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* CreativeSterility: Without their cutie marks, none of the ponies in Starlight Glimmer's town has any creative ability. This is shown with a clothesmaker selling only one basic style of cloak, a town of identical houses with no architectural flair, and a baker serving only muffins that even Pinkie Pie has trouble eating.
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* ChekhovsSkill: Pinkie Pie's ExtremeOmnivore tendencies are usually PlayedForLaughs, but here it comes in handy when she has to polish off a plate of revolting muffins in order justify the Mane 6's secret basement meeting with the town rebels.
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* BadBadActing: Applejack's reprimand to Pinkie when she eats the last muffin.
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* ItTastesLikeFeet: Pinkie's opinion of the muffins.
--> '''Pinkie Pie''': I've accidentally had cardboard that tastes better than this...
--> '''Pinkie Pie''': I've accidentally had cardboard that tastes better than this...
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!! Continued in "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS5E2TheCutieMapPart2 The Cutie Map - Part 2]]".
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Continued in [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS5E2TheCutieMapPart2 Part 2]]
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[[MoodWhiplash *cue happy]] [[RunningGag credits music*]]
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* GettingSmilesPaintedOnYourSoul: The ponies in the town sincerely believe they're happier without their cutie marks and special talents.
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* GettingSmilesPaintedOnYourSoul: GettingSmiliesPaintedOnYourSoul: The ponies in the town sincerely believe they're happier without their cutie marks and special talents.
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* HappinessIsMandatory: The ponies in the town all have creepily fake smiles seemingly permanently plastered to their faces.
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* HappinessIsMandatory: GettingSmilesPaintedOnYourSoul: The ponies in the town all have creepily fake smiles seemingly permanently plastered to sincerely believe they're happier without their faces.cutie marks and special talents.
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* TownWithADarkSecret: The town full of ponies with equals sign cutie marks would appear to be one. Though it's not hidden very well...
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* UncannyVillage: The town full of ponies with equals sign cutie marks and creepy smiles.
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After the [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS4E26TwilightsKingdomPart2 defeat of Lord Tirek]] and another [[WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyEquestriaGirlsRainbowRocks adventure in the Human World]], Princess Twilight Sparkle and friends attempt to figure out the mystery of her new castle. A magical map sends the Mane Six on an adventure to a small town in the northern regions of Equestria where everypony has the same equal-sign cutie mark, led by a unicorn named Starlight Glimmer.
to:
After the [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS4E26TwilightsKingdomPart2 defeat of Lord Tirek]] and another [[WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyEquestriaGirlsRainbowRocks adventure in the Human World]], Princess Twilight Sparkle and friends attempt to figure out the mystery of her new castle. A magical They are surprised that when they all sit in their respective thrones, the cutie mark on each throne lights up, activating a holographic map sends in the Mane Six on an adventure center of the hall. As they try to figure out the map's purpose, they see symbols like their cutie marks come out of the center of the map and circle about a spot to Equestria's far north. They agree that they should check it out, and - after convincing Fluttershy to come along instead of staying in Ponyville to talk hoofball with Spike and Big Macintoshm - they take off.
At the end of their trek, they discover a small townin with all the northern regions of Equestria where everypony has ponies having the same equal-sign cutie mark, led by a unicorn named an equals sign. The Mane 6 are concerned, and become more cautious when they see all the townsponies having the same creepy smile. They are taken to the town's leader, Starlight Glimmer.
Glimmer, who welcomes them, with some curiosity about their cutie marks and Twilight's alicorn nature. She explains that all the ponies in the town have given up their cutie marks via the use of the Staff of Sameness, opting to be equal and the same, so that they can nuture in the camaraderie that comes from everyone being the same, with the cutie marks being stored in a vault a short distance from town.
The Mane 6, outside of Fluttershy, remain distrustful and decide to stay to figure out what is going on. After taking a rather bland meal, the baker Sugar Belle tells them to meet her in the basement of her store. There, she, Night Glider, and Party Favor all express their elation to see ponies still with their cutie marks and their wish to be reunited with theirs, but are prevented by Starlight and several other ponies, like Double Diamond, that keep close tabs on the town.
The Mane 6 are able to convince Starlight to take them to the cutie mark vault. Too late the Mane 6 discover it is a trap, and before they can escape, Starlight uses the Staff on them, locking their cutie marks away in the vault and assuring them they will be part of the town, whether they like it or not.
Continued in [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS5E2TheCutieMapPart2 Part 2]]
At the end of their trek, they discover a small town
The Mane 6, outside of Fluttershy, remain distrustful and decide to stay to figure out what is going on. After taking a rather bland meal, the baker Sugar Belle tells them to meet her in the basement of her store. There, she, Night Glider, and Party Favor all express their elation to see ponies still with their cutie marks and their wish to be reunited with theirs, but are prevented by Starlight and several other ponies, like Double Diamond, that keep close tabs on the town.
The Mane 6 are able to convince Starlight to take them to the cutie mark vault. Too late the Mane 6 discover it is a trap, and before they can escape, Starlight uses the Staff on them, locking their cutie marks away in the vault and assuring them they will be part of the town, whether they like it or not.
Continued in [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS5E2TheCutieMapPart2 Part 2]]
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** Readers of pony fanfics may also note some similarities to ''FanFic/TheConversionBureau'', which has similar ideas on forcing everyone to be a certain way.
to:
** Readers of pony fanfics may also note some similarities to ''FanFic/TheConversionBureau'', which has similar ideas on forcing everyone to be a certain way.
* DownerEnding: It's a 2-Parter, what else is new? In this case, we end on the Mane 6's Cutie Marks forcibly (and painfully) being taken away and forcing them to stay in their village forever.
* DownerEnding: It's a 2-Parter, what else is new? In this case, we end on the Mane 6's Cutie Marks forcibly (and painfully) being taken away and forcing them to stay in their village forever.
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** Pinkie starts to paraphrase ''Theatre/{{Hamlet}}'', but stops because she doesn't know the name of the town they're in.
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* ThemeNaming: Twilight Sparkle, Sunset Shimmer, and now Starlight Glimmer. [[RuleOfThree Anyone noticing a trend here]]?
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* ThemeNaming: Twilight Sparkle, Like her predecessor as an EvilCounterpart, Sunset Shimmer, and now Starlight Glimmer. [[RuleOfThree Anyone noticing Glimmer's name is a trend here]]?clear take off of Twilight Sparkle.
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* TheUnsmile: While everypony in the town has a huge grin plastered onto their face, they're ''extremely'' forced rather than genuine smiles, as Pinkie points out.
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* VillainSong: "In Our Town", sung by Starlight and her town.
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Indentation issue, and no spoiler in recap.
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*** Likewise, Starlight [[spoiler:taking exception from her own rules]] pinpoints the problems such Communist countries constantly faced.
to:
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*** Likewise, Starlight [[spoiler:taking exception from her own rules]] pinpoints the problems such Communist countries constantly faced.
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** Readers of pony fanfics may also note some similarities to FanFic/TheConversionBureau, which has similar ideas on forcing everyone to be a certain way.
to:
** Readers of pony fanfics may also note some similarities to FanFic/TheConversionBureau, ''FanFic/TheConversionBureau'', which has similar ideas on forcing everyone to be a certain way.
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Indentation issue. Please do not add third level bullets unless they\'re truly called for..
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*** Paradoxically, Fluttershy being asked to name the ones who told her about the vault can easily bring thoughts of [[RedScare McCarthyism]] to mind.
** Readers of pony fanfics may also note some similarities to TheConversionBureau, which has similar ideas on forcing everyone to be a certain way.
** Readers of pony fanfics may also note some similarities to TheConversionBureau, which has similar ideas on forcing everyone to be a certain way.
to:
** Readers of pony fanfics may also note some similarities to
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* AnimationBump: The animation in some trailer shots has detailed shading and lighting, similar to a few of the season premieres/finales before it.
to:
* AnimationBump: The animation in some trailer shots has detailed shading and lighting, similar to a few of the season premieres/finales before it. In the episode itself, near the beginning Spike starts walking across the map and as his feet hit the ground the map lights up where he's walking.
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*** Paradoxically, Fluttershy being asked to name the ones who told her about the vault can easily bring thoughts of [[RedScare McCarthyism]] to mind.
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* SacrificialLion: PlayedWith: Of all of the Mane 6 to be the first to lose their cutie mark, who honestly expected ''Twilight''?!
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* GenreSavvy: Pinkie, knowing full well what real happiness looks like, instantly sees through the town's facade.
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* GenreSavvy: Pinkie, knowing full well what real happiness looks like, instantly sees through the town's facade.façade.
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* CityWithNoName: {{Lampshaded}}.
-->'''Pinkie Pie:''' Something is rotten in...whatever the name of this town is!
-->'''Pinkie Pie:''' Something is rotten in...whatever the name of this town is!
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Trailers can be found [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPmeRpqUjj8 here]] and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCob40t8dtE here]]. An animatic was previewed at San Diego Comic Con 2014, which can be seen [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfEsGkcydi8 here]]
to:
Trailers can be found [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPmeRpqUjj8 here]] and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCob40t8dtE here]]. An animatic was previewed at San Diego Comic Con 2014, which can be seen [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfEsGkcydi8 here]]here]].
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* BalloonBelly: Pinkie gets one after eating all of the muffins that were served to the Mane 6.
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* BalloonBelly: Pinkie gets one after eating all of the muffins that were served to the Mane 6.Six.
* CliffHanger: The Mane six get their cutie marks stolen by Starlight Glimmer, making them equalized.
* CliffHanger: The Mane six get their cutie marks stolen by Starlight Glimmer, making them equalized.
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* DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything: Starlight Glimmer's plan to create a perfect society by having everypony be of equal status with nopony being above or below the other (as well as plans to force it on others whether they want it or not) sounds suspiciously like the ideals promoted by communism in the 20th century.
to:
* DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything: DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything:
** Starlight Glimmer's plan to create a perfect society by having everypony be of equal status with nopony being above or below the other (as well as plans to force it on others whether they want it or not) sounds suspiciously like the ideals promoted by communism in the 20th century.
** Starlight Glimmer's plan to create a perfect society by having everypony be of equal status with nopony being above or below the other (as well as plans to force it on others whether they want it or not) sounds suspiciously like the ideals promoted by communism in the 20th century.
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* DownerEnding / CliffHanger: The Mane six get their cutie marks stolen by Starlight Glimmer, making them equalized.
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* ICanSeeMyHouseFromHere: On seeing the holographic map, Pinkie sees the representation of her family's rock farm and calls out "Hi Mom and Dad!" - before Spike steps on the projection.
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* ICanSeeMyHouseFromHere: On seeing the holographic map, Pinkie sees the representation of her family's rock farm and calls out "Hi Mom and Dad!" - -- before Spike steps on the projection.
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*** Or [[Literature/AWrinkleInTime Camazotz.]]
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** Spike's foot stepping on Pinkie's rock farm has shades of ''BambiMeetsGodzilla''.
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** Spike's foot stepping on Pinkie's rock farm has shades of ''BambiMeetsGodzilla''.''WesternAnimation/BambiMeetsGodzilla''.
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* DarkerAndEdgier: There are less jokes than usual, with the two-parter focusing mostly on the subtle unease of the situation.
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* GenreSavvy: Pinkie, knowing full well what real happiness looks like, instantly sees through the town's facade.
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I thought we said \"spoilers off\".
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* [[spoiler: DownerEnding / CliffHanger: The Mane six get their cutie marks stolen by Starlight Glimmer, making them equalized.]]
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* [[spoiler: DownerEnding / CliffHanger: The Mane six get their cutie marks stolen by Starlight Glimmer, making them equalized.]]
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* [[spoiler: DownerEnding / CliffHanger: The Mane six get their cutie marks stolen by Starlight Glimmer, making them equalized.]]
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* TrailersAlwaysSpoil: Various teasers and trailers have shown that the Mane Six will lose their cutie marks, [[ForegoneConclusion and naturally]] will get them back along with those of the other ponies. They even show Starlight Glimmer's fate: [[spoiler: She [[VillainExitStageLeft runs off]] once her original cutie mark is exposed.]]
to:
* TrailersAlwaysSpoil: Various teasers and trailers have shown that the Mane Six will lose their cutie marks, [[ForegoneConclusion and naturally]] will get them back along with those of the other ponies. They even show Starlight Glimmer's fate: [[spoiler: She [[VillainExitStageLeft runs off]] once her original cutie mark is exposed.]]
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[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/af948d13e55a7986599e92475a0068ce.png]]
[[caption-width-right:350:You'll love it here... [[FalseUtopia or else]].]]
"The Cutie Map" is the first part of the Season 5 two-part premiere. It premiered on April 4th, 2015.
After the [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS4E26TwilightsKingdomPart2 defeat of Lord Tirek]] and another [[WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyEquestriaGirlsRainbowRocks adventure in the Human World]], Princess Twilight Sparkle and friends attempt to figure out the mystery of her new castle. A magical map sends the Mane Six on an adventure to a small town in the northern regions of Equestria where everypony has the same equal-sign cutie mark, led by a unicorn named Starlight Glimmer.
Trailers can be found [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPmeRpqUjj8 here]] and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCob40t8dtE here]]. An animatic was previewed at San Diego Comic Con 2014, which can be seen [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfEsGkcydi8 here]]
----
!!Tropes:
* AnimationBump: The animation in some trailer shots has detailed shading and lighting, similar to a few of the season premieres/finales before it.
* ArcVillain: Starlight Glimmer. She believes the only way for everypony to be happy is to be equal.
* BalloonBelly: Pinkie gets one after eating all of the muffins that were served to the Mane 6.
* ComicalOverreacting: Rarity almost barfs at the sight of the poor designs of the local clothes.
* ContinuityNod: As Rainbow Dash puts it, "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS4E26TwilightsKingdomPart2 We found all six keys, defeated Tirek, and got this sweet castle! End of story!]]"
* CoverInnocentEyesAndEars: The adult ponies of the town covers the ears of foals when the Mane Six have a bout of bickering.
* CuriosityCausesConversion: Sugar Belle, the LethalChef Equal Pony, looks in confusion and amazement over the Mane Six's bickering and then making up, as this goes against Starlight Glimmer's philosophy on cutie marks. This eventually allows the Mane Six to meet other equal ponies curious about the newcomers and finding out about the Cutie Mark Vault.
* DeathGlare: Uncharacteristically, Pinkie Pie gives a lot of these in the episode. Most notably, to ''Fluttershy'' when she's getting caught into the welcoming song of the Equal Ponies.
* DeusExitMachina: Spike is left behind to spend time with Big Macintosh. It's perfectly obvious why from a meta standpoint -- a staff that removes cutie marks won't do much to a dragon, and if Spike with his fire breath was around, everything would have played out differently.
* DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything: Starlight Glimmer's plan to create a perfect society by having everypony be of equal status with nopony being above or below the other (as well as plans to force it on others whether they want it or not) sounds suspiciously like the ideals promoted by communism in the 20th century.
** Readers of pony fanfics may also note some similarities to TheConversionBureau, which has similar ideas on forcing everyone to be a certain way.
* TheEvilsOfFreeWill: Starlight Glimmer seems keen on making the townsponies look and act very similar and be constantly, [[StepfordSmiler creepily]] happy in order to create a more "equal" society.
* FalseUtopia: Starlight's society claims that everypony is equal due to lack of cutie marks, but it's quite evident that there's ''something'' wrong under the surface.
* FantasyWorldMap: Though we've had a merch-produced map of Equestria before which was used in some episodes (such as "Pinkie Pride" and "Twilight's Kingdom", the castle map shows more areas that were only hinted towards, such as realms for dragons and griffons.
* HappinessIsMandatory: The ponies in the town all have creepily fake smiles seemingly permanently plastered to their faces.
* ICanSeeMyHouseFromHere: On seeing the holographic map, Pinkie sees the representation of her family's rock farm and calls out "Hi Mom and Dad!" - before Spike steps on the projection.
* KnightTemplar: Starlight Glimmer's motivation appears to be something along these lines; it's not that she doesn't believe in friendship, she just has a warped view of what it entails and is willing to remove ponies' [[TheEvilsOfFreeWill free will]] in order to make it happen.
* LethalChef: One of the Equal Ponies, Sugar Belle, serves the Mane 6 muffins. Pinkie Pie takes a bite out of one of them and quickly spits it out. She is later shown looking like she's about to barf after eating all twelve of them. Sugar Belle laments that she was once good at cooking before she abandoned her cutie mark.
* LuredIntoATrap: Starlight Glimmer leads the Mane Six into a cave and shows them a scepter called the Staff of Sameness and a wall full of cutie marks. After getting finding out how they knew about the cave, she summons some of the Equal Ponies and takes away their cutie marks. Twilight lampshades this via a ShoutOut.
* MagneticPlotDevice: Whatever created Twilight's new castle is apparently able to summon the Mane Six via their cutie marks. Due to fandom terminology, doubles as a StealthPun.
* NightmareFetishist: Rainbow Dash says that fighting a horrific monster would be awesome.
* NumberTwo: The white Equal Pony stallion, Double Diamond, to Starlight Glimmer.
* OOCIsSeriousBusiness: Pinkie Pie remains uncharacteristically serious when she sees everyone's [[StepfordSmiler weird smiles]].
* OrderVsChaos: Unlike most previous times, it's the ''villain'' that's on the side of Order, with the heroes on Chaos, with her trying to impose equality on everyone and the Mane Six trying to put a stop to it.
* ShoutOut:
** Twilight shouts "It's a trap!" [[Film/ReturnOfTheJedi Now what does that remind you of?]]
** A dystopia where everyone is forced to be equal has definite shades of ''Literature/HarrisonBergeron''. Starlight Glimmer pretty much ''IS'' the equivalent of the Handicapper General, both being female ''and'' [[ScrewTheRulesIMakeThem the only ones exempt from equality.]]
*** Or [[Literature/AWrinkleInTime Camazotz.]]
** Also, a pony who can force everyone to be equal has shades of Amon from ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra''.
** Spike's foot stepping on Pinkie's rock farm has shades of ''BambiMeetsGodzilla''.
** The Staff of Sameness has a very similar structure to the [[Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion Spear of Longinus]]. Much like how the Spear neutralises A.T. Fields, a manifestation of one's ego, soul and the desire to be separate, the Staff removes cutie marks, which are a representation of a pony's personality and unique talents.
* SoundOff: "In Our Town" was written by Daniel Ingram specifically [[https://twitter.com/dannyimusic/status/584404624976646144 borrowing from]] UsefulNotes/WorldWarII military propaganda songs.
* SportsWidow: The only reason Fluttershy is going on this mission is so she doesn't have to hang around Spike and Big Mac while they watch hoofball.
* StealthPun: As the trailers show, the Mane 6's cutie marks appear to vibrate and buzz when the map wants to alert them to something, even when they are away from the castle. One could call this "buttdialing" or a "booty call". See also MagneticPlotDevice above.
* StepfordSmiler: A whole town full of them. ''Pinkie Pie'', the master of smiles, is unconvinced by them.
-->'''Pinkie Pie:''' I ''know'' smiles, and those smiles... they're just not right!
* ThemeNaming: Twilight Sparkle, Sunset Shimmer, and now Starlight Glimmer. [[RuleOfThree Anyone noticing a trend here]]?
* TownWithADarkSecret: The town full of ponies with equals sign cutie marks would appear to be one. Though it's not hidden very well...
* TrailersAlwaysSpoil: Various teasers and trailers have shown that the Mane Six will lose their cutie marks, [[ForegoneConclusion and naturally]] will get them back along with those of the other ponies. They even show Starlight Glimmer's fate: [[spoiler: She [[VillainExitStageLeft runs off]] once her original cutie mark is exposed.]]
* TheTreacheryOfImages: Don't cry, Pinkie! Spike didn't really squish your mom and dad because ''ceci n'est pas une ferme de roches.''
* WellIntentionedExtremist: Starlight Glimmer. Convinced that one pony being better at one talent than others only causes rifts between friends, she forces equality to ensure that everypony is truly happy.
----
[[caption-width-right:350:You'll love it here... [[FalseUtopia or else]].]]
"The Cutie Map" is the first part of the Season 5 two-part premiere. It premiered on April 4th, 2015.
After the [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS4E26TwilightsKingdomPart2 defeat of Lord Tirek]] and another [[WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyEquestriaGirlsRainbowRocks adventure in the Human World]], Princess Twilight Sparkle and friends attempt to figure out the mystery of her new castle. A magical map sends the Mane Six on an adventure to a small town in the northern regions of Equestria where everypony has the same equal-sign cutie mark, led by a unicorn named Starlight Glimmer.
Trailers can be found [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPmeRpqUjj8 here]] and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCob40t8dtE here]]. An animatic was previewed at San Diego Comic Con 2014, which can be seen [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfEsGkcydi8 here]]
----
!!Tropes:
* AnimationBump: The animation in some trailer shots has detailed shading and lighting, similar to a few of the season premieres/finales before it.
* ArcVillain: Starlight Glimmer. She believes the only way for everypony to be happy is to be equal.
* BalloonBelly: Pinkie gets one after eating all of the muffins that were served to the Mane 6.
* ComicalOverreacting: Rarity almost barfs at the sight of the poor designs of the local clothes.
* ContinuityNod: As Rainbow Dash puts it, "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS4E26TwilightsKingdomPart2 We found all six keys, defeated Tirek, and got this sweet castle! End of story!]]"
* CoverInnocentEyesAndEars: The adult ponies of the town covers the ears of foals when the Mane Six have a bout of bickering.
* CuriosityCausesConversion: Sugar Belle, the LethalChef Equal Pony, looks in confusion and amazement over the Mane Six's bickering and then making up, as this goes against Starlight Glimmer's philosophy on cutie marks. This eventually allows the Mane Six to meet other equal ponies curious about the newcomers and finding out about the Cutie Mark Vault.
* DeathGlare: Uncharacteristically, Pinkie Pie gives a lot of these in the episode. Most notably, to ''Fluttershy'' when she's getting caught into the welcoming song of the Equal Ponies.
* DeusExitMachina: Spike is left behind to spend time with Big Macintosh. It's perfectly obvious why from a meta standpoint -- a staff that removes cutie marks won't do much to a dragon, and if Spike with his fire breath was around, everything would have played out differently.
* DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything: Starlight Glimmer's plan to create a perfect society by having everypony be of equal status with nopony being above or below the other (as well as plans to force it on others whether they want it or not) sounds suspiciously like the ideals promoted by communism in the 20th century.
** Readers of pony fanfics may also note some similarities to TheConversionBureau, which has similar ideas on forcing everyone to be a certain way.
* TheEvilsOfFreeWill: Starlight Glimmer seems keen on making the townsponies look and act very similar and be constantly, [[StepfordSmiler creepily]] happy in order to create a more "equal" society.
* FalseUtopia: Starlight's society claims that everypony is equal due to lack of cutie marks, but it's quite evident that there's ''something'' wrong under the surface.
* FantasyWorldMap: Though we've had a merch-produced map of Equestria before which was used in some episodes (such as "Pinkie Pride" and "Twilight's Kingdom", the castle map shows more areas that were only hinted towards, such as realms for dragons and griffons.
* HappinessIsMandatory: The ponies in the town all have creepily fake smiles seemingly permanently plastered to their faces.
* ICanSeeMyHouseFromHere: On seeing the holographic map, Pinkie sees the representation of her family's rock farm and calls out "Hi Mom and Dad!" - before Spike steps on the projection.
* KnightTemplar: Starlight Glimmer's motivation appears to be something along these lines; it's not that she doesn't believe in friendship, she just has a warped view of what it entails and is willing to remove ponies' [[TheEvilsOfFreeWill free will]] in order to make it happen.
* LethalChef: One of the Equal Ponies, Sugar Belle, serves the Mane 6 muffins. Pinkie Pie takes a bite out of one of them and quickly spits it out. She is later shown looking like she's about to barf after eating all twelve of them. Sugar Belle laments that she was once good at cooking before she abandoned her cutie mark.
* LuredIntoATrap: Starlight Glimmer leads the Mane Six into a cave and shows them a scepter called the Staff of Sameness and a wall full of cutie marks. After getting finding out how they knew about the cave, she summons some of the Equal Ponies and takes away their cutie marks. Twilight lampshades this via a ShoutOut.
* MagneticPlotDevice: Whatever created Twilight's new castle is apparently able to summon the Mane Six via their cutie marks. Due to fandom terminology, doubles as a StealthPun.
* NightmareFetishist: Rainbow Dash says that fighting a horrific monster would be awesome.
* NumberTwo: The white Equal Pony stallion, Double Diamond, to Starlight Glimmer.
* OOCIsSeriousBusiness: Pinkie Pie remains uncharacteristically serious when she sees everyone's [[StepfordSmiler weird smiles]].
* OrderVsChaos: Unlike most previous times, it's the ''villain'' that's on the side of Order, with the heroes on Chaos, with her trying to impose equality on everyone and the Mane Six trying to put a stop to it.
* ShoutOut:
** Twilight shouts "It's a trap!" [[Film/ReturnOfTheJedi Now what does that remind you of?]]
** A dystopia where everyone is forced to be equal has definite shades of ''Literature/HarrisonBergeron''. Starlight Glimmer pretty much ''IS'' the equivalent of the Handicapper General, both being female ''and'' [[ScrewTheRulesIMakeThem the only ones exempt from equality.]]
*** Or [[Literature/AWrinkleInTime Camazotz.]]
** Also, a pony who can force everyone to be equal has shades of Amon from ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra''.
** Spike's foot stepping on Pinkie's rock farm has shades of ''BambiMeetsGodzilla''.
** The Staff of Sameness has a very similar structure to the [[Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion Spear of Longinus]]. Much like how the Spear neutralises A.T. Fields, a manifestation of one's ego, soul and the desire to be separate, the Staff removes cutie marks, which are a representation of a pony's personality and unique talents.
* SoundOff: "In Our Town" was written by Daniel Ingram specifically [[https://twitter.com/dannyimusic/status/584404624976646144 borrowing from]] UsefulNotes/WorldWarII military propaganda songs.
* SportsWidow: The only reason Fluttershy is going on this mission is so she doesn't have to hang around Spike and Big Mac while they watch hoofball.
* StealthPun: As the trailers show, the Mane 6's cutie marks appear to vibrate and buzz when the map wants to alert them to something, even when they are away from the castle. One could call this "buttdialing" or a "booty call". See also MagneticPlotDevice above.
* StepfordSmiler: A whole town full of them. ''Pinkie Pie'', the master of smiles, is unconvinced by them.
-->'''Pinkie Pie:''' I ''know'' smiles, and those smiles... they're just not right!
* ThemeNaming: Twilight Sparkle, Sunset Shimmer, and now Starlight Glimmer. [[RuleOfThree Anyone noticing a trend here]]?
* TownWithADarkSecret: The town full of ponies with equals sign cutie marks would appear to be one. Though it's not hidden very well...
* TrailersAlwaysSpoil: Various teasers and trailers have shown that the Mane Six will lose their cutie marks, [[ForegoneConclusion and naturally]] will get them back along with those of the other ponies. They even show Starlight Glimmer's fate: [[spoiler: She [[VillainExitStageLeft runs off]] once her original cutie mark is exposed.]]
* TheTreacheryOfImages: Don't cry, Pinkie! Spike didn't really squish your mom and dad because ''ceci n'est pas une ferme de roches.''
* WellIntentionedExtremist: Starlight Glimmer. Convinced that one pony being better at one talent than others only causes rifts between friends, she forces equality to ensure that everypony is truly happy.
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