Line #136 Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS5E16RarityInvestigates


1	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/rarity_investigates6.png]]
2	[[caption-width-right:350:''"Detective Rarity is on the case, and we are going to get to the bottom of this faster than my costume change!"'']]
3
4	->'''Rarity:''' ''[narrating]'' Rainbow Dash was questioning my methods. But I knew what I was doing.\
5	'''Rainbow Dash:''' Do you?\
6	'''Rarity:''' Oh, oh, oh. Did I say that one out loud?
7
8	->Story by Meghan [=McCarthy=], M.A. Larson, Joanna Lewis, and Kristine Songco\
9	Written by Joanna Lewis and Kristine Songco
10
11	At Canterlot Carousel, Rarity is putting the finishing touches on her new display -- a fashion line inspired by fictional detective Shadow Spade -- when Rainbow Dash barges in, making a mess of things. As they clean up, an apologetic Rainbow explains to Sassy Saddles her purpose in Canterlot. She is the backup flier at the Wonderbolts' aerial show taking place the next day, ready to fill in if one of the scheduled flyers cannot participate. That evening, Rarity and Rainbow attend a reception at the castle and encounter Wind Rider, a legendary Wonderbolt veteran whose long distance speed record still stands, though Spitfire notes that Rainbow has a good shot at someday beating it. To Dash's overwhelming excitement, she learns that Wind Rider will be coming out of retirement to perform at the show.
12
13	The next morning sees Spitfire absent from practice; Soarin explains that Spitfire's mother, Stormy Flare, sent a note to tell her daughter that she was ill, and that Spitfire has gone home to look after her. Rainbow eagerly takes Spitfire's spot in practice, with Rarity watching from the stands. However, everypony is confused when Stormy Flare shows up, perfectly healthy and with no knowledge of ever sending the note. Rarity suggests that somepony may have sent Spitfire a ''fake'' note, and Soarin' reasons it must have been to get her out of the show. All eyes promptly fall on Rainbow, who had a room right next to Spitfire's in the castle and is the one with the most to gain if Spitfire cannot perform. Soarin' challenges Rainbow Dash to demonstrate her innocence if she is to fly with them -- and warns her that if she ''did'' send the note, she will be permanently kicked out of the Wonderbolts!
14
15	Rarity dons an appropriate Shadow Spade outfit and takes over the investigation. In Spitfire's room, Rarity finds the envelope from the note containing a lock of Rainbow's hair. She also takes note that the curtains in the dining hall have been moved. They question the guards who were watching the east tower that night, but the guards deny that they ever left their post... until Rarity applies some charm and gets them to admit they did take a small break when somepony sent them a very particular cake. Rarity and Rainbow head to a pastry shop, where the baker tells Rarity that the customer who bought the cake was dressed to conceal his or her identity; however, the customer was wearing a scarf that became stained by the frosting. Rainbow gets increasingly frustrated at Rarity's seemingly non-sequitur detective work, but Rarity is confident that the case is all but solved.
16
17	Rarity and Rainbow Dash return to the castle, where Rarity accuses Wind Rider of sending the note and framing Rainbow for the misdeed. Rainbow is angered at Rarity for accusing a legend, but Rarity brings up that all this time, she never believed Rainbow would send the letter and proceeds to bring up what he did. He hid behind the loose curtain in the dining hall, distracted the guards with a cake, and even planted some of Rainbow's hair on the envelope to throw suspicion on her. Rarity then brings up the clues: The hairs were cut, as proven by the straight line at the top; when Rarity smelled the envelope, she detected Wind Rider's Juniper Phoenix cologne; she noticed the loose curtain; and while Wind Rider usually ties his scarf in a loose slip-knot, he has it tied differently right now in a tight Windsor knot. Wind Rider laughs at her accusations, but Rarity loosens his tightly-wound (silk!) scarf, revealing the chocolate stain from the frosting on the [[DeliciousDistraction cake]]. Wind Rider confesses that he did it in an effort to get Rainbow Dash out of the Wonderbolts so that she could not threaten his record. He insists that a little dirty play is justified in the name of success, but Soarin' and the other Wonderbolts disagree. Meanwhile, Rainbow quickly flies off to retrieve Spitfire, who promptly strips Wind Rider of his status as a Wonderbolt and kicks him out of the show. Rainbow Dash is given the position of honor in his place, while Rarity is satisfied that she helped clear her friend's name.
18
19	[[{{Jazz}} Cue Hardboiled version of credits music]]
20
21	----
22	!!Tropes:
23
24	* AnAesop: This episode provides two:
25	** As Wind Rider learns the hard way, part of being on a team is looking out for your teammates, not picking them off for your own benefit.
26	** If it seems like a friend isn't directly helping you, be patient and avoid doubting them. Chances are they might be making a contribution you weren't expecting.
27	* AscendedExtra: The Wonderbolts Misty Fly and Blaze are officially named in the episode and have speaking roles.
28	* AttentionDeficitOohShiny: One of Rarity's monologues is suddenly interrupted when she breaks to marvel over the curtains in the hallway. Played with in that the curtains actually turn out to be a significant clue.
29	* BadassLongcoat: Rarity dons a trenchcoat as part of a classic detective's outfit.
30	* BitchInSheepsClothing: Wind Rider is seen as the greatest Wonderbolt in Equestrian history. However, he frames Rainbow Dash for a crime she didn't commit, out of spite so she doesn't break his Wonderbolt record. That is ''so'' not cool.
31	* BreakTheHaughty: Wind Rider gets caught for framing Dash and is dishonorably discharged from the Wonderbolts.
32	* BrokenPedestal: Wind Rider gets hit ''hard'' with this in the end. After Rarity reveals the evidence of his framing Rainbow and he admits he did it, Rainbow loses all the respect she had for him and has no problem with seeing him kicked out of the team for good. The Wonderbolts themselves are also completely horrified that such a respected member would pull such a dirty trick in an attempt to preserve his legacy, and the way the episode ends heavily implies that Wind Rider will become this trope for a whole lot more ponies, too, once word gets out about what he did.
33	* BunnyEarsLawyer: Rarity may be easily distracted by fashion and have a fondness for seemingly off-topic questions but she eventually cleared Rainbow Dash's name through her [[EagleEyeDetection eye and attention to detail]].
34	* CallBack: Rainbow Dash mentions she's [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS4E22TestingTesting123 part of the Wonderbolts reserves]], and is set to be [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS4E10RainbowFalls a replacement flyer]] in case one of the Wonderbolts is unable to perform.
35	* ChallengeSeeker: Soarin says it's impossible for anypony to make it to the Crystal Mountains and back before the Royal Garden opening. Rainbow Dash takes it as a challenge.
36	* ChangingClothesIsAFreeAction: {{Invoked}} by Rarity who keeps rapidly changing outfits; at one point she shows she has a stash of dresses ready to pull from to change in and out of in moments in case of a dress emergency. Rainbow Dash later [[DefiedTrope contradicts]] her though.
37	-->'''Rainbow Dash:''' ''Trust'' you?? You spent more time changing clothes than trying to help me!
38	* ChekhovsGag: The state of the drapes that [[AttentionDeficitOohShiny distract Rarity]] during her investigation proves to be a significant clue in the case she builds against Wind Rider.
39	* ChekhovsGun: The silk on Rarity's dress after Dash accidentally spilled punch on it. She mentions how hard stains are to get out of the fabric. Sure enough, it's the final and damning piece of evidence she uses to expose Wind Rider as the culprit when she notices his silk scarf is tied up to hide the chocolate stain he got when buying the cake to distract the guards.
40	* ChekhovsGunman: [[LawOfConservationOfDetail Of course]] Wind Rider did it. On the bright side, [[AtLeastIAdmitIt he admits it.]]
41	* ChekhovsHobby: Rarity mentions that her new line of dresses is inspired by a series of detective novels. At first this seems a simple case of {{garnishing the story}}, but when one of her friends becomes a suspect, her infatuation with the novels becomes plot-relevant.
42	* ChekhovsSkill: Rarity talks about the importance of paying attention to tiny details to Sassy Saddles, and Sassy points out Rarity's ability to sweet-talk others into helping her.
43	* ClearTheirName: Rarity has to clear Rainbow Dash's name after she's thought to have replaced Spitfire on purpose.
44	* ClueEvidenceAndASmokingGun: With only circumstantial evidence and suspicions to go on, Rarity accuses Wind Rider of sending the letter to Spitfire. Wind Rider believes he has a chance of beating the rap until Rarity reveals the stain on his scarf.
45	* ContinuityNod:
46	** Sassy Saddles reappears at Canterlot Carousel and is getting along much better with Rarity than in her first appearance.
47	** Rainbow Dash stays in the same room that Rarity did in "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS2E9SweetAndElite Sweet and Elite]]". They watch the event from the same observer's box too.
48	** Rainbow Dash's victory dance is the same one she did in "The Mysterious Mare Do Well".
49	** Surprisingly one for [[ComicBook/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicIDW the comic books]], Rarity's love of mystery novels was first displayed in issue #15.
50	** Counting when Spitfire booted Lightning Dust out of the Wonderbolt Academy due to her lack of respect for her fellow ponies, Wind Rider is the second pony that Spitfire has dishonorably discharged from the Wonderbolts due to their dishonorable actions.
51	** "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS1E26TheBestNightEver The Best Night Ever]]" established that Soarin [[TrademarkFavoriteFood really enjoys pie]]; he's shown eating one just before the performance.
52	** Rarity's eye for detail was mentioned way back in "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS2E15TheSuperSpeedyCiderSqueezy6000 The Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000]]", where it was the reason Twilight Sparkle enlisted her with assisting in quality control during the cider-making race.
53	* ContrivedCoincidence: Wind Rider is able to impersonate Rainbow Dash because his coat is the exact same sky-blue color as hers.
54	* CoolOldGuy: Wind Rider appears at first to be this genteel, modest and amazing veteran. He's decidedly ''not'' cool when the truth comes out.
55	* CostumePorn: Rarity goes through five different outfits over the course of the episode. She even lampshades this trope at the end, saying the case gave her the opportunity to show off her new line.
56	* CrazyPrepared: Rarity has a whole ''trunkful'' of spare dresses waiting [[BehindTheBlack just offscreen]] at the function when she needs to change, which isn't too much a stretch considering her history [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS1E26TheBestNightEver with dresses being]] [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS5E7MakeNewFriendsButKeepDiscord ruined at Canterlot parties]].
57	* CreativeClosingCredits: Instead of the normal music, a slow, muted trumpet version is played over the credits. It even plays over the Media DHX and Hasbro Studios logos, a rare occurrence in the series.
58	* DeathGlare: Rainbow Dash receives a whole round of them from the Wonderbolts when they begin to suspect she is responsible for Spitfire's disappearance.
59	* DeliberatelyMonochrome: The picture turns to black and white each time Rarity goes in her detective mode.
60	* DeliciousDistraction: The cake Wind Rider gives the guards to draw them off, so he can plant the evidence against Rainbow.
61	* DidIJustSayThatOutLoud: Happens twice with Rarity's PrivateEyeMonologue.
62	* DisguisedInDrag: Wind Rider disguises himself as a mare at one point as part of his FrameUp.
63	* DoomedNewClothes: Rarity's silk dress that she just made as part of her Shadow Spade-inspired line gets stained at the dinner. She has spares.
64	* DramaticDrop: Rainbow Dash drops her food tray when she recognizes Wind Rider at the reception.
65	* DramaticThunder: Thunder and lightning punctuates Rarity's dramatic entrance (as well as yet another switch from color to B&W) when she announces she found the culprit. Another illuminates Wind Rider when Rarity designates him.
66	* EagleEyeDetection: Rarity relies on this to clear Rainbow's name. Since she is a fashion designer by trade, it's expected for her to have a good eye for detail.
67	* EvilIsPetty: Wind Rider frames Rainbow Dash and tries to get her kicked out of the Wonderbolts for no reason other than fear of her shattering his speed record. Both Rainbow and the Wonderbolts waste absolutely no time calling him out on this.
68	* EvilOldFolks: Wind Rider, of course. There's an "age and treachery" angle to him since he uses manipulation and frame ups to disgrace Rainbow Dash, and all because he's afraid that she might eventually break his record.
69	* {{Facepalm}}: Rainbow facehooves twice, both in response to Rarity. First, she does it when Rarity fails to recognize Wind Rider in spite of him being a celebrity. Later, she does it again when Rarity accuses Wind Rider of the crime, though it turns out the accusation is correct.
70	* FairPlayWhodunnit: Every single clue Rarity follows is visible to the audience, even when there aren't any lines calling attention to them. Even the Juniper Phoenix smell is indicated by the shot of her sniffing.
71	* FallGuy: Rainbow Dash becomes this when the Wonderbolts suspect she sent Spitfire the letter her mom was sick when she turned out fine and has no knowledge of the letter. The true culprit is Wind Rider, who attempted to get Rainbow banned from the Wonderbolts in fear she could break his record.
72	* FallOfTheHouseOfCards: After Rarity carefully sets up the displays of her new outfits in the shop window, Rainbow Dash barges in and knocks the whole place into disarray. She leaves after helping clean up, but slams the door hard enough to shake the displays again. Rarity and Sassy Saddles [[DesperateObjectCatch catch the dress forms in their telekinesis]] to keep them upright, only to have them fall over anyway when the delivery pony arrives.
73	* FavorsForTheSexy: Rarity has occasionally done this before, usually to get favors from [[DoggedNiceGuy Spike]], but here she takes it to FemmeFatale levels. When a delivery pony gets her order wrong and says his schedule is too tight to redo it, Rarity manages to charm him into redoing it by giving him some compliments and a few suggestive looks. She does it later during her and Rainbow's GoodCopBadCop routine, flirting with the castle guards by hugging them, whispering in their ears, and complimenting them on their work to get them to admit they took a small break to eat a cake and describe exactly how it was decorated.
74	* FemmeFatale: While Rarity has never been shy about flirting, this episode takes her charm up to eleven with her flirting and charming pretty much everyone. She even uses the classic FilmNoir costume.
75	-->'''Sassy Saddles:''' Rarity, you could sweet-talk a filly out of candy.
76	* FlowerFromTheMountaintop: Spitfire goes questing for an Ice Iris from the Crystal Mountains in order to FindTheCure for her mother's (fictitious) Pegasitis.
77	* {{Foreshadowing}}:
78	** During the dinner, Rarity comments about how difficult it is to get stains out of silk, which happens to be the same material Wind Rider's scarf is made from...
79	** When Rainbow Dash is practicing with the Wonderbolts in the beginning, Wind Rider is clearly annoyed when she briefly out-flies him.
80	** At the party when Spitfire tells Wind that Rainbow is close to breaking the flying record, Wind chuckles to himself, "Heh-heh." This is something Rarity brings up when she reveals the culprit.
81	** Wind is the first one who accuses Rainbow of forging the note for Spitfire.
82	* FrameUp: A note is sent to Spitfire saying that her mother is sick and she needs to go take care of her, with Rainbow Dash set up as the culprit. It turns out to be Wind Rider, trying to get Rainbow banned because he was afraid that Rainbow would beat his old record.
83	* TheFriendsWhoNeverHang: A rare episode with Rarity and Rainbow Dash pairing up.
84	* {{Gaslighting}}: A somewhat unintentional example. We know by the end of the episode that Wind Rider implicated Rainbow Dash of trying to get rid of Spitfire, but in one point of the episode, Rainbow Dash starts to believe that she really is to blame, even citing the implausible event of her writing the letter in her sleep.
85	* GoodCopBadCop: Rarity and Rainbow, respectively, do this when interrogating the guards. Rarity pours on the charm after Rainbow Dash acts confrontational.
86	* GrayRainOfDepression: As fitting with the moody, FilmNoir music and atmosphere, it begins raining after the visit to Cinnamon Chai's tea shop, when Rainbow Dash is starting to despair from having her name cleared.
87	* TheGuardsMustBeCrazy: What kind of guard accepts a chocolate cake while on duty? At least the episode tries to justify it by saying that their duty is a boring and thankless one with few to no breaks, making the idea of breaking to eat a cake someone gave them very tempting.
88	* HairFlip: When the delivery pony says he doesn't have time to redo Rarity's order, Rarity gives him a sly look before taking off her hat, running a hoof through her mane before laying on the charm.
89	* HappyDance: Rainbow does it twice, when knowing she'll fly with the Wonderbolts. She does a complete dance the first time, with Rarity telling Soarin to let her enjoy the moment; the second time, the dance is cut short since it is already time for the Wonderbolts' performance.
90	* HumbleHero: Surprisingly, Rainbow Dash plays this role to an extent, as she downplays her own achievements while praising the Wonderbolts'. Rarity even tells her "Don't be so modest."
91	* IDidWhatIHadToDo: Wind Rider uses this trope (and the exact phrase) as a pathetic excuse for his actions, claiming "you have to play dirty" to be the best. Rainbow Dash, Soarin and the others don't buy it, stating a real Wonderbolt looks out for their teammates.
92	--> '''Wind Rider:''' I did what I had to do to protect my record. Sometimes, you gotta play dirty to be the best.\
93	'''Rainbow Dash:''' That's not what being a Wonderbolt's all about.\
94	'''Soarin:''' She's right! Wonderbolts look out for each other!
95	* IKissYourHand: During the reception, Wind Rider kisses Princess Celestia's hoof as a show of respect.
96	* InsigniaRipOffRitual: Spitfire rips off Wind Rider's old Wonderbolt insignia from his jacket when she denounces him in front of the other Wonderbolts and effectively strips him of any ex-Wonderbolt pensions/benefits he earned as a retired veteran.
97	* {{Irony}}: Wind Rider frames the Mare of Loyalty for a petty act of treachery. On top of this, this duplicitous action, which Wind Rider took to preserve his reputation and legacy, [[LaserGuidedKarma ends up completely destroying them]].
98	* ItsAllAboutMe: Wind Rider frames Rainbow Dash and nearly gets her kicked off the Wonderbolts so she can't break his academy record.
99	* ItsTheBestWhateverEver: Rainbow Dash proclaims, "This is the best thing EVER!" after Soarin tells her they need her to replace the missing Spitfire for the aerial show. However, her enthusiasm soon gets doused when the Wonderbolts start accusing her of having plotted to remove Spitfire.
100	* IWouldSayIfICouldSay: Cinnamon Chai can't identify the customer who bought a particular cake... because the customer was almost completely covered in clothes.
101	* JabbaTableManners: Rainbow gobbles food from her plate during the dinner at Canterlot Castle, not even bothering to land first.
102	* JaywalkingWillRuinYourLife: For the relatively minor offense of sending Spitfire off so she'd miss the show, Rainbow Dash would have been banned from the Wonderbolts ''forever'', crushing her lifelong dream.
103	* JerkassRealization: Rainbow Dash gives Rarity a hard time for seemingly acting out a romanticized FilmNoir instead of seriously trying to help her. After Rarity's methods do just that, however, Rainbow realizes she was being too hard on a friend who was just looking out for her.
104	-->'''Rainbow Dash:''' Thank you for believing in me, even when I was doubting you. [[SarcasmMode I'm some friend, huh?]]
105	* TheKnightsWhoSaySquee: Rainbow Dash, renowned as one of the fastest fliers in Equestria, is a total fangirl for veteran Wonderbolt Wind Rider.
106	* LaserGuidedKarma: Wind Rider tries to get Rainbow Dash kicked out of the Wonderbolts out of fear she'd break his record. In the end it's him, despite being a retired veteran Wonderbolt, that's kicked out for his FrameUp, with Rainbow flying in his slot. And more subtly, with Rainbow coming back for the show on time after that was declared impossible, it's likely she did break his record (for long-distance flying) doing it. And finally, had Wind Rider just left well enough alone, then Rainbow may have still broken his record, but at least he would've retained his reputation and career. But now he's lost it all for JumpingOffTheSlipperySlope.
107	* LeftTheBackgroundMusicOn: The establishing shot for one of the noir-styled scenes centers on a stallion lounging in an apartment building window playing a muted trumpet, coincidentally providing the perfect mood music for Rarity's internal monologue on the street just below.
108	* LettingTheAirOutOfTheBand: The jazz-style music covering Rarity's {{Private Eye Monologue}}s splutters out twice when Rainbow Dash interrupts her during the interrogation of the royal guards, and again when Stormy Flare interrupts her at the end. Each of these moments is accompanied by a shift from black-and-white to full color.
109	* LoudGulp: Soarin gulps loudly when Rarity announces she found the culprit. Although that might be because he was [[TrademarkFavoriteFood eating a pie]] in the previous shot.
110	* ManipulativeBastard: Wind Rider is the real criminal mastermind. He is the one who set the letter, planted evidence, and pretended to be someone else.
111	* MeaningfulBackgroundEvent: During practice with the Wonderbolts, Rainbow Dash takes time to wave at Rarity watching in the stands. She briefly overtakes Wind Rider while doing so, and the look on his face is a clear indication he's not happy about it.
112	* MotiveRant: When Wind Rider is exposed as the pony who sent the letter to Spitfire, he admits he did it to preserve his legacy.
113	* MysteryEpisode: Someone sent a letter saying Spitfire's mother is sick, and Rainbow is blamed for it. So it's up to Rarity to find the real culprit and prove Rainbow's innocence.
114	* NoirEpisode: The episode is a homage to the genre, complete with DeliberatelyMonochrome colors, {{Chiaroscuro}} lighting, and muted trumpet music during Rarity's detective mode.
115	%%
116	%% NonStandardCharacterDesign is not "slight variation from the standard". There is no example in this episode, not even downplayed, don't add it back.
117	%%
118	* NoOSHACompliance: If Equestria has an OSHA equivalent, they may have something to say about how easily Rarity's mannequins fall over.
119	* NoSenseOfPersonalSpace: Dash grabs and holds up one of Wind Rider's wings when telling Rarity about his legendary record. She also knocks Rarity's hat off out of frustration with her unusual investigative technique later on.
120	* NotHelpingYourCase: When Rainbow Dash is questioned about where she was, she goes into detail over her dream of flying with the Wonderbolts and Wind Rider. Naturally, this makes her look more guilty in the eyes of the Wonderbolts. At least she admits that she isn't helping her case.
121	* OhCrap: Rainbow Dash has a big one when she gets a round of suspicious glares from the Wonderbolts, having been accused of sending Spitfire away.
122	* OnlyShopInTown: Cinnamon Chai's shop is the only one in all of Canterlot that sells the specific type of cake used to distract the castle guards.
123	* OohMeAccentsSlipping: Ashleigh Ball sounds quite Canadian when Rainbow spills a drink on Rarity's dress and says "Sorry about that," and when she complains that Rarity just asked about cake.
124	* OrgyOfEvidence: The envelope containing the note also included a chunk of rainbow hair. Unfortunately for the real villain, the amount of hair needed to show all the rainbow colors is also enough to reveal that one end was cut off cleanly. Not to mention that nopony would lose hair in a chunk like that.
125	* PrivateEyeMonologue: Every one of Rarity's FilmNoir scenes has her narrating and she's occasionally [[DidIJustSayThatOutLoud overheard by others]]. Bonus points for Rarity alternately playing the role of both the HardboiledDetective and the FemmeFatale.
126	* ProductPromotionParade: In-universe, Rarity takes the investigation opportunity to not only save Dash's reputation, but her frequent costume changes allows her to show off her new line inspired by Shadow Spade.
127	* RaceAgainstTheClock: Rainbow Dash has until the start of the show to prove her innocence, or else she'll be permanently banned from the Wonderbolts.
128	* ReasonableAuthorityFigure: Soarin could have easily kicked Rainbow Dash out of the Wonderbolts, especially with the others so sure of her guilt. Instead, he gave Rainbow Dash a chance to prove her innocence.
129	* RewatchBonus: Everything learned about Wind Rider takes on a whole new meaning since the audience knows how the fake letter came to be from the start.
130	* SelfFulfillingProphecy: Wind Rider tried to get Rainbow kicked out of the Wonderbolts because he was afraid of her breaking his speed record and losing his legacy. He ends up losing everything when his scheme gets discovered.
131	* ShoutOut:
132	** Rarity's silk dress is based on the dress of Athena in ''Manga/SaintSeiya''. Bonus points for both Athena and Rarity having purple hair.
133	** While the two are talking to Cinnamon Chai, ponified versions of [[Series/{{Sherlock}} Sherlock and Watson]] can be seeing talking in the background. Later they can be seen chasing Moriarty (during Rarity's flashback explanation on Wind Rider picking up the cake).[[note]]Sherlock's cutie mark is a bee referencing the original book series where Sherlock takes up beekeeping; Watson's is the pony equivalent of the smiley face that Sherlock paints on their flat wall in "The Blind Baker", and Moriarty's is a half-eaten apple, which Moriarty leaves as a threatening note in "The Reichenbach Fall".[[/note]]
134	** In her dream, Rainbow [[Film/TopGun takes a picture of a fellow flier while upside down]].
135	** Shadow Spade is a {{composite\|Character}} of the classic detective characters [[Literature/TheMalteseFalcon Sam Spade]] and Radio/TheShadow.
136	** The episode title is a take-off on ''Literature/PoirotInvestigates'', a collection of Literature/HerculePoirot mysteries by Creator/AgathaChristie.
137	** Rarity's Emergency Wardrobe Trunk has a Rarified version of the [[https://www.google.nl/search?q=louis+vuitton+pattern Louis Vuitton pattern]].
138	** When Rarity launches into rapid-fire questioning, she puts an inflection on her voice that makes her sound very similar to Hildy Johnson from ''Film/HisGirlFriday''.
139	--->'''Sassy Saddles:''' Rarity, you could sweet-talk a filly out of candy.
140	* SignatureItemClue: A clump of Dash's mane left on the envelope, which Rarity realizes was planted when she sees it was cut with shears.
141	* {{Sleepwalking}}: At one point, Rainbow Dash believes she might have written the letter and sent it when she was asleep.
142	-->'''Rainbow Dash:''' Do you know what I do when I sleep? Because ''I'' sure don't!
143	* SmallNameBigEgo: Although not a small name among the Wonderbolts, Wind Rider committed a crime just to keep his fame.
144	* SmarterThanYouLook: Everypony, including Rainbow Dash, is genuinely shocked that Rarity was able to solve the case with her [[HiddenDepths amazing detective skills.]]
145	* SomewhereAnEquestrianIsCrying: Some horses actually do like broccoli as a treat, but equestrians know not to set it out for them as part of a buffet. A plateful of broccoli like the one Rainbow Dash pigs out on would give a horse painful (though usually not life-threatening) gas colic. But then again, horses are not supposed to have chocolate either.
146	* SplashOfColor: During the first black-and-white sequence, the tuft of hair Rarity finds is still rainbow-colored, although significantly muted compared to her full-saturation rainbow mane during the normal color scenes.
147	* StockScream: A faint Wilhelm Scream can be heard during the Wonderbolt's reaction to the chocolate stain on Wind Rider's scarf.
148	* SweetAndSourGrapes: Rainbow Dash goes to retrieve Spitfire in time for the show, knowing it means losing an opportunity to fly in Spitfire's place in the show. However, Spitfire strips Wind Rider of his Wonderbolt status and gives Rainbow the spot of honor in his place.
149	* TalksLikeASimile: A requisite part of Rarity's {{private eye monologue}}. She's "on this case like a charm on a bracelet!"
150	* ThinkingOutLoud: Both Rainbow Dash and Stormy Flare call Rarity out on this with her lampshading this trope.
151	* ThisIsNoTimeForKnitting: Rarity goes about her investigation, but seems repeatedly distracted by the most trivial clothing and decor details. However in doing so, Rarity is actually finding the clues she needs to solve the case.
152	* TomboyAndGirlyGirl: Rainbow Dash and Rarity take this dynamic up to eleven, most notably in the GoodCopBadCop scene where the former is aggressive and hostile while the latter flirts and charms.
153	* TurnTheOtherCheek
154	** Rarity forgives Rainbow Dash for doubting her investigation skills.
155	** Rainbow also shows no hard feelings towards the Wonderbolts for suspecting her, and gladly flies alongside them for the Garden Show.
156	* UniformityException: The three Pegasi Royal Guards assigned to watch the entrance to the east tower rooms are not of the standard design that is usually seen in the series (white coat, blue mane, and blue tail). Guard #1 has a light brown coat with red mane and tail, Guard #2 has a tawny coat with blue mane and tail, and Guard #3 has a green coat with purple mane and tail.
157	* UnlimitedWardrobe: Rarity changes outfits constantly during the course of the investigation, which Dash [[LampshadeHanging lampshades]] at one point. She has a brand new line of clothes to show off, after all.
158	* UnwittingInstigatorOfDoom: Spitfire just ''has'' to mention, with him right there, that Rainbow might beat Wind Rider's record.
159	* VillainWithGoodPublicity: Wind Rider is seen as the ultimate Wonderbolt when he is not manipulating ponies around him. This gets dropped after they discover that he was the one responsible for the FrameUp.
160	* VisualPun: "Rainbow Dash was obviously upset, but I had all my ducks in a row!" (''an orderly trio of ducklings crosses the screen'') "...except one." (''a fourth duckling rushes to catch up with the others, trips, and falls into a rain puddle'')
161	* WalkInChimeIn: Rainbow Dash thanks Rarity for keeping her company in the stands during the Wonderbolts' practice, saying she doesn't know who she'd be talking to at the moment.
162	-->'''Soarin:''' ''[dropping in]'' Uh, you'd be talkin' to me.
163	* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: So did the delivery pony manage to redo Rarity's gem order?
164	* WhatTheHellHero: Subverted. Rainbow Dash questions why Rarity is seemingly doing nothing to help her, but she ultimately realizes that Rarity has been following her own unorthodox methods to gather clues and solve the mystery.
165	* WronglyAccused: Rainbow Dash is accused of Spitfire's disappearance with the possible motive being to take her place in the Wonderbolts. Unlike most examples, Soarin gives her the benefit of the doubt and the chance to prove herself innocent.
166	* YouAreBetterThanYouThinkYouAre: In the end, when Rainbow Dash is kicking herself for being a bad friend to Rarity for her seemingly pointless investigations, Rarity tells her otherwise; if Rainbow was a bad friend, she wouldn't have [[FriendOrIdolDecision risked her chance to fly with the Wonderbolts to save Spitfire]].

Context Recap / MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS5E16RarityInvestigates