History Recap / MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS1E2ElementsOfHarmony

* RealityEnsues: Applejack gets Rainbow Dash to back off from her accusing Twilight to be a spy. Twilight is still forced to explain to the Mane 5 how she knew about Nightmare Moon.

* ThemeMusicPowerUp: The moment the Elements of Harmony transforms from broken bits of stone into necklaces worn by their respective bearers, the ''My Little Pony'' theme tune gets an uplifting reprise.

* AlwaysCamp: [[AscendedFanon Steven Magnet]], the sea serpent who throws a hissy fit because half his mustache is cut off.

** The Mayor sending her guards to attack Nightmare Moon, only for her to erupt and frighten them is reminiscent of the scene in ''Disney/SleepingBeauty'' where Maleficent curses baby Aurora. Even the dialogue is word-for-word.

* AnAesop: It’s important to make friends, though it may seem hard at first.

* AnAesop: It’s important to make friends, though it may seem hard at first.

* BigNo: Nightmare Moon lets one out before getting blasted with the Elements Of Harmony.

** The first song of the series has Pinkie Pie teaching the Mane Six about [[FaceYourFears standing up to their fears]] and how the illusions are all just in their imaginations. Likewise, the first episode of ''WesternAmination/MyLittlePonyTales'' also had a song about facing your fears and how shadows in the dark aren't what they appear to be.

* ForWantOfANail: As Celestia pointed out near the end, if Twilight didn’t understood the importance of friendship which is what activates the Elements of Harmony, Nightmare Moon would’ve won.

'''Also known as "Friendship Is Magic, part 2".'''

* FriendOrIdolDecision: Nightmare Moon forces Rainbow Dash to choose between joining the "Shadow Bolts" or helping her friends. As it turns out, Rainbow Dash [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold isn't a complete jerkass}}.

* ForWantOfANail[=/=]NearVillainVictory:: As Celestia pointed out near the end, if Twilight didn’t understood the importance of friendship which is what activates the Elements of Harmony, Nightmare Moon would’ve won.
* FriendOrIdolDecision: Nightmare Moon forces Rainbow Dash to choose between joining the "Shadow Bolts" or helping her friends. As it turns out, Rainbow Dash [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold isn't a complete]] {{Jerkass}}.

* SecretTestOfCharacter: Double subverted. Nightmare Moon was ''not'' testing their character but her traps served as such for Twilight's purpose and proved the ponies' worthiness as Bearers of the Elements.

* EarlyInstallmentCharacterDesignDifference: The character design for Princess Luna in this episode -- small and timid, with a withers-length light blue mane -- is never seen again in the series. When she next appears in the following season, she's a much taller LargeHam, with a darker coat and a big sparkling ethereal mane. This change is necessary because the plot of [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS2E4LunaEclipsed "Luna Eclipsed"]] requires everypony to believe that Luna is still Nightmare Moon.

* WhatsUpKingDude: Upon encountering [[GodEmperor Princess Celestia]], the ponies instantly kneel in silent reverence, even [[GenkiGirl Pinkie Pie]] and [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold Rainbow Dash]]... but not [[GrumpyBear Twilight Sparkle]]. She goes for a ''hug'' since she is a long-time student of Celestia who is particularly affectionate towards her.

* PalsWithJesus: Upon encountering [[PhysicalGod Princess Celestia]], the ponies instantly kneel in silent reverence, even [[GenkiGirl Pinkie Pie]] and [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold Rainbow Dash]]... but not [[GrumpyBear Twilight Sparkle]]. She goes for a ''hug'' since she is a long-time student of Celestia who is particularly affectionate towards her.

* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: The character design for Princess Luna in this episode -- small and timid, with a withers-length light blue mane -- is never seen again in the series. When she next appears in the following season, she's a much taller LargeHam, with a darker coat and a big sparkling ethereal mane. This change is necessary because the plot of [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS2E4LunaEclipsed "Luna Eclipsed"]] requires everypony to believe that Luna is still Nightmare Moon.

Picking up from the last episode, Nightmare Moon departs as dramatically and suddenly as she arrived, leaving the citizens of Ponyville wondering what to do. Twilight Sparkle returns to the library to do some research, putting the baby Spike to bed beforehand. As she searches frantically for information, Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rarity and Rainbow Dash show up, all having figured out that the newcomer knew what's going on. She tells them about uncovering the prophecy on Nightmare Moon and the only thing that can possibly stop her: the Elements of Harmony. With the help of Pinkie Pie, Twilight finds a book on the Elements of Harmony which names the five known ones (Honesty, Kindness, Laughter, Generosity and Loyalty) and pinpoints their last known location... in an abandoned castle in [[TheLostWoods the Everfree Forest]].

** The stripes on Twilight's tail don't get disheveled when Rainbow bites on it to keep her from falling into the gourge with the broken bridge.

Picking up from the last episode, Nightmare Moon departs as dramatically and suddenly as she arrived, leaving the citizens of Ponyville wondering what to do. Twilight Sparkle returns to the library to do some research, putting the baby Spike to bed beforehand. As she searches frantically for information, Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rarity and Rainbow Dash show up, all knowing that the newcomer knows what's going on. She tells them about uncovering the prophecy on Nightmare Moon and the only thing that can possibly stop her: the Elements of Harmony. With the help of Pinkie Pie, Twilight finds a book on the Elements of Harmony which names the five known ones (Honesty, Kindness, Laughter, Generosity and Loyalty) and pinpoints their last known location... in an abandoned castle in [[TheLostWoods the Everfree Forest]].

* MistakenForSpies: While Twilight is searching for information on the Elements of Harmony, Rainbow shows up, backs her into a corner, and accuses her of being in cahoots with Nightmare Moon [[JustifiedTrope (which was a reasonable guess, since Twilight knew what was going to happen at the Summer Sun Celebration)]]. Fortunately, Applejack recognized Twilight was on their side, got Rainbow to back off, and let the newcomer explain herself.

** The stripes on Twilight's tail don't get disheveled when Rainbow bites on it to keep her from falling over the broken bridge.

* MistakenForSpies: While Twilight is searching for information on the Elements of Harmony, Rainbow shows up, backs her into a corner, and accuses her of being in cahoots with Nightmare Moon [[JustifiedTrope (which was reasonable guess, since Twilight knew what was going to happen at the Summer Sun Celebration)]]. Fortunately, Applejack recognized Twilight was on their side, got Rainbow to back off, and let the newcomer explain herself.

* When a broken rope bridge over a deep gorge bars the path, Rainbow Dash is tasked with flying to the other side and fixing the bridge. Nightmare Moon takes on the form of a trio of performing Pegasi and offers Dash fame and fortune. Rainbow Dash is eager to take the deal until she learns she has to abandon her friends. While still tempted, she chooses to remain loyal to her friends.