History YMMV / MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS6E26ToWhereAndBackAgainPart2

* FridgeBrilliance:
** The changelings' transformation has a subtle bit of this -- when they're starved for love, they're scrawny little things with a sickly color scheme and pores in their bodies that make them look as though they're ''literally'' wasting away. In their new, reformed appearance, where they no longer feed on love nor are starved for it, the pores disappear, they have much brighter and healthier looking color schemes and their bodies are much more strongly built. Their new forms are ''full'', their old forms are ''starving''.
** On that subject, the creature the changelings were based on was somewhat [[FairFolk fairy-like]] in nature. In addition to the whole "insect" motif, they seem to have more fairy attributes such as bright colors and sparkling wings. Given ''both'' the insect theme above and the fairy theme, their new reformed state makes perfect sense. They resemble deer more than ponies in their new forms, which ties in with the fairy motif. Deer are commonly depicted as [[{{Bambification}} delicate, cute,]] sometimes [[TheMarvelousDeer ethereal]] animals in fiction.
** The changelings quickly accepting Thorax's method makes a lot of sense when you remember one thing: they were ''literally'' starving ''all the time''. ''Of course'' they'd jump at the chance to finally be ''full''.
** Another reason, in addition to the above, is it's implied Chrysalis ''conditioned'' the changelings to be absolutely loyal to their queen... which worked fine when she was the ''only'' changeling royal, but once Thorax turned into what seems to be ''another'' changeling Royal, they had a ''choice''. Combined with the above, their jumping ship to Thorax makes much more sense.
** The much-derided constant shilling of Starlight's magic turns out to actually be building up to a story where she has to do without it, showing qualities that truly prove her to be a worthy leader.
** The reason no plant life or vegetation of any sort can be seen surrounding the Changeling Kingdom. Equestria is a land where magic is adherent to not just ponies and creatures but the land itself which has magic of its own. With Chrysalis' throne letting off an AntiMagic field, however, it blocks not just pony and chaos magic, but also the magic of the land as well. Hence, why it's a barren wasteland.
** It actually makes sense that Starlight stuck with a small group. As far as she knew, the changelings could have gotten to other ponies in ponyville or even other world leaders.
** To show you how far Starlight has come as a student of friendship, consider the fact that all of the Changelings under Chrysalis' rule were "all equal to each other": They all looked the same and were starving and miserable. By teaching them to accept Thorax's example, the Changelings gained nourishment, happiness, and uniqueness which made them '''no longer equal to each other'''.
* FridgeHorror: Chrysalis is ''still'' out there. On one hand, she has lost her army, her PowerNullifier throne ''and'' her position as Queen of her people, but her sheer magical power, cunning and guile alone still make her a deadly threat to pony and changelingkind alike. On top of that, there is likely a significant number of unaffected changelings who were stationed outside the Hive at the time (i.e. Ponyville, Canterlot and the Crystal Empire), the majority of whom would be likely to believe their Queen's account of being unjustly dethroned by traitorous changelings and usurping ponies. There is also the fact that, as revealed in the flashback in "The Times They Are a Changeling", the changelings are shown to be born like insects and that Chrysalis is the queen, so there is little stopping her from creating a new hive.

* NightmareFuel:
** It's fairly obvious that if the show wasn't rated TV-Y, Chrysalis would've viciously beaten Starlight Glimmer within an inch of her life. Just the act of grabbing Starlight by her tail and throwing her into a wall with her magic is a pretty clear indication of this.
** Thorax would've been killed outright or shut away into a prison cell, spending the rest of his life wasting away in emaciated misery, as an example to those who would dare to betray Chrysalis.
** The Mane Six and the Royal Family would've been in for AFateWorseThanDeath if Chrysalis had won. Most likely being stuck in their cocoons for eternity... or worse, even being transmutated into changelings themselves, which is one of the more popular fan theories of what happens to changeling victims if they remain in a cocoon for too long.

** The Mane Six and the Royal Family would've been in for AFateWorseThanDeath if Chrysalis had won. Most likely being stuck in their cocoons for eternity... or even being transmutated into changelings which is one of the more popular fan theories of what happens to changeling victims.

* ContestedSequel: To "Twilight's Kingdom" and "The Cutie Re-Mark". Fans appreciated the slight curveball in status quo and having a villain ''not'' being reformed and remaining evil. But there are some that don't like the anti-climactic resolution to Starlight Glimmer's season-long story arc (many believed some major status-quo-shattering event would happen, as prior season finales have done), and saw this two-parter as a pretty lackluster and disappointing end to Season Six. Some believe the twist as a deliberate waste of time to give Chrysalis one more go around and should've just went with a new villain for the future instead, since Chrysalis [[{{Revenge}} will be back]] (again) and [[TheGoodGuysAlwaysWin will lose]] (again). Others like the twist and saw it coming, [[MST3KMantra but didn't bother questioning it]] as a perfect setup for Season 7. Changeling fans were also very disappointed at the fact that except for Chrysalis, the species as we know it has effectively ceased to exist, being replaced by {{Narm}}-tastic "evolved forms" that render a lot of the WorldBuilding done for them pointless, ''especially'' in the IDW comic. Some have gone as far as calling full FanonDiscontinuity over this, despite loving the rest of the finale.

* FanonDiscontinuity: Some fans are finding the changelings HeelRaceTurn and makeover to be too much of a change for the series canon and losing [[CreepyAwesome what made them liked in the first place]], with some showing complete disregard for the season finale for the sake of keeping them as they were.

* RescuedFromTheScrappyHeap: Starlight Glimmer further redeemed herself to many, since [[BroughtDownToNormal having her magic nullified]] (which also somewhat addressed critiques of it being inexplicably overpowered) forced her to show off [[CharacterDevelopment how far she improved as a character]] to save the day. She also got very entertaining interactions with three other reformed villains and, unlike "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS6E6NoSecondPrances No Second Prances]]", didn't [[JerkassBall have others look like jerks]] to maker her seem good in comparison.

** Countless questions abound in regards to the Changeling Kingdom now that its freedom is restored with Chrysalis' ousting. What will the fashion, cuisine, recreation, and architecture aspects of its new culture look like?

* FanficFuel: Countless questions abound in regards to the Changeling Kingdom now that its freedom is restored with Chrysalis' ousting. What will the fashion, cuisine, recreation, and architecture aspects of its new culture look like?

** Starlight leading other characters who've been helped by the mane six would have been the perfect opportunity to cross over with Equestria Girls by having Starlight recruit Sunset Shimmer to help.
*** Until you remember that WordOfGod is the Equestria Girls movies are considered non-canon.

** Thorax would've been killed outright or shut away into a prison cell as an example to those who would dare to betray Chrysalis.
** The Mane Six and the Royal Family would've been in for AFateWorseThanDeath if Chrysalis had won. Most likely being stuck in their cocoons for eternity.

* {{Asspull}}: Chrysalis' PowerNullifier throne, [[AntiMagic which only allows changeling magic]] and is strong enough to block [[RealityWarper Discord]], the most magically powerful individual in the series. If the changelings had the ability to make such artifacts and knew of such a highly potent magic-absorbing material, why didn't they use them sooner, like during "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS2E25ACanterlotWeddingPart1 A Canterlot]] [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS2E26ACanterlotWeddingPart2 Wedding]]", when it would have resulted in an easy victory?

** The reformation of major villains has been a touchy subject amongst the fandom, and the Changelings' HeelRaceTurn is no different. However, [[BaitAndSwitch while seemingly tempted]], Chrysalis [[RedemptionRejection refuses]] to follow her former subjects and flies off more vindictive and evil than ever.
** Before this episode there was some debate as to whether the Changelings and Chrysalis were actually evil villains or just a species that needed to feed off others in order to survive. This episode shows that changelings don't need to steal love; it is in fact an inefficient way for them to feed. It's also implied Chrysalis knew this the whole time, but kept her subjects constantly starved in order for them to be easier to control. This makes the Changelings as a whole just misled, whereas Chrysalis herself is genuinely evil.
* BrokenBase: The Changeling's new forms. Either you find them garish and {{Narm}} worthy, or you think their new look fits with the idea they're insects (which are often colorful, in particular they resemble various beetles) and creative. Some feel they ruin Changeling [=OCs=], others feel they're a ''good'' thing for [=OCs=] because they make the changelings no longer a race of identical drones, which gives a greater variety to what designs can be done with them. [[TakeAThirdOption A third group]] points out that Thorax ''didn't'' automatically change into his evolved form the moment he made a friend and the act that triggered it (his sharing love) was entirely his own choice, and thus it's entirely possible unevolved Changelings to co-exist with the evolved ones and be filled by friends' love for them, so long as they don't share their love to trigger the transformation.

* FanonDiscontinuity: Some fans are finding the Changelings HeelRaceTurn and makeover to be too much of a change for the series canon and losing [[CreepyAwesome what made them liked in the first place]], with some showing complete disregard for the season finale for the sake of keeping them as they were.

** The Changelings' transformation has a subtle bit of this--when they're starved for love, they're scrawny little things with a sickly color scheme and pores in their bodies that make them look as though they're ''literally'' wasting away. In their new, reformed appearance, where they no longer feed on love nor are starved for it, the pores disappear, they have much brighter and healthier looking color schemes and their bodies are much more strongly built. Their new forms are ''full'', their old forms are ''starving''.
** On that subject, the creature the Changelings were based on was somewhat [[FairFolk fairy-like]] in nature. In addition to the whole "insect" motif, they seem to have more fairy attributes such as bright colors and sparkling wings. Given ''both'' the insect theme above and the fairy theme, their new reformed state makes perfect sense.
*** They resemble deer more than ponies in their new forms, which ties in with the fairy motif. Deer are commonly depicted as [[{{Bambification}} delicate, cute,]] sometimes [[TheMarvelousDeer ethereal]] animals in fiction.
** The Changelings quickly accepting Thorax's method makes a lot of sense when you remember one thing: they were ''literally'' starving ''all the time''. ''Of course'' they'd jump at the chance to finally be ''full''.
** Another reason, in addition to the above, is it's implied Chrysalis ''conditioned'' the Changelings to be absolutely loyal to their queen... which worked fine when she was the ''only'' Changeling Royal, but once Thorax turned into what seems to be ''another'' Changeling Royal, they had a ''choice''. Combined with the above, their jumping ship to Thorax makes much more sense.

** The Changelings' reformation is ''very'' similar to how it happened in the ''Fanfic/PonyPOVSeries'': them finding out they don't ''need'' to steal love and it is in fact ''inferior'' to gaining love via sharing it. Then transforming into a more beautiful form as a result is ''also'' what happened when Cadence reformed them in [[BadFuture Dark World]]. Death via the Queen draining all the love out of a Changeling (which Chrysalis attempts on Thorax) is ''also'' the standard execution method the Queens use in that story. Chrysalis didn't think Starlight Glimmer was worth capturing, similar to how story Chrysalis constantly underestimates "background characters". As the Mane-iac found out the painful way when she didn't bother targeting Humdrum (Spike).
** A Changeling king named Thorax? Already done in ''[[Fanfic/MaternalInstinctMLP Maternal Instinct.]]''

* MoralEventHorizon: Chrysalis was always an evil, sadistic bitch, but when the implication comes out that she willfully and deliberately starved the Changelings just to maintain control over them and only further herself, whatever BlueAndOrangeMorality excuse she had to fall back on for her villainy before doesn't hold quite as much water as before. Not helping of the fact that she attempted to drain all of the love from Thorax for his betrayal just to further stroke her delusional leadership.
* {{Narm}}: The Changelings' new, EvolutionPowerUp forms to some, who feel they could give the Mane 6's Rainbow Power forms a run for their money in sheer over-the-topness. Thorax in particular could be seen as a biological RummageSaleReject.

* TheyChangedItNowItSucks: There's a part of the fandom that are unhappy with the new Changeling designs, hoping that the old-school Changelings will still be around.

** Plots involving Changelings in their traditional forms in any way have become nearly impossible to do after the {{Reveal}} that they can get rid of their hunger at any time by discarding that form. Many fans would have liked to see [[EnsembleDarkhorse Thorax]] or other Changelings integrate themselves further into society, which, if it happens now, will be under completely different circumstances.
** Starlight leading other characters who've been helped by the mane six would have been the perfect opportunity to cross over with Equestria Girls by having Starlight recruit Sunset Shimmer to help.

* RescuedFromTheScrappyHeap: Starlight Glimmer further redeemed herself to many, since [[BroughtDownToNormal having her magic nullified]] (which also somewhat addressed critiques of it being inexplicably overpowered) forced her to show off [[CharacterDevelopment how far she improved as a character]] to save the day. She also got very entertaining interactions with thee other reformed villains and, unlike "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS6E6NoSecondPrances No Second Prances]]", didn't [[JerkassBall have others look like jerks]] to maker her seem good in comparison.

** It's fairly obvious that if the show wasn't rated for kids, Chrysalis would've viciously beaten Starlight Glimmer within an inch of her life. Just the act of grabbing Starlight by her tail and throwing her into a wall is a pretty clear indication of this.

** Another reason, in addition to the above, is it's implied Chrysalis ''conditioned'' the Changelings to be absolutely loyal to their queen... which worked fine when she was the ''only'' Changeling Royal, but once Thorax turned into what seems to be ''another'' Changeling Royal, they have a ''choice''. Combined with the above, them jumping ship to Thorax makes much more sense.

** The reason no plant life or vegetation of any sort can be seen surrounding the Changeling Kingdom. Equestria is a land where magic is adherent to not just ponies and creatures but the land itself which has magic of its own. With Chrysalis's throne letting off an AntiMagic field, however, it blocks not just pony and chaos magic, but also the magic of the land as well. Hence, why it's a barren wasteland.
* FridgeHorror: Chrysalis is ''still'' out there. On one hand, she has lost her army, her PowerNullifier throne ''and'' her position as Queen of her people, but her sheer magical power, cunning and guile alone still make her a deadly threat to pony and changelingkind alike. On top of that, there is likely a significant number of unreformed changelings who were stationed outside the Hive at the time (i.e. Ponyville, Canterlot and the Crystal Empire), the majority of whom would be likely to believe their Queen's account of being unjustly dethroned by traitorous changelings and usurping ponies. There is also the fact that, as revealed in the flashback in "The Times They Are a Changeling", the changelings are shown to be born like insects and that Chrysalis is the queen, so there is little stopping her from creating a new hive.

** The Changelings' reformation is ''very'' similar to how it happened in the ''Fanfic/PonyPOVSeries'': them finding out they don't ''need'' to steal love and it is in fact ''inferior'' to gaining love via sharing it. Then transforming into a more beautiful form as a result is ''also'' what happened when Cadence reformed them in [[BadFuture Dark World]]. Death via the Queen draining all the love out of a Changeling (which Chrysalis attempts on Thorax) is ''also'' the standard execution method the Queens use in that story. Chrysalis didn't think Starlight Glimmer was worth capturing, similar to how story Chrysalis constantly underestimates "background characters".

* RescuedFromTheScrappyHeap: Starlight Glimmer further redeemed herself to many, since [[BroughtDownToNormal having her magic nullified]] (which also somewhat addressed critiques of it being inexplicably overpowered) forced her to show off [[CharacterDevelopment how far she improved as a character]] to save the day. She also got very entertaining interactions with thee other reformed villains and, unlike "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS6E6NoSecondPrances No Second Prances]]", didn't [[JerkassBall make others look like jerks]] to maker her seem good in comparison.

* RescuedFromTheScrappyHeap: Starlight Glimmer further redeemed herself to many, since [[BroughtDownToNormal having her magic nullified]] (which also somewhat addressed critiques of it being inexplicably overpowered) forced her to show off [[CharacterDevelopment everything she learned about friendship]] to save the day. She also got very entertaining interactions with thee other reformed villains and, unlike "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS6E6NoSecondPrances No Second Prances]]", didn't [[JerkassBall make others look like jerks]] to maker her seem good in comparison.

* ContestedSequel: To "Twilight's Kingdom" and even "The Cutie Re-Mark". Fans appreciated the slight curveball in status quo and having a villain ''not'' being reformed and remaining evil just ''one'' more time, but then there are some that don't like the anti-climactic resolution to Starlight Glimmer's season-long story arc (Many believed a ''seventh element'' would be revealed here, or some other major Status Quo-shattering event would happen, as prior MLP finales have done) and saw this two-parter as a pretty lackluster and disappointing end to Season Six. Some believe the twist as a deliberate waste of time to give Chrysalis one more go around and should've just went with a new villain for the future instead, since Chrysalis [[{{Revenge}} will be back]] (again) and [[TheGoodGuysAlwaysWin will lose]] (again). Others like the twist and saw it, while predictable, [[MST3KMantra just have fun and don't bother questioning it]] as a perfect setup for Season 7. Especially Changeling fans were also very disappointed at the fact that except for Chrysalis, the species as we know it has effectively ceased to exist, being replaced by {{Narm}}-tastic "evolved forms" that render a lot of the WorldBuilding done for them, even in the very same episode and most ''especially'' in the IDW comic, contradictory or worse, pointless. Some have gone as far as calling full FanonDiscontinuity over this, despite loving the rest of the finale (because of the WorldBuilding and genuine creepiness).

** The Mane Six and the Royal Family would've been in for AFateWorseThanDeath if Chrysalis had won.

* {{Asspull}}: Chrysalis' PowerNullifier throne, [[AntiMagic which only allows changeling magic]] and is strong enough to block [[RealityWarper Discord]], the most magically powerful individual in the series. If the changelings had the ability to make such artifacts and knew of such a highly potent magic-absorbing material, why didn't they use them sooner, like during "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS2E25ACanterlotWeddingPart1 A Canterlot]] [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS2E26ACanterlotWeddingPart2 Wedding]]", when it would have resulted in an easy victory?
** Given that it's carved from a stone that "soaks up outside magic", how does it not absorb changeling magic? If designed to absorb certain types of magic (such as that of ponies), how would changelings be able to design it to absorb Discord's unique chaos magic (and how would they have a chance to test it)?!

* BrokenBase: The Changeling's new forms. Either you find them garish and {{Narm}} worthy, or you think their new look fits with the idea they're insects (which are often colorful, in particular they resemble various beetles) and creative. Some feel they ruin Changeling [=OCs=], others feel they're a ''good'' thing for [=OCs=] because they make the changelings no longer a race of identical drones, which gives a greater variety to what designs can be done with them. [[TakeAThirdOption A third group]] points out that Thorax ''didn't'' automatically change into his evolved form the moment he made a friend and the act that triggered it (his sharing love) was entirely his own choice, and thus it's entirely possible unevolved Changelings to still exist and be filled by friends' love for them, so long as they don't share their love to trigger it.

* BrokenBase: The Changeling's new forms. Either you find them garish and {{Narm}} worthy, or you think their new look fits with the idea they're insects (which are often colorful, in particular they resemble various beetles) and creative. Some feel they ruin Changeling [=OCs=], others feel they're a ''good'' thing for [=OCs=] because they make the changelings no longer a race of identical drones, which gives a greater variety to what designs can be done with them.

* {{Asspull}}: Chrysalis' PowerNullifier throne, [[AntiMagic which only allows changeling magic]] and is powerful enough to block [[RealityWarper Discord]], The most magically powerful individual in the series. If the changelings had the ability to make such artifacts, why didn't they use them sooner, like during "A Canterlot Wedding", when it would have got them an easy win?

* FridgeHorror: Chrysalis is ''still'' out there. On one hand, she has lost her army, her PowerNullifier throne ''and'' her position as Queen of her people, but her sheer magical power, cunning and guile alone still make her a deadly threat to pony and changelingkind alike. On top of that, there is likely a significant number of unreformed changelings who were stationed outside the Hive at the time (i.e. Ponyville, Canterlot and the Crystal Empire), the majority of whom would be likely to believe their Queen's account of being unjustly dethroned by traitorous changelings and usurping ponies. Never mind the fact that based on the flash back from The Time they are a Changeling, where the changelings are shown to be born like insects and that Chrysalis is the queen, there is little stopping her from creating a new hive.