* AlternateAesopInterpretation:
** Even years after the fact, Fluttershy is psychologically damaged by childhood bullying and teasing. Thus this could certainly be seen as a message about how badly that kind of thing can hurt someone.
** From Dash's failed efforts to break the record; just because you can't be as good as you try, be comfortable with being good ''enough''.
** Don't ignore small symptoms of illnesses, especially before an major event. It may end up spinning into ruining your chance to win a contest.
* AlternativeCharacterInterpretation: At the end of the episode, are the other pegasi cheering for Fluttershy because they appreciate the help, or are they trying to make amends for the abuse they heaped on her in flight school?
* CharacterRerailment:
** Angel is kinder towards Fluttershy, considering his behavior in his [[TookALevelInJerkass last]] [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS2E19PuttingYourHoofDown appearance.]] He comforts her when she's sad, brushes her mane, and helps coach her as she trains for the tornado making.
** Similarly, after a lengthy number of UnsympatheticComedyProtagonist roles in the second season, Rainbow Dash has her loyal altruistic nature spotlighted to [[CharacterDevelopment even larger levels than before]].
* EnsembleDarkhorse:
** The massively-muscled pegasus with the tiny wings, who had fanart within about ten seconds of the preview clip airing. (Subsequently named either Snowflake or Roid Rage by the fandom before getting the canonical name Bulk Biceps.)
** Flitter, Cloudchaser, Thunderlane, Rumble, and Blossomforth have developed a following as well. The former two especially, with their distinctive designs (Flitter's pink bow and Cloudchaser's AnimeHair mane) likely contributing to that.
* FanNickname: Before he was officially named Bulk Biceps, the white overly-muscular pegasus has been named many things, including Horse Power, [[Series/MysteryScienceTheater3000 Big McLargeHooves]], Roid Rage, Pumped Up, [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking and]] [[FluffyTheTerrible Snowflake.]]
* HarsherInHindsight: Fluttershy pretends to be sick by painting spots on her body. Earlier she's also disguised as a tree. The same colored spots [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS7E18AHealthOfInformation turn out to be a symptom of a real disease which Fluttershy comes down with, and almost turn her into a tree]].
* HilariousInHindsight: Several months before this episode, there was [[http://mariokidd319.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d4neghq this]] piece of fan art shipping Fluttershy and an OC named RGB, whose cutie mark is a tornado.
* LesYay: When Rainbow Dash is first trying to get Fluttershy confident in her cottage, this exchange occurs, leading to jokes about Fluttershy confirming an alternative choice of lifestyle and Rainbow Dash being overjoyed to hear it.
-->'''Fluttershy:''' I'll do it. \\
'''Rainbow Dash:''' You will!? \\
'''Fluttershy:''' I will. \\
'''Rainbow Dash:''' You're game!? [[note]]as part of the joke this is deliberately misheard as "you're gay!?"[[/note]] \\
'''Fluttershy:''' I'm game. \\
''Rainbow Dash grabs Fluttershy and flies through the air holding her.'' \\
'''Rainbow Dash: ''' ALRIGHT!
** There's also some heartwarming moments between the two like Rainbow Dash's "But I ''need'' you!" and Twilight's "Do it for Rainbow Dash!"
* {{Moe}}: [[http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120326190215/mlp/images/f/fd/Gray_pegasus_colt_s02e22.png Rumble]], Thunderlane's little brother.
** Also... as usual... Fluttershy.
* NightmareFuel: The very [[Creator/AlfredHitchcock Hitchcock-ian]] scene of Fluttershy feeling everypony's eyes on her.
* RescuedFromTheScrappyHeap: [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold Angel]] is seen combing Fluttershy's hair and assisting her training.
* SuspiciouslySimilarSong: The song that plays during the training montage sounds similar to "[[Film/TheKarateKid You're The Best Around]]".
* TearJerker:
** One scene that is made all the sadder by [[LonelyPianoPiece the background]] [[PlayingTheHeartStrings music]]:
--->'''Rainbow Dash:''' Fluttershy, wait! So some punks poked a bit of fun at you and you got stage fright, big deal. You're not gonna go quit just because of ''that'', are you?
--->'''Fluttershy:''' [sobbing] '''''YEH-HE-HES!!'''''
** Fluttershy crying her eyes out under a tree while her animal friends comfort her.
** Fluttershy's elation at competing when Twilight was measuring wingpower... only to be crushed when hers was only 2.3 despite how hard she'd worked.
* SugarWiki/VisualEffectsOfAwesome: The tornado scene.
* TheWoobie:
** Fluttershy was bullied in school, ''and'' was shoved off a cloud by her teacher.
** Rainbow Dash too for having to watch her best friend get bullied back in Flight Camp and fail at making the tornado in front of her [[WellDoneSonGuy idol]], Spitfire. It is hard not to applaud her and Fluttershy when the two finally make the tornado.
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