History Recap / MyLittlePOnyFriendshipIsMagicS2E4LunaEclipsed

[[HalloweenEpisode Nightmare Night has come to Ponyville]], and Twilight Sparkle and Spike are enjoying the spooky festivities (even if nopony recognizes Twilight's costume as the famous unicorn wizard [[WizardBeard "Star Swirl the Bearded"]]). They join Pinkie Pie, Zecora, and a group of young ponies (including Pipsqueak, a young colt whose family had just recently moved from Trottingham) for a walk in the woods to a statue of Nightmare Moon, where tradition indicates that they leave some of their candy to appease the evil goddess so she doesn't gobble them up. But what's that swooping in on a chariot pulled by bat-winged pegasi guards? Is it the ''real'' Nightmare Moon, returned to seek revenge on the Elements of Harmony?

As of February 11th, 2012, this episode is recognized by Creator/TheHub as the best ''Friendship is Magic'' episode out of the first 38 to air[[note]]the 37 from [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS1E1MareInTheMoon "Friendship is Magic, part 1"]] to [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS2E11FamilyAppreciationDay "Family Appreciation Day"]] plus [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS2E13HearthsWarmingEve "Hearth's Warming Eve"]][[/note]].

* ArtEvolution: This episode marks Luna's first appearance with a mane and tail that flow like Celestia's, instead of the fixed bangs she's seen with in the ending of [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS1E2ElementsOfHarmony "Elements of Harmony"]]. Her fur is also a darker shade of purple. Overall, she looks a lot closer to her Nightmare Moon persona, but without the evil. This ''could'', however, just represent her becoming older, or regaining her power.[[invoked]] Creator/LaurenFaust [[http://comments.deviantart.com/4/1603670/2245236163 stated that it represents Luna regaining her power]], [[ShrugOfGod but admitted]], "I just made that up. [[GodDoesNotOwnThisWorld I don't know how the showrunners would explain it]], [[DeathOfTheAuthor but that's how I would.]]" The mane change goes mostly unexplained, but Luna does mention that the Elements of Harmony took away her "dark powers". The idea of a gradual maturation or shift in power is supported when you notice that Luna's forelock is still "solid" rather than flowing, implying the change hasn't been completed yet. And as with the other unicorns/alicorns since "Lesson Zero", Luna's magic is [[ColourCodedWizardry given a darker blue aura instead of generic white]].

** The whole premise of this episode mirrors [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS1E9BridleGossip "Bridle Gossip"]] -- Luna's debut even has her in a cloak and hood like Zecora, whose costume could be described as an evil enchantress. The fact that Zecora is considered part of Ponyville society now foreshadows the ending.

** At first it seems odd that Pinkie Pie, who in [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS1E2ElementsOfHarmony "Elements of Harmony"]] sang "Giggle at the Ghostly" about not needing to be scared and had OcularGushers at Luna's redemption, should suddenly scream in terror every time Luna shows up. But it makes sense when we learn Pinkie Pie is just ''pretending'' to be scared because it's fun.
** Twilight Sparkle's pose when her costume is introduced is very similar to her pose in the fashion show in [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS1E14SuitedForSuccess "Suited for Success"]].
** Rainbow Dash is dressed as one of the Shadowbolts, the illusory pegasus stunt team that Nightmare Moon took the form of to try and tempt her away from her friends in the [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS1E2ElementsOfHarmony "Elements of Harmony"]].
** Rainbow Dash is shown pranking Pinkie with the same prank the two set up in [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS1E5GriffonTheBrushOff "Griffin the Brush Off"]]. Speaking of which, Pinkie's forelegs are still exposed (while humans in chicken suits normally have their arms in the "wings"), turning her into a winged quadruped much like Gilda herself, with a pretend beak to boot.

* HalloweenEpisode: Or rather a [[YouMeanXmas "Nightmare Night"]] Episode.
* HistoricalVillainUpgrade: In-universe, Luna suffers from this. While she ''did'' try to bring about [[TheNightThatNeverEnds infinite night]] as Nightmare Moon, the [[ImAHumanitarian "eating other ponies"]] thing is new. Zecora (or any other storyteller in the last millennium) might have made that up due to RuleOfScary.

* StandardSnippet: A lot of the episode's soundtrack is reminiscent of [[StandardSnippet "In the Hall of the Mountain King"]], by Edvard Grieg.

*** Twilight Sparkle's is a direct shout-out to Harry Potter.

%%* ExpressiveMask: Rainbow Dash's Shadowbolt costume.

->'''Princess Luna:''' [[EstablishingCharacterMoment Citizens of Ponyville]]! [[RoyalWe We have graced your tiny village with our presence]]! So that you may behold '''[[NoIndoorVoice THE REAL PRINCESS OF THE NIIIIGHT]]!'''

* MakeMeWannaShout: Luna using the Royal Canterlot Voice can have this effect, as seen when Twilight has to adjust her costume after being exposed to it point-blank.

* ArtEvolution: This episode marks Luna's first appearance with a mane and tail that flow like Celestia's, instead of the fixed bangs she's seen with in the ending of [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS1E2ElementsOfHarmony "Elements of Harmony"]]. Her fur is also a darker shade of purple. Overall, she looks a lot closer to her Nightmare Moon persona, but without the evil. This ''could'', however, just represent her becoming older, or regaining her power. Creator/LaurenFaust [[http://comments.deviantart.com/4/1603670/2245236163 stated that it represents Luna regaining her power]], [[ShrugOfGod but admitted]], "I just made that up. [[GodDoesNotOwnThisWorld I don't know how the showrunners would explain it]], [[DeathOfTheAuthor but that's how I would.]]" The mane change goes mostly unexplained, but Luna does mention that the Elements of Harmony took away her "dark powers". The idea of a gradual maturation or shift in power is supported when you notice that Luna's forelock is still "solid" rather than flowing, implying the change hasn't been completed yet. And as with the other unicorns/alicorns since "Lesson Zero", Luna's magic is [[ColourCodedWizardry given a darker blue aura instead of generic white]].

--> '''Luna:''' '''''BE STILL!'''''

* ComfortFood: After her initial attempt to greet the ponies goes south, Luna eats up all the candy left at her statue that the ponies left as offerings. It was a ''[[BigEater lot]]'' of candy.

(''later'')\\

'''Fluttershy:''' It ''is'' you. Oh, and Nightmare Moon. (''beat'') ''gasp!'' '''Nightmare Moon!?'''

* DoingItForTheArt: In-universe, Twilight hoof-stitched the borders on her Star Swirl robes, even though she's a unicorn and could do it with magic.

** The banner above the stage has a bat that resembles the modern Franchise/{{Batman}} logo on it, plus Nightmare Moon's face in the center a la the 60s Batman logo.

* SpidersAreScary: Princess Luna somehow thinks bringing several hoof-sized beanbag spiders to life will help her score more points in the "throw the spiders on the web" game, thus making her subjects less fearful of her. She thought incorrectly.

-->'''Pinkie:''' ''(trick-or-treating with a horde of foals)'' Enough chitchat! Time is candy!
-->'''Twilight:''' Pinkie Pie, aren't you a little old for this?
-->'''Pinkie:''' Too old for free candy? ''Never!''

--> '''Luna:''' Your Princess enjoys this ''fun''. In what other ways may we experience it?

* WizardBeard: To go with Twilight's RobeAndWizardHat. The wizard she's dressed as is even named "Star Swirl the Bearded."
* YeOldeButcheredeEnglishe: [[ShownTheirWork Averted]]. Luna uses "thou", "thee", and "thy" only when addressing single ponies, and "you" and "your" when speaking to multiple ponies. Also when speaking to single ponies, she attaches the "-est" suffix only to verbs where the listener is the subject.

* ReformedButRejected: Doesn't result in a return to villainy, but Luna does lose her temper due to her lingering bad reputation.

* EstablishingCharacterMoment: Remember traumatized!Luna? She's gone and replaced by Music/IronMaiden Decor!Luna, who makes her BigEntrance and starts ChewingTheScenery as noted above. Her failed attempts to get the other ponies to love her instead of fear her are still sad, though.

%%* OurWerewolvesAreDifferent: Scootaloo's costume.

** Oddly, Spike dresses up as a dragon which is almost identical to himself, aside from the horns and a slightly altered color scheme. He even partakes in this exchange without a trace of irony:

* {{Mummy}}: It's easy to miss, but background pony [[AllThereInTheScript Lyra Heartstrings]] dresses up as one.

* RummageSaleReject: Derpy Hooves wears a costume consisting of nothing but brown paper bags.

* ScaryScarecrows: Absolutely averted a la Applejack's adorable attire.

* FreezeFrameBonus: When Pinkie gets scared by Rainbow's thundercloud just before shaking hooves with Luna, she ''lays an egg''.

* AdventurerOutfit: Berry Punch is sometimes shown wearing this costume, randomly switching (often in mere seconds) to a BedsheetGhost costume. (There are even a couple of times where [[YouALLLookFamiliar two of her are shown at once]], each wearing a different costume.) We find out [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS2E16ReadItAndWeep later]] that she was apparently dressed as JustForFun/DaringDo, as seen [[http://i.imgur.com/d9uFT.jpg here]].

* BedsheetGhost: Berry Punch is sometimes shown wearing this costume, randomly switching (often in mere seconds) to an AdventurerOutfit costume. (There are even a couple of times where [[YouALLLookFamiliar two of her are shown at once]], each wearing a different costume.)

* EpicFlail: Sea Swirl is dressed up as a knight with one of these as her tail.

* CallBack: Remember when everyone was skeptical of Nightmare Moon being [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS1E1MareInTheMoon more than an old pony's tale]]? Yeah, [[DiminishingVillainThreat this is why]].

* MundaneMadeAwesome

!!Costumes
The art team had some fun on this episode when designing costumes for everypony. Even the background ponies get some nifty outfits.

* AdventurerOutfit: [[AllThereInTheScript Berry Punch]] is sometimes shown wearing this costume, randomly switching (often in mere seconds) to a BedsheetGhost costume. (There are even a couple of times where [[YouALLLookFamiliar two of her are shown at once]], each wearing a different costume.) We find out [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS2E16ReadItAndWeep later]] that she was apparently dressed as JustForFun/DaringDo, as seen [[http://i.imgur.com/d9uFT.jpg here]].
* BedsheetGhost: [[AllThereInTheScript Berry Punch]] is sometimes shown wearing this costume, randomly switching (often in mere seconds) to an AdventurerOutfit costume. (There are even a couple of times where [[YouALLLookFamiliar two of her are shown at once]], each wearing a different costume.)
* CompressedHair: Pinkie manages to fit her mane in her chicken costume.
* EarlyBirdCameo: [[AllThereInTheScript Berry Punch]] is dressed in a costume very much resembling that of [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS2E16ReadItAndWeep Daring Do]]. As in, exactly the same except for very small details (the shirt being different colors and the hat being the type that Twilight Sparkle wore in "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS1E15FeelingPinkieKeen Feeling Pinkie Keen]]" rather than the type that Daring Do wears). As it turns out, the costume was added in [[http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=84897&view=findpost&p=2008923 last minute]] because they actually ran out of unique costumes for crowd scenes and the team was facing a deadline. It was slightly edited in an attempt to avoid spoiling Daring Do.
* EpicFlail: [[AllThereInTheScript Sea Swirl]] is dressed up as a knight with one of these as her tail.
* ExpressiveMask: Rainbow Dash's Shadowbolt costume.
* ForHalloweenIAmGoingAsMyself:
** Oddly, Spike dresses up as a dragon which is almost identical to himself, aside from the horns and a slightly altered color scheme. He even partakes in this exchange without a trace of irony:
--->'''Applejack:''' Howdy Spike, hey Twilight! Nice costume!\\
'''Spike:''' ''[interrupting Twilight]'' Thanks! I'm a dragon!
** The Tennis Pony shows up dressed exactly the same as in "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS1E12CallOfTheCutie Call of the Cutie]]". [[invoked]]
** Luna herself qualifies, especially if you count [[DemonicPossession Nightmare Moon]] towards the end.
* {{Mummy}}: It's easy to miss, but background pony [[AllThereInTheScript Lyra Heartstrings]] dresses up as one.
* NoCelebritiesWereHarmed: Likely very unintentional, but a yet-identified white pony wearing a distinctive pair of glasses, hair/mane in a bun, and [[TakeThat costumed as a devil]] has not gone unnoticed by the fandom to her resemblance to Sarah Palin (or, in some cases, ''VideoGame/{{Bayonetta}}'').
* OurWerewolvesAreDifferent: Scootaloo's costume.
* {{Pirate}}: Pipsqueak's costume.
* RobeAndWizardHat: Twilight Sparkle.
* RummageSaleReject: Derpy [[AllThereInTheScript Hooves]] wears a costume consisting of nothing but brown paper bags.
* ShoutOut: A lot of costumes worn by the ponies seem to be a reference to someone or something.
** Mrs. & Mr. Cake's costumes are of [[WesternAnimation/RaggedyAnnAndAndyAMusicalAdventure Raggedy Ann & Andy]].
** Big Macintosh's costume has the [[http://littlewolfblog.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/ddgavs3dkqozu2enajudmvmeo1_500.jpg poisoned apple]] from Disney's ''WesternAnimation/SnowWhiteAndTheSevenDwarfs'' on the cape, placed so as to cover his regular cutie mark.
** [[AllThereInTheScript Goldengrape]] with a [[http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i127/blueshift2k5/ponysteve.png fake shark biting him]] is [[http://thecia.com.au/reviews/l/images/life-aquatic-with-steve-zissou-3.jpg Steve Zissou]] from ''Film/TheLifeAquatic''.
** [[AllThereInTheScript Meadow Song]] wears a ninja outfit that bears a striking resemblance to Ermac from ''Franchise/MortalKombat''.
** As noted above in StealthPun, Twilight Sparkle's is a direct shout-out to Harry Potter.
* SpiderSwarm: Luna's unorthodox method of playing the spiderweb-beanbag-toss game involves turning the stuffed spiders into animated enormous arachnids and making them crawl onto the web.
* WizardBeard: Again, Twilight Sparkle.

----

* ThePrankster: Rainbow Dash's prankster tendencies go UpToEleven for Nightmare Night, and she spends the entire night running around pranking everyone with DramaticThunder. Even though it's supposed to be all in good fun, it has some unpleasant consequences. Luna does get one back at her.

** Hurt someone's feelings for several hours means that eventually they're going to lash out, and everyone in the. vicinity will suffer the consequences.

* AbsenteeActor: Rarity doesn't show up for Nightmare Night. According to WordOfGod, she spent all of it working on her costume and being unable to get it right due to her perfectionist tendencies. A deleted scene had Twilight bringing Luna to the boutique for a makeover, Rarity dressing her in the pinkest, frilliest dress imaginable, and Luna taking it off, followed by Pinkie seeing Luna with the dress in her mouth and screaming that Nightmare Moon ate a princess before running for her life.

** [[FanNickname "Ace"]] the Tennis Pony shows up dressed exactly the same as in "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS1E12CallOfTheCutie Call of the Cutie]]". [[invoked]]