History YMMV / MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS5E18BrotherhoovesSocial

* HarsherInHindsight: When Big Mac turned himself into a princess in [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS5E13DoPrincessesDreamOfMagicSheep "Do Princesses Dream of Magic Sheep?"]] many saw this as just a joke and a ContinuityNod to other times when Mac showed a softer side. This episode though shows that it had a [[IJustWantToBeSpecial deeper meaning]].

* AlternateCharacterInterpretation: The head judge said "we knew already" that Orchard Blossom was Big Mac in drag. This suggests the male judge who finds "her" attractive could be taken with her specifically ''because'' she is an AttractiveBentGender.

* FunnyAneurysmMoment: When Big Mac turned himself into a princess in [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS5E13DoPrincessesDreamOfMagicSheep "Do Princesses Dream of Magic Sheep?"]] many saw this as just a joke and a ContinuityNod to other times when Mac showed a softer side. This episode though shows that it had a [[IJustWantToBeSpecial deeper meaning]].

* IdiotPlot: The Apple Family has been ''hosting'' the Sisterhooves Social for generations and everypony knows about their "loose definition of what constimatutes a sister", yet neither Big Mac, Apple Bloom, nor Granny Smith thinks to mention that Big Mac might be able to compete as Apple Bloom's brother. Heck, Granny Smith even says "long as you share a bond that represents the spirit of the social, you're in", but they don't stop to think that the brother/sister bond qualifies. While it's possible Big Mac isn't involved in the preparations, and Apple Bloom doesn't know because she's a kid, Granny Smith could have said something.

* UncannyValley: Big Mac's quivering Adam's apple at the end of the duet, reminiscent of [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS1E9BridleGossip Pinkie's heaving chest at the end of "Evil Enchantress."]]

* BrokenBase: The plot of Big Mac becoming a WholesomeCrossdresser has been divisive among viewers. Some found it lent itself to some of [[CrowningMomentOfFunny the funniest moments in the series]], while others hold it as an example of CringeComedy at its absolute worst. Members of the LGBT community were also split between those who see it a funny, touching, and respectful portrayal of real-life crossdressers and trans people, and those who see it as a cheap shot.

* TheWoobie: Big Macintosh and [[IJustWantToBeSpecial it's not hard to see why.]] The fact that he's willing to disguise himself in drag if it means spending time with his sister and making her happy, even if she will likely [[InnocentlyInsensitive ignore him]] in favour of Applejack when she returns is pretty heartwrenching. Plus he feels like he was her hero and now that Applejack has become a hero, he's no longer his sister's hero. He even almost cries near the end.

* AngstWhatAngst: Unlike the appropriately miffed Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle shows no outward disappointment about Rarity having to duck out of the games at the last minute, much unlike when she had a near-breakdown the previous time [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS2E5SisterhoovesSocial when Rarity initially refused to participate]]. [[FridgeBrilliance However]], it must be taken into account that the point of tension back in the first Social was Rarity not ''wanting'' to do it, rather than being unable to.

* WhatAnIdiot: Big Mac finds out in the end that there was never a rule about brothers wanting to compete in the Sisverhooves Social, negating his purpose to dress up as Orchard Blossom.

* AngstWhatAngst: Unlike the appropriately miffed Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle shows no outward disappointment about Rarity having to duck out of the games at the last minute. The fact that she had a near-breakdown [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS2E5SisterhoovesSocial when Rarity initially refused to participate]] only makes it more glaring.

* FunnyAneurysmMoment: When Big Mac turned himself into a princess in [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS5E13DoPrincessesDreamOfMagicSheep "Do Princesses Dream of Magic Sheep?"]] many saw this as just a joke and a ContinuityNod to other times when Mac showed a softer side. This episode though shows that it had a [[IJustWantToBeSpecial deeper meaning.]]

* HarsherInHindsight: When Big Mac turned himself into a princess in [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS5E13DoPrincessesDreamOfMagicSheep "Do Princesses Dream of Magic Sheep?"]] many saw this as just a joke and a CallBack to other times when Mac showed a softer side. This episode though shows that it had a [[IJustWantToBeSpecial deeper meaning.]]

* CrowningMomentOfFunny: Sweetie Belle's deadpan "That's Big Mac in a dress." Honestly though, everything once Orchard Blossom shows up is a laugh riot.
* FridgeBrilliance: Sweetie Belle's [[AngstWhatAngst lack of angst]] compared to [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS2E5SisterhoovesSocial the last time Rarity not (at first) attending the Social]] makes sense once remember that the episode, [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS3E6SleeplessInPonyville and]] [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS4E20ForWhomTheSweetieBelleToils others]], have focused on reconciling their relationship issues that were the root of the problem then.

* TearJerker:
** Big Macintosh tries to play with Apple Bloom using the dragonfly toy she used to love, but Apple Bloom unknowingly ignores him for Applejack. Big Mac walks off to mope by himself, and denies there's anything wrong when Applejack questions him, but his hurt feelings are obvious.
** Big Mac talking to Apple Bloom about how she used to look up to him, but then Applejack became a hero and saved Equestria multiple times in awesome adventures while he was stuck working on the farm doing what he's always done, and how he thought if he helped her win a ribbon at the Sisterhooves Social like she wanted then he could be her hero again, even if only for a day. Apple Bloom assures him that he's still her hero, and laments that they haven't been talking to each other more about how they feel. This can be seen as TruthInTelevision, as a parent who works hard to support their family rarely gets credit for their sacrifice while the other parent who gets to shower their kids with fun and luxuries is often seen as the better parent by their children.

** Sweetie Belle's angst was not specifically about the social. It was about Rarity treating her like an annoyance, and never wanting to spend time bonding with her; or only wanting to spend time doing what Rarity wanted. Rarity has made amends and done better since then (Sleepless in Ponyville) so the Social has less importance to Sweetie now.

** There's also the fact that while it was supposed to be intended as sweet that Big Mac wanted to be more like a sister since the sisters were closest in the family, it also ended up focusing on his man pain a bit too much as a result.