Rating:
There may not be a big message or
moving reason behind Sonic Rainboom, but few episodes in the series are as
much of a joy to watch. Great moments
and dialogue are built on top of each other, creating a moving and exciting
story where one probably should not exist.
Like its “sister” episode The Cutie Mark Chronicles, some of the
details prevent it from being great, although the events of TCMC make
the ones here more poignant. Also like
the later episode, Sonic Rainboom ranks among the best efforts of the series
so far.
The opening scene might only be great for
its exploitability, but that doesn't make it any less memorable. Rainbow Dash attempts to rouse some spirited
cheering out of Fluttershy for an upcoming competition, but the latter’s idea
of such is a quiet “yay”. No matter how
much Dash yells, she can’t get any more volume out of Fluttershy, who actually
thinks her cheering was too loud when Dash collapses in disgust. Despite its brevity,
Fluttershy’s “yay” has become the closest thing she has to a catchphrase. The second closest happens in the
next scene. Rainbow Dash goes crashing
into the library after a failed rainboom attempt (apparently a “sonic rainboom”
is created by Pegasus ponies when they break the sound barrier. This results in an explosion of a rainbow,
which of course isn't physically possible in the real world). Twilight’s eyes twirl as she describes a
“crazy weekend of studying” exactly like most people would describe
partying. Somehow this “studying” left
all of her books on the floor, which necessitated the rest of her friends
helping to pick them up. One Rainbow
Crash later naturally dumped the books right back onto the ground.
As Dash is trying to explain what just happened, we can subtly see her nervousness as she
suggests Fluttershy’s cheering wasn't up to par (it isn't, but so what). Dash then slowly makes her way into proclaiming an easy reprise of her famous
rainboom. Twilight is surprised to see
the two Pegasi arguing, which leads Fluttershy to respond with the classic “Were
we arguing? I’m sorry.” Fluttershy’s introvertedness is slightly
exaggerated in this episode (likely for an obvious twist later), but this is acceptable with the lines she produces. Most of it is probably just what Fluttershy believes
cheering to be, since the stark honesty of her final line before leaving the
library underscores much of the episode’s conflict.
Certain qualities of Rarity’s also seem
exaggerated at times, but they all work and are not out of character. She cuts short Twilight making what seems to
be a bad sitcom joke (about having to pick the books up again) to state what
should have been obvious: they need to find some way to support Rainbow
Dash. Rarity gallantly volunteers to
test Twilight’s new spell and is bestowed a
pair of the most beautiful wings we’ll ever see on the show. Just ask her.
Rarity becomes positively insufferable for most of the rest of the
episode, but the attitude is much more hilarious than annoying (“Yeah, I guess I could see that”). It also works because both she and the wings
do look good, and she doesn't cross a line by insulting Rainbow Dash or her
other friends. Rarity’s just a sucker
for attention, and absolutely eats it up while she can. Did anyone think she wasn't?
Since casting the wing spell
practically makes Twilight drunk, the other ponies opt for one of Pinkie’s hot
air balloons to reach Cloudsdale. We
learn a bit of inside information as to how the city works, but most of it isn't as meaningful or revelatory like the backstories of the mane six. Hoof-crafted snowflakes aren't exactly a
practical idea, and there’s no reason all ponies shouldn't be able to walk on
clouds if the Pegasus ones can. No doubt
there is a good canon reason for making sure to include Twilight casting a
spell on the other ponies, but it seems silly when there’s nothing special the
Pegasus ponies do to be able to walk on clouds.
However, the continuity that Rarity is never seen on
the clouds herself is appreciated (she only walks in that building before the competition), since
of course Twilight wouldn't have cast the spell on her.
Rainbow Dash has been slowly freaking out through the entire episode as the competition draws nearer, and she ends up almost in a ball when it's time to go on. Fortunately for her, they chose to number the contestants instead of calling them by name (no doubt this will be a rules change in the future), so Dash is able to shift her position to the end. It actually makes sense for Derpy to have had the final number, since she’s probably the only pony who wouldn't notice the sudden nine changes in position. Rarity has entered the competition too, but doesn't need to resort to trickery to move toward the end. She just announces she’ll go on when she’s ready, as Rarity is in the middle of finding her inner Lisbeth Salander.
There isn't a lot of sense in the planning committee scheduling fifteen competitors if they don't have time for them, although since Rarity was a last-minute entrant, it’s conceivable that they hadn't planned on there being one more pony. Perhaps they had hoped to bump Derpy, who judging by her official appearance probably shouldn't have been in the competition. Both Rarity and Rainbow Dash have to go on together at the same time, which was probably a plot contrivance given what happens next. Of course, since Rarity certainly would have gone on before Rainbow Dash, she possibly would have been watching and still done what she did. It’s ironic that Dash would be afraid of a pony who has been on wings for one day, but this is still a smart observation since she would probably feel that way due to her “stage fright”.
Perhaps the ballet music is responsible for throwing Dash off (it’s completely appropriate for Rarity’s routine of course), as she completely blows her first two phases. Both competitors head high in the air for different reasons, but then tragedy strikes. Having apparently not read any fairy tales or experienced any other of Twilight’s time-limited spells, Rarity is surprised when her wings that won’t last forever don’t (her declaration of “I am Rarity!” just before this is one of the episode’s best moments though). Her wings melt in the sun (she flies much higher than the previous time, although this is probably debatable physics), and she starts plummeting to the earth. Rarity rushes past the spectators, but the visiting Wonderbolts jump into action. Unfortunately, her flailing knocks them all temporarily unconscious. This means it’s up to Rainbow Dash to save them all.
Now with new purpose and her stage fright forgotten, Rainbow Dash zooms straight toward the earth herself. In the fury to catch up, she approaches the sound barrier, and has to push past it in order to reach Rarity. With little other choice, she does so, catching the four falling ponies inches before the ground. This of course sparks the loudest shouting from Fluttershy ever heard in an episode, but it makes complete sense considering what just happened. The Wonderbolts and Rarity were milliseconds away from no longer existing, but everyone else in Cloudsdale acts like it was just part of the show. Frankly, all of the Pegasi should have been reacting like Fluttershy given what they just witnessed.
Surprisingly, Rainbow Dash doesn't seem to realize what she just did either. She seems either stunned or stoked, but never acknowledges her heroic act (the Wonderbolts would've needed three new members if she had done nothing). The sonic rainboom is so rare that Princess Celestia has little choice but to name Dash the winner of the competition, and the two annoying colts come over to apologize for their weak nickname. I like how Rainbow Dash says it’s no big deal, when we’ll later find out these two have been on her since they were kids. She should tell the both of them to fuck off, but doesn't since it’s expected of her to react like she does. The final shot probably should have been something else (like with at least some of her friends instead of generic Wonderbolts), but it certainly wouldn't have been right for her to hang out with guys she doesn't like that much.
Since we find out the mane six have indeed all seen sonic rainbooms before even though all of them (except Dash) say they haven’t, the connection that they have should’ve occurred to at least one of them. Possibly they were just stunned by the moment, but it's more likely that Larson hadn't written the later episode yet or planned that far ahead. What was especially strange is Pinkie Pie knowing so much about sonic rainbooms and flying, but never recognizing that she had actually seen one until the end of The Cutie Mark Chronicles. These problem aside, I like how this rainboom ended up being just as meaningful as the earlier one (even though Dash didn't know that at the time), and was accomplished out of necessity rather than merely for show. The subtle hints about difficulties following up your earlier successes also can't be forgotten, especially when they might only be in your head.
Even if not every moment is perfect or strong, Sonic Rainboom is still an uncommonly good episode. It’s full of all the little details that Larson has made a hallmark, and finds the right tone for everything that happens. Things like Rarity being gracious to Rainbow Dash before they perform, and Fluttershy admitting she understands why Dash is being hard on her (the aforementioned line telling her friends that all of the sonic rainboom attempts have failed), could have easily been mishandled and sunken the episode. With Larson in charge, this naturally didn’t happen, and the way he fits everything together makes Sonic Rainboom an absolute delight. All of the problems mentioned don’t really detract from the episode that much, with the continuity issues at least having some possible but rather unlikely explanations. Even though it’s not perfect, Sonic Rainboom represents the best of what the show has to offer. If you don’t at least enjoy that, there’s not much reason to be watching the series in the first place.
Rainbow Dash has been slowly freaking out through the entire episode as the competition draws nearer, and she ends up almost in a ball when it's time to go on. Fortunately for her, they chose to number the contestants instead of calling them by name (no doubt this will be a rules change in the future), so Dash is able to shift her position to the end. It actually makes sense for Derpy to have had the final number, since she’s probably the only pony who wouldn't notice the sudden nine changes in position. Rarity has entered the competition too, but doesn't need to resort to trickery to move toward the end. She just announces she’ll go on when she’s ready, as Rarity is in the middle of finding her inner Lisbeth Salander.
There isn't a lot of sense in the planning committee scheduling fifteen competitors if they don't have time for them, although since Rarity was a last-minute entrant, it’s conceivable that they hadn't planned on there being one more pony. Perhaps they had hoped to bump Derpy, who judging by her official appearance probably shouldn't have been in the competition. Both Rarity and Rainbow Dash have to go on together at the same time, which was probably a plot contrivance given what happens next. Of course, since Rarity certainly would have gone on before Rainbow Dash, she possibly would have been watching and still done what she did. It’s ironic that Dash would be afraid of a pony who has been on wings for one day, but this is still a smart observation since she would probably feel that way due to her “stage fright”.
Perhaps the ballet music is responsible for throwing Dash off (it’s completely appropriate for Rarity’s routine of course), as she completely blows her first two phases. Both competitors head high in the air for different reasons, but then tragedy strikes. Having apparently not read any fairy tales or experienced any other of Twilight’s time-limited spells, Rarity is surprised when her wings that won’t last forever don’t (her declaration of “I am Rarity!” just before this is one of the episode’s best moments though). Her wings melt in the sun (she flies much higher than the previous time, although this is probably debatable physics), and she starts plummeting to the earth. Rarity rushes past the spectators, but the visiting Wonderbolts jump into action. Unfortunately, her flailing knocks them all temporarily unconscious. This means it’s up to Rainbow Dash to save them all.
Now with new purpose and her stage fright forgotten, Rainbow Dash zooms straight toward the earth herself. In the fury to catch up, she approaches the sound barrier, and has to push past it in order to reach Rarity. With little other choice, she does so, catching the four falling ponies inches before the ground. This of course sparks the loudest shouting from Fluttershy ever heard in an episode, but it makes complete sense considering what just happened. The Wonderbolts and Rarity were milliseconds away from no longer existing, but everyone else in Cloudsdale acts like it was just part of the show. Frankly, all of the Pegasi should have been reacting like Fluttershy given what they just witnessed.
Surprisingly, Rainbow Dash doesn't seem to realize what she just did either. She seems either stunned or stoked, but never acknowledges her heroic act (the Wonderbolts would've needed three new members if she had done nothing). The sonic rainboom is so rare that Princess Celestia has little choice but to name Dash the winner of the competition, and the two annoying colts come over to apologize for their weak nickname. I like how Rainbow Dash says it’s no big deal, when we’ll later find out these two have been on her since they were kids. She should tell the both of them to fuck off, but doesn't since it’s expected of her to react like she does. The final shot probably should have been something else (like with at least some of her friends instead of generic Wonderbolts), but it certainly wouldn't have been right for her to hang out with guys she doesn't like that much.
Since we find out the mane six have indeed all seen sonic rainbooms before even though all of them (except Dash) say they haven’t, the connection that they have should’ve occurred to at least one of them. Possibly they were just stunned by the moment, but it's more likely that Larson hadn't written the later episode yet or planned that far ahead. What was especially strange is Pinkie Pie knowing so much about sonic rainbooms and flying, but never recognizing that she had actually seen one until the end of The Cutie Mark Chronicles. These problem aside, I like how this rainboom ended up being just as meaningful as the earlier one (even though Dash didn't know that at the time), and was accomplished out of necessity rather than merely for show. The subtle hints about difficulties following up your earlier successes also can't be forgotten, especially when they might only be in your head.
Even if not every moment is perfect or strong, Sonic Rainboom is still an uncommonly good episode. It’s full of all the little details that Larson has made a hallmark, and finds the right tone for everything that happens. Things like Rarity being gracious to Rainbow Dash before they perform, and Fluttershy admitting she understands why Dash is being hard on her (the aforementioned line telling her friends that all of the sonic rainboom attempts have failed), could have easily been mishandled and sunken the episode. With Larson in charge, this naturally didn’t happen, and the way he fits everything together makes Sonic Rainboom an absolute delight. All of the problems mentioned don’t really detract from the episode that much, with the continuity issues at least having some possible but rather unlikely explanations. Even though it’s not perfect, Sonic Rainboom represents the best of what the show has to offer. If you don’t at least enjoy that, there’s not much reason to be watching the series in the first place.
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