History YMMV / MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS6E17TheTimesTheyAreAChangeling

* AuthorsSavingThrow: A cross-continuity example. While fans were fine with the idea of Chrysalis herself being over a thousand years old in ''Fiendship is Magic #5, most found it odd and off-putting that the entire changeling species was just that one swarm that never aged, healed, or increased in number. Here, it's more or less revealed to be not true.

* SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic: "A Changeling Can Change", Spike's first solo song.

* {{Narm}}: The montage of everyone {{gasp}}ing at Spike calling Thorax his friend goes on a tad too long and starts to enter parody territory.

* AwesomeMusic: "A Changeling Can Change", Spike's first solo song.

** A straight example would be Spike's musical number. Some think it was AwesomeMusic and a ''major'' step-up from his failure of the Cloudsdale anthem in "Equestria Games", while others thought it was cringe-worthy, largely unnecessary and some even consider it to be an AntiClimax.

* CounterpartComparison: A sensitive, awkward person raised from birth to be an unquestioning {{Mook}} soldier, indistinguishable in appearance from all his comrades, sent to attack innocents by a selfish villain but unable to bring himself to fire a shot, who then defects and makes friends with a popular hero, thus paving the way for his joining with the forces of good -- are we talking about Thorax the changeling, or [[Film/TheForceAwakens Finn the stormtrooper]]?

** There's also some notable similarities to ''[[FanFic/TheChangelingOfTheGuard The Changeling of the Guard]]'', first posted in March of 2014...

* TaintedByThePreview: After the trailers were released, fans started accusing this episode of being a [[ItsTheSameSoItSucks rehash]] of "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS6E6NoSecondPrances No Second Prances]]". Spike befriending a changeling to the dismay of Shining Armor and Princess Cadance has the same premise as Twilight's suspicions when Starlight Glimmer befriends Trixie. However, it's mitigated by the fact that there has been nothing since "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS2E26ACanterlotWeddingPart2 A Canterlot Wedding]]" that would suggest Shining Armor and Cadance would be any less distrustful towards changelings. Twilight seemed to forgive Trixie at first in "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS3E5MagicDuel Magic Duel]]", which cast her hostility in "No Second Prances" in a hypocritical light. Shining Armor and Cadance also have much more understandable reasons for distrusting Thorax -- namely, the only other changelings that the royal couple have any personal experience with launched a full-scale invasion of their nation's capital, sabotaged their wedding, kidnapped Cadance, and brainwashed Shining Armor (all of which Shining Armor himself brings up during the episode).[[note]]Also, if you consider the IDW comic books to be canon as well, that would give the royal couple even more reason to be distrustful.[[/note]]

* VisualEffectsOfAwesome: The three-dimensional animation as Spike slides through the cave.

** Everypony's vehemence that a changeling can't be good, as well as their hostility and panic in regards to Thorax, can seem painfully excessive to some viewers, especially considering the well-known reformations of villains like Starlight Glimmer and Discord. On the other hand, Shining Armor and Cadance in particular have pretty good reasons to feel the way they do considering their last encounter with changelings, so other viewers argue their reactions are realistic.

* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot: This episode could have finally given viewers a chance to see what became of Chrysalis after her failed invasion of Canterlot back in season 2, yet instead there's no mention whatsoever of what's become of her [[note]] Again, only if you don't consider the IDW comics canon which did showcase what happened.[[/note]], the queen's only appearance being in a flashback to Thorax's birth and the aforementioned invasion. Granted, the fact Thorax outright admits he was part of said invasion and still kicking indicates she's probably still around, but Thorax neglects to elaborate on that and no one else asks either. [[spoiler: We do, however, learn what happened to Chrysalis in the season 6 finale.]]

** ''[[Blog/AskFlufflePuff Fluffle Puff]]'' [[http://askflufflepuff.tumblr.com/post/75054210237 even somewhat predicted this]].

* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot: This episode could have finally given viewers a chance to see what became of Chrysalis after her failed invasion of Canterlot back in season 2, yet instead there's no mention whatsoever of what's become of her [[note]] Again, only if you don't consider the IDW comics canon which did showcase what happened.[[/note]], the queen's only appearance being in a flashback to Thorax's birth and the aforementioned invasion. Granted, the fact Thorax outright admits he was part of said invasion and still kicking indicates she's probably still around, but Thorax neglects to elaborate on that and no one else asks either.

* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot:
** This episode could have finally given viewers a chance to see what became of Chrysalis after her failed invasion of Canterlot back in season 2, yet instead there's no mention whatsoever of what's become of her [[note]] Again, only if you don't consider the IDW comics canon which did showcase what happened.[[/note]], the queen's only appearance being in a flashback to Thorax's birth and the aforementioned invasion. Granted, the fact Thorax outright admits he was part of said invasion and still kicking indicates she's probably still around, but Thorax neglects to elaborate on that and no one else asks either.
** It really doesn't do any good to post extra Guards on high alert if you're dealing with changelings since ''they can look like anypony or anything''. As the yellow Pegasus Guard had suggested, what they really needed was a system where absolute proof of identity was required to be present at all times as well as counterspells and wards that cancel out a changeling's transformation magic.

* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot: This episode could have finally given viewers a chance to see what became of Chrysalis after her failed invasion of Canterlot back in season 2, yet instead there's no mention whatsoever of what's become of her [[note]] Again, only if you don't consider the IDW comics canon which did showcase what happened.[[/note]], the queen's only appearance being in a flashback to Thorax's birth and the aforementioned invasion. Granted, the fact Thorax outright admits he was part of said invasion and still kicking indicates she's probably still around, but Thorax neglects to elaborate on that and no one else asks either.

** Also, ''This'' [[http://pony-berserker.deviantart.com/art/The-Times-They-Are-A-Changeling-460889590 picture]] has the ''exact same name'' as the episode, posted back in June 2014.

** This [[http://pony-berserker.deviantart.com/art/The-Times-They-Are-A-Changeling-460889590 picture]] has the ''exact same name'' as the episode, posted back in June 2014.

* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot: This episode could have finally given viewers a chance to see what became of Chrysalis after her failed invasion of Canterlot back in season 2, yet instead there's no mention whatsoever of what's become of her, the queen's only appearance being in a flashback to Thorax's birth and the aforementioned invasion. Granted, the fact Thorax outright admits he was part of said invasion and still kicking indicates she's probably still around, but Thorax neglects to elaborate on that and no one else asks either.

* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot: This episode could have finally given viewers a chance to see what became of Chrysalis after her failed invasion of Canterlot back in season 2, yet instead there's no mention whatsoever of what's become of her, the queen's only appearance being in a flashback to Thorax's birth and the aforementioned invasion.

* CounterpartComparison: A sensitive, awkward person raised from birth to be an unquestioning {{Mook}} soldier, indistinguishable in appearance from all his comrades, sent to attack innocents by a selfish villain but unable to bring himself to fire a shot, who then defects and makes friends with with a popular hero, thus paving the way for his joining with the forces of good -- are we talking about Thorax the changeling, or [[Film/TheForceAwakens Finn the stormtrooper]]?

* EpilepticTrees: Thorax's statement that he was raised by an evil Queen is an implication that there is more than one Queen in the Changeling Kingdom or at least a confirmation to the existence of Proto-Queens in the species.

* EpilepticTrees: Thorax's statement that she was raised by an evil Queen is an implication that there is more than one Queen in the Changeling Kingdom or at least a confirmation to the existence of Proto-Queens in the species.

* AwesomeMusic: "A Changeling can Change", Spike's first solo song.

** Before the episode aired, some fans were worried that the episode would rehash "No Second Prances", but others liked the idea of Spike befriending a Changeling. Thankfully, the episode was well-received by many in the fanbase.

** Everypony's vehemence that a Changeling can't be good, as well as their hostility and panic in regards to Thorax, can seem painfully excessive to some viewers, especially considering the well-known reformations of villains like Starlight Glimmer and Discord. On the other hand, Shining Armor and Cadance in particular have pretty good reasons to feel the way they do considering their last encounter with Changelings, so other viewers argue their reactions are realistic.

* CounterpartComparison: A sensitive, awkward person raised from birth to be an unquestioning {{Mook}} soldier, indistinguishable in appearance from all his comrades, sent to attack innocents by a selfish villain but unable to bring himself to fire a shot, who then defects and makes friends with with a popular hero, thus paving the way for his joining with the forces of good -- are we talking about Thorax the Changeling, or [[Film/TheForceAwakens Finn the Stormtrooper]]?
* EnsembleDarkhorse: Thorax is pretty much the Changeling equivalent of [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS6E5GauntletOfFire Princess Ember]] in terms of this.

** Granted, friendly Changelings who wanted to defect from Chrysalis was a pretty common fan idea since their introduction in season 2. But now that we have a canon one, this is ripe for exploration to how other defectors will react to finding out that one of their own managed to cross the barrier and if they have a chance to legitimately live in pony society. Thorax wanting to spread what he has learned and hoping that Changelings can find alternate means to feeding on love (another common fan idea) only adds more fuel to the fire.

** Thorax also revealed that Changelings are capable of transforming into non-living objects like rocks.
** New insights in Changeling culture and behavior -- such as how they live in insect-like hives, hatch from eggs, and have distinct larval and adult stages -- while not necessarily fanfic-worthy by themselves, are sure to provide excellent material for anyone writing Changeling-based fics in the future.

** [[http://vavacung.deviantart.com/ Vavacung]], a prominent fanartist from Thailand, is one of the biggest Changeling fans in the MLP fandom who believes in good Changelings since "A Canterlot Wedding" and has a lot of fanworks portraying Changelings in a good light. She finally got her wish with this Episode.

* TaintedByThePreview: After the trailers were released, fans started accusing this episode of being a [[ItsTheSameSoItSucks rehash]] of "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS6E6NoSecondPrances No Second Prances]]". Spike befriending a Changeling to the dismay of Shining Armor and Princess Cadance has the same premise as Twilight's suspicions when Starlight Glimmer befriends Trixie. However, it's mitigated by the fact that there has been nothing since "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS2E26ACanterlotWeddingPart2 A Canterlot Wedding]]" that would suggest Shining Armor and Cadance would be any less distrustful towards Changelings. Twilight seemed to forgive Trixie at first in "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS3E5MagicDuel Magic Duel]]", which cast her hostility in "No Second Prances" in a hypocritical light. Shining Armor and Cadance also have much more understandable reasons for distrusting Thorax -- namely, the only other Changelings that the royal couple have any personal experience with launched a full-scale invasion of their nation's capital, sabotaged their wedding, kidnapped Cadance, and brainwashed Shining Armor (all of which Shining Armor himself brings up during the episode).[[note]]Also, if you consider the IDW comic books to be canon as well, that would give the royal couple even more reason to be distrustful.[[/note]]

* UglyCute: We finally get to see what baby Changelings look like, and they're actually quite adorable.

** With the Crystal Empire under EmergencyAuthority due to a suspected Changeling spy in their midst, the premise sounds a lot like the ethnic and religious conflicts in many parts of the world throughout modern history. Americans in particular might be tempted to see parallels to anti-Muslim rhetoric and {{Deep Cover Agent}}s that have pervaded some political spheres since the beginning of TheWarOnTerror (especially since the main reason for the hostility was due to a terrorist attack during the Season 2 finale).

** A straight example would be Spike's musical number. Some think it was AwesomeMusic and a ''major'' step-up from his failure of the Cloudsdale anthem in ''Equestrian Games'', while others thought it was cringe-worthy, largely unnecessary and some even consider it to be an AntiClimax.
** Everypony's vehemence that a changeling can't be good, as well as their hostility and panic in regards to Thorax, can seem painfully excessive to some viewers, especially considering the well-known reformations of villains like Starlight Glimmer and Discord. On the other hand, Shining Armor and Cadance in particular have pretty good reasons to feel the way they do considering their last encounter with changelings, so other viewers argue their reactions are realistic.

* CounterpartComparison: A sensitive, awkward person raised from birth to be an unquestioning {{Mook}} soldier, indistinguishable in appearance from all his comrades, sent to attack innocents by a selfish villain but unable to bring himself to fire a shot, who then defects and makes friends with with a popular hero, thus paving the way for his joining with the forces of good -- are we talking about Thorax the changeling, or [[Film/TheForceAwakens Finn the stormtrooper]]?

** Likewise what exactly Thorax was doing after Chrysalis's invasion failed before he reached the Crystal Empire.

** New insights in changeling culture and behavior -- such as how they live in insect-like hives, hatch from eggs, and have distinct larval and adult stages -- while not necessarily fanfic-worthy by themselves, are sure to provide excellent material for anyone writing changeling-based fics in the future.

** [[http://vavacung.deviantart.com/ Vavacung]], a prominent fanartist from Thailand, is one of the biggest Changeling fans in the [=MLP=] fandom who beleives in good Changelings since a Canterlot Wedding and has a lot of fanworks portraying Changelings in a good light. She finally got her wish with this Episode.

* TaintedByThePreview: After the trailers were released, fans started accusing this episode of being a [[ItsTheSameSoItSucks rehash]] of "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS6E6NoSecondPrances No Second Prances]]". Spike befriending a Changeling to the dismay of Shining Armor and Princess Cadance has the same premise as Twilight's suspicions when Starlight Glimmer befriends Trixie. However, it's mitigated by the fact that there has been nothing since "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS2E26ACanterlotWeddingPart2 A Canterlot Wedding]]" that would suggest Shining Armor and Cadance would be any less distrustful towards changelings. Twilight seemed to forgive Trixie at first in "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS3E5MagicDuel Magic Duel]]", which cast her hostility in "No Second Prances" in a hypocritical light. Shining Armor and Cadance also have much more understandable reasons for distrusting Thorax - namely, the only other Changelings that the royal couple have any personal experience with launched a full scale invasion of their nation's capital, sabotaged their wedding, kidnapped Cadance, and brainwashed Shining Armor (all of which Shining Armor himself brings up during the episode).[[note]]Also, if you consider the IDW comic books to be canon as well, that would give the royal couple even more reason to be distrustful.[[/note]]

* UglyCute: We finally get to see what baby changelings look like, and they're actually quite adorable.

** Go back further in history and you'll find the RedScare (before and during the ColdWar), the anti-Japanese atmosphere of WorldWarII America, the pervasive anti-German rhetoric of WorldWarI....

* {{Applicability}}: The episode's theme can be used as a metaphor for many real world prejudices. See WhatDoYouMeanItsNotPolitical below.

** In direct contrast, the [[AntiClimax anti-climactic]] ending has many viewers wondering if the ponies fully accepting Thorax (to the point that Cadance ''brings Flurry Heart right under his nose'') after nothing but a quick song was in any way reasonable. Others feel that having ''both'' Spike "The Brave and Glorious" and Twilight "The Princess of Friendship" being willing to give Thorax a chance carried enough influence to have it make sense.

* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot: This episode could have finally given viewers a chance to see what became of Chrysalis after her failed invasion of Canterlot back in season 2, yet instead there's no mention whatsoever of what's become of her, the queen's only appearance being in a flashback to Thorax's birth and the aforementioned invasion.