History Recap / MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS4E5FlightToTheFinish

* DreamCrushingHandicap: Scootaloo when finally accepting that she might never be able to fly. For now, she'll just have to settle for being [[HandicappedBadass awesome on her scooter]].

* RealityEnsues: No matter how determined Scootaloo is, she is totally unable to fly. Though it's not outright stated, all signs point to a physical disability, or at least a growth abnormality, which in the end, Scootaloo can't beat. These types of disability often cannot be overcome at all, only worked around like how Scootaloo already does with her scooter.

* AlphaBitch and BetaBitch: Standard routine for Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. Besides the usual teasing of the CMC for lacking cutie marks (which is now so played out it doesn't even bother them), they tease Scootaloo about her inability to fly.

** The song itself during the montage [[https://twitter.com/dannyimusic/status/411898315111165952 was influenced]] by "I'll Make a Man Out of You" from ''Disney/{{Mulan}}''.

* AlphaBitch and BetaBitch: Standard routine for Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. Besides the usual teasing of the CMC for lacking cutie marks (which is now so played out it doesn't even bother them), they have a KickTheDog moment when they tease Scootaloo about her inability to fly.

* ICantBelieveImSayingThis: To their own horror, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon admit that the CMC's routine may actually beat theirs; all the more reason for them to [[KickTheDog ruin it]].

* {{Jerkass}}: Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, per the usual.

* KickTheDog: Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. After their "blank flank" teasing fails to discourage the CMC, they move on to Scootaloo's inability to fly.

* MinimalistCast: The only main cast member present is Rainbow Dash.

** The CMC seems to be pretty good on their [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS3E10SpikeAtYourService water skis]] [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS2E22HurricaneFluttershy before]].

* BittersweetEnding: Although it's very unlikely Scootaloo will ever be able to fly, she is still awesome for who is she, thus regaining her confidence and making it to the Crystal Empire where she and the rest of the CMC win the flag-carrying competition.

** The song itself during the montage [[https://twitter.com/dannyimusic/status/411898315111165952 was influenced]] by "I'll Make a Man Out of You" from ''Film/{{Mulan}}''.

* NotSoAboveItAll: At the start of the episode, Ms. Harshwinny is trying to make sure that Rainbow Dash is professional about her role, only to be geeking out at the [=CMCs'=] performance herself at the end.

* UnwittingInstigatorOfDoom: If Ms. Harshwinny hadn't told Rainbow to be calm and professional, causing the pegasus to give a somewhat less than honest evaluation of the [=CMCs'=] routine, Scootaloo wouldn't have been so insecure about it.

!!Tropes present in this episode (YMMV tropes for the episode can go [[YMMV/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS4E5FlightToTheFinish here]]):

* AbsenteeActor: The only member of the main cast that appears is Rainbow Dash.

* TheBusCameBack: Cheerilee finally speaks again for a brief cameo, she only made background cameos in Season 3.

** Once again, Rainbow Dash coaches with her trusty cap and whistle like in ''May the best pet win!'' and Hurricane Fluttershy.
* CharacterDevelopment: After three seasons of personal growth, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon's "blank flank" comments barely even ''faze'' the CMC anymore. Sweetie Belle even rolls her eyes and the CMC look between themselves, as if saying ''"Seriously?"''. They're also rather good-natured over not getting their Cutie Marks in flag-carrying.

* EconomyCast: An odd example considering the show's typical LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters, for most of the episode [[RecurringExtra background]] [[MemeticBystander ponies]] have been kept to a minimum. [[JustifiedTrope Justified]] because the focus of the episode is the fillies' private group practice outside of town.

* {{Facepalm}}: Rainbow Dash does one after Applebloom and Sweetie Belle confessed that they told Scootaloo they didn't want her.
* {{Foreshadowing}}: Subtly in the song Hearts As Strong as Horses. Watch [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjMyKQPUrnI the video of the song]] and count how many times Scootaloo is prominently positioned compared the other two CMCs... Now, who is this episode's conflict featured on again...?

* ICantBelieveImSayingThis: To their own horror, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon admit that the [=CMCs'=] routine may actually beat theirs; all the more reason for them to [[KickTheDog ruin it]].

* ItsAllJunk: Scootaloo throws her beloved scooter in the trash. Fortunately, Rainbow Dash and the other two [=CMCs'=] step in to bolster her spirits.

** Rainbow Dash fights down a series of squees after seeing the [=CMCs'=] routine on their first day of rehearsal. The only thing keeping her from a full-blown squee fit is Miss Harshwhinny's earlier admonition to maintain "professionalism". Dash finally lets herself geek out over their routine when they're on the train to the tryouts at the Crystal Empire.
** Ms. Harshwhinny herself, after Rainbow Dash proclaims the [=CMCs'=] performance at the tryouts to be [[NotBad acceptable]].
-->'''Ms. Harshwhinny:''' Acceptable?? ''Acceptable??'' Why it was totally, stupendously, the single most amazing thing I've ever seen!

* UsefulNotes/MeltingPot: The CMC base their act on Ponyville being home to all three kinds of ponies.

--> "Forget it. I'm going home to get some sleep."
* ShoutOut: A [[TrainingMontage training montage]] that includes [[{{Franchise/Rocky}} a lot of running, punching, climbing stairs and cheering on top of them.]]
** The song itself during the montage [[https://twitter.com/dannyimusic/status/411898315111165952 was influenced]] by "I'll Make a Man Out of You" from ''{{Film/Mulan}}''.
** The freeze frame at the end of the song is evocative of the ending of "What Would Brian Boitano Do?" from ''South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut''.

** Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon are still using the "blank flank" slur after four seasons. By now, the [=CMCs=] don't really care and the duo seems at a loss when they realize it's not as effective as it used to be.
-->'''Silver Spoon:''' But what can we do? We already called them blank flanks!

* SoLastSeason: The 'blank flanks' insult. Even ''Sweetie Belle'', the most sensitive of the three, rolls here eyes at this as if to say "Yeah, that's getting old."

* StylisticSuck: Just a little bit in the beginning of the [=CMCs'=] first routine and all the way in the second.

* TrashTalk: The first time Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon attempt to taunt the [=CMC=], it ends with the [=CMC=] and the bullies exchanging verbal taunts better suited to {{Spirited Competitor}}s.

* TyopOnTheCover: The DISH Network Guide for this episode misspells Scootaloo's name as "Scottaloo."

* {{Hypocrite}}s: Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon are earth ponies, yet they tease Scootaloo for not being able to fly.

* [[EverybodyLaughsEnding Everpony Laughs Ending]]: The episode fades out on the Cutie Mark Crusaders laughing, and Rainbow Dash flying off in exasperation over their continued obsession with getting their cutie marks.
* [[{{Facepalm}} Facehoof]]: Rainbow Dash does one after Applebloom and Sweetie Belle confessed that they told Scootaloo they didn't want her.

** When the CMC are racing back to the Crystal Empire out of Ponyville, Doctor Whooves can be see standing with Roseluck, a nod to [[DoctorWho the Tenth Doctor and his first companion, Rose Tyler]].

* SorryBillyButYouJustDontHaveLegs: Scootaloo when finally accepting that she might never be able to fly. For now, she'll just have to settle for being [[HandicappedBadass awesome on her scooter]].

** Ms. Harshwhinny and the preparation for the Equestria Games first shown in "[[Recap/GamesPoniesPlay Games Ponies Play]]" take a big part in this episode.

* MeltingPot: The CMC base their act on Ponyville being home to all three kinds of ponies.

* {{Hypocrite}}s: Diamond Tiara and Scootaloo are earth ponies yet they tease Scootaloo for not being able to fly.

* BittersweetEnding: Although it's very unlikely Scootaloo will ever be able to fly, she manages to gain back her confidence and thus make it to the Crystal Empire where she and the rest of the CMC win the flag-carrying competition.

* TheKnightsWhoSaySquee: Rainbow Dash fights down a series of squees after seeing the [=CMCs'=] routine on their first day of rehearsal. The only thing keeping her from a full-blown squee fit is Miss Harshwhinny's earlier admonition to maintain "professionalism".