3588 replies to this topic

[Moonbread]

I personally loved it. I enjoyed that the villain wasn't the focus - it wasn't about them versus him, it was about Twilight learning a lesson, and that's exactly what this series is supposed to be.

Well, except for the part where they tried to build up that there was an actual conflict with him. Besides, even if the series is about Twilight learning a lesson (or really anypony these days) I've always liked that the premieres/finales don't focus on that, as a nice interlude away from that.

[Moosh]

I liked King Sombra because he wasn't the same as the other villains of the series.

Oh no, how dare they make a villain different! Pony is dead welp it was fun guys

And I disliked him because he existed. A season premiere doesn't really need a villain and if it has one, it should mean something. If I might compare this season premiere to the Adventure Time season 5 premiere, both had a fairly inactive villain. Where Adventure Time succeeded and this one failed was how Adventure Time's villain actually fit into the story and gave deeper meaning to it despite not being present for most of the actual episode. Adventure Time used its villain as a symbol for nuclear warfare. MLP used its villain as a cheap and easy way to create tension. Sometimes evil has more impact when you don't give it a face.

You may not have liked it, but please, next time voice your opinion a little more tactfully. You don't need to be a dick.

I was merely stating my opinions in much the same way you state yours. I call the season premiere fucking awful, you call me a dick. A fair trade of opinions in my opinion.

Edited by Moosh, 11 November 2012 - 05:07 PM.

[Fabbrizio]

Well, except for the part where they tried to build up that there was an actual conflict with him. Besides, even if the series is about Twilight learning a lesson (or really anypony these days) I've always liked that the premieres/finales don't focus on that, as a nice interlude away from that.

And see, I kind of look at this as more of an experimental season. First season was solid, second season built on what the first season had... this is the season where they try new things. If we have three seasons in a row with villain-focused premieres, it will devolve into formula. It will become expected. And honestly, what's the point of a show if you know exactly what to expect?

It's been confirmed that John DeLancie has recorded lines for season 3 so we know we'll be getting some proper face time with a well-developed villain. Personally, I'm not going to fret just because King Sombra wasn't exactly what fans wanted.

[Moosh]

His design was also kinda off. I can't quite put my finger on why, but he clashes with the artistic style of the rest of the show.

[Nimono]

And I disliked him because he existed. A season premiere doesn't really need a villain and if it has one, it should mean something. If I might compare this season premiere to the Adventure Time season 5 premiere, both had a fairly inactive villain. Where Adventure Time succeeded and this one failed was how Adventure Time's villain actually fit into the story and gave deeper meaning to it despite not being present for most of the actual episode. Adventure Time used its villain as a symbol for nuclear warfare. MLP used its villain as a cheap and easy way to create tension. Sometimes evil has more impact when you don't give it a face.

To be honest, I agree with you about Sombra. Sure, MLP isn't supposed to be as "deep" as Adventure Time is (or so you say; I don't watch it), but the villain really had no impact on the premiere, IMO, past being a time limit. They could've replaced him with an oncoming winter storm, and changed all his tricks and traps guarding the Crystal Heart to the original Queen installing security systems against people who would use the heart for evil, and the story probably wouldn't have changed much.

That is when you know a villain is effectively pointless in a story, when he could easily be replaced with someone or someTHING else, and the story would still make sense.

[Moosh]

Feel I should also mention I'm not too fond of the usage of the crystal heart. I just generally hate it when the protagonists have to use some form of magical relic to save the day. Personal cartoon pet peeve.

[DashSim]

I felt the conflict might have been more suited to maybe, instead of fighting an evil pony with vaguely defined characterization, the problem was treated more as a... sort of natural disaster. Like the evil dark crystal stuff is just some natural corruption that was creeping in. Could have been the same story, just with the advantages of 1: avoiding the 'why wasn't the villain fleshed out at all?' issue and 2: being a bit more unique among the two-part episodes.

Unless of course they have plans to do more with Sombra and he was needed in this episode for future purposes, in which case disregard everything!

Otherwise yeah, I loved it. Great moments for every character, fantastic humor, SONGS! ... And I find myself very interested in the foreshadowing.

[Moonbread]

And see, I kind of look at this as more of an experimental season. First season was solid, second season built on what the first season had... this is the season where they try new things. If we have three seasons in a row with villain-focused premieres, it will devolve into formula. It will become expected. And honestly, what's the point of a show if you know exactly what to expect?

It's been confirmed that John DeLancie has recorded lines for season 3 so we know we'll be getting some proper face time with a well-developed villain. Personally, I'm not going to fret just because King Sombra wasn't exactly what fans wanted.

>Is tired of premieres/finales having villains
>Isn't tired of 95% of episodes having a moral about friendship at the end (and yes, I know it's titular)

I'm sorry, I just find it really...ironic, I guess? You're tired of six (or eight if you count the lame Sombra whatever) episodes focusing on villains, but have yet to be tired of 50+ episodes just focused on friendship. And heck, even the villain specials all had their lessons on friendship (even though season 2's finale was the same as Lesson Zero). It's fine if they want to try something different, but I really don't feel like the villain thing has been overdone quite yet. And honestly, Discord's development took less than one episode and he's basically the most interesting villain ever, so tell me how there wasn't enough time to do so with King Sombra.

ALSO SONGS YES, I AGREE. I love the Crystal Fair song so much. The first song felt forced a bit, though... But it ended up being pretty good, I think. 'x'

[Fabbrizio]

>Is tired of premieres/finales having villains
>Isn't tired of 95% of episodes having a moral about friendship at the end (and yes, I know it's titular)

I'm sorry, I just find it really...ironic, I guess? You're tired of six (or eight if you count the lame Sombra whatever) episodes focusing on villains, but have yet to be tired of 50+ episodes just focused on friendship. And heck, even the villain specials all had their lessons on friendship (even though season 2's finale was the same as Lesson Zero). It's fine if they want to try something different, but I really don't feel like the villain thing has been overdone quite yet. And honestly, Discord's development took less than one episode and he's basically the most interesting villain ever, so tell me how there wasn't enough time to do so with King Sombra.

I'm not tired of the villains, I just think that the unanimous reaction to this episode is proof that we've reached the point where any non-villain-based premiere or finale is met with outcry. Like we just can't accept that a premiere or finale might simply not have a strong villain - King Sombra was not a character, he was a means to an end, and that's okay. I agree, a natural disaster would have been better. But I don't think the story we got is anything to get our knickers all twisted up over.

Edited by DavidReinold, 13 November 2012 - 10:02 AM.

[ShadowTiger]

I feel more like that a premier/finale must have a villain, no matter how little screen time or characterization they actually get. Then again, if we have a full season that has multiple showings of one or more specific villains recurring through out the season, then the entire season won't be as much about the lessons on friendship and will instead have weak little links and references to that villain in addition to spatterings of whatever else they have, lesson-wise. It'll be divided attention.

[ShadowTiger]

I'll put it in a spoiler tag because.

Spoiler

Okay this is a really weird episode. I think Pinkie Pie is probably my "least" favorite pony, (In the sense that regular Vanilla is my least favorite flavor of my favorite flavor of ice cream. o_o ) in that her hyperness gives her less of a "real" personality and more of a flavor just for the sake of having a flavor that's been assigned to her to have one.

So this episode is getting to be a bit much.

Did enjoy the "The Fun Has Been Doubled!" reference though.

Felt like one of those "victorious" endings, too. Not too bad of an episode.

Just youtube for "My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic S03E03 Too Many Pinkie Pies 720p"

[Fabbrizio]

Okay this is a really weird episode. I think Pinkie Pie is probably my "least" favorite pony, (In the sense that regular Vanilla is my least favorite flavor of my favorite flavor of ice cream. o_o ) in that her hyperness gives her less of a "real" personality and more of a flavor just for the sake of having a flavor that's been assigned to her to have one.

So this episode is getting to be a bit much.

Did enjoy the "The Fun Has Been Doubled!" reference though.

Felt like one of those "victorious" endings, too. Not too bad of an episode.

I'm guessing you watched the pre-leaked iTunes version, since the Hub doesn't air it for another 2 hours.

[ShadowTiger]

I'm going to hell, aren't I.

[Fabbrizio]

I'm going to hell, aren't I.

lol, I only bring it up because it's likely you're the only one who's seen it yet and the discussions should probably be kept to a minimum until the episode ends an hour from now.

[ShadowTiger]

I only said it because I never get "FIRST!" or anything. I'm good now. ^.^


Anyway, slightly unrelated to episodes:

Spoiler

Also, WOW. Amazing discovery. Extremely specific, though.

Spoiler

Props if you get the reference.