Rating:
So naturally Simple Ways is the converse of the previous
episode, Pinkie Pride. The story is one
I enjoy much more, but unfortunately it isn’t executed as successfully. Simple Ways is at least a far better
relationship episode than Hearts And Hooves Day, and deals with the common
problem of unreciprocated love.
Unfortunately, the episode loses itself partway through and never really
recovers. That doesn’t mean there aren’t
a number of hilarious moments, as Rarity and Applejack perform something of a
willing Freaky Friday. But too much time
is spent with this instead of focusing on the plot, and most of these scenes
are far from the best parts. Then we
need a quick resolution, so everything turns out fine after all. Sure.
At least Simple Ways has one of the best lessons ever aired, and does point
out the futility of “changing” yourself rather quickly. Josh Haber succeeded in Castle Mane-ia by
bringing a realistic feel to the proceedings, and that was called for here as
well. He got swept up by the gimmick
though and just couldn’t bring enough substance for a better rating. Even with the good moments, Simple Ways
needed a different direction than what was taken.
Even though Pinkie Pie thinks she is a lock to head up planning
for the upcoming (and retconned, sigh) Ponyville Days after the previous
episode, Rarity is surprisingly chosen (whether a nod of growth or not, Pinkie
takes the loss quite well). Rarity’s
thoughts for the event mostly involve a Fashion Week-type celebration, which
includes impressing the fabulous travel writer Trenderhoof. As usual, Rarity is crushing on the latest
fashion-forward male, even though his appearance suggests she will be
disappointed. Although not in the way
one would expect.
Now at the train station to meet Trenderhoof, Rarity is
suddenly shy. She hides behind Twilight,
and then starts to mumble embarrassingly awkward things. Thankfully she recovers from passing out to
show Trenderhoof around town, but the tour ends at Sweet Apple Acres. He is very impressed by its “rusticness”, but
becomes downright smitten once he spies Applejack at work. Inexplicably, Trenderhoof immediately falls for
her (despite all the dirt), which neither of the other two ponies wants.
Rarity of course starts bawling and swooning, which provides
the episode’s funniest moment. But not
from her. Spike is around to help out,
and Rarity informs him that he couldn’t possibly understand her current
situation of liking a pony who doesn’t return the feelings. The trope would him make a snarky comment,
but Haber refrains from giving Spike even a word. He just looks at the camera and raises his
eyebrows. The unexpected fourth-wall
breaking is perfect, and far more effective and funnier than if he had said
anything.
At this point, Rarity and Trenderhoof decide they need to
make themselves more like Applejack to gain the desired affection. Rarity goes much further with it, and the
results are better at times. She first dresses
in a more fashionable version of Applejack’s outfit (with a sparkly straw hat
and boots), but this doesn’t work well enough.
Soon she not only puts on denim overalls, but also adopts a Southern
accent. Tabitha St. Germain again puts
in phenomenal work here, as Rarity’s accent is at times good but usually
awful. The voice always sounds like her
though, and settles into something of a cross between a Southern belle and valley
girl (as if Rarity was copying the accent from movies or plays she
watched). Along with a full range of
expression, this is some of the most impressive work done by St. Germain, even
if she doesn’t have that great single line found in previous episodes.
Applejack decides the only solution is to counter their
efforts, so she recasts herself as a fashionista dubbed Apple Jewel. She appears on the runway with her hair done
and wearing a fancy dress, which causes the two ponies to have a “battle” where
they state things about “themselves” that are meant to describe the other. And not in a positive way. This fight gets a bit disgusting at times, is
rather mean-spirited, and goes on for too long.
Such scenes are what drag the episode down, as they add nothing to the
characters while being based on stereotypes.
Seeing Applejack be fashionable isn’t as fun as Rarity going hillbilly,
and Haber should have structured the story so that such an ending wasn’t
necessary.
With only about two minutes left, Rarity finally recovers
from attempting to change herself, and states the episode’s lesson to a still
trying Trenderhoof. We’ve all expected a
crush wouldn’t like our true selves, although it wouldn’t work out anyway if
you had to pretend to be someone else.
Haber shows this eloquently enough, so having Rarity say it verbatim
(twice) feels a bit unnecessary. After
lots of hard work accomplished entirely off screen, Rarity’s event is a
success.
Despite technically being a Rarity episode, Simple Ways
feels less like it’s about her than the lesson, which isn’t a problem. The first stages of a relationship almost
always proceed like this, but in less obvious fashion. There are ideals each gender feels they have
to live up to, as we’d prefer someone who exactly fits our desires. Since we no doubt don’t live up to the
similar expectations others must have, the need to pretend arises. It won’t ever get to the absurd levels seen
here, but doing so even a little bit is practically the same thing. Haber pounds this point home a little too
hard, but still effectively so.
Relationships will work or they won’t, essentially, and anything you wish
to hide will eventually come out. Trying
to be someone else is a futile exercise, no matter how long it lasts.
Even though Simple Ways is a relaxed step back after the
previous two frantic episodes (Three’s A Crowd, Pinkie Pride), Haber wasn’t
able to find enough strong characterization or good scenes. Rarity and Applejack are well done though, as
both are believable in their actions.
After Rarity’s previous failures with stallions, her devotion to winning
this one is understandable.
Unfortunately, Trenderhoof doesn’t inspire much as an object of
affection. It’s a shock he’s not gay,
and that probably would have been a better path to go down. But this is a kids show, so of course he gets
a crush on a female pony as soon as possible.
Although perhaps his lack of redeeming features is also a point. Both genders value physical appearance above
other qualities, no matter what they might say.
This is natural at first, and although one can learn to overcome it, many
will not do so. Hopefully Rarity
remembers the lesson that the hot guy she liked didn’t end up being worth her
time.
Despite the prodigious struggles, Simple Ways is a solid
outing that shows potential from Haber.
These kinds of issues are rarely explored in any series, and it has a
lesson you might need to learn no matter your age. Absurdity doesn’t suit Haber well though, and
he would have been better off staying realistic even if it cost us Southern
Rarity. Simple Ways qualifies as a
missed opportunity for not being more successful, but it still deserves to be
remembered outside of its faults.
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