I'm sure this is an episode that a lot of fans are going to identify with, since it features guilty pleasures and as those go, men liking things meant for little girls is right up there with some of the more disturbing sexual fetishes. Luckily, the guilty pleasure in this episode is something rarely seen in this day and age: READING.
After being hospitalized for breaking her wing, Rainbow Dash wonders how she'll pass the time on bed rest. Twilight suggests she read a good book, but Rainbow Dash staunchly refuses to read anything. This lasts all of one minute after her friends leave her to rest, then she gets bored and gives the book a try. The book itself features a pegasus mare who also injured her wing on her way to an Indiana Jones parody, and Rainbow Dash quickly gets sucked into the story.
Problem is, after taking such a firm stance against reading, she kind of has to keep this a secret, which becomes a nuisance when her friends visit regularly and a real problem when she is dismissed from hospital care, cutting off her access to the book. And right in the middle of a good part, too! How will she be able to finish the story without letting anypony know?
As mentioned, it's easy to place yourself in Rainbow Dash's hoofsteps if you're a fan of the show and needed to keep it secret from others. Given the Periphery Demographic of this show, it can be assumed this is aimed at quite a large chunk of the fandom. The aesop is that discovering a new interest doesn't change who you are and you shouldn't be ashamed of it, which I think is a superb lesson for the primary audience and especially the bronies.
The only criticisms I might give are admittedly nit-picky: Why does Rainbow Dash need the hospital's copy of the book after being dismissed? Are there no other bookstores in Ponyville? Also, the book's story gets a very large focus in the episode, and it might go on a little too long for some viewers. These don't spoil the episode for me, though, because they only become problems if you focus too hard.
In summation, this is a really great episode that I believe everyone should watch. My opinion in Cindy Morrow's writing continues to climb, and I wonder how she will surpass herself next time.
A heart-wrenching epic tale soaked with symbolism and poignant poetry
Ha, just kidding. It's just another episode of a great show.
I'm sure this is an episode that a lot of fans are going to identify with, since it features guilty pleasures and as those go, men liking things meant for little girls is right up there with some of the more disturbing sexual fetishes. Luckily, the guilty pleasure in this episode is something rarely seen in this day and age: READING.
After being hospitalized for breaking her wing, Rainbow Dash wonders how she'll pass the time on bed rest. Twilight suggests she read a good book, but Rainbow Dash staunchly refuses to read anything. This lasts all of one minute after her friends leave her to rest, then she gets bored and gives the book a try. The book itself features a pegasus mare who also injured her wing on her way to an Indiana Jones parody, and Rainbow Dash quickly gets sucked into the story.
Problem is, after taking such a firm stance against reading, she kind of has to keep this a secret, which becomes a nuisance when her friends visit regularly and a real problem when she is dismissed from hospital care, cutting off her access to the book. And right in the middle of a good part, too! How will she be able to finish the story without letting anypony know?
As mentioned, it's easy to place yourself in Rainbow Dash's hoofsteps if you're a fan of the show and needed to keep it secret from others. Given the Periphery Demographic of this show, it can be assumed this is aimed at quite a large chunk of the fandom. The aesop is that discovering a new interest doesn't change who you are and you shouldn't be ashamed of it, which I think is a superb lesson for the primary audience and especially the bronies.
The only criticisms I might give are admittedly nit-picky: Why does Rainbow Dash need the hospital's copy of the book after being dismissed? Are there no other bookstores in Ponyville? Also, the book's story gets a very large focus in the episode, and it might go on a little too long for some viewers. These don't spoil the episode for me, though, because they only become problems if you focus too hard.
In summation, this is a really great episode that I believe everyone should watch. My opinion in Cindy Morrow's writing continues to climb, and I wonder how she will surpass herself next time.