History FridgeBrilliance / MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicSeason7

* This episode suddenly puts "The Mane Attraction" in a whole different light! One used to wonder how Sven-Gallop could even arrange for Countess Coloratura to be pulled out of charities, besides bluffing. But then you see this episode and you realize how he'd pull it off: if they ever step out of line, all Sven-Gallop has to do is [[ManipulativeBastard convince]] Rara that whoever they're performing for are [[LoonyFan crazy idiots]] like the ones we see here. Odds are he's had to deal with more than one such instance.

* Rumble's assertion about cutie marks seems incredibly black and white, acting as though a cutie mark is akin to a chain tethering you to one thing and one thing only for life. Not only are many cutie marks rather fluid and up to interpretation by both their owners and others at any time, but they do not control a pony's identity. Something similar came up way back in the episode Filli Vinilli. Fluttershy, who's cutie mark, destiny and special talent are animal-based, is also a very talented singer and clearly loves to sing on top of that. (This is also common in real life. For example, someone with a passion for creative writing might also have an interest in cooking or medicine) Nobody stopped Fluttershy from singing because of her cutie mark, so there dosn't seem to be much societal pressure to fit into your mark at all times. However, gaining a cutie mark has constantly held parallels to growing up -- specifically, on an emotional level. Rumble might be unaware or even actively dismissing these points because that's kind of what emotionally immature children do in these cases.

* This episode may have an AccidentalAesop that applies to real life. Some people think that just because all they want to do is art, or sports, or technology, every other aspect of school is pointless for reaching their goal in life. But Thunderlane proves to Rumble (and the audience) that that's not true. The whole point of learning other talents (despite you already have a talent you love doing) is to avoid CripplingOverspecialization.

* Some would say that Rumble is a KarmaHoudini because he wasn't scolded or punished for 'upending the entire camp'. But in a way, Rumble did end up bringing punishment [[HoistByHisOwnPetard upon himself]]. As more and more of the campers left the Blank-Flank-Forever side of his camp, Rumble found himself in a self-imposed "time-out". And he came to the unspoken realization that being mean about Cutie Marks wasn't going to win friends in the long run.
* Of course Rumble won't trying anything else! He already chose to be a Wonder Bolt, yet he hasn't yet received a cutie mark in flying like his brother, no matter how many times he flies the Wonder Bolt obstacle course. This would certainly plant some fears that he's destined to get a cutie mark in other things.

** Which raises Fridge about Twilight. She was originally a unicorn, and still admires unicorn legends to an extent. But based on what's been revealed so far, the only alicorns with a historical legend will be Celestia and Luna, and Twilight helped resolve ''their'' legend in the series premiere. Unless there's another alicorn legend we're building toward...?
*** Actually, Twilight used to be a ''Unicorn'' pony, so that would leave one prominent pony as her favorite legend: Star Swirl the Bearded.
*** But Twilight's an alicorn now, which still leaves room for an appearance from a historical alicorn that featured in the comics. Or at least, something resembling an alicorn that's existed long enough to have its own legend that isn't related to Celestia or Luna.

* Fluttershy's stare didn't work on the flashbees because she was propably already too sick and tired to focus.

* A lot of viewers thought Rarity being unable to grow her mane back was a ''huge'' AssPull, given that there were [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS1E6BoastBusters two]] [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS3E5MagicDuel instances]] where magic made ponies grow mustaches. However, one thing to remember is that the mustaches grew from existing hair (the differing color can be chalked up to a side-effect of the magic). When Rarity used the removal lotion, Zecora says that the hair was killed off at the root. In other words, there was nothing ''to'' grow back, so any spells similar to the mustache spells would've been pointless.
** Actually, Zecora later mentions that what she said earlier was "totally wrong". She meant to tell Rarity that the hair roots weren't dead, but merely damaged. They needed time for the remover potion to wear off before it could heal and start to grow back.
** Alternatively, the fact that we see a crystalized mane in this very episode(first mane that Twilight tries to give Rarity that immediately shatters), the flowing manes of Celestia and Luna(and Twilight at some parts of Twilight's Kingdom), and Pinkies oft-recurring PrehensileHair, all imply that pony manes themselves have inherent magic to them, and, just like cutie marks, tampering with that inherent magic would be a bad idea. This also rebuts the oft-mentioned Fridge Logic of Twilight having grown a mustache on Spike in Boast Busters yet being unable to grow a mane here--the mustache lacked that inherent magic, so it was far easier for Twilight to manipulate.

*** Except Zecora described using magic to fix manes as problematic before the potions were even swapped, implying that, removal potion or not, fixing manes with magic is tricky in and of itself.

* It's easy to believe it's a BrokenAesop when Rarity makes her ruined mane actually look good. But the point isn't about making yourself look good. It's about feeling good despite how you look, about "shining from the inside out". If she had worn that same outfit with a bad mood, she would've come off as looking like a "good girl gone bad". But with the attitude of some pony cheery and fabulous, others can see it on her face.

* Most Changelings are now focusing into artistic careers (performers, painters, crafters...) which makes sense since they used to impersonate ponies and other creatures for a living, so they have, at the very least, decent observational and acting skills, limited only by their lack of understanding of their mimicked subject's personality and interactions. Now that they have the time and chance to do their own thing, the Changelings are using the abilities they're naturally good at. This also explains why Pharynx is having a hard time to adapt to the new society, as his natural skills were always battle oriented.

* Pharnyx's appearance, like Thorax, is different than that of the other changelings, which makes sense when you consider that since they're siblings, whatever mutation or other factor caused that color different is probably genetic to some degree.
** Not only that, but just like how Thorax is basically the Celestia of the three basic changelings types (visible butt wings, horns, weird diamond neck things) while being massive and having the addition of antlers, compared to Celestia's more taller horse like forms. Pharnyx calls to Luna's design, all the major Changeling types but a much darker coat and a bit smaller then the more powerful sibling.
*** On that same note, Pharynx may be a parallel to Luna, not just for being darker. Luna was feared for being associated with nighttime, and for being "aggressively" regal. Pharynx was disliked by the other changelings for being too [[DarkerAndEdgier edgy]], and generally aggressive. Luna went rogue in her own [[FallenHero extreme way]], Pharynx went rogue in a [[AntiHero more mild way]]. And both were ultimately accepted once others saw they truly cared about them.

* Pharynx's anger over his position is somewhat understandable. He grew up his entire life to be a warrior and now the Hive has drastically changed and apparently no longer has need of him. This is similar to demobilization where a nation reduces their military because it is no longer in a state of war. As a result of this, soldiers go from being an invaluable asset to an unnecessary weight. And veterans have a hard time readjusting to a peaceful life when they're used to the disciplined and compartmentalized routines of being in the military.
** Thankfully for Pharynx, the Hive has realized that it still needs warriors so as to ensure that it is not completely defenseless from being attacked by dangerous monsters. As they would say "If you want peace, prepare for war."
** The fact that the Hive only had one warrior is similar to the problem with the Roman Kingdom: They never had a full-time professional army and only created temporary armies through a compulsory levy at the start of a military campaign which would then be completely dismissed at the end of it. This meant that they were completely vulnerable in times of peace and could probably be quickly taken over by a hostile belligerent in a surprise attack.

* Rainbow Dash [[ConvectionSchmonvection being able to function comfortably around red-hot lava]] makes more sense when you remember that pegasi have survived, which (at least applying Earth physics) heats the air around it to 30000 Kelvin (53540 Fahrenheit). Therefore, it makes sense that [[RequiredSecondaryPowers their ability to survive lightning strikes requires a degree of resistance to extreme heat]]. Furthermore, the hottest eruptions on Earth today are about 1500 Kelvin (2240 Fahrenheit) - nowhere ''near'' the lightning that pegasi work with.

* Rainbow Dash [[ConvectionSchmonvection being able to function comfortably around red-hot lava]] makes more sense when you remember that she's survived direct hits from lightning (which heats the air around it to 30000 Kelvin (53540 Fahrenheit)). Therefore, it makes sense that [[RequiredSecondaryPowers Dash (and by extension, other pegasi) are resistant to extreme heat]].

** Star Swirl's dismissive and very black & white view on things is a bit of a shocker after many seasons worth of hearing how 'great' he was. The only minorly negative thing we'd heard was Celestia saying that he didn't know the magic of friendship as well as Twilight. But of course the modern stories and legends would present a wise and kind unicorn - legends and stories that are hundreds and thousands of years old often lose details over time and tend to eventually present a somewhat idealized view of the 'hero', leaving out the flaws that would make the hero human (or err, pony in this case).

** There are actually a few layers to that dream. In her normal job, she can bend the world of dreams to her will, allowing her to interact with ponies one-on-one, on her terms. Tonight, however, she can't do that, because her power to do so is on loan to Celestia. She's being confronted by dozens of ponies over mistakes she made during the day in the waking world, and she can do nothing about it.

* Related to the above, Rainbow reveals that she can take a nap pretty much anywhere and at any time. This is also a great advantage for training, as Rainbow can take a quick nap to recover her strength and wake up ready to continue.

* A particular reason why Riley outgrew his squeaky toy: that toy might've been previously suitable for a puppy who was teething. But Riley's a full grown dog, and he wants toys that offer activities ''other'' than teething and biting and chewing.

* Big Daddy Mccolt is the perfect choice for helping Fluttershy build the sanctuary, as opposed to those other "experts". Why? Because he fills in most of their specialties without being too presumptuous about it. His whole family has specialized in building for generations, making him just as good construction as Hard Hat, but not as hard-nosed. He and Ma Hooffield both want the animals in their valley to live in peace, so he's got the animals' interests at heart, unlike Wrangler. And Dandy Grandeur? Well, Pa may have a humbler style, but luckily, the animals aren't asking for much.

** Note that Stygian transforms into Pony of Shadows inside the Castle of the Two Sisters: it's entirely possible the Shadow entity left some of itself behind to ensnare someone else.