History Recap / MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS3E11KeepCalmAndFlutterOn

** In title to a WorldWarII-era British public safety poster--"keep calm and carry on"--that has been [[http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/keep-calm-and-carry-on subject]] to MemeticMutation and [[http://www.welovefine.com/816-keep-calm-brony.html has previously been referenced by]] TheMerch.

** Discord briefly dons a [[Literature/AliceInWonderland blue suit and top hat while having tea with Angel Bunny]].

-->'''Twilight:''' With all due respect, Princess Celestia, '''''[[SuddenlyShouting HOW COULD YOU BRING DISCORD HERE]]?!?!''''' ''(clears throat)'' Your Majesty.

--> '''Twilight:''' "With all due respect, Princess Celestia--'''HOW COULD YOU BRING DISCORD HERE?!'''"

'''Discord:''' ''(groans)'' All right... ''Friendshipismagic''.

* WholePlotReference: As if the ActorAllusion wasn't enough already, the episode greatly mirrors the ''StarTrekTheNextGeneration'' episode "[[{{Recap/StarTrekTheNextGenerationS3E13DejaQ}} Déjà Q]]." Like this episode, it takes place during the third season, involves John de Lancie's character being rejected by most of the cast who think the idea of him turning over a new leaf is insane, striking an odd bond with one of the main characters, and eventually making a genuine HeelFaceTurn because of it, which in turn leads to him taking on the role moreso of a TricksterMentor in future episodes to allow him to still antagonize the show's protagonists but be a bit more noble about it.

* WorldHealingWave: Discord, of all people, uses one to restore Sweet Apple Acres after his HeelRealization.

[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/keepcalm_6892.png]]

* WholePlotReference: As if the ActorAllusion wasn't enough already, the episode greatly mirrors the ''StarTrekTheNextGeneration'' episode "Deja Q." Like this episode, it takes place during the third season, involves John de Lancie's character being shunned by most of the cast who think the idea of him turning over a new leaf is insane, striking an odd bond with one of the main characters, and eventually making a genuine HeelFaceTurn because of it, which in turn leads to him taking on the role moreso of a TricksterMentor in future episodes to allow him to still antagonize the show's protagonists but be a bit more noble about it.

* BewareTheNiceOnes: Just because Fluttershy is being nice to Discord doesn't mean that she has forgotten what he is, and that he's trying to use her niceness against her. She has to bluntly remind [[WhatTheHellHero the rest of the Mane Six of this]] after she gets a lot of grief from them for appearing to be too soft on Discord]].

* ArmorPiercingQuestion: Discord does this [[spoiler: to ''himself'']] when he asks [[spoiler:Fluttershy if she thought he'd give up his WorldOfChaos for her sake. The moment he asks, he starts thinking about the question.]]

** Discord nods at the audience right after he [[spoiler:casts a spell on a colony of beavers]] at the beginning of the episode.

** [[spoiler:Fluttershy knew all along that Discord was only pretending to be reformed; she hoped that allowing him some measure of freedom and showing him kindness would help convince him to use his powers for good.]]
** [[spoiler:Discord repeats his shtick of trying to turn the Mane Six against each other, but it's just to distract them from his real plan to get Fluttershy to promise to never use her Element of Harmony against him, which she'd never break. [[OutGambitted Fluttershy's tactics are the only reason he's not ruling the world again at the end]].]]
* BecauseYouWereNiceToMe: [[spoiler: Discord genuinely reforms because Fluttershy was kind to him.]]
* [[spoiler:BecomingTheMask: Discord pretends Fluttershy's reforming him to trick her into promising not to use the Element of Kindness against him but after finding out she considers him a friend, he can't bring himself to lose that friendship by turning Equestria back into a WorldOfChaos.]]
* BewareTheNiceOnes: Just because Fluttershy is being nice to Discord doesn't mean that she has forgotten what he is, [[spoiler:and that he's trying to use her niceness against her. She has to bluntly remind [[WhatTheHellHero the rest of the Mane Six of this]] after she gets a lot of grief from them for appearing to be too soft on Discord]].
* BlushSticker: Fluttershy gets one when Celestia states how confident she is that Fluttershy's the right pony to reform Discord, [[spoiler:and again when Twilight reaffirms this during her recap at the end of the episode]].
* BreakingTheFourthWall: Discord ([[spoiler:after he enchants the beavers]]).

** [[spoiler:Even though Discord ''and her friends'' think she's gullible, Fluttershy proves she [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS2E19PuttingYourHoofDown knows how to assert herself]] when necessary.]]

* CharacterDevelopment: [[spoiler:By the end of the episode, Discord genuinely seems to have been reformed to some extent, rather than simply maintaining the status quo and having him petrified again.]]
* ChekhovsGunman: [[spoiler:The beavers, and by extension, the fact that Sweet Apple Acres could be flooded if the river running through it is dammed.]]

* [[spoiler:DefeatMeansFriendship: In this case, Discord is defeated ''by'' friendship, in a manner of speaking.]]
* DidYouActuallyBelieve: Towards the end, Discord taunts Fluttershy for thinking that she could ever get him to reform. [[spoiler:Then he utters the words "Because if I don't, I'll lose the one friend I ever had!?" and begins to really reflect on them]].

* EasilyForgiven: [[spoiler: Downplayed. Except for Fluttershy, The Mane Six ''haven't'' forgiven him and even Celestia, who came up with the idea in the first place, decides to leave the Elements with The Mane Six, "just in case". Also, justified, since he had to earn their forgiveness and trust]].
* ExplainExplainOhCrap: [[spoiler:Near the end of the episode, after Discord succeeds in securing his freedom and Fluttershy declares that she is not Discord's friend, Discord begins to rant that he isn't going to undo what he's done even if it means losing the one friend that he's ever had.....Only to abruptly realizes that yes, as a matter of fact, her friendship ''does'' mean a great deal to him]].
* EvilPlan: Discord plans to usurp Celestia's plan to redeem him into a plan to make himself safe from the Elements of Harmony and then, once again, recreate his WorldOfChaos. [[spoiler:It backfires when he realizes he care about his friendship with Fluttershy]].

* ForcedMeme: One of the show's staff said that Discord will say something that would "make the fandom explode!" [[spoiler: He says [[TitleDrop "Friendship is Magic."]]]] Given the Base Breaker nature of the episode (and the awkwardness of the line lampshaded by Discord's delivery of it), it didn't work out that way.
* {{Foreshadowing}}: The Discorded beavers can be [[spoiler:seen gathering materials for a dam in the background]] in a few scenes.
* FriendToAllLivingThings: As if Fluttershy weren't an example enough already, the fact that she's willing to befriend the [[AnthropomorphicPersonification Draconequomorphic Personification]] of chaos and disharmony has got to make her the biggest example ever. [[spoiler:Even more impressively, she succeeds]].

* [[spoiler:GoodFeelsGood: As mentioned by Twilight, Discord, who by his own admission never had a friend (considering he was an EvilOverlord), discovers this about friendship.]]
* GoodIsNotDumb: [[spoiler:Fluttershy.]]
-->[[spoiler:'''Rainbow Dash:''' You see Discord's behind all this, right?]]\\
[[spoiler:'''Fluttershy:''' Oh, of course I do! Do you all think I'm a silly, gullible fool?]]\\
[[spoiler:'''Others:''' Um, well... Er...]]\\
[[spoiler:'''Rarity:''' Only in the sense of being silly and gullible.]]

* GuileHeroine: Using her kindness alone, Fluttershy gives Discord the chance to experience firsthand how wonderful the magic of friendship is, [[spoiler:and threatens to take that chance away from him if he continues his evil ways]].

* [[spoiler:HeelFaceTurn: It takes the entire episode, but in the end, Discord finally sees the value of friendship.]]
* [[spoiler:HeelRealization: Discord has one when he realizes Fluttershy's friendship means something to him and he can't bring himself to lose it.]]

* HonorBeforeReason: The other ponies believe this is the case with Fluttershy. [[spoiler:It's {{subverted|Trope}} since Fluttershy's [[IGaveMyWord absolute refusal]] to harm Discord is tempered by her refusal to be his victim. It makes all the difference in the world]].
* IGaveMyWord: [[spoiler:Fluttershy removes her Element and swears never to use it on Discord if he fixes the flood at Sweet Apple Acres. She keeps her word even after Discord turns the flood waters to ice.]]
* ItsAllAboutMe: Discord during his rant about how he can do whatever he wants. [[spoiler:[[AnAesop The lesson]] he learns at the end of the episode is that having a friend means not always getting what you want]].
* KeepingTheEnemyClose: Discord of all people is entrusted to Fluttershy to remain under surveillance and be reformed. [[spoiler:Which he does.]]
* [[spoiler:KickTheMoralityPet: Discord mocking Fluttershy during the end. Realizing he's done this and risks alienating her because of it finally [[HeelRealization makes him realize that he]] ''[[HeelRealization does]]'' [[HeelRealization value her friendship too much to lose it]].]]

* LastSecondChance: Offered by Princess Celestia to Discord. [[spoiler:To the surprise of everyone, even Discord himself, he takes it]].

* [[spoiler: LoveRedeems: Friendship and Kindness, in this case, but the effect is the same on Discord.]]
* MadeMyselfSad: Not explicitly stated, but clearly the effect of [[spoiler:Discord's final taunt towards Fluttershy]].

* [[spoiler:MeaninglessVillainVictory: Discord secures his freedom by making Fluttershy promise to never use the Element of Kindness against him, thus neutralizing all of the Elements of Harmony, as they have to be used together--a promise she refuses to break because doing so would invalidate the trust and friendship they have built up. However, she makes it clear that if he returns to his old ways, their friendship is over, and Discord realizes that Fluttershy has worked her way into his heart enough that it isn't worth it.]]
* [[spoiler:MoralityPet: Fluttershy treats Discord well throughout the episode and, despite having only pretended to reform, he's shocked to find that she ''genuinely'' considers him a friend. As a result, her telling him she's not his friend anymore causes him to realize that his WorldOfChaos is no longer worth losing the one friend he'd ever made.]]
* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: [[spoiler:''Discord'' of all people has one when it hits him that his actions have alienated Fluttershy, the ''one'' friend he's ever had in his eons-long life.]]

* NothingCanStopMeNow: Discord has a speech like this when [[spoiler:Fluttershy holds to her promise not to use the Element of Kindness]]. He didn't realize there ''was'' something that could stop him; [[spoiler:him BecomingTheMask and coming to care about her for real.]]

* [[spoiler:OddFriendship: Discord, spirit of chaos, comes to genuinely accept Fluttershy as a friend.]]

* OutGambitted: [[spoiler:Discord tries using his newfound friendship with Fluttershy to get her to never use her Element on him again. Fluttershy complies, but also rejects his friendship, which finally reforms him]].
-->'''Discord:''' [[spoiler:...[[{{Touche}} Well played, Fluttershy. Well played]].]]
* ThePowerOfFriendship: Fluttershy plans to use this to reform Discord. [[spoiler:It works, in one of the best examples in animation]].
* PowerOfTrust: [[spoiler:Discord uses this against Fluttershy by convincing her to promise not to use the Elements of Harmony against him as a sign of their newfound friendship. It shocks him as much as anyone that he ultimately proves worthy of it.]]

** [[spoiler:Celestia advises that Twilight keep the Elements with her at the end of the episode should Discord relapse, especially since he mumbles that he wouldn't use his power for evil "most of the time".]]
* PsychopathicManchild: Exemplified by Discord during his rant about how he can do whatever he wants. Its very much akin to a child throwing a tantrum. [[spoiler:He gets ''somewhat'' better.]]

-->'''Fluttershy:''' [[spoiler: NOT! YOUR! FRIEND!]]

* RageBreakingPoint: [[spoiler:After putting up with Discord the entire episode, Fluttershy finally snaps and screams that he's ''not'' her friend before storming off in a rage.]]

* [[spoiler: ReformedButNotTamed: Discord vows to use his powers for good, 'most of the time'.]]

** Discord×Celestia fans are already running with Fluttershy's [[spoiler:"He can be a real sweetheart once you get to know him."]]
** The entire episode is a massive ShipTease for Fluttercord. Special mention goes to [[spoiler:the end, where they both blush and hold paws/hooves while Fluttershy says he's a real sweetheart and everyone else looks away awkwardly]].

*** In the same vein, there are a lot of similarities with the time [[Recap/StarTrekTheNextGenerationS3E13DejaQ Q became human]] to [[spoiler:Discord's reformation]].

* ShutUpKirk: Discord makes it perfectly clear to Fluttershy that he is a villain. [[spoiler:Until it hits him that he cares about her friendship]].

* SpoilerTitle: The title was originally going to be [[spoiler: "Fluttershy's Home for Reformed Draconequi".]]
* StealthPun: Why was Discord eating [[spoiler:all the copies of the reform spell]] in a bowl? He was eating a ''word salad''.

* TakeAThirdOption: Fluttershy is given the choice between [[spoiler:giving up on Discord and using the Elements to turn him back to stone, or forgiving him for tricking her and accepting him as her friend. She rejects both.]]
* [[TakingAdvantageofGenerosity Taking Advantage of Kindness]]: [[spoiler:After Fluttershy gives her word that she won't use her Element of Harmony against him, Discord figures he has himself a "Get Out of Jail Free" card, and that there isn't a darn thing anypony can do about it because, in his words, "we're ''friends''!" Thankfully, [[RageBreakingPoint even Fluttershy has her limits]] to how much of Discord's antics she can take]].

-->[[spoiler:'''Fluttershy:''' Go on. Say it...]]\\
[[spoiler:'''Discord:''' ''(groans)'' All right... ''Friendshipismagic''.]]
* [[spoiler:TookALevelInKindness: After realizing he values Fluttershy as a friend, Discord restores Sweet Apple Acres to its former state without further tricks.]]

* [[spoiler:VillainousBSOD: Discord realizes that Fluttershy accepting him as her friend (the only one he's ever had) ''does'' matter to him. This results in him having a HeelRealization and willingly undoing his chaos.]]

* WasItReallyWorthIt: [[spoiler:Discord pulls this on ''himself'' when he asks Fluttershy if she expects him to consider their friendship worth undoing his chaos. To everyone's surprise, especially his own, he finds keeping his chaos really ''isn't'' worth it anymore.]]

* WhamEpisode: [[spoiler:The Mane Six succeed in reforming Discord. Also, Celestia permanently entrusts the Elements of Harmony to Twilight, meaning the Mane Six can now access at them any time]].

** The rest of the Mane Six aren't the least bit happy with how oblivious Fluttershy seems to be towards Discord's trickery. [[spoiler:It turns out she ''wasn't'' that gullible, and quickly turns this trope right on her friends' heads for thinking she ''was'']].

* WorldHealingWave: [[spoiler:Discord, of all people, uses one to restore Sweet Apple Acres after his HeelRealization.]]

* [[TakingAdvantageofGenerosity Taking Advantage of Kindness]]: [[spoiler:After Fluttershy gives her word that she won't use her Element of Harmony against him, Discord figures he has himself a "Get Out of Jail Free" card, and that there isn't a darn thing anypony can do about it "because [they're] friends!" Thankfully, [[RageBreakingPoint even Fluttershy has her limits]]]].

'''Discord:''' [[BlatantLies I never thought of that]]...

-->'''Fluttershy:''' [[spoiler:I'M. NOT. YOUR. PAL!!]]

* BewareTheNiceOnes: Just because Fluttershy is being nice to Discord doesn't mean that she has forgotten what he is, [[spoiler:and that he's trying to use her niceness against her]]. She has to bluntly remind [[WhatTheHellHero the rest of the Mane Six of this]] after she gets a lot of grief from them for appearing to be too soft on Discord]].

** In title to a WorldWarII-era British public safety poster--"keep calm and carry on"--that has been [[http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/keep-calm-and-carry-on subject]] to MemeticMutation and [[http://www.welovefine.com/816-keep-calm-brony.html has]] [[http://www.welovefine.com/881-keep-calm-and-canter-on.html previously]] [[http://www.welovefine.com/882-keep-calm-and-canter-on.html been]] [[http://www.welovefine.com/959-keep-calm-and-canter-on.html referenced]] [[http://www.welovefine.com/1269-keep-calm-.html by]] TheMerch.

* ShutUpKirk: Discord makes it perfectly clear to Fluttershy that he is a villain.

* KirkSummation: Discord tries to prevent Twilight from ordering his re-imprisonment by saying how dissapointed her beloved mentor would be in her if she did. Twilight makes it clear that they aren't falling for his manipulations again, and that Princess Celestia trusts them enough to know that, if they petrify him again, it's because he deserves it.
* LastSecondChance: Offered by Princess Celestia to Discord.

* EvilPlan: Discord plans to usurp Celestia's plan to redeem him into a plan to make himself safe from the Elements of Harmony and then, once again, recreate his WorldOfChaos.

[[caption-width-right:350:[-He's ''[[MythologyGag BACK!]]'' All that's missing is the [[Recap/StarTrekTheNextGenerationS3E13DejaQ mariachi band]].-][[note]]Oh, and just because we can't resist: Abracadabra! Granny's gonna grab ya![[/note]]]]

* AsideGlance

** Princess Celestia gives the audience an uncertain glance at the end of the episode in response to Fluttershy's comment about [[spoiler:the newly-reformed Discord]].
* BadassFingerSnap: How Discord performs several of his magical tricks (at one point using his tail instead of the fingers).Considering his love for theatrics he might do it just for fun. Plus, it's an ActorAllusion to [[Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration Q]].

* NoSell: Fluttershy tries to use "The Stare" on Discord. He puts on a big show about being affected but then laughs it off like it's nothing.

* AndIMustScream: Discord makes it perfectly clear he is 100% conscious while turned to stone.

[[caption-width-right:350:[-He's ''[[MythologyGag BACK!]]'' All that's missing is the [[Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration mariachi band]].-][[note]]Oh, and just because we can't resist: Abracadabra! Granny's gonna grab ya![[/note]]]]

Suddenly, Discord realizes that he ''does'' value his friendship with Fluttershy too much to lose it, and restores Sweet Apple Acres to its original, harmonious state. Everyone congratulates Fluttershy for accomplishing the seemingly impossible task of reforming the spirit of disharmony. Discord vows to Princess Celestia that he will use his powers for good rather than evil (''most'' of the time), while Celestia decides to let Twilight keep an eye on the Elements from now on, just in case...

Suddenly, Discord realizes that he ''does'' value his friendship with Fluttershy too much to lose it, and restores Sweet Apple Acres to its original, harmonious state. Everyone congratulates Fluttershy for accomplishing the seemingly impossible task of reforming the spirit of disharmony (she even makes him admit that 'friendship is magic'!). Discord vows to Princess Celestia that he will use his powers for good rather than evil (''most'' of the time), while Celestia decides to let Twilight keep an eye on the Elements from now on, just in case...

* GiveMeAReason: Except for Fluttershy, The Mane Six are more than ready to use the Elements against Discord the moment he goes too far, and they make this very clear to him just moments he's freed.

Princess Celestia meets with Twilight and her friends on the outskirts of Ponyville, bringing along an important visitor who's not only a lifeless stone statue, but also has a deer antler, a goat leg, a bat wing, and a snake tail: Discord! The ponies are naturally outraged, seeing how the wicked spirit of chaos and disharmony turned Ponyville upside-down and nearly destroyed their friendship the last time they met. Princess Celestia assures them she has found use for Discord's magic if he can be convinced to use it for good of his own will. She commissions the six bearers of the Elements of Harmony for the job--particularly Fluttershy, with her affinity for animals.

Reluctantly, the six use the Elements of Harmony to release Discord from his stone prison. Discord, having heard Celestia's plan, isn't the least bit keen about the idea of being reformed, and gets right to work on changing the woodland critters around him. The ponies give him an ultimatum he can't refuse: behave, or they'll turn him back to stone. He agrees to tone down his chaos and crash at Fluttershy's cottage so she can "reform" him, but not before bewitching a colony of beavers in Sweet Apple Acres behind everypony's backs...

Fluttershy believes the key to turning Discord good is to befriend him by being as kind as she possibly can. Her friends still have their doubts, but promise to remain close in case anything goes wrong. Unfortunately, they're unable to form a backup plan since Discord has torn out and eaten all the pages in Twilight's books containing info on spells that could reform him forcibly. Even so, Fluttershy appears convinced that she's making progress with the trickster, and invites all her friends over for a dinner party to prove it. The party goes about as well as Fluttershy's friends expect, what with Discord bringing the tableware to life and playing pranks on everypony. Still, Fluttershy puts up with it all because, in her words, that's what friends do--and to the surprise of everyone, Discord seems genuinely touched that Fluttershy is willing to be the first friend he's ever had.

Suddenly, Discord realizes that he ''does'' value his friendship with Fluttershy too much to lose it, and restores Sweet Apple Acres to its original, harmonious state. Everyone congratulates Fluttershy for accomplishing the seemingly impossible task of getting Discord to embrace the magic of friendship. Discord vows to Princess Celestia that he will use his powers for good rather than evil (''most'' of the time), while Celestia decides to let Twilight keep an eye on the Elements from now on, just in case...

* AndIMustScream: Discord makes it perfectly clear he is self-aware while turned to stone.
* ArmorPiercingQuestion: Discord manages to [[spoiler:do this to ''himself'']] when he asks [[spoiler:Fluttershy if she thought he'd give up his WorldOfChaos for her sake. The moment he asks, he actually starts thinking about the question.]]

* AsYouKnow: See above, with Celestia being informed what Discord got up to in his last appearance. Justified by her decision to try to reform him being so inexplicable.

* BadassFingerSnap: How Discord performs several of his magical tricks (at one point using his tail instead of the fingers). He possibly doesn't need to do it to make the magic work but considering his love for theatrics he might do it just for fun. Plus, it's an ActorAllusion to [[Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration Q]]'s sense for theatrics.

** [[spoiler:Fluttershy had known all along that Discord was only pretending to be reformed; she had hoped that allowing him some measure of freedom and showing him kindness would help in convincing him to use his powers for good.]]
** [[spoiler:Discord repeats his shtick of trying to turn the Mane Six against each other, but it's all just to distract them from his real plan to get Fluttershy to promise as a friend never to use her Element of Harmony against him, which she'd never break. [[OutGambitted Fluttershy's own tactics are the only reason he's not ruling the world again at the end]].]]
* BecauseYouWereNiceToMe
* [[spoiler:BecomingTheMask: Discord pretends Fluttershy's reforming him to trick her into promising not to use the Element of Kindness against him, but in the end, after finding out she considers him a friend, he can't bring himself to lose that friendship by turning Equestria back into a WorldOfChaos.]]
* BewareTheNiceOnes: Just because Fluttershy is being nice to Discord doesn't mean that she has forgotten what he is, [[spoiler:and that he's trying to use her niceness against her]]. She has to remind the rest of the Mane Six of this, [[WhatTheHellHero rather bluntly after she gets a lot of grief from them for appearing to be too soft on Discord]].
* BlushSticker: Fluttershy gets these when Celestia states how confident she is that Fluttershy's the right pony to reform Discord, [[spoiler:and again when Twilight reaffirms this during her recap at the end of the episode]].
* BreakingTheFourthWall: Discord, at least once during the episode ([[spoiler:after he enchants the beavers]]).
* TheBusCameBack: For Discord.

** Discord points out to Twilight that Celestia might get disappointed with her if she and her friends choose to use the Elements to return him to his stone prison instead of reforming him. Twilight retorts that Celestia would probably understand, making it so far perhaps the only point in the entire show where Twilight has taken Celestia's [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS1E22ABirdintheHoof reasonable]] [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS1E26TheBestNightEver and easy-going]] nature into account.
** Right after Discord's released and starts messing around, Fluttershy doesn't hesitate to use "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS1E17StareMaster The Stare]]" on Discord to get him to behave. While it never fails to work on recalcitrant animals, [[NoSell chaotic entities are apparently immune]].
** [[spoiler:Even though Discord ''and her friends'' think she's gullible, Fluttershy proves she [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS2E19PuttingYourHoofDown knows how to assert herself]] when necessary, and not be a pushover.]]

* CreepyCrossdresser: Discord briefly dresses up as a little old lady to coo over how "adorable" it is that the ponies think they can reform him (see the image above). Later he dons a pink fluffy robe as Fluttershy leaves her cottage for a bit. Though, Discord being [[GreatGazoo who he is]], this is not creepy so much as hilarious.

* DangerouslyGenreSavvy: Discord knows Twilight and company will most surely find an alternative way to confront him once they realize he doesn't want to get reformed, so he uses his magic (and appetite) to get rid of any written spell that might affect him.

* DidYouActuallyBelieve: Towards the end, Discord taunts Fluttershy for thinking that she could ever get him to reform. [[spoiler:But then he utters the words "Because if I don't, I'll lose the one friend I ever had!?" and begins to really reflect on them]].

* EasilyForgiven: [[spoiler:Given the severity of Discord's actions, the Mane Six really let him off lightly. Justified, since he did have to earn their forgiveness and trust. And even then, everypony still doesn't completely trust him]].
* ExplainExplainOhCrap: [[spoiler:Near the end of the episode, after Discord succeeds in securing his freedom and Fluttershy declares that she is not Discord's friend, Discord begins to rant that he isn't going to undo what he's done even if it means losing the one friend that he's ever had, only to abruptly realizes that yes, as a matter of fact, her friendship ''does'' mean a great deal to him]].

* FullNameBasis: Mister Beaverton Beaverteeth

* [[spoiler:GoodFeelsGood: As mentioned by Twilight, Discord, who by his own admission never had a friend (which is understandable, considering he was an EvilOverlord), discovers this about friendship.]]
* GoodIsNotDumb: [[spoiler:Fluttershy, big time.]]

* GiveMeAReason: Except for Fluttershy, The Mane Six are more than ready to use the Elements against Discord the moment he goes too far, and they make it very clear to him just moments after he gets liberated.

* HeartIsAnAwesomePower: Princess Celestia is certainly counting on this, as she has tasked Fluttershy with bringing the reality-warping Discord to the side of good through her kindness alone.

* [[spoiler:HeelRealization: Discord has one when he realizes Fluttershy's friendship actually means something to him and he can't bring himself to lose it.]]

* HonorBeforeReason: The other ponies believe this is the case with Fluttershy. [[spoiler:It's {{subverted|Trope}} since in reality, Fluttershy's [[IGaveMyWord absolute refusal]] to harm Discord is tempered by her refusal to be his victim. It winds up making all the difference in the world]].
* HowDoYouLikeThemApples:
-->'''Discord:''' You like carrots, Angel? I'm playing your owner for a fool! How do you like ''them'' carrots?

* ItsAllAboutMe: Discord, especially during his rant about how he can do whatever he wants. [[spoiler:[[AnAesop The lesson]] he learns at the end of the episode is that having a friend means not always getting what you want]].
* KeepingTheEnemyClose: Discord of all people is entrusted to Fluttershy to remain under surveillance and be reformed. [[spoiler:Which he apparently does.]]
* [[spoiler:KickTheMoralityPet: Discord mocking Fluttershy during the end. Realizing he's done this and risks alienating her because of it finally [[HeelRealization makes him realize he actually]] ''[[HeelRealization does]]'' [[HeelRealization value her friendship too much to lose it]].]]

* [[spoiler:MeaninglessVillainVictory: Discord secures his freedom by making Fluttershy promise to never use the Element of Kindness against him, thus neutralizing all of the Elements of Harmony, as they have to be used together--a promise she refuses to break because doing so would invalidate the trust and friendship they have built up. But she makes it clear that if he returns to his old ways, their friendship is over, and Discord realizes that Fluttershy has worked her way into his heart enough that it just isn't worth it.]]
* [[spoiler:MoralityPet: Fluttershy treats Discord well throughout the episode and, despite having only pretended to try reforming, he's shocked to find she ''genuinely'' considers him a friend. As a result, her telling him she's not his friend anymore causes him to realize his WorldOfChaos is no longer worth losing the one friend he'd ever made.]]
* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: [[spoiler:''Discord'' of all people has one when it hits him his actions have alienated Fluttershy, the ''one'' friend he's ever had in his eons-long life and he actually ''cares''.]]

** Discord himself has a small one when he realizes the Bearers are serious that they'll turn him back to stone if he doesn't behave himself.
* OutGambitted: [[spoiler:Discord tries using his newfound friendship with Fluttershy to get her to never use her Element on him again. Fluttershy complies, but also rejects his friendship, which finally gets him to reform]].

* ThePowerOfFriendship: Fluttershy plans to use this to reform Discord. [[spoiler:It actually works, in one of the best examples in animation]].
* PowerOfTrust: [[spoiler:Discord uses this against Fluttershy, convincing her to promise not to use the Elements of Harmony against him as a sign of their newfound friendship. It shocks him as much as anyone that he ultimately proves worthy of it.]]

** The Mane Six keep their Elements at the ready should Fluttershy not be able to tame Discord. Likewise, Celestia made it so Discord ''can't'' take the Elements from them.
** [[spoiler:Celestia advises that Twilight keep the Elements with her at the end of the episode should Discord still relapse, especially since he mumbles that he wouldn't use his power for evil "most of the time".]]

-->'''Fluttershy:''' [[spoiler:I'M. NOT. YOUR. FRIEND!!]]

* RollOutTheRedCarpet: Discord does this with his tongue. And he happens to be inside the fully rolled-out carpet too...
* RunningGag: Fluttershy being shocked by what the beavers are saying.

** Considering Fluttershy is [[spoiler:holding his paw at the time]], it could also be considered one for Fluttershy×Discord. Hell, the entire episode is a massive ShipTease for Fluttercord. Special mention goes to [[spoiler:the end, where they both blush and hold paws/hooves while Fluttershy says he's a real sweetheart and everyone else looks away awkwardly]].
* ShoutOut

** A minor one, but, when Discord levitates Fluttershy's cottage and spins it in mid-air, ''everything'' in the background behaves exactly as it would if it were inside a spinning house.
* ShutUpHannibal: When Discord tries manipulating Twilight and the others so they won't be so eager to use the Elements against him since this would disappoint Princess Celestia and ruin her plans of reforming him, Twilight makes it clear that they aren't falling for his manipulations again, and that Princess Celestia trusts them enough to know that, if they petrify him again, it's because he deserves it.

* SpoilerTitle: The title was originally going to be "Fluttershy's Home for Reformed Draconequi".

* ThisLooksLikeAJobForAquaman: Fluttershy might be a very shy pony with LovableCoward tendencies, but she's used to dealing with wild animals on a regular basis, and taming them with kindness alone. Plus she's very resistant to mind games. Who better than her to reform an [[MagnificentBastard expert manipulator and trickster]] that she had managed to resist in the past, and who's also [[MixAndMatchCreatures a creature composed of several different animals]]?

* [[spoiler:TookALevelInKindness: Discord after realizing he does value Fluttershy as a friend.]]

* [[spoiler:VillainousBSOD: Discord realizes that Fluttershy accepting him as her friend (the only one he's ever had) actually ''does'' matter to him. This results in him having a HeelRealization and willingly undoing his chaos.]]

* WasItReallyWorthIt: [[spoiler:Discord ends up pulling this on ''himself'' when he asks Fluttershy if she expects him to consider their friendship worth undoing his chaos. To everyone's surprise, especially his own, he finds keeping his chaos really ''isn't'' worth it anymore.]]
* WeaponForIntimidation: The Mane Six wear the Elements of Harmony at all times, as a constant reminder to Discord that they can petrify him at any moment he goes too far with his antics.
* WhamEpisode: [[spoiler:The Mane Six actually succeed in reforming Discord. Also, Celestia permanently entrusts the Elements of Harmony to Twilight, meaning the Mane Six can now access them any time]].
* WhatTheHellHero: The rest of the Mane Six aren't the least bit happy with how oblivious Fluttershy seems to be towards Discord's trickery. [[spoiler:It turns out she ''wasn't'' that gullible, and quickly turns this trope right on her friends' heads for thinking she ''was'']].

* WorldHealingWave: [[spoiler:Discord does one to restore Sweet Apple Acres after his HeelRealization.]]

* ShownTheirWork: Beavers causing floods and affecting farms and even little towns is something that happens at times in RealLife.