background appearance again. Did anyone spot her? The Flim Flam Brothers song is, in my opinion, the best song since "Winter Wrap Up". Yeah, it was long, but I loved it! I've read a few negative comments saying how the main ponies didn't sing, or they should sing. They'll get opportunities again, but I am glad that other characters are given an opportunity to perform vocally in musical numbers. I hope they do this for other characters in future episodes, including Spike. While Rainbow Dash didn't seem likable (that's been kind of the trend for her this season), I'll admit she was funnier to watch in this episode. Seems like a lot of characters got some sort of involvement in this one, which I liked. Good to hear Big Mac say something other than "Nope" and "Eeyup". Finally, I have to say I liked Applejack a little more on this episode than the last one. The ending with her saying that she learned nothing was a brilliant way to end the episode.

      It's definitely one of my favorite episodes of the season, and I still believe M.A. Larson is the show's strongest writer as of right now.

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    55. schris3January 28, 2012 at 8:28 PM

      @Altherix The Unicorns are more technologically advanced than Earth Ponies.

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    56. KingKazma1January 28, 2012 at 8:40 PM

      I MUST KNOW WHO VOICES FLIM/FLAM OR I WILL DIEEEEE

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    57. milleniummaster18January 28, 2012 at 8:45 PM

      Good enough, I guess, though not a favorite.

      This episode reminds me of that Spongebob episode where Neptune challenges him to a frying battle, similar sequence of events, same moral, though the latter was better disguised.

      The lesson learned works, for schoolwork, that is. Machines have outdone humans in both production quality and quantity, and they're not done yet.

      Applejack needed two episodes to make enough spotlight for the amount that any other pony of the mane six would do in one episode, that's a word of warning: she's turning bland.

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    58. BunnyJanuary 28, 2012 at 9:03 PM

      @mycutiemarkisagun Well that's retail lol

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    59. Ben HJanuary 28, 2012 at 9:16 PM

      @scienceandponies

      I think Mayor Mare has to take a lot of the blame here. If Ponyville had an anti-monopoly law, the "winner-takes-all" competition between the Flim Flams and the Apples would have been prevented by the regulators. Instead of competing to win a monopoly in a silly contest, the two companies would have had to compete in the free market. The Apples would have been spurred to increase production, and with their high quality and 'heritage' branding would probably have captured the "premium" segment of the market. The Flim Flams could have met unsatisfied demand by using their superior production capacity to offer a more affordable product.

      Also, if Ponyville had more stringent food safety regulations, the Flim Flams would have had a stronger disincentive to cut corners on product quality, which would actually have been in their interest.

      "Dear Celestia: today I learned that government regulation can actually *enhance* the efficiency of free markets.

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    60. pmcollectorboyJanuary 28, 2012 at 9:22 PM

      Inb4 jokes are made about Big Mac being the master of "grinding".

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    61. MangoPatchesJanuary 28, 2012 at 9:36 PM

      WOOT APPLE FAMILY!!!!

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    62. AnonymousJanuary 28, 2012 at 9:37 PM

      The episode worked for me, judging from the silly grin on my face when I watched. That’s driven by Rainbow Dash’s cider quest, the patter song, and AJ’s boastful letter, rather than the plot. But is that surprising? While we occasionally get some great surprises, I don’t think we’re watching MLP for the plots.

      I agree the contest was silly. The Apple family can just continue to sell their cider, and also sell apples to Flim and Flam. Everybody wins. But then we don’t have much of a conflict, and Season 2 seems to be struggling to avoid that.

      As for being anti-capitalist, I think the objectors should think again. Granted the Apple family losing their business was portrayed as bad. I don’t think there’s another option in a show emphasizing friendship and family, not economics. But look at the details. The Apple family honored the deal implied by the contest. They did not appeal to the town for aid. The brothers ultimately lost because the cider they produced was bad. If you think about this in terms of honoring creators of wealth, the overall message is positive.

      Not saying the contest was the best part of the episode by any means. But I don’t think it merits such disdain, that it should spoil the episode as a whole.

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    63. MikeJanuary 28, 2012 at 9:45 PM

      Darn, I totally missed the 1000 this time.

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    64. AccursedJanuary 28, 2012 at 9:59 PM

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_jwKGGWjAY&hd=1#t=08m36s

      TWO Doctor Whooves. >_>

      Was the "Flim Flam show tune" -really- good enough to justify abusing the powers of the Tardis like that?

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    65. EonMasterJanuary 28, 2012 at 10:17 PM

      @Filip4- no they couldn't. The brothers already states that they would be able to get apples elsewhere and sell the cider in Ponyville

      6- they own a farm. The vast majority of farms live year-to-year on their income. One bad crop could lead to a big farm having to take out loans to make up for the harvest. After that, they can be trapped with a dept that they can't pay off for years.

      This is the case for AJ's farm. Without the cider income, they won't have money to pay for the farm's existence during the winter months and would be forced to foreclose or take out loans to survive..

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    66. That Which SpeaksJanuary 28, 2012 at 10:34 PM

      @pmcollectorboy
      Rats.

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    67. atdawntheysleepJanuary 28, 2012 at 10:43 PM

      That feel when you oversleep and miss the new episode, so you carry on about your day and go to work, then when you finally get back home and watch it and it's freakin' awesome, but because you didn't watch it as aired it for the first time, you can't help but to feel like you've missed out on something... All around great episode as usual, though. ;p

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    68. kingofsoulsJanuary 28, 2012 at 10:47 PM

      Like the episode except for one thing... AppleJack seemed a little too arrogant when monologing the friendship report. If I was Celestia, I would send reply saying "Pride goeth before the fall, remember?"

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    69. DRTJRJanuary 28, 2012 at 10:50 PM

      If Any of the apples had a basic understanding of either fancy mathematics or Economics then Applejack would have realized that the Super cider squeezey 6000 produced 200% more that the "Old fashioned way and the apples would have negotiated for a 60 40 deal(In favor of the Flim Flam Bros.) made 20% more bits than they would have otherwise and of had. Also the apples should have charged much more since demand was so high that they might have been able to sell the cider at 4-500% of the original asking price. But that would require Applejack to use fancy mathematics, negations and politicking.

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    70. TwiWrite FlareJanuary 28, 2012 at 11:15 PM

      @crystalmountain
      I know THAT feel. I had it just today. Why didn't I heed that dang alarm clock? -_-

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    71. SightlessOneJanuary 28, 2012 at 11:18 PM

      Okay that song went on WAY too long for comfort (plus, it really didn't feel up to the same snuff as previous songs), but AJ's "fake-out" letter made up for it.

      ...'Course, she should have asked Celestia to send the Bros. to the moon.

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    72. HMorris73January 28, 2012 at 11:22 PM

      @DRTJR
      I doubt the Flim Flam Brothers would have taken that deal. As for raising prices, I presume they wanted to make sure that everyone could afford their cider. It may not be smart business, but that's Ponyville and the Apple Family.

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    73. SeiryuSenshiJanuary 28, 2012 at 11:37 PM

      An interesting idea for a comedic fan-fiction IMO would be Applejack and Twilight trying to build their own apple sorter, since the bottleneck for the Apple Family during the contest was Granny simply taking too long to sort through the apples.

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    74. MadDoctorDJanuary 28, 2012 at 11:54 PM

      I have decided:

      Rarity x mustaches. It's the new OTP.

      Additionally this makes PERFECT sense when you consider her swooning of Flam's moustachioed good looks. Fancy Pants as well.

      Also this explains why Spike wants a mustache so badly.

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    75. UnformedJanuary 29, 2012 at 12:16 AM

      There were high points but mostly this episode left me very dissapointed.

      Pinkie Pie's inconsiderate until the end of the episode but still by storyline has hogged all the booze for herself for years and RD's too stupid to ask or buy any from her.

      The best reaction to the situation woulda been that Apple family makes what they can and Flim and Flam fill the gaps.

      Apple family gets their cash, flim and flam get some cash and everyone gets wasted.

      Yes... Im analyzing a show about candy colored ponies... its kinda what I do...

      ReplyDelete
    76. ShippoyashaJanuary 29, 2012 at 12:17 AM

      I think you guys should realize by now that the recurring 'villain' in this show is the townsfolk and the mayor for putting the entire town in a tizzy, uproar or in a craze over someone, something, some event. It's not necessarily a bad thing (hey, it's like that in the real world too!), but all that social pressures is basically the 'villain' that everypony contends with. And in a way, the show doesn't go out of its way to pamper the townsfolk as inherently good or even-headed. This episode showed that off really well. I don't have any grudge with the townsfolks at all, since that's just how society is: Run on the 'flavor of the month', trends, fads, etc. Especially with the eager to please Mayor of Ponyville.

      ReplyDelete
    77. IkkouSoryuJanuary 29, 2012 at 1:07 AM

      @TwiWrite Flare

      >Brony does not mean "die hard fan"
      It does. It was hardcore fans on 4chan who first started using "brony" as an identifying callsign. Heaven knows they were facing serious oppression.

      >Feel free to not participate in the brony community... but that doesn't change the fact that you probably are one
      Oh snap!!! If you as much as look at single episode, you're bronified 4life! Not really lol

      >You are on a brony site, commenting in a brony comment section
      Okay, this point seems legit. But if I go and discuss MLP on my local forum, what, suddenly I've invested less? The reason I comment here is that I'm more likely to get a response.

      Granted, show's interested me enough that I wish to talk about it, but that's a long way from being actually a fan.

      You are trying, I'll give you that, but you're still trying to tell other people how they fell about something. That doesn't really work.

      ReplyDelete
    78. MaklakJanuary 29, 2012 at 1:11 AM

      @Filip
      My thoughts exactly. There is just too much all-around plot induced stupidity.

      I also didn't like several recent episodes. Looks like the series jumped the shark after the episode with Rarity in Canterlot.

      ReplyDelete
    79. Weim_TimeJanuary 29, 2012 at 1:17 AM

      Easily one of my favorite episodes.

      Plot was hilarious and creative.

      Voice acting was good as always.

      The song was awesome, probably my fav for 2nd season. THANKS SO MUCH DANIEL INGRAM!!!

      They should keep the Flim Flam Brothers for other episodes as background ponies or something but every episode change their cutie marks and sales pitches just for shits and giggles...

      WELL DONE STUDIO B!!!

      ReplyDelete
    80. AshanderhillJanuary 29, 2012 at 1:27 AM

      Okay, so at 8:38-8:39 on the 1080p youtube video, did anypony else notice the Mjolnir cutie mark pony?

      ReplyDelete
    81. voidchaliceJanuary 29, 2012 at 1:40 AM

      only lesson here is that Granny Smith needs to learn Marty McFly's lesson...

      ReplyDelete
    82. HawklaserJanuary 29, 2012 at 1:51 AM

      @TwiWrite Flare
      Even though that is a good lesson from Bambi, there are plenty of times someone does not necessarily realize what they say/type will offend or upset someone. Too many factors go into how both sides perceive a comment.

      I find how people deal with it when it happens, tends to be more important. A EQD forum would work better for discussions like this anyway, so enough of this for me.

      @IkkouSoryu
      Just because a word had one meaning when it first showed up does not mean it can not change.

      Also consider how others would look at the use of brony. From someone that doesn't watch the show at all but knows of the term, we all would be bronies. In other, words they see it as black and white. We however see it in shades of grey, and the tipping point from non-brony to brony is going to be different for each of us.

      ReplyDelete
    83. HMorris73January 29, 2012 at 1:59 AM

      @Maklak
      "Looks like the series jumped the shark after the episode with Rarity in Canterlot."

      *next post*

      @Weim_Time
      "Easily one of my favorite episodes."

      ReplyDelete
    84. Stallord969409January 29, 2012 at 2:12 AM

      This was a good episode Much much better AJ episode than last weeks. I really liked the song, which is weird I usually don't like songs like that, it might have gone on for too long for some people but I loved it. Everyone felt in character this episode which I like. The villains were lots of fun. The only complaint is that when everyone tasted the cider, it was after Flim and Flam sped up the process which sucked up tree's into their machine, so obviously their cider wasn't going to taste good. So it is easy to argue that their machine can make good cider as long as they do the process the right way.

      ReplyDelete
    85. Stallord969409January 29, 2012 at 2:39 AM

      I see people very split on this and the Last Roundup. I am one who enjoys this episode more than Last Roundup (still liked it though). The main reason is that in the Last Roundup AJ's character and motive brought down the episode for me. This episode, AJ's character felt real, and that is why I liked this episode more.
      People seem to not like the ending which I admit did feel a little rushed and can bring down the episode for some, the song which I guess is just the result of people having different taste in music and it did go on for a while, predictability which the show does a lot anyway, and there are other things that people just nitpick which I wont bother with.
      I thought this episode did what it should have and that is give AJ good character development, which is what I wanted to see in the Last Roundup but in that episode she felt like a liar, her motive was not realistic, and just out of character.

      ReplyDelete
    86. ShippoyashaJanuary 29, 2012 at 3:18 AM

      >IkkouSoryu
      It's fine if you want to be called a casual fan. And I thin it's absurd to imply that only hardcore fandom is the correct fandom. That's definitely not true at all. And you're implying you're one of the 'creators' of the wording? Even if that is true, that doesn't change how fandoms in general can be something purely hardcore or just casualized. It's like in sports where a hometown team could be doing very badly and one doesn't bother watching when they're doing so bad. But when they win, they jump on the bandwagon and cheer them on. It's called being a casual fan when it's all said and done.

      And to me, if you actually gave the show a chance where so many people still don't give it any, you're a casual fan, casual brony, whatever people may call it.

      One word to you though, I don't think being a fringe fan means it is automatically a pass to aggravating fans or putting down episodes as they come along. Just being fair, I think you do that way too much. It's seemingly the only thing you ever do. Don't tell me if that can't rub people the wrong way, because you keep acting like you're surprised about that.

      ReplyDelete
    87. ShippoyashaJanuary 29, 2012 at 3:21 AM

      >This episode, AJ's character felt real, and that is why I liked this episode more.

      I have to disagree a bit. AJ was in character for both this episode and last episode. AJ being an overtly eager-to-please, hard headed pony was established in Season 1 episode THREE. The very first 'standalone' episode in this entire cartoon. AJ was in character in Last Roundup most definitely. I just can't see why people don't see that. And the episode made me love AJ more because she's still lovable even if she has her failings. She gets knocked down and knows how to come back graciously. Even this episode, she did fail against Flim Flam. And yet she bounced back.

      ReplyDelete
    88. Charlie19796January 29, 2012 at 4:15 AM

      Is it just me that thought that Flim and Flam were horses, not ponies? I saw that they were taller than Big Macintosh and mentioned somthing about horses in there song…
      …or is it just me being stupid?

      ReplyDelete
    89. AnonymousJanuary 29, 2012 at 4:16 AM

      The same pattern emerges every saturday, I watch the new episode at 7am, feel very "meh" about it then by nighttime after I've rewatched it a couple of times I like it.

      It was a good ep with a ton of great moments (the kind of stuff that make good GIFs and kyrospawn clips) however I wouldn't put it on the top of Season 2 episodes.

      I do think the writers deserve a lot of credit for being very experimental this season and pushing the limits of what you can do in a childrens show.

      I mean large corporations are insanely paranoid about offending parents so you can imagine some Hub exec freaking out at the thought of someone mistaking the cider for a alcoholic beverage. It sounds silly to us but they proabably worry about that stuff. So all the credit to the writers for getting this kind of stuff through.

      ReplyDelete
    90. toastyJanuary 29, 2012 at 4:23 AM

      I keep looping back to the part where Big Mac and Rainbow Dash were running on the treadmill. Stupid shipping goggles.

      Anyway, good episode. Probably would have been better if they lessened the song length and added that to the ending. Plus its good discussion fodder for kids and parents--I mean, the Flim Flam Bros. had a good point, unfortunately they were unscrupulous and greedy to make it beneficial to all parties.

      ReplyDelete
    91. KaijyuuJanuary 29, 2012 at 4:45 AM

      Second viewing impressions:

      Terrible conclusion, awesome episode otherwise.

      This one's in the same boat as Over a Barrel for me. Over a Barrel had awesome buildup to the conflict, and I did like the pie fight. What I didn't like was how randomly and out of nowhere the conflict was resolved. Great episode... until the end.

      Same here. I loved the conflict allll the way until Flim and Flam suddenly become idiots and screw themselves over. Not to mention the non-sequitur of them getting sweet apple acres when the initial deal was just for cider selling rights. Cut out the last 2 minutes and this would be a really good episode.

      I guess the writers just couldn't think of a way to resolve it so they said "screw it let's just have them be jerks and run away." Can't prove that hoof made cider is superior to industrialized, so just hoist the villains by their own petard.


      Of note I did like the episode overall. Just wish it had a better end.

      ReplyDelete
    92. KaijyuuJanuary 29, 2012 at 4:58 AM

      @HMorris73
      Hint:

      People who complain about "ruined forever" and "jumping the shark" only speak for themselves. There's no reason to point out others disagree, because it's goddamn obvious.

      Yeah people shout that stuff sucks and is ruined all the time, but you don't see their username again singing praises. It WAS ruined, at least for them.

      No one speaks for anyone else other than themselves. The ones that TRY to speak for other people though... those are the jerks that give fandoms bad names.

      ReplyDelete
    93. ArrowstormenJanuary 29, 2012 at 5:12 AM

      @Filip

      1. Well, Rainbow Dash still didn't get any of it without the kindness of Pinkie, plus there was one for each, where we saw Pinkie that took eight or something for herself on the first round.

      2. Would be boring if it was so simple that every villain was a complete villain. "I*M EVIL AND I KNOW IT!"

      3.That letter was freaking awesome. The lesson was also siding with Applejack here, and was more a message to the people of Ponyville, and FlimFlam bros, but I doubt they give hay.

      4. YOU NO CALL GRANDMA CHICKEN!

      5. Granny Smith and the others seems to be lovers of tradition, for one thing.

      6. Keeping up a farm isn't cheap yo!

      ReplyDelete
    94. MaklakJanuary 29, 2012 at 7:41 AM

      @ Kaijyuu
      Well yes, I can only speak for myself, tough some people seem to agree with me. I'm not saying the show is ruined forever by any episode, including this one. (Tough do I have great trouble wrapping my mind around some concepts, like Zap Apples.) I like the show overall, but I see some episodes as great, while others as 'okayish I guess'. Some episodes have mostly filler (like Applebuck season, The Last Roundup and Super Cider machine) in them, and could be resolved in half the time. Some I don't like for other reasons, like CMC episodes in season 1. Some episodes I find great, and in season 2 that would be Discord, Luna Eclipsed, Sweet and Elite, and a few others are not far behind.

      When I said the show jumped the shark, I meant that to me some recent episodes just aren't as good as FiM used to be.

      Like I said, in this episode both the Apple family and those unicorns were far too silly for me to enjoy it. I agree with what Flip said, and more. For me the ending kinda worked. It would be better if somepony, like Mayor Mare demanded to check the quality of the juice before counting, but it was still better than everything that lead to that ending.

      Side note: Cider is "apple wine", but in the episode they sell apple juice. Hm, I checked wikipedia and it turns out, in the US they call apple juice cider, and they call cider apple wine.

      ReplyDelete
    95. DrakeJanuary 29, 2012 at 8:36 AM

      Capitalism, Applejack, and musical all in one episode? I love it, favorite episode.

      ReplyDelete
    96. AnonymousJanuary 29, 2012 at 9:22 AM

      @Maklak

      I'd argue the "filler" is the best part of the show.

      One of my favorites is Bird in the Hoof. There's so much character humor in the first minute, that it makes Fluttershy seem like Angel's pet. The ponies are simply wonderful at the brunch; this is arguably Celestia's best scene ever. But the plot is so weak, that a Benny Hill chase scene is the best the writers can do before the climax.

      IMO, later S2 epsiodes are having problems because they're pushing more complicated plots. The result is plots that ponies don't really fit into (Mare-Do-Well), plots that are too tense to have much fun with (Sweet and Elite), and plots that are just too darn silly (Hearthswarming Eve).

      I see the Last Roundup and Cider Squeezy as improvements. The Last Roundup is arguably fine if we imagine AJ plans to return home after she earns spme money, so the return won't feel so shameful. Cider Squeezy has its idiot-moments, but most of our time is spent on character fun and music. I can live with that.

      ReplyDelete
    97. CybeargJanuary 29, 2012 at 9:25 AM

      @Shippoyasha

      Thank you! I agree completely.

      I think that it's disappointing that everyone wants to call out AJ as out of character in Last Roundup. They're off-handedly dismissing a lot of what makes AJ great.

      Applejack, determined to win for Ponyville, makes a great deal of confident promises and goes off to the rodeo. To her shock and shame, she does not do nearly so well as she thought she would. But she can't stand to return home without at least the money that she promised (since she can't be returning home with titles or blue ribbons), so she nobly get a side job to make up enough money to fulfill her promise. Her only failing is that she is too ashamed to tell her friends.

      Really, I think that it's so frustrating that people consider this to be out of character and a bad act on Applejack's part. Applejack showed very noble traits; she was willing to take on additional responsibility to fulfill her promises, even when things didn't go as planned. And really, that's Applejack to a T--humble winner and humble loser. Where is the OOCness here?

      Again, her "failing" was only that she felt too ashamed to inform her friends, family, and the town of her failure until she at least had something to show for her efforts. I think that is a mistake that anyone could make, and not necessarily a particularly "bad" one at that. Applejack never intended to leave Ponyville forever--she was only stalling for time so that she could earn the money she promised.

      ReplyDelete
    98. pmcollectorboyJanuary 29, 2012 at 9:50 AM

      America has apple juice and apple cider. Cider includes the pulp of the fruit. Hard cider can be called apple wine to avoid confusion with the same drink from other countries where cider is primarily alcoholic.

      ReplyDelete
    99. CybeargJanuary 29, 2012 at 9:50 AM

      @Maklak
      "I meant that to me some recent episodes just aren't as good as FiM used to be."

      I think that you're speaking largely out of nostalgia.

      It's kind of frustrating that it seems Applejack episodes all get classified as "filler." What constitutes "filler"? I think that Applebuck Season is too early on in the series to be filler. It's trying to demonstrate Applejack's character to people who haven't really met her yet. It's no more filler than Lesson Zero is, and everyone loves that one to death. The set-ups are almost the same, in fact--A pony is confronted with something that she's not able to handle and she has a bit of a break-down. At least Applejack learned something in Applebuck Season. What did Twilight learn in Lesson Zero? Not to cause trouble? No. Not to fret about little things? No. She didn't really learn anything to speak of--her friends did (sort of).

      Of course it comes down to personal taste, but for me, I really don't care for Swarm of the Century (that was the closest we've come to filler in Pony, in my opinion), A Dog and Pony Show, and A Bird in the Hoof. In the case of the latter, it's mostly just because I really didn't like the design of Philomena. As for Dog and Pony, it struck me as very strange, I hated the Diamond Dogs, and the conflict's flat, cheesy resolution seemed disappointing.

      In comparison, this season I've only disliked Cutie Pox (which I suppose is also filler) and maybe Baby Cakes.

      Filler implies that nothing significant happens as a result, nothing is really learned, and overall, it's just pointless. Cutie Pox is certainly that way because the lesson is dismissed, but unlike Show Stoppers, you don't learn anything about the characters (while in Show Stoppers, the audience basically discovers what each of the CMC's special talents are--and there's also a song). Same with Swarm--people "learn to trust Pinkie," even though they never do, and the Magic Reset button is hit on Ponyville when it is left in ruins at the end. Pointless episode.

      So far, anyway, I dislike far more Season 1 episodes than Season 2 ones. I still don't understand why the hate for Mare Do Well. I assume that it's either because people hate seeing Rainbow Dash be wrong (which isn't a criticism of the episode, just whining), or people hate seeing the more advanced technology demonstrated, which is fair enough, but we've already seen plenty of advanced tech, such as construction workers (with jackhammers and the like), in Sonic Rainboom, and that episode is like Jesus among the fans.

      In the end, this episode is no more filler than Boast Busters. A pony goes from town to town, arriving at Ponyville, pridefully causes some kind of trouble, and at the end is run out of town. But I don't think anyone would accuse Boast Busters of being "filler."

      ReplyDelete
    100. KaijyuuJanuary 29, 2012 at 9:52 AM

      Re: Applejack in last roundup.

      I've said it a dozen times, but Applejack is PERFECTLY IN CHARACTER! Seriously, I don't get how people are saying she's not. Is Applejack a perfect mary sue character to some people? She has flaws, and fear of failure has been prominent from the get-go. Her over reaction was not at all unprecedented or unrealistic.


      How do I know it's not unrealistic? I could give you my life story, but suffice to say I did the exact same goddamn thing once, albeit for different reasons. Running away because you feel you disappointed someone is, well... human. Or pony, in this case.

      Also, I can say quite confidently that Applejack would've eventually returned to Ponyville. Likely with a large sum of cash she promised, and maybe with some blue ribbons from some other event, all to "make up" for it.

      ReplyDelete
    101. KaijyuuJanuary 29, 2012 at 10:05 AM

      @Cybearg
      I'm with the other guy that, on average, S2 is not as good as S1. At least in my opinion, of course.


      One reason I know it's not nostalgia filter: Every single episode brought out an emotional reaction for me... until Sisterhooves. Prior to that, I always felt something (even if it was just rage and hate toward the episode in the case of Lesson Zero and Feelin' Pinkie Keen). Even the "duds" like look before you sleep or bird in the hoof got some sort of rise out of me. A disturbing number of S2 episodes have been utterly "meh" to me, so much so that I mostly forgot about them after watching. That ain't nostalgia talking.


      I can't explain the "why" without it possibly being tainted with nostalgia, though. Simply put though I feel S2 episodes lack depth compared to the last season. Almost everything is up front and in your face. I'm not finding any hidden nuggets of characterization or world building or plot details in repeat viewings. What I see the first time watching an episode is what I see the second through fifth. That wasn't the case with S1, as I watched the entire series around 5 times before I felt I had "wrung it dry."


      I look back at the posts I made when I first discovered FiM, and I used words like "believable" and "immersive" to describe it. When I can apply those labels to the new episodes, that's when I'll say it's "as good" as S1. Currently I can only really apply those labels to Sweet and Elite, Last Roundup, and RoH 1/2.

      ReplyDelete
    102. LezliDaxJanuary 29, 2012 at 10:06 AM

      Okay, here's my 4 bits worth... in no particular order

      1. I am very confused as to how many bits are in a cent? I am assuming 100 bits to a cent?

      2. Dr Whooves in charge of timey wimey stuff

      3. Fluttershy's embarrassment at Dashy ripping off her bed clothes

      4. Awesome musical number

      5. Lyra photobomb

      6. Berry Punch's presence in what seems to be a lot of alcoholic ponies

      7. Some more Derpy in background

      8. Rainbow 'For Pete's Sake' Dash

      9. The Flim Flam brothers use magic BUT mention 'electricity' in their steampunk style machine

      10. Pinkie Pie isn't sugar or caffiene fueled any more....

      ReplyDelete
    103. pmcollectorboyJanuary 29, 2012 at 10:28 AM

      The bit is the main currency, so the penny would be less. Although in one of my stories, I create a whole new system where the bit was the lowest.

      ReplyDelete
    104. HMorris73January 29, 2012 at 12:54 PM

      @Kaijyuu
      True, that time I was really just posting out of amusement of the wildly divergent opinions you see in these episode posts (some more than others, but it's always there).

      ReplyDelete
    105. MadDoctorDJanuary 29, 2012 at 1:04 PM

      The Flim-Flam brothers are some of my favorite antagonists that have appeared in this show. But there's one thing that needs to be made ascertain: The only one who said anything about not wanting to see them back there again was Granny Smith.

      They had a bad run of a product because they decided that THEY HAD TO WIN AT ALL COSTS. It's not like they will never appear again, but I really want to see them do another musical number (And possibly do a three pony tango with Rarity, though that's a completely different thing all together.)

      Fact is this: They are excellent salesponies. Great characters, slimy like classic snake-oil salesmen but actual ingenious ones at that. The weirdest thing about this episode is that they acted like parasites throughout the whole dang thing with leeching off of Sweet Apple Acres the way they were. It's bizarre that Granny Smith or Applejack didn't charge them for using their land/supplies.

      While they did prove they can make a dang good product, their own shrewdness was their downfall as they wouldn't strike a fair bargain and were only reaping the benefits of hard labor of caring for the apple trees. If anything, the more fair bargain would have been 40/60% in favor of the Apple family as they are the ones who care for the apples all year round, with the Flim-Flam brothers coming in for assistance only around the cider season.

      It's not like I can't understand it though, the Super Cider Squeezy 6000 probably requires a crap-ton of maintenance considering, while it's powered by an ICE, its other components are magically enhanced in order to function with the precision that it does. It would honestly be very difficult for them to turn a profit if they continued along the road that they did, since the only thing that they had was the machinery to provide the transition.

      All in all, they are misguided businessmen who still have a lot to learn about contracts. I'd better get started on the fanfiction about that...

      ReplyDelete
    106. RafasdeJanuary 29, 2012 at 2:03 PM

      My general reaction to this episode was "meh", despite watching more than once. Its middle was kinda boring to me due to the lack of proper action and the song was a little too long IMO.

      However, I really liked the ending: AJ's "friendship" report and the Mane 6 drinking their cider at the sound of a harmonica. That was my favorite part of this ep.

      ReplyDelete
    107. MazzlebeeJanuary 29, 2012 at 2:07 PM

      If I had known my doodle would end up being used for the title post, I would've put more effort into it. XDD

      ReplyDelete
    108. ShippoyashaJanuary 29, 2012 at 2:14 PM

      Kaijyuu, that is not so different from how nostalgia works. Watching something that many times, you burnt yourself out on it a bit. I do not see the issue with pinkie keen or sisterhooves considering they were a tad on the cartoonier side. I think people should be reminded this is a cartoon still and the ingenious, authentic aspect is the bonus. I would not be so alarms about it. There will always be the heartfelt episodes and the cartoony ones. I can understand the criticism, but that is your episode priority speaking. I do not see much fault in this show abiding by some cartoon conventions.

      ReplyDelete
    109. AnonymousJanuary 29, 2012 at 5:24 PM

      I saw a yahoo OpenID comment, maybe that will work. (Lousy useless Blogger OpenID grumble grumble grumble.)

      ReplyDelete
    110. AnonymousJanuary 29, 2012 at 5:32 PM

      Using my Flickr photostream url works. Trying now to edit my name there.

      ReplyDelete
    111. CybeargJanuary 29, 2012 at 7:00 PM

      @Kaijyuu
      Woah, woah, woah.. Who says Look Before You Sleep is a dud? That's one of my favorites because of how well it demonstrates Rarity and AJ's opposing personalities.

      I don't know why your good feelings would have stopped at Sisterhooves. That was a solid episode. Personally, I was at first disenchanted with this season because I didn't care for the wacky portrayal of Twilight in Lesson Zero and the hasty, in my opinion clumsy episode Luna Eclipsed.

      I don't agree with your claim that this series lacks comparative depth. In any case, I don't think that depth has been diminished from Season 1. Perhaps you're simply growing tired of Pony.

      The thing about Season 1 is that it was showing things for the very first time. Things are always better upon first viewing. Season 2 has far more history than Season 1 does.

      But I agree--there is something very charming about classics like Winter Wrap Up, Fall Weather Friends, Suited for Success, and Sonic Rainboom. But Return of Harmony, Sisterhooves Social, Sweet and Elite, and Last Roundup are excellent as well. And, again, so many episodes in Season 2 expand the world, at least as far as history goes, as in Family Appreciation Day and Hearth's Warming Eve.

      ReplyDelete
    112. pmcollectorboyJanuary 29, 2012 at 7:56 PM

      No love for Baby Cakes? I actually liked it more than Last Roundup.

      ReplyDelete
    113. SeanoftheBreadJanuary 29, 2012 at 9:24 PM

      Worst moral of the entire show.
      This show has started to suck. So fuck it. I'm going to go watch something good.

      ReplyDelete
    114. AnonymousJanuary 29, 2012 at 9:41 PM

      Seems like the best episodes are when we have these special guest antagonists. Gilda, Trixie, Photo Finish, the Flim Flam Brothers....

      ReplyDelete
    115. pmcollectorboyJanuary 29, 2012 at 10:49 PM

      @SeanoftheBread

      *rolls eyes* Gnard.

      ReplyDelete
    116. pmcollectorboyJanuary 29, 2012 at 10:49 PM

      This comment has been removed by the author.

      ReplyDelete
    117. HMorris73January 29, 2012 at 11:15 PM

      @Cybearg
      Agreed about "Look Before You Sleep", I really think that one's underrated.

      ReplyDelete
    118. EtherdroneJanuary 29, 2012 at 11:30 PM

      @Cybearg
      Seems like a few people have been nitpicking on everything because they kind of can... But that's to be expected, really.

      I am one of the ones that actually enjoyed every single episode of Season 2 a LOT. And I mean every episode. They deliver in their own specific way, and I don't think that picking on something because it didn't agree with you (not you specifically, don't take it as if I'm pointing at you) makes it objectively bad. Because it doesn't!

      Since this is about SSCS6K however, I will limit myself to speaking about it! Because it was fantastic, and I really need to make my voice heard... Or my words... Or... Yeah. IT WAS GREAT!

      I don't know why people complain about the steampunk machinery the F&F brothers used. It was justified with magic, and being a HUGE Steampunk fan as I actually am, I'll admit my opinion is a bit biased. But seriously, pay attention to that contraption, people! Look at it, and try to imagine how it works! It's fantastic! We've already seen a lot of other machinery in this show, why is a magic-powered one any different? It isn't. It's a fantastic vehicle, that is!

      The song? Was awesome. I wasn't expecting what I heard, and that's gotta be the closest to a villain song we ever had in the show so far. And it helps that it's a rather long song that gets its point across! I'm sorry if some folks didn't like it, but hey! You can't please everypony.

      The villains left in a rather fast manner after they lost by turning their quality control off... And that kinda left us with a bitter taste in our mouths, but we had an excellent "rest of the episode" to make up for a single scene. And despite some people saying that the ending felt "trollish" or "underwhelming"...

      It kind of wasn't. Applejack seriously learned nothing, but what about us? James Corck said it, and I wholeheartedly quote: "The keys to a good work are patience, hard work, and dedication. If you get sloppy on what you are doing you will end up regretting it. Rushing things through doesn't lead you anywhere but to failure."

      That was the lesson that was taught to us through the entire episode, and AJ knew that, so for her nothing was accomplished. The letter at the end was amazing and hilarious, and cemented the episode well as another fantastic episode from Season 2. Seriously, I loved this episode.

      Just how I also loved the previous one. And the previous to the previous. And the previousu-su-su-ses.

      Some people claim the episodes are getting predictable... But really, can I tell you guys something? A lot of people's favorite episode is called "SONIC RAINBOOM". GEEZ, I wonder what's going to happen in it!? Is a Dragon going to wrestle a giant cave bat in space?

      ...Yeah.

      The destination of an episode doesn't matter, people. What matter, honestly speaking, is the journey. What we experience through the whole episode is that what's important. I don't think anyone would want an episode of MLP:FiM to end, though sadly it happens every 22 minutes.

      And I'll be damned if I say that those aren't the best minutes I could spend watching! Because they are! And the journey they take me through all the time is something I'll never forget.

      ReplyDelete
    119. ShippoyashaJanuary 29, 2012 at 11:58 PM

      If you think about it, the babies in Baby Cakes were almost the 'villains' of that story considering it got Pinkie Pie to break down in real tears.

      But yeah, the thing with the 'too quickly ended' aspect of this episode and Flim Flam, it's the slim hope we may even see them again as a cameo or even a rematch of sorts. We'll see.

      I'm sure the internet would explode again if Trixie makes a return. I would love to see Gilda as well. Hell, maybe even the mythical monsters like the Hydra.

      ReplyDelete
    120. MaklakJanuary 30, 2012 at 12:22 AM

      When I say 'filler' I don't mean whole episodes. It is just that every episode needs to be exactly 22 minutes long, and when a plot is simple they throw in some padding and gags. They have their place, and can be really good or funny (like RD teaching FS to say 'Yay'), but there is such a thing as too much of it in an episode. Once again: I'm not saying whole episodes are filler, just that come episodes have more filler than non-filler content.

      I also liked it a lot, how every episode in season 1 ended in some lesson and a letter to the Princess. In season 2 this is much less visible, and even if there is a letter, the lessons learned don't seem as important as in season 1. Some episodes of season 2 are better than some from season 1, but many lack depth, and overall season 1 was better. (That is my opinion, so you may disagree).

      As for the last Roundup I don't see Apple Jack as acting too out of character. Granted, she should have told her friends the truth during the cherry sorting scene, when it became obvious, they won't bugger off, but that pony is made of stubornite. Actually I accuse Twilight of not doing the obvious thing. If she read in a newspaper about the rodeo, or be surprised no one remembers AJ, and asked who won, she could figure it all out during the arena scene.

      One good thing about Apple Squeezer machine is that it canonicalized flux converters as power sources for machines.

      The spread of opinions on any single episode is almost comical. 'It was stupid and out of character and it sucked' comment can be right next to 'Wow, my new favorite episode. Great character depth."

      Another issue I have with apple juice machine episode is that it confuses me, how Equestrian Apple trees work. IRL people pick apples from late summer through late autumn, and keeps them stored during the rest of the year. It is actually more prudent to pick apples first, and then make juice or jam or whatever from boxes of apples, than what they do. It looks like in Equestria apple trees have apples all year round, except for a few days of winter with snow, and maybe a few days after running off the leaves.

      @ Cyberarg
      The two things I didn't like most about "Swarm of the Century" was that Ponnyville was rebuilt so quickly and easily without doing anything to the local economy, and how easily the exponentially multiplying parasprites were defeated. I mean, why didn't they eat up the Everfree forest, and return unstoppable? Or some of them remember that Ponyville has food, and return and continue to cause trouble. I suppose if I read more about breeding cycles of locusts, I could find a handwave.

      I didn't hate 'Mare do well'. It just stuck me that Ponyville has so frequent disasters, and a road that goes over a cliff with no railing. The ending surprised me, because I thought it was Luna in that costume. I was also phased by how casually Twilight used a thousands (?) tonnes of rocks to fix a dam in seconds. An alicon may be capable of this, but if a Unicorn can do that, why do ponies need construction teams at all?

      Diamond dogs were fun, but I didn't like the ending. Rarity robbed them of all their stash. Granted, they were jerks, and it would be better to just ask Rarity to mark them a few dozen spots, give her 10% of found gems, and invite her to come back any time, but she still 'generously' took everything from them.

      I didn't like the 90 degree turn at several machs in Sonic Rainboom, and the Princess doing nothing while Rarity and two wonderbolts were falling to their deaths. Oh, and a Pegasus landing on butterflies. Some things are just too outlandish, even in a cartoon.

      I'm ambivalent about Baby Cakes. The babies were overpowered, but actually showing that taking care of babies is so much work was a good thing.

      ReplyDelete
    121. AnonymousJanuary 30, 2012 at 2:24 AM

      @Shippoyasha I agree AJ felt more real in this episode.

      This episode and The Last Roundup was some of the greatest FiM episodes.

      ReplyDelete
    122. ShippoyashaJanuary 30, 2012 at 3:07 AM

      I don't know about the economy discussions even being all that relevant in this show, Maklak.

      The whole Discord disaster probably would have shaken our real world to its knees and destroy all confidence against disasters and the government and forget economy ever making a proper comeback.

      But the ponies have a cartoonish way of bouncing right back. Also, I am assuming that economics is a bit more on the simpler, perhaps somewhat medieval side (even if they have near-modern technology).

      All those complains about the super power of Rainbow's Sonic Rainboom to the 'super powered' babies is a bit silly to me, I'll be honest. All these ponies operate under the cartoony level of embellishment after all. Their economy I'm guessing is no different. Things happen in drastic fashion and villains come and go. It's really not about compromise as lessons are best learned the hard way in the series it seems (well, other than the times where wars had to die down like in the Appaloosa episode).

      As for the filler, I don't really know why it's such an issue all of a sudden when 90% of the issues in the first season was all pretty much 'filler' as well. Then again, if you look at the history of MLP and how it started out, that 'slice of life' moments and the 'problem of the day' is what defines MLP. In a sense, this show's structure is kind of like a magical girl show where each day there's an individualized problem that is mostly self contained with some signs of a larger story/continuity.

      One thing I do agree is that the letter system is more chaotic, then again, I felt that some of the lessons simply speak for themselves (like when Celestia lectures herself or the events at the end pretty much wraps the story without a telling of the moral behind it). Though I do think it may have been easier to follow when Twilight ended the show almost every episode like in season 1.

      ReplyDelete
    123. FamusJamusJanuary 30, 2012 at 7:15 AM

      (Finally watched the bugger...)

      Dear Applejack,

      You do realise the Brothers never paid for their supplies and effectively wasted several tonnes of apples? You're also missing a few of Bloomberg's close cousins and I'm pretty there was a lesson about keeping Applebloom far away from any inter-business relations.

      But if you want to ignore all that, then that's fine.

      Princess Celestia.

      ReplyDelete
    124. AlondroJanuary 30, 2012 at 10:17 AM

      @Maklak Equestria apple trees are exactly the same as the mutant ones that allow people in the US to get apples ALL YEAR ROUND!! Think about it people! It's not like we could get apples from another country! NO! It must be MUTANTS! Created with Area 51 alien technology! D:

      Moving on. Ponyville actually has a lower frequency of disasters than the town of South Park in its first two seasons, only slightly more than the Simpsons, and has an average number of inexplicably-placed dropoffs when compared with Loony Toons; so it quite on par with cartoon tropes.

      Dogs deserved to get robbed. They suck. They're slobbery and smelly and ugly. Not like cats. We rule. Dogs drool.

      And as far as outlandish things in cartoons: ahem.. shall I point out South Park and Loony Toons again? Or "Animaniacs"? Or "Freakazoid"?

      Famous example: The Gremlin episode with Bugs Bunny. The place is plummeting at ludicrous speed, the wings rip off, and death for America's favorite rabbit seems certain! And then, the plane sputters and stops dead a few feet from the ground. Why? They ran out of gas. Because of the gas restrictions from A-cards (WWII rationing). It's utterly illogical nonsense! But it's funny! And that's why it works.

      Fact: The only law in Toontown is that anything can happen as long as it's funny. *smacks himself with a mallet and shoves a lit stick of dynamite down his pants* Woo-hoo! Woo-hoo! Whoo-hoo! *KABOOM!*

      ReplyDelete
    125. AlondroJanuary 30, 2012 at 10:21 AM

      @FamusJamus The apples aren't wasted! You can filter out all the dirt and wood and then sell it to America for an obscene profit! We'll buy anything! Even if it's laced with toxic heavy metals and pesticides! We don't use out brains anyway, so what do we care if half a billion neurons get fried by arsenic and dioxin? Cheap apple products rule! :D

      ReplyDelete
    126. RoxorJanuary 30, 2012 at 12:06 PM

      @Teebs Yes, if the script had been written along these lines, this would probably have been one of the best episodes to date.

      As it was broadcast, it was good, but had room for improvement.

      ReplyDelete
    127. The Seventh WonderboltJanuary 30, 2012 at 12:22 PM

      I think this was an awesome episode. AJ didn't really shine until her trolololol moment, though.

      ReplyDelete
    128. RoxorJanuary 30, 2012 at 3:01 PM

      @Arcane Scroll Ah, two problems regarding your support suggestion:

      1. I don't live in the USA.

      2. I don't want to give Apple any money.

      Got an alternative that meets both criteria? Let's hear it.

      ReplyDelete
    129. RoxorJanuary 31, 2012 at 1:19 AM

      @RosesSpindle Okay, I can buy the Flim Flam brothers being Trixie's relatives.

      @Altherix Actually, considering the broad scope of Equestria's technology seems to be that of the early 20th century, vacuum tube electronics are perfectly reasonable.

      ReplyDelete
    130. shagbarkJanuary 31, 2012 at 10:37 AM

      @Ben HWhat Ben H said! I kept being distracted by the presumption that the mayor had the right to grant monopolies.

      I'm glad they use money at all in MLP. Most cartoons are socialist paradises where everything is free, because the creators are okay showing kids characters blowing each other up but think they'll be scarred forever by the mention of money. MLP uses money to drive plot. Which makes its stories more lifelike and relevant than plots about blowing things up.

      I was a little bugged by the "integrity" moral - another example of saying that being moral means being stupid and stubborn. How about, "I learned not to make stupid deals with giant gaping loopholes for my adversary to exploit"?

      Also glad they didn't make it a total John Henry.

      ReplyDelete
    131. HMorris73January 31, 2012 at 12:34 PM

      @Maklak
      As far as Twilight in Mare Do Well goes, well she is by far the most powerful unicorn we know of in modern day Equestria.

      ReplyDelete
    132. shagbarkJanuary 31, 2012 at 12:57 PM

      Re. the complaints about this story not making sense - Notice there is no scriptwriting credit for MLP:FIM episodes. Not even a story editor credit. They are probably just having the animators brainstorm, storyboard, and animate without ever having a script. Some animation studios work this way. Animators tend not to care whether non-visual parts of the story making sense.

      Anypony know if there is a scriptwriting team for FIM?

      ReplyDelete
    133. Sgt ByrdJanuary 31, 2012 at 1:00 PM

      @shagbark

      Every episode has both a writer and a story editor, these credits are just after the intro.

      ReplyDelete
    134. megantronJanuary 31, 2012 at 1:03 PM

      I liked the Last Roundup more (you people suck for having different opinions! :P ) but this was also an enjoyable episode. I especially loved Apple Bloom (shut your goddamn mouth!), Big Mac and Rarity ("lovely!" "Horrid!"). Hahah, poor dash...

      ReplyDelete
    135. shagbarkJanuary 31, 2012 at 1:05 PM

      Thanks, Sgt. Byrd - I didn't notice.

      ReplyDelete
    136. Pele2048January 31, 2012 at 3:25 PM

      @Alondro

      It's not just bullshit quality cider... They sucked up whole trees and such. Do you know what happens when you grind, boil, and ferment wood?

      Rainbow Dash: *drinks* This ain't bad.
      Flim/Flam: There's a trick to it: Wood alcohol.
      Twilight Sparkle: Now we're favored customers, treated to the finest in beverages that make you blind.

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methanol#Toxicity



      I wonder how much lead and cadmium is in the My Little Pony toys sold in the McDonald's happy meals or in the toys at Wal*Mart...

      ReplyDelete
    137. AlondroJanuary 31, 2012 at 3:56 PM

      @Pele2048 That's why ya filter it out BEFORE it ferments! They were only making the stuff that day, nowhere near the time needed to even start on fermentation!

      Besides, a little methanol never hurt nobody! Quit tryin' ta scare my customers! *goes back to moonshine still and loads in more sawdust*

      ReplyDelete
    138. DakarosJanuary 31, 2012 at 10:14 PM

      am i the only one who heard that canterlot its a kingdom? O_o

      ReplyDelete
    139. PyriteJanuary 31, 2012 at 11:17 PM

      This episode was pretty good. The only thing that really bugged me was the plothole where 'exclusive rights to the cider business' means 'we now own your farm' somehow. Somewhere there was a leap of logic between 'We need the cider money to keep the farm' and 'We lost, therefore we shall pack up and leave.'

      Otherwise, loved the beginning, loved the song, the moment where the rest of the cast showed up to help was great and the resolution was pretty good. Definitely one of the better episodes and on par with the average from S1.

      ReplyDelete
    140. AnonymousFebruary 1, 2012 at 12:25 AM

      Disliked the song, but liked the rest.

      ReplyDelete
    141. Neospyro007February 2, 2012 at 1:32 PM

      New 1080 link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mfs8GOCWZzY

      ReplyDelete
    142. AusbronyFebruary 2, 2012 at 6:35 PM

      It seems that Hasbro has taken down the Youtube eps. well that sucks...

      No ponies for Aussies then I suppose.

      Figures.

      ReplyDelete
    143. AusbronyFebruary 2, 2012 at 6:37 PM

      It seems that Hasbro has taken down the Youtube eps. well that sucks...

      No ponies for Aussies then I suppose.

      Figures.

      ReplyDelete
    144. crystalvoodoo91February 2, 2012 at 9:39 PM

      OH CELESTIA I SWEAR TO GOD I AM SO BUCKING IN LOVE WITH FLIM. @W@

      ReplyDelete
    145. marcus-riessFebruary 3, 2012 at 12:40 AM

      Youtube links all down. They were deleted because of copyright.

      ReplyDelete
    146. Sgt ByrdFebruary 3, 2012 at 3:18 AM

      New Links:

      360 one part

      HD - Part 1 of 2

      HD - Part 2 of 2

      ReplyDelete
    147. SecondJackFebruary 3, 2012 at 8:32 AM

      all the links are down, hasbro, i am somehow confused and worry about y'all.

      ReplyDelete
    148. FYFebruary 3, 2012 at 11:17 AM

      I can't download the episodes legaly because I'm french and iTunes doesn't allow me to buy on the english store with my french acount...

      ReplyDelete

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