History Recap / MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS7E19ToChangeAChangeling

* AluminumChristmasTrees:
** While the size and color are far different, the maulwurf is based on the very real [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star-nosed_mole star-nosed mole]].
** Among the insect-themed potluck are what look like [[ForeignQueasine grubs encased in gelatin]]. This is based on an unusual (to Americans) but real food called [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspic aspic]], which is a savory jelly made from meat stock, often used to encase meat, eggs, or vegetables.

* AbsenteeActor: The third in the series where none of the Mane Six appear.

* NotSoDifferent: Starlight and Trixie try to invoke this with Pharynx, telling him about their former villainous ways, and how they've managed to change for the better. Pharynx is unimpressed, calling them both "losers".

* {{Irony}}: Thorax was an outcast within the hive during Chrysalis's rule while Pharynx was a pinnacle of what changelings should be. But now that Thorax has reformed the changelings to be peaceful, Pharynx is the outcast.

->'''Starlight Glimmer:''' I thought Ember helped you get more assertive so you could deal with all the renegade changelings who didn't wanna change.
->'''Thorax:''' Oh, she did. Really helpful. I was able to convince all of them to change, except one of them... My brother.

-->Written by Kevin Lappin

* HypocriticalHeartwarming: When they were young, Pharynx would bully Thorax mercylessly, but would not let any of the other changeling children do the same.

* KnowWhenToFoldEm: Double subverted. For a time, Trixie and Starlight agree that Pharynx is a lost cause, and Thorax should just tell him to leave. They change their minds after hearing about how Pharynx protected Thorax when they were younger.

** When showing off their cooking we see the changelings are now omnivores. Among their food are what look to be grubs and a large beetle with a fruit in its mandibles like the classic image of a cooked pig with a apple in its mouth.

* KnowWhenToFoldEm: Double Subverted. For a time, Trixie and Starlight agree that Pharynx is a lost cause, and Thorax should just tell him to leave. They change their minds after hearing about how Pharynx protected Thorax when they were younger.

* NoodleIncident: Apparently Starlight was having some trouble pinning down the hive's location, and kept teleporting herself and Trixie all over Equestria. It's possibly Justified because the last episode had Discord take them over with his magic.

* KnowWhenToFoldEm: For a time, Trixie and Starlight agree that Pharynx is a lost cause, and Thorax should just tell him to leave. They change their minds after hearing about how Pharynx protected Thorax when they were younger.

* OddNameOut: "Pharynx" breaks the pattern of insect-themed names among the changelings, introducing a new pattern by being related to the non-insect definition of "thorax".

* {{Invocation}}: After Starlight and Trixie have been captured by Pharynx, Trixie tries to teleport them out of the bag, calling out "Teleportation spell, go!"

* {{Mordor}}: The Changeling Kingdom is no longer this after the throne was destroyed, and they started sharing love instead of constantly hungering for it, which, unfortunately, attracted a giant mole monster that keeps eating the new plant life.
%%* NewAgeRetroHippie: The feelings forum group leader.

* NoodleIncident: Apparently Starlight was having some trouble pinning down the hive's location, and kept teleporting herself and Trixie all over Equestria. Possibly Justified because the last episode had Discord take them over with his magic.

* WorldBuilding: The entire episode is a showcase of how much the Changeling Kingdom has changed for the better ever since [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS6E26ToWhereAndBackAgainPart2 Chrysalis was overthrown]]. The fashion, cuisine, recreation, and architecture aspects of the new culture are in full bloom and steadily prospering, although there are still some rough spots with its social issues. All in all, the Kingdom is now an inviting place that's ready to welcome any and all visitors.

* AndThereWasMuchRejoicing: The changeling all cheer when they hear Pharynx has left the hive, tired of putting up with him. Though they soon [[OhCrap panic]] upon hearing that this means they are vulnerable to the maulwurf.

* ScrewThisImOuttaHere: After Pharynx overhears Starlight and Trixie labeling him as a lost cause and that Thorax should kick him out of the hive he decides to leave the hive himself since it is clear nobody wants him around. He stops long enough to fight the maulwurf though, believing he couldn’t just leave everyone to deal with it, and is convinced to stay when they tell him they still need him.

* ThreeTwoOne: When Starlight tells Thorax that Pharynx is gone and the nearby changelings celebrate, Trixie comments “wait for it.” Once Starlight finishes that the maulwurf is on its way to the hive and all the changelings panic, Trixie notes “told ya.”

* LowerDeckEpisode: None of the Mane Six or Spike even appear in this episode, and only Twilight gets even a mention. The only character from season 1 who appears is Trixie.

* AndThereWasMuchRejoicing: InUniverse. The changeling all cheer when they hear Pharynx has left the hive, tired of putting up with him. Though they soon [[OhCrap panic]] upon hearing that this means they are vulnerable to the maulwurf.

** When Trixie mentions how they're still so far away from the hive after finally reaching it, Starlight points out how earlier she couldn't have gotten them closer, referencing the way that Chrysalis' magic-absorbing throne kept them from teleporting closer than a certain distance in "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS6E25ToWhereAndBackAgainPart1 To Where and Back Again]]". Said point they teleported to this time is barely any closer than last time.

* ContinuityNod: Trixie [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS7E2AllBottledUp once again]] attempts to cast a spell while calling its affects out loud. She claims that this is her "process". Her inability to get any kind of result also calls back to Starlight telling her teleportation spells are difficult to use properly.
* CoolChair: Thorax is shown to have a throne, which seems to be made out of tree roots. It stands around where Chrysalis' throne was, at the top of the hive (now open to the air thanks to the top of the hive being destroyed when Chrysalis's throne exploded).

* DeliberateValuesDissonance: Pharynx didn't accept Starlight and Thorax's example of sharing love with other changelings and considers the prospect of giving up the beliefs he grew up with under Chrysalis' rule to be unthinkable.

* {{Irony}}: Thorax was an outcast within the hive during Chrysalis' rule while Pharynx was a pinnacle of what changelings should be. But now that Thorax has reformed the changelings to be peaceful, Pharynx is the outcast.

* LeaningOnTheFourthWall: Pharynx dropping black paint on one of the recolored changelings may be a nod to the [[BrokenBase dissent in the fanbase]] about the changeling's new look.

* NewAgeRetroHippie: The feelings forum group leader.

* WeHaveBecomeComplacent: During Chrysalis' rule, every changeling was a proper soldier that could make themselves a danger to an average pony at anytime. But now under Thorax's rule, changelings no longer want to fight and are too out of practice when they need to (Pharynx being the only exception).

* WorldBuilding: The entire episode is a showcase of how much the Changeling Kingdom has changed for the better ever since [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS6E26ToWhereAndBackAgainPart2 Chrysalis was overthrown]]. The fashion, cuisine, recreation, and architecture aspects of the new culture are in full bloom and steadily prospering. Although there are still some rough spots with its social issues. All in all, the Kingdom is now an inviting place that's ready to welcome any and all visitors.

* ExplainExplainOhCrap: Starlight quickly realizes her plan for Pharynx to save the hive and be accepted won't work with him gone. The Changelings meanwhile all cheer when they hear that Pharynx is gone, only to immediately panic upon hearing the maulwurf is on its way and they are defenseless against it.

* ChangeTheUncomfortableSubject: When Thorax says in disappointment they need to talk about how Starlight and Trixie endangered the hive by getting Pharynx to abandon it ''and'' lead the maulwurf to it, Starlight quickly accepts Pharynx's offer to hear the story of how "he made Thorax hit himself when they were kids" even though she already heard it from Thorax.