Well, that's what the page for this week claims (there is a Take That, Scrappy! entry). So, does anyone know what the fandom is saying about Cranky? Is he really a scrappy, as the episode page suggests?

And there's a history of people using the MLP YMMV pages as soapboxes, to paint their own opinion of the episode as some kind of fandom consensus. So, grain of salt.

The actual description on the page...

Yeah. I didn't even read that bit in Rockhoof as a Take That scrappy moment. Because the whole gag is that Rockhoof was TERRIBLE for the job. So surely him embarassing someone who DIDN'T deserve it would get that point across better?

• Meta Four Cough, cough, Starlight Glimmer. Cough.

Edited by fredhot16 on Sep 20th 2018 at 4:05:30 AM

I'm gonna chalk that up as one of the many instances of the fandom reading more dedication to continuity and arc-based storytelling into the show than is actually intended. Cranky's humiliating rash being publicized is not a comeuppance. It is in no way, shape, or form related to anything that happened in "A Matter of Principals".

He's never seen with Matilda either and this is the third appearance he's had without her in the scene. They probably broke up.

But he wasn't a scrappy before this season, that's what I mean. Where did that come from?

Probably one of the new writers is not up on the show history or had their own idaes for things.

I'm gonna chalk that up as one of the many instances of the fandom reading more dedication to continuity and arc-based storytelling into the show than is actually intended. Cranky's humiliating rash being publicized is not a comeuppance. It is in no way, shape, or form related to anything that happened in "A Matter of Principals".

Exactly.

Plus, it's not like episodes are written sequentially. Who knows if the writers of the Rockhoof episode even knew about Cranky's Jerkass Ball in the Discord episode.

Well, ideally, as with any collaborative effect, they'd coordinate that kind of thing together, if not with each other, with the lead editor. While the reality is that things get busy, messy and people forget stuff, there's still the possibility that collaboration actually occurred (especially since even the comics have had cross-references and those have always felt even less coordinated).

Edited by KuroiTsubasaTenshi on Sep 21st 2018 at 1:40:44 PM

Post of the Day #2281

If it was meant to be a collaborative gesture, there would have been something to actually link the events to "A Matter of Principals". Even something as subtle as suggesting that he got the rash from tea-flavored tea as a Call-Back to his unreasonable complaints in that episode would establish that the rash is meant to be a consequence for his behavior.

There is no such link. Cranky abusing the teaching position and Cranky having an embarrassing rash are completely isolated incidents without even so much as the barest hint that the one has anything to do with the other, either literally or thematically.

That post of the day is startlingly on-topic, considering there's a 9/10 chance it's talking about Cranky's first appearance in S2.

I think I remember that post and that it was.

I wonder when we are going to see an ACTUAL Friendship Mission "beyond Equestria". The first episode of the season made a big deal out of the map getting bigger, but we haven't really seen any follow-up for this, aside from a few instances where it is used to get the mane cast out of the way of the episode.

Also, isn't it about time we actually see Zebra-land? Every other Token Species gets its own nation nowadays, so why not the Zebras? Or the Donkeys, for that matter.

Didn't the CMC get sent to the Hippogriffs?

To solve a non-issue, yes. In the grand scheme of things, some kid feeling torn between which parent he wants to live with what pretty scenery he wants to stare at for the rest of his life is probably the single least important Friendship Mission in the history of the Cutie Map. It's the Friendship Mission equivalent of a slow news day.

I get the same impression from the Map that I do from the Pillars: it's this big Plot Thing that was put into the show to be a driving focus but that very few of the writers are actually interested in using. MLP is written primarily as a slice-of-life series with occasional dalliances in Adventure Plot.

Someone might come here to write a story about "Pinkie Pie meets someone who doesn't share her taste in parties and has to learn to adapt her approach to different interests." That person has zero use for the Cutie Map.

The nature of the thing is that it tells the characters where to go in order to have a plot happen, but it's easier to just have the plot organically happen. It doesn't actually contribute much to the tools in the writers' arsenal; why have the Cutie Map send Applejack and Rainbow Dash to Appleloosa when you can just write that Applejack and Rainbow Dash are going to Appleloosa?

Where it can be useful is for putting characters in places they would never organically be, charging them with tasks they would never organically do. Applejack and Fluttershy in Las Pegasus, for instance. Starlight Glimmer meddling in the Princesses' affairs. The Cutie Mark Crusaders leaving Equestria.

But a lot of stories, especially slice of life stories, are going to feature characters doing things they could reasonably be expected to do. Going to places that are in-character for them to go to, getting involved in events that are in-character to get involved in, having struggles that someone of their specific personality and archetype might reasonably have. And in those cases, there's no reason to ever even touch the Cutie Map.

There was an effort in the first couple years since the thing was introduced to try and use it a few times each season, but many of those wound up feeling force. Pinkie Pie and Rarity needing a cosmic force of indeterminate power and infinite wisdom to tell them to have lunch in a city that they visit regularly is a perfect example of how utterly gratuitous and obligatory its presence can easily wind up being.

Since season seven, its involvement has gradually diminished. It's still there, writers use it when they have need for a plot device of such limited utility, and the characters still talk about it like it's a big deal. But it has pretty much faded into the background. Not unlike Princess Celestia herself.

Random thought: How much of a factor is time pressure in writing episodes for MLP? I had an idle thought go through my mind that using the map might be a writing shortcut for why certain characters have to be somewhere. How do we get the CMC to Mt. Aeris? Just say the map said so and get on with writing what they actually do once they're there.

Well, to keep with the CMC example, they could have been really enthousiastic about the Hippogriff kingdom, and wanting to go see it, and Twilight could have offered them a field trip, possibly even under the guise of an "official" visit.

I'd say somewhat high. The series has always had some issues with pacing. A lot of it isn't a big enough deal to dwell on, though.

Here is the mathematics if I want to get to Sparkles being an Alicorn before the finale of this series.

• The finale is on October 13.

• The series where Sparkles becomes an Alicorn only has 13 stories.

• I am in the series before that and I have eleven stories left.

• Today is September 21. I have 22 days left.

• I have to consume eleven stories in the series I am in and the 13 in the series where Sparkles gets her crown so I have 24 stories to consume.

• 24/22 is 1.09~.

So, I can consume about two stories a day and I'll be consuming the post-Faust stories by the finale.

Oh, my sides. I never get tired of that thing.

Edited by MrSeyker on Sep 21st 2018 at 6:12:23 AM

Post of the Day #2282

"What Lies Beneath"

The writer just tweeted this story is supposed to reference something, but i can't place the name.

Equestrian history must be challenging to learn, especially for the writers!

uh oh. Cozy's gonna make her move soon. -_- I am still onto you.

Wasn't Capper supposed to guest star somewhere in this season?

Gallus is claustrophobic? Was this established? Blue is good! Pink is bad, Gallus! It's like a puzzle!

I am so far not getting half of these tests and what they're supposed to accomplish.

Oh so his claustrophobia WASN'T established before!

… THE TREE OF HARMONY DID ALL THIS!?!? :D

That'll teach you to mock the laws of nature.

So hey just fall asleep right there on the floor. No that's cool.

…Cozy you totally just ….. WAIT. "COZY"!! :O :O HOLY CR—

What Lies Beneath

"The Tree of Harmony remains one of the most powerful sources of magic known to ponydom." Yep, this episode is going to be ALL about the tree.

"It's ways are mysterious, almost as if it has a mind of its own." Are... Are they confirming that the Tree really IS some sort of supernatural all-knowing being? Is this going to be about how the Tree is guiding ponydom (I still prefer ponykind, but oh well) through the Map and various buildings it pops up for the benefit of its subjects?

Don't tell me the Students are going to get a Magical Map of their own...

"Mind? Pff. It's. A tree." Yeah, this is obviously a set up for a later pay-off where the Tree is, indeed, sentient.

"A tree that grew a castle!" I don't feel that that proves anything. That tree sprouting a castle could just as well be some technomagical construction. Nothing about the Tree sprouting a castle for Twilight really specifically suggests sentience.

The Map would be a much better example, actually.

What's-his-name looks up name, ahem, Gallus begins talking to trees, thinking that ALL of them are magical. Of course everyone laughs, but then there's a magical glow coming out of... a sewer grate. Set in the grass. That thing looks very dangerous for creatures with hoofs, not to mention uncomfortable to walk over. You'd break your hoof stepping on that thing. Also, aren't those drains usually built into streets, not in the middle of a field?

They are giving a recap of the history of the Tree. A more in depth one. This episode is going to be ALL about that tree, isn't it?

"Fire! No!" How... does that joke work? How does tapping your claws over someone's forehead resemble fire in any way? I'm confused by this joke.

Oh, hey, it's Cozy Glow. More foreshadowing!

"Golly, it's so inspiring how relaxed you all are about studying friendship, considering your disadvantage." Wow, Cozy is telegraphing so hard here that she is being manipulative, I'm surprised anyone would fall for it.

Well, with that teardown of the Student's confidence, it seems safe to say that Cozy Glow is revealed as a villain, here. This is not even close to subtle anymore. She clearly is up to something, sowing discord among the students.

There's another claw- and hoof-unfriendly grate, and this one has a huge blade or something sticking up out of it. I'm not sure if these grates were already here, or if the suggestion is that they grew there.

"Dragon, strange magical cave, what do you think I'm doing?" Is that some sort of dragon lore I haven't heard of? Are dragons routinely attracted to magical caves? That seems new to me.

"Welcome." Obvious fake sparkling Twilight Sparkle is obvious. How do none of these students suspect anything? This has villain written all over it.

So the students express doubt at the point of their learning friendship, and Sparkly!Twilight tells them that that is NOT ACCEPTABLE.

"Our headmare is glowing, you guys. What is going on?" I have no idea. This is a pretty trippy episode so far.

And then Sparkly!Twilight calms down at the mention of tests, and gives them a test with a deadline before the crystal thingies close the grate up.

"Finish the test and you may go. Fail the test, and here you will stay." I'm starting to suspect that this is a magical projection from the Tree of Harmony, or something like that. In which case, wow, the Tree is really gung-ho about people learning about friendship.

And then everyone is split up in a maze. With Cozy sowing discord among them, and now this maze, I'm getting flashbacks to a certain two-parter...

Silverstream ends up in a fake Mount Eris, and is attacked by monsters, diving underwater. And... it's the Storm King.

Meanwhile, Gallus is in some sort of... laser death trap? What?

Yona is trapped with giant spiders. Apparently this is about the Students' worst fears.

And then Smoulder runs into some prissy ponies having a tea party, where she can't escape from. Really? THAT'S her worst fear? That's a bit of a lame fear to have for a dragon...

Ocellus' worst fear is... turning into... Chrysalis? Not just the old Changelings, but Chrysalis? That is... VERY specific. Is Ocellus supposed to be the original successor to Chrysalis or something? That WOULD make for a great story, actually.

Ooh, nice Vertigo Zoom. I was just reading about that.

And Sandbar's worst fear is... I'm not sure. He runs into Rarity and Dash, who insist they need him for a friendship adventure.

Gallus figures out how to escape the... magical laser cave... though he is being really clumsy about it.

Meanwhile, Smoulder is confronting her fears of... being cute and adorable. Okay, sure.

"Oh, but you can't have tea if you aren't dressed for it." But dragons don't even wear... oh nevermind.

Oh Celestia, that makeup... it's Butterfly Rarity all over again.

I like that the Students finally get some decent character work done, but I feel some of these fears and internal conflicts kinda come out of nowhere. Like, what is Gallus' fear supposed to be?

Yona is still running away from the spiders, and then... the spiders just want to be friends with her? And she can suddenly talk to them? Man, this is a WEIRD episode.

Gallus and Smoulder are the first to have a realization about not fitting their pony stereotypes, which I am guessing is the lesson of the episode: that you don't have to be exactly like your Planet of Hats?

Also, I notice that we've only heard Yona and Sandbar called by name so far. Is it any wonder I'm struggling with some of their names if they are barely ever mentioned?

Sandbar has to choose between his loyalty for his friends and his admiration for his teachers. Which seems to be somewhat of an unfair choice to me, seeing as who those teachers ARE. Especially since his teachers are telling him to come along, and he has no real reason to disobey them here.

Smoulder finds Ocellus, who still thinks she is Chrysalis, and Gallus finds Silverstream who is still hiding from the Storm King. Gallus reveals that his fear is claustrophobia. But how do the lasers factor into that? That seemed not so much about facing his fear as it did about solving a puzzle.

Of course Silver Stream overcomes her fear thanks to Gallus and tells the fake Storm King off. It's interesting how the two most macho characters of the group are the firs to have their revelation and face their fear. If those were really their worst fears, they sure got over them easily enough.

Meanwhile, Smoulder snaps Ocellus out of it... with the promise of secret tea parties.

Then Yona shows up with her spider army. I'm not sure how this one is supposed to count as "overcoming your fears". Yona's challenge seems to be aimed at curing her fear, rather than the others, whose challenge are aimed at trapping them in their fears. It doesn't work nearly as well.

Also, I'm still not sure why Yona can suddenly talk to spiders. I get the feeling that that is not supposed to be normal for Yaks.

"Of all the strange things that have happened tonight, that's the strangest." You said it.

Meanwhile, Sandbar tells his professors off about not turning his back on his friends. Is... is he afraid of the Mane Six? Is that what this is? I'm not sure. This one is a bit confusing. As is the false choice between his friends and his teachers. This is NOT the Shadowbolts situation with Rainbow Dash, where Dash had to choose between her friends and her ambitions. This is more about having to choose between your friends and your superiors. Which might work, but the episode doesn't really make it work that well.

"You! You're not headmare Twilight, are you?" Noooo. What gave you THAT idea?

Also, I just noticed Sandbar's cutie mark is... turtles? Does he have a thing with turtles? I don't remember him ever interacting with one, or having one for a pet. That seems like it would have made a great Rainbow Dash episode with him.

"Gasp You're the Tree of Harmony!" So there it is. The Tree of Harmony is, indeed, a sentient, god-like being that likes to test its subjects.

So. It is confirmed, then. The Cutie Map really IS an omniscient entity guiding and directing all of the Mane Six's actions.

Man, Tobias is going to be SO pissed...

"I'm a bit rusty on Pony history, but since when does the Tree of Harmony trap creatures in a cave with their biggest fears?" Good question. This seems like a rather hostile way of teaching.

"You choose what you saw in my roots, not me." Uh huh. Yeah. That is such a non-answer. Just for starters, she (it?) could have TOLD them that this was a test of that kind.

"Our FRIENDSHIP got us past our fears!" Like Tartarus it did. Gallus and Smoulder did perfectly fine without invoking friendship. This is getting a bit sappy.

"You were strong while your friends were weak." Well. Almost. SOME were strong by themselves. But not all of them. Ocellus and Silver Stream didn't really overcome their fears and show their strength on their own, which sets them apart from the rest. For this particular message, it would have been better if they had done so on their own.

"Friendship IS in your nature." Sure, but... why did they need the Tree to tell them this? Don't they know this already? This sudden self doubt doesn't really seem to fit this late in the season, and would have worked better early on.

This is another indication that these Student storylines would have worked better as their own show. If we disregard all non-Student episodes, this would have felt more natural for what we have actually seen of them. But all those regular pony episodes create a false sense of progress in the Student plot that is not really borne out by their actual episodes.

"You're alright!" Oh, it's YOU.

"You were all getting along so well, and I felt left out. I was jealous. And then I upset you so much the Tree of Harmony had to test you!" Um. Why? What have those two things got to do with eachoter? This seems like a bit of a non sequitor plot. One plot element does not logically follow from the other here.

Wow, the Students sure let Cozy off the hook easily after what she pulled.

And then they just all fall asleep where they stand.

"Just let Cozy take care of everything." Cue ominous note. Yeah, if this isn't foreshadowing that Cozy is going to be a villain, I don't know what is.

Well, this was a fun episode, and pretty good, too. And finally a Student episode that is ACTUALLY about the students themselves, and it is all the better for it. Surely this episode ranks among the top for this season.