History YMMV / MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS9E4SparklesSeven

** Applebloom being finally shown in a (fake?) flashback shows that she is indeed Applejack's little sister, disproving some of the more outlandish theories about how she was born.
** Shining Armor being given some much needed independent characterisation that doesn't involve him [[TheWorfEffect being the newest villain's punching bag]] and/or his wife Cadance was a much needed scratch to an itch that has lasted for seven seasons. On top of that, we finally see how he became the Captain of the Royal Guard in the first place despite [[FailureHero his poor onscreen track record]] with his planning of the security system.
** One could also make the argument that the episode's plot could be a way to address how useless the Royal Guards often are in crisises.

*** On top of that, space travel exists too considering Pinkie is wearing an astronaut costume in the ImagineSpot.

** Starswirl the Bearded's cameo was also unexpected to many viewers.

* UnintentionallyUnsympathetic: Shining Armor. The idea of giving him a SiblingRivalry with Twilight was, on the paper, an excellent idea to give him more personality. But in practice, the showmakers went too far, and he spends the episode being an absolute '''''asshole''''' who keeps gloating, taunting Twilight and putting her down, all with a huge sadistic smirk on his face.

* UnintentionallyUnsympathetic: Shining Armor. The idea of giving him a SiblingRivalry with Twilight was, on the paper, an excellent idea to give him more personality. But in practice, the showmakers went too far, and he spends the episode being an absolute '''''asshole''''' who keeps gloating, taunting Twilight and putting her down, all with a huge sadistic smirk on his face.

** Shining Armor being given some much needed independent characterisation that doesn't involve him [[TheWorfEffect being the newest villain's punching bag]] and/or his wife Cadance was a much needed scratch to an itch that has lasted for seven seasons. On top of that, we finally see how he became the Captain of the Royal Guard in the first place despite [[FailureKnight his poor onscreen track record]] with his planning of the security system.
** One could also make the argument that the episode's plot could be a way to address how useless the Royal guards often are in crisises.

* GeniusBonus: Having Shining Armor blab about their defences right in front of Twilight seems like a stupid move. After the episode is over, the defences are to be revised after the flaws were pointed out. Workers in the software industry recognize this episode's scenario as a variation of the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penetration_test Penetration test]].

* RelationshipWritingFumble: Spike's exact relation to Twilight is probably one of the most confusing aspects of the show from day one. Some say that it is mother-and-son while others go for LikeBrotherAndSister. In light of "Father Knows Beast" and this episode, things just got even more confusing as they support differing notions. According to Creator/CathyWeseluck, it is actually a [[https://twitter.com/CathyWeseluck/status/1119651493429354497 combination of both]], with an established example by [[Disney/LiloAndStitch Nani and Lilo]].

* HarsherInHindsight: A mild example. The [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS2E25ACanterlotWeddingPart1 song B.B.B.F.F]] now has previously hidden aspects of Twilight and Shining Armor's relationship.

** This episode not only confirms that Spike is indeed a member of Twilight's family but also makes it clear that he is considered to be Twilight's brother rather than her son.

** Shining Armor being given some much needed independent characterisation that doesn't involve him being the newest villain's punching bag and/or his wife was a much needed scratch that has been itching for seven seasons.

** Applebloom being finally shown in a (fake?) flashback shows that she is indeed Applejack's little sister, disproving some of the more outlandish theories about how she is born.

* MemeticMutation: [[https://derpibooru.org/2017738?q=spoiler%3As09e04%2C+Luna%2C+stroking This image]] of Princess Luna ominously stroking a goose wile glowering at the group ''immediately'' became a meme.

* MemeticMutation: [[https://derpibooru.org/2017738?q=spoiler%3As09e04%2C+Luna%2C+stroking This image]] of [[spoiler: Princess Luna ominously stroking a goose]] is quickly becoming a popular meme within the fandom.

* MemeticMutation: [[https://derpibooru.org/2018335?q=spoiler%3As09e04 This image]] of [[spoiler: Princess Luna ominously stroking a goose]] is quickly becoming a popular meme within the fandom.

* ContestedSequel: Due to both being milestone episodes, comparisons with [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS5E9SliceOfLife "Slice of Life"]] over which one was better were quickly made.

* ContestedSequel: Due to both being milestone episodes, comparisons with [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS5E9SliceOfLife Slice of Life]] over which one was better were quickly made.

** The last [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS5E9SliceOfLife milestone episode]] [[BrokenBase got some heat from a sizable portion of the fandom]] for having the Mane 6 being out of focus throughout most of the episode. The fact that this episode is all about the Mane 6 (even having the story conceptualized [[WrittenByCastMember by the Mane 6 and Spike’s voice actors themselves]]) was enough to win over many of those same fans in a heartbeat.

** The last [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS5E9SliceOfLife milestone episode]] [[BrokenBase got some heat from a sizable portion of the fandom]] for having the Mane 6 being out of focus throughout most of the episode. The fact that this episode is all about the Mane 6 (even having the story conceptualized [[WrittenByCastMember by the Mane 6 and Spike’s voice actors themselves)]] was enough to win over many of those same fans in a heartbeat.

* AuthorsSavingThrow: This episode not only confirms that Spike is indeed a member of Twilight's family but also makes it clear that he is considered to be Twilight's brother rather than her son.