History Recap / MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS7E19ToChangeAChangeling

As the other changelings celebrate, Thorax thanks Pharynx for his help, which he says is only because he loves the hive. The other changelings apologize for treating Pharynx as they had and welcome him back. Accepting their apologizes, Pharynx suddenly transforms and becomes a reformed changeling, agreeing to return to help protect the hive. Starlight and Trixie apologize for making things worse, but agree with Thorax that it has all worked out for the best.

* 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 were 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.

* 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 dull bloom and steadily prospering. Although there were 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.

* 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 steadily prospering in full bloom. Though there were some rough spots with its social issues. But all in all, it's an inviting place that ready for any and all visitors.

* ForgotAboutHisPowers: During Chrysalis' rule, every changeling in the Hive was a proper soldier that could make themselves a danger to an average pony at anytime. But now under Thorax's rule, changelings can no longer stand for themselves in a fight (Pharynx being the only exception). In episode it is justified by the changelings not wanting to fight and being out of practice.

* ForgotAboutHisPowers: During Chrysalis' rule, every changeling in the Hive was a proper soldier that could make themselves a danger to anypony at anytime. But now under Thorax's rule, changelings can no longer stand for themselves in a fight (Pharynx being the only exception).

* EasyAmnesia: During Chrysalis' rule, every changeling in the Hive was a proper soldier that could make themselves a danger to anypony at anytime. But now under Thorax's rule, changelings can no longer stand for themselves in a fight (Pharynx being the only exception).

* {{Foreshadowing}}: When the changeling leading the "feelings forum" tries to calm down the changelings from arguing, her peaceful approach fails to quiet the crowd. [[NotSoAboveItAll Frustrated]], said-changeling yells that feelings forum is adjourned, and at least succeeds in getting the other changelings to lower their voices. This could hint that Pharynx may be right: they do need to be stronger if they want to get something done, like getting rid of the mole-werf.

* AHandfulForAnEye: Trixie's first attempt at attacking the maulwurf is to throw a hoofful of dirt at its eyes. If its eyesight is similar to the star-nosed mole it's based upon, though, it can't be relying on it much.

* JerkassHasAPoint: As rough as Pharynx is, he is right that the changelings have become far too soft ever since Thorax assumed leadership, cowering and being unable to protect themselves from outside threats.

* {{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 plantlife.
* NewAgeRetroHippie: The Feelings Forum group leader.

* TheScottishTrope: The changelings at the Feeling Forums are avoiding Pharynx's name, preferring to say "you-know-who" instead.

As the other changelings celebrate, Thorax thanks Pharynx for his help, which he says is only because he loves the hive. The other changelings apologize for treating Pharynx as they had and welcome him back. Accepting their apologizes, Pharynx finally accepts the transformation and becomes a reformed changeling, agreeing to return to help protect the hive. Starlight and Trixie apologize for making things worse, but agree with Thorax that it has all worked out for the best.

[[caption-width-right:350:It seems that ''this'' changeling doesn't want to change.]]

After receiving more letters from Thorax about issues with Pharynx, Thorax's elder broodmate, Starlight Glimmer takes Trixie to the Changeling Kingdom, which has blossomed with plant life since the changelings are no longer drawing love from it. Outside of the hive, they run into Pharynx, who has not yet chosen to take on the new colorful changeling forms, and instead captures the pair. He takes them to Thorax, but Thorax reprimands him. Thorax explains to the ponies that Pharynx used to be the lead guard, helping to protect the hive, but since their transformation, has had little do to and resents the changes that has happened. The only thing that seems to keep Pharnyx interested is the current threat of a giant maulwurf that threatens the hive, but Thorax has planned to lead the creature away via a trail of food.

As they wait for the maulwurf to arrive, Trixie reveals she couldn't find Pharynx, as he had already left the hive, and now Starlight's plan will lead the maulwurf right to them. Thorax makes the ponies come with him to find Pharynx since they screwed up the situation, and Starlight tries to encourage the other changelings to come with them, but none of them seem to want to come. The three search outside the hive, and find Pharynx trying to fend off the maulwurf with little luck. They join in but they are took weak to help. As they are fighting, many of the other changelings arrive, having come around to Starlight's encouragement, and help to weaken the maulwurf, though it remains too powerful. Pharynx gets an idea, reminding Thorax of how teased him in the past, and together they get the maulwurf to beat itself up, eventually forcing the creature to retreat.

* NeverMyFault: After Pharynx transforms Starlight says she never doubted him, before Pharynx points out she thought he was a lost cause and was going to tell Thorax to kick him out. Trixie, who agreed with this decision earlier, acts shocked by this.

** In the flashback, young pharynx turns into an insectoid monster to scare away the changeling pups bullying his brother, using a powerful screech to further make his point.

* {{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 plantlife.

* NeverMyFault: After Pharynx transforms Starlight says she never doubted him before Pharynx points out she thought he was a lost cause and was going to tell Thorax to kick him out. Trixie, who agreed with this decision earlier, acts shocked by this.
* NiceJobBreakingItHero: Starlight comes up with the brilliant idea of luring the maulwurf to the changelings so that Pharynx can save the day and be accepted by the hive, killing two birds with one stone. She finds out too late that the Pharynx had left, leaving the hive open to attack.

** Pacifism is not the same as helplessness: choosing to become peaceful does not mean you also have to be a pushover.

** 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 that time.

* CharacterDevelopment: It seems the lessons in assertiveness Thorax was given by Ember have really stuck; not only did he manage to convince most of the renegade changelings to accept love, but when the other changelings demand he throw Pharynx out, he simply tells them "I can't do that" in a firm tone. He is quick to call out Starlight for her mistakes as well.

* ComicallyMissingThePoint: While several changelings are complaining about how Pharynx is annoying and a disruption, one just shouts that his soup is too hot. When everyone looks at him he says he thought they were complaining about all their problems.

* 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' throne exploded).

* AHandfulForAnEye: Trixie's first attempt at attacking the maulwurf is to throw a hoofful of dirt at its eye.

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

** In the flashback, young pharynx turns into an insectoid monster to scare away the changeling pup bullying his brother, using powerful screech to further make his point.
** This is the maulwurf's reaction after Starlight blasts it with her magic; it seems to makes it more furious than anything else.

* NonStandardCharacterDesign: Before his transformation -- and even during Chrysalis’ rule -- Pharynx had a purple shell and red crest, seemingly the only changeling to do so. Afterwards, he gains another unique design, halfway between Thorax and the other standard changelings in height and antler size.

* NotSoAboveItAll: The peaceful changeling that runs the feelings forum gets angry upon being ignored, and angrily shouts at the other changelings to leave after having had enough of them talking over each other.

* TheScottishTrope: The changelins at the Feeling Forums are avoiding saying Pharynx's name, preferring to say "you-know-who" instead.

* SuperToughness: The maulwurf has an extremely thick hide, allowing it to withstand a blast of magic dead center without even flinching, and barely reacting when a chunk of rock is thrown at its head. The only things that do significant damage to it are its own blows and bites.

* FastTunnelling: The maulwurf being mostly a giant mole, it can dig very fast, as seen when it finally flees the changeling swarm at the end.

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

* MightyRoar: In the flashback, young pharynx turns into an insectoid monster to scare away the changeling pup bullying his brother, using powerful screech to further make his point.