Rating:
A popular opinion among the
bronies seems to be that the pilot isn't very good, and the series only got better
afterwards. I think the pilot gets a bad
rap, actually. While understandably a little raw, Friendship Is Magic is also a dramatic and entertaining introduction to all of the characters.
And yes, all the characters includes the Cutie Mark Crusaders, Luna, and Derpy. This two-parter is the sole writing effort by series creator Lauren Faust, and only M.A. Larson has embraced the spirit of
having all the ponies go on adventures together seen here. While slightly over the top, the
characterization is (perhaps unsurprisingly) good from the very start. All of the ponies feel fully formed already,
and each is featured enough to seem like they have an important part. The rawness prevents the pilot from ranking with the series’ best episodes, but it’s much better put together than the
rest of a rather shaky first half of the season. There are a lot of fun touches I enjoy, even
if they don’t add up to a lot of spectacular moments. Series pilots are usually a mixed bag, and
while not everything from the opening caught on, it’s rather amazing how
well-defined the characters and setting are right from the start.
The overall focus of the
pilot is to introduce the main characters in the first half, and match them to
their Element Of Harmony in the second.
While the big adventure plot that happens in the second recurs in later episodes, the “elements” idea
has been largely dropped, with only a mild importance placed on them in the
season two opener and finale (with the latter appearance being a red
herring). It’s debatable how much each
pony represents each element throughout the series, but since they’re not
important it doesn't end up mattering.
The focus of each part is held together
by a “fairy tale” plot that disturbingly becomes all too real. As Twilight reads from a book, we’re introduced to the two gods Celestia and Luna who have been inexplicably tasked with ruling
Equestria. Having two rulers worked as
well there as it did in Russia, so Celestia Trotsky-ed her sister to the
freaking moon for a millennium. Of
course, it just so happens that the time of the show is taking place just a
few days from the alleged end of Luna’s imprisonment, which is scaring the crap
out of our bookworm of a main character (especially with the recent
astrological event, I don’t find this timing to be a problem or too contrived,
since it was going to happen at some point and makes sense as a catalyst for
why the main characters get together). Although Celestia knows full well that these “stories” are indeed true
(and admits it to Twilight at the end), she pretends they’re not and sends Twilight off to Ponyville to make some friends (which is an excuse to lean on certain
ponies who are responsible for various tasks in the upcoming midsummer's night
celebration Summer Sun festival).
Twilight checking up on these plans
just happens to lead her to the other main characters on the show, although of
course we wouldn't realize that at first.
The food preparations are being done at Sweet Apple Acres, so Twilight is greeted by Applejack in “typical” Southern fashion upon her arrival. Perhaps the rest of her family came in
specifically to help for the function, since the “family” will only consist of
the last three ponies she introduces for the rest of the series (outside
of a few travel appearances by extended members not seen here). The family’s entire day would be ruined if
this pony they just met didn't stay for lunch, so Twilight is forced to
acquiesce.
Now nursing a full stomach, Twilight
sets off to find Rainbow Dash since she’s in charge of the weather, but in Ponyville,
Rainbow Dash finds you! Dash is a bit
more mischievous and giggly than usual, but her character is succinctly summarized as she “helpfully” cleans the mud off of Twilight and gives her a
“rainblow dry”, lazes around on a cloud a bit, and loves her pride and
attention so much that she falls for a rather obvious trick.
Rarity’s place is close by, but Twilight’s
mane is still a mess from the dry. While
attempting to check on the decorations, Twilight gets sucked into a mini fashion show of all her own as Rarity attempts to revitalize Twilight’s look. This foreshadows Rarity’s willingness to help
her friends in any “fashion emergency" , and especially when she decides to
design dresses for all of them for the upcoming gala. Spike’s crush also begins here, and it’s hard
to blame him since Rarity is in prime form as usual without being too over the top.
Twilight’s subsequent meeting with
Fluttershy is a virtual masterpiece in demonstrating the latter's legendary
introvertedness. Fluttershy is directing
a chorus of birds which will provide the music, but Twilight’s interruption
scares them away for the moment.
Apparently Fluttershy’s reaction of idly kicking a front leg is an
accurate depiction of a nervous horse, and things only get worse the more Twilight talks. Pointing out an introvert is quiet or nervous isn't a way to get them to open up, and so Fluttershy can barely squeak her
name the more she is asked for it. This
is the first of many times we will see her trademark absurd quietness. Fortunately, Spike pops out, and Fluttershy
is immediately drawn to him since he’s more or less one of the other
animals. She won’t exactly retain this
interest in future episodes, but it’s not the last time she’ll have to deal
with a dragon.
With the checking up finally done,
Twilight hopes she can get down to her important studying, but (as we know now) there’s still one more pony she hasn't met yet.
The mysteriously turned out lights can only mean one thing with Ponyville’s
resident party animal on the loose. The
lights flip on to reveal one of the most unexpected surprise parties ever
thrown, which simultaneously ends any hope Twilight had of accomplishing anything that day. Pinkie Pie has invited most of
the town over to the library, and is as hyper and talkative as she will ever
be. She explains her shocked reaction to
Twilight earlier was because she met someone new to this town (who of course
must not have any friends here), but Twilight wants no part of the party and
heads to bed. Not that she had any
chance of sleeping with a huge celebration going on downstairs. Apparently this welcoming party overlaps with the Summer Sun Celebration, so everyone not named Twilight ends up
partying all night.
Much drama happens once Celestia fails
to show up for her big moment, though. Spike
faints as Twilight watches in horror while her clearly absurd fears come
true. Nightmare Moon appears, and taunts
the other ponies who don’t recognize her (they should since she’s the subject of
a national holiday). Pinkie Pie is
nonplussed and happily guesses names that can’t be right (“Queen Meanie”, “Black
Snooty”), but only Twilight steps up and announces who the dark pony in front
of them is. She can’t quite finish the
prophecy though, as Nightmare Moon’s return means no more daytime. Nightmare Moon cackles evilly as the dreaded
“To Be Continued... ” card appears on the screen. The melodrama of this scene is actually handled well and is quite effective because of it. Twilight keeps things grounded
by stepping up, while Pinkie Pie running her mouth is quite funny. Even though there’s little original or
unexpected here, the tone is perfect for what happens.
Equally great is the concerned music
that appears while “Previously on My Little Pony” is shown at the start of the
next episode. Those are words that not
one person in the world thought they would ever care about, but the show treats
it exactly as if you seriously do.
Perhaps this helped in the show’s eventual acceptance, although it works
even if done ironically so. Twilight
piques the interest of her soon-to-be friends since she’s the only one who
knows what’s going on, and the six set off to stop
Nightmare Moon by finding the Elements Of Harmony.
Most of the second episode is structured to
show how each pony embodies a specific element as Nightmare Moon (in fog form)
throws obstacles in their path. A cliff
crumbles, which threatens to send the non-flying ponies to an early grave. Applejack grabs ahold of Twilight at the side
of a cliff, but tells Twilight to trust her and let go. She does so, and drops to…find Fluttershy
and Rainbow Dash have circled around to catch her after saving the other ponies. A manticore blocks the path, but Fluttershy
uses her animal-loving powers to tame him and remove a mysterious purple thorn
from his paw. Some scary-looking trees
appear with huge angry mouths, but Pinkie Pie laughs them away since they weren't actually alive or anything (and I like that the other ponies are unhappy when Pinkie starts singing).
Coming to a roaring river, the ponies
find a distressed sea serpent blocking their path. Nightmare Moon chopped the right half of his
large mustache off, and now he looks silly.
Most of the ponies think this is absurd, but Rarity realizes the
fashion emergency and graciously chops off most of her tail to serve as the
other half of the mustache. Now finally approaching the castle, a typical rickety bridge is all that stands between the
ponies and their goal. Rainbow Dash
quickly flies the fallen part of the bridge over to the other side, but is
approached by the “Shadow Bolts” to join as their leader. Sniffing out the unlikelihood that an ace
flying group would anoint a rookie as their captain, Dash finishes tying the
bridge and returns to her friends.
Once inside the castle, Twilight
realizes the sixth “Element” is magic, and that her and her friends represent
the Elements (as opposed to those little stone balls they were dicking around
with). They rainbow the crap out of
Nightmare Moon, and return the dark princess to her previous Luna state. Celestia finally shows up, and offers no
explanation for where she’s been or why she did nothing to stop the return of
her sister which she clearly knew about.
Our gracious princess naturally takes credit for all that happened, despite this requiring
an untested amateur to be more powerful than the supreme ruler of everything. Instead of apologizing for
the unusually long 1000-year prison sentence Celestia gave her sister, she only
offers Luna a “no hard feelings” speech, which Luna has little choice but to
accept. But hey, the party in Ponyville
totally makes up for all of that.
Faust may have quickly given writing
duties on the show to others, but that doesn't mean she didn't have a feeling
for how the characters or show should be.
It’s true that the “adventure” idea didn't pan out exactly, although in
retrospect, these are the kind of shows that have produced the best episodes. Strong as the characters are, the show just
works better when we get to experience little bits of all of them instead of
focusing on a couple. That’s one of the
biggest strengths of the pilot, as every character feels well-represented even
if they’re not the focus for very long.
Not every moment works, and the big
quest was sketchy in its ultimate goal.
Pinkie Pie and Applejack veer awfully close to stereotypes at times (Pinkie
practically has ADD here, while Applejack almost runs out of “Southern” things
to say (“simmer down, Sally”)), although generally it’s not bad enough where it doesn't work. Much confusion and butthurt reigned when Luna made her season two appearance, as this one seems
smaller and nicer while never feeling the need to speak in the ROYAL CANTERLOT
VOICE. Luna only has one line though,
while Nightmare Moon does appear to use her royal voice once , so the problems aren't too terrible. It’s unfortunate
they didn't reconcile the obvious differences between the two episodes, but the
results Larson got justify the changes he made, as his Luna is more interesting
than a soft-spoken nice one would have been.
Even though it’s not perfect and quite
raw in spots, I very much have to recommend the pilot for all that it does
right. Faust doesn’t take things too
seriously, and shows an intelligence with how she invokes and inverts tropes,
which is something that has become the series' calling card. Although the Elements Of Harmony part is a
bit overblown in importance, both halves do an excellent job in introducing the
main characters while showing sides that will reappear later. The break in the middle is perfectly handled,
and Faust provided a decent template on how to write a good My Little Pony episode. Not that it needed to be followed exactly or
anything, but involving all of the mane six has usually been a good idea so
far. Raw as the pilot may be, it’s not
hard to see how the series became a success from what was shown here.
No comments:
Post a Comment