History Recap / MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS2E11FamilyAppreciationDay

* EmbarassingNicknames: Granny calls Apple Bloom a host of embarrassing pet names including "pipsqueak", "half-pint" and "flibbertigibbet."

* AccidentalMisnaming: Granny calls Apple Bloom by a host of embarrassing pet names including "pipsqueak", "half-pint" and "flibbertigibbet."

* AbsenteeActor: Applejack is the only main character who appears although Rarity's voice actor has a big role voicing Granny Smith.

-> Written by Cindy Morrow

!!Tropes present in this episode (YMMV tropes can be found [[YMMV/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS2E11FamilyAppreciationDay here]]):

* AnachronismStew: Granny Smith wears a DrillSergeantNasty helmet while being... well... Drill Sergeant Nasty to the jam jars. That's all well and good for modern times but she wears the same kind of helmet in her flashback back when Equestria seemed to be at the 1800s.
** The early 19th century-style settlers that Granny Smith traveled with in her youth travel to Canterlot, which in those days looked like a medieval castle village[[note]]As opposed to the modern-style city it is in present-day episodes[[/note]].

-->'''Applejack:''' I'm sorry Apple Bloom, but don't you fret. Granny Smith's got no shortage of entertaining stories to tell.
-->'''Apple Bloom:''' I know. That's what I'm worried about.

* {{Foreshadowing}}: Applejack assures Apple Bloom that "Granny Smith's got no shortage of entertaining stories to tell."

* FriendToBugs: Granny Smith is ''extra'' friendly to the bees, as shown in the page image; she calls them by name, gives them flowers, and allows them to land on her. It's revealed that doing so makes their honey sweet when mixed with the Zap Apples, but the 'extra' implies that she is nice to them anyways.

* GenerationXerox: Looking at the line of ponies in Granny Smith's flashback and then at the line nearer the end of the episode reveals that quite a few of Ponyville's inhabitants look like their grandparents.

* HiddenDepths: Silver Spoon is the first to applaud Granny Smith's story.

* IdeaBulb: [[JustifiedTrope Justified]]. When Scootaloo gets an idea, she leaps up and bumps her head against a lamp, causing it to turn on.
* {{Irony}}: Boy howdy does Diamond Tiara get a heap of this when she learns why and how she's rich and who was responsible for it.

* SeriousBusiness: Granny Smith has this gem in the episode's beginning: "There's a whooole mess of steps in this process and you gots to get each one of 'em right... *dramatic zoom/head turn* '''OR ''NO ZAP APPLE JAM!'''''"
** It's eventually revealed that Zap Apples played a direct role in the founding of Ponyville; also, considering that Granny Smith was the one who discovered them in the first place, it makes sense that she'd treat it with such seriousness. Doesn't make it any less funny though.
* ShoutOut: Apple Bloom wears a bonnet similar to Laura Ingalls from ''Literature/LittleHouseOnThePrairie'' and gets called by her nickname "Half Pint."

* StealthPun: The Timber Wolves (their bark is worse than their bite, eh?).
* TheyCallMeMisterTibbs: Filthy Rich understandably would prefer not to be called "Filthy."

** Also Uncle Strudel is wearing lederhosen. Both ''Strudel'' and ''lederhosen'' are German words.

* DevelopmentGag: Young Granny Smith's design is quite similar to an [[http://fyre-flye.deviantart.com/gallery/?catpath=scraps#/d48bi2x alternate version of Applejack]] Lauren Faust drew for the show's pitch-bible.

** Big Macintosh's name may not have been an obvious reference but now with him harvesting ''[[AppleMacintosh rainbow-colored apples]]''... (Granted, they don't have any bites in them.)
** The design of the Timberwolves may have been inspired by the [[http://derpiboo.ru/214386 Timbermares from Magic the Gathering]].

* TitleDrop: Done by Grannie Smith, twice.

'''Granny Smith:''' ''[{{beat}}]'' Wait fer what?

As Applejack and Big [=McIntosh=] work the fields amid the lightning storm that heralds the growth of the Zap Apple Trees' leaves, Granny Smith and Apple Bloom begin the work of making the jam. As they [[MakesJustAsMuchSenseInContext hop amongst water cans in bunny suits while singing the Alphabet Song]], [[AlphaBitch Diamond Tiara]] and her father Filthy Rich arrive. As Rich and Granny strike a deal, Diamond Tiara mocks Apple Bloom for her grandmother's embarrassing behaviour, remarking that "at least nopony else is around to see" her. She then assures Apple Bloom that [[BlatantLies her secret is safe]].

Granny Smith and Apple Bloom have to go to town for supplies where they receive mocking laughter from Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon... not to mention strange looks from the townponies. Things only get worse when the next day at school, Filthy Rich finishes his presentation for the weekly Family Appreciation Day and Apple Bloom is next in line to have a family member speak to the class... the same Monday that Applejack and Big [=McIntosh=] are to harvest the Zap Apples, leaving only Granny Smith to appear. Diamond Tiara revels in Apple Bloom's horror and Apple Bloom rushes home to the farm. Applejack confirms neither she nor Big Mac can appear as the Zap Apples disappear after five days. Apple Bloom decides she has to prevent Granny Smith from coming to class to avoid everlasting embarrassment.

* PlayingSick: The [=CMC=]'s first attempt at keeping Apple Bloom from having to be humiliated on Family Appreciation day involves heating up a thermometer in a teapot and painting Apple Bloom's face green. Granny Smith doesn't buy it.

* TheQuietOne: Big [=McIntosh=] has more lines than his characteristic "eeyup" and "nope" in this episode but not many. On top of that, his only new lines are spoken in unison with Applejack and Apple Bloom.

* SeniorSleepCycle: Granny's naps are ultra-predictable — until the [=CMC=] need her to remain asleep. They accidentally bash her head against the ceiling but Apple Bloom's complaints that Granny ''never'' misses her naps implies that even this doesn't work the other times.

** Big [=McIntosh=]'s name may not have been an obvious reference but now with him harvesting ''[[AppleMacintosh rainbow-colored apples]]''... (Granted, they don't have any bites in them.)

* UnusuallyUninterestingSight: None of the Apple Family bat an eye at anything that Granny Smith does. Even Apple Bloom doesn't find anything out of the ordinary about it 'til Diamond Tiara points it out. Justified in that they live with her and probably go through this every year. That and Applejack and Big [=McIntosh=] know that what she's doing is needed for the Zap Apple Jam.

[[caption-width-right:350:[[EverythingsWorseWithBees Bees]]. [[ComicBook/AmazonsAttack My]] [[OhMyGods Celestia]].]]

* ProductionThrowback: The "timberwolves" pun was previously used in Rob Renzetti's MyLifeAsATeenageRobot, in the episode "Armagedroid".

* PaletteSwap: The grey colt in the back of the classroom looks awfully similar to Snips.

* SeniorSleepCycle: Granny's naps are ultra-predictable—until the [=CMC=] need her to remain asleep. They accidentally bash her head against the ceiling but Apple Bloom's complaints that Granny ''never'' misses her naps implies that even this doesn't work the other times.

** It's eventually revealed that Zap Apples played a direct role in the founding of Ponyville; also, considering that Granny Smith was the one who discovered them in the first place it makes sense that she'd treat it with such seriousness. Doesn't make it any less funny though.
* SlowClap: Even Silver Spoon is impressed by Granny's story.

** Big [=McIntosh=]'s name may not have been an obvious reference but now with him harvesting ''[[AppleMacintosh rainbow-colored apples]]''... (Granted; they don't have any bites in them.)

* SmugSnake: Diamond Tiara to Apple Bloom. Later Apple Bloom reverses the roles.
-->'''Apple Bloom:''' If it weren't for ''my'' Granny Smith, ''your'' Daddy wouldn't have barnyard bargains!

* UnusuallyUninterestingSight: None of the Apple Family bat an eye at anything that Granny Smith does. Even Apple Bloom doesn't find anything out of the ordinary about it till Diamond Tiara points it out. Justified in that they live with her and probably go through this every year. That and Applejack and Big [=McIntosh=] know that what she's doing is needed for the Zap Apple Jam.

* [[AmazinglyEmbarrassingParents Amazingly Embarrassing Grandparents]]: Apple Bloom didn't think so until Diamond Tiara implied she should. Fortunately Granny Smith has one heck of a great story to tell.

* [[EvenBadMenLoveTheirMamas Even Bad Fillies Love Their Daddies]]: Diamond Tiara is completely attentive to her father's business lecture after it's put the rest of the class to sleep. It's the only time to date that she's seen with a happy smile with no cruelty attached to it.
* [[EverybodyLaughsEnding Everypony Laughs Ending]]: At Diamond Tiara's expense when she's forced into joining the ridiculous harvest activities.

* [[IKissYourHand I Kiss Your Hoof]]: Granny Smith's father kisses Celestia's hoof in gratitude, much to the chagrin of his wife.

* CallBack:
** The whole business with the Zap Apples puts that ol' prank Pinkie and Rainbow Dash played [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS1E5GriffonTheBrushOff back when they painted Applejack's crop with rainbow stripes]] in a whole new perspective.
** "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS1E11WinterWrapUp Winter Wrap Up]]" established that Ponyville was founded by Earth Ponies.

* FlashbackEffects: DeliberatelyMonochrome at first with muted colors as the story progresses.

* CallBack: [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS2E1TheReturnOfHarmonyPart1 "What are you; a dictionary?"]]
** The whole business with the Zap Apples puts that ol' prank Pinkie and Rainbow Dash played [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS1E5GriffonTheBrushOff back when they painted Applejack's crop with rainbow stripes]] in a whole new perspective, doesn't it?

* DarkIsNotEvil: The [[EmpathicEnvironment Pathetic Fallacy]] that occurs when the Zap Apples are developing involves dark storm clouds, RavensAndCrows and dead trees. Even the apples are grey at first but none of it is dangerous.

* RavensAndCrows: Those are just one of the signs of Zap Apples.

* TitleDrop: Done by Grannie Smith: "Well, howdy, my little ponies!"

* EverythingsWorseWithWolves: Timber wolves, [[JustForPun made of actual timber.]]

'''Granny Smith:''' ''( {{Beat}} )'' Wait fer what?

!!Tropes ([[YMMV/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS2E11FamilyAppreciationDay YMMV tropes can be found here]])

* GASP: The class' reaction to Diamond Tiara's final, futile attempt to have Granny Smith dismissed as a "kooky old lady" even after Granny's story.
** ThisIsUnforgivable: That was the last straw for Apple Bloom with Diamond Tiara's trolling her.

* IdeaBulb: [[JustifiedTrope Justified:]] When Scootaloo gets an idea, she leaps up and bumps her head against a lamp, causing it to turn on.

* SmugSnake: Diamond Tiara to Apple Bloom. [[spoiler: Later Apple Bloom reverses the roles.]]
--> [[spoiler: '''Apple Bloom''': If it weren't for ''my'' Granny Smith, ''your'' Daddy wouldn't have barnyard bargains!]]

* IdeaBulb: [[JustifiedTrope Justified;]] when Scootaloo gets an idea, she leaps up and bumps her head against a lamp, causing it to turn on.

* {{Backstory}}: Granny Smith tells hers in this episode. Points of interest include the founding of Sweet Apple Acres [[spoiler:and Ponyville.]]

* BreakTheHaughty: Diamond Tiara gets it again; first she's mortified to learn [[spoiler:her family owes all its riches to the Apple family]] and then [[spoiler:her father forces her to join in with hopping over watering cans, wearing bunny ears and singing the alphabet.]]

* TheCuckooLanderWasRight: Granny Smith's erratic behavior during the episode? [[spoiler:She was only following a long and convoluted set of rituals needed to get the best results from a Zap Apple harvest and after her explanation, everything makes perfect sense. She admits that what she did was very stupid-looking but [[MagicAIsMagicA that's how these finicky Zap Apples work]].]]

* DrillSergeantNasty: Granny Smith is one to ''jam jars''. [[spoiler:Justified in TheReveal; apparently it's needed to make the Zap Apple Jam.]]

* HiddenDepths: [[spoiler:Silver Spoon]] is the first to applaud Granny Smith's story.

* PetTheDog: [[spoiler:Silver Spoon]] admitting that Granny Smith is awesome and clapping along with everypony else makes her seem a ''lot'' nicer than Diamond Tiara, doesn't it?

** [[spoiler:It's eventually revealed that Zap Apples played a direct role in the founding of Ponyville; also, considering that Granny Smith was the one who discovered them in the first place it makes sense that she'd treat it with such seriousness. Doesn't make it any less funny though.]]
* SlowClap: Even [[spoiler:Silver Spoon]] is impressed by Granny's story.

* UnusuallyUninterestingSight: None of the Apple Family bat an eye at anything that Granny Smith does. Even Apple Bloom doesn't find anything out of the ordinary about it till Diamond Tiara points it out. Justified in that they live with her and probably go through this every year. [[spoiler:That and Applejack and Big [=McIntosh=] know that what she's doing is needed for the Zap Apple Jam.]]

* WeaksauceWeakness: The mystical and terrifying Timber Wolves fear [[spoiler: loud noises like a lot of ordinary wild animals with sensitive hearing.]]

* MyNameIsNotDurwood: Granny calls Apple Bloom by a host of embarrassing pet names including "pipsqueak", "half-pint" and "flibbertigibbet."