Rating:
If I don’t bust M.A. Larson for clichéd dialogue and stock
plots, it’s because he weaves them into a surprisingly personal and enjoyable
story where they’re barely noticed. Not
that he necessarily spent time as a gossip writer, but Ponyville Confidential
demonstrates a lot of the writing experience, from writer’s block to morals to
writing what you want versus what will sell.
Even more shocking is Larson finding his foil in the Cutie Mark
Crusaders rather than any specific mane six member. Apple Bloom suggests penning articles for the
school paper will earn them cutie marks, but their original ideas are too
boring for sensational-minded editor Diamond Tiara. A chance encounter with those two idiots Snips
and Snails sets them on the gossip path, as their successful articles mean no
one in Ponyville is safe. At first,
their Foal Free Press is more popular than the real papers, but everyone’s ire
causes the CMCs to rethink what they’re doing.
From all of the moral dilemmas to great characterization and a look into
the extraneous aspects of being a writer, Ponyville Confidential is a strong
capper to Larson’s amazing season two run.
No other writer on the staff can integrate everything into a very
satisfying 22-minute episode.
Larson slyly uses the teaser to poke fun at how most Cutie
Mark Crusader episodes go before proving they can be much more. While only hearing Apple Bloom’s idea to use
the newspaper for their quest, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo montage their way
through using actual paper bits themselves (lining a bird’s nest, boating,
etc.). Everything fails miserably, which
gets a good laugh out of Apple Bloom later on since of course she meant
becoming journalists. Unfortunately,
their nemesis Diamond Tiara has been named the new editor, but they figure that
putting up with her will be worth the cutie marks.
At first, the “interesting” stories they come up with
involve Rarity’s hat, a bird’s nest, and another long-winded speech from Granny
Smith. Unsurprisingly, Diamond Tiara
rejects all of these, but the Crusaders don’t have anything better. Thankfully, two certain court jesters have
gotten their asses stuck together with gum somehow, and the struggling only
makes things worse. With intrepid
photographer Featherweight on hand to document literally everything, the
Crusaders discover that their adoring public only becomes so when they can feel
better by laughing at others. Since this
crappy article inexplicably moves copies galore, Diamond Tiara loves it too and
actually has kind words for the Crusaders.
Of course, these will only continue if the articles do.
For reasons of space (and no doubt necessary anonymity), the
CMCs write their articles under the pen name Gabby Gums. This allows them access to their unsuspecting
subjects along with being able to produce triple the workload. Naturally they must move out into Ponyville
for stories, and the Crusaders gradually work their way through the mane six
and other notable ponies. Just about
everyone produces a “juicy” story (the mayor dyes her mane gray and Celestia
eats a bit too much cake), although the lengthy article on Spike is immediately
canned. Our heroes seem to watch this
unfold from the sidelines, as the mane six ponder things from the comforting
spa to various reactions. Twilight
bemoans the media’s lack of privacy, while Rarity eats up every page. Until of course she becomes a subject
herself. With her diary exposed, Rarity
suspects who the mysterious identity of Gabby Gums must be. A quick check of Sweetie Belle’s bag confirms
this.
Now that Gabby Gums is unmasked, the Crusaders are persona
non grata throughout town. Potential
articles dry up, as Twilight erects a force field around the library and
Applejack is surprisingly taciturn.
Under these circumstances, the Crusaders have little choice but to
retire, although Diamond Tiara doesn’t want to give up her paper’s only source
of income. Faced with having their own
embarrassing stories published, the CMCs collaborate on a final article which
admits their identity and apologizes for the harm caused. Tiara neglected to edit the piece due to its
last-minute completion (and certainly not laziness or plot contrivance), so she
vows revenge for this underhanded betrayal.
It is too late unfortunately, as Cheerilee removes DT from her post in
favor of Featherweight, who at least worked hard on the paper if not well.
Once again, Larson’s characterization is a large part of
what makes Ponyville Confidential stand out.
Even though the Crusaders are playing lead, he finds a way to involve or
name drop just about every major role.
Of course, the CMCs are literally treated as one character because of
their shared pseudonym, but this is easily forgiven since they’re not in idiot
mode. After Larson’s montage joke, the
Crusaders do an interesting activity that they’re actually good at. No cutie marks are produced, but this
endeavor is stopped by choice rather than incompetence. After so many disasters, such a change in
tone is very appreciated.
Ponyville Confidential’s supporting characters are also equally
strong. Diamond Tiara might be an
asshole editor who’s only interested in moving copies, but she’s never been
nicer to the Crusaders. Having her
uninteresting friend Silver Spoon sit out was a wise choice. Better moments are definitely had by the mane
six though, despite them only representing the “average” newspaper reader. Their reactions to gossip skew mostly
positive (Rarity, Applejack, and even Rainbow Dash love it, but Twilight not so
much), although two scenes in particular stand out. First, Dash refuses to join everyone else at
the spa (“did you forget who you’re talking to?”), but Rarity’s insistence
leads to an awkward and quickly halted hooficure attempt. Unquestionably more memorable is Applejack’s
reaction to learning her sister is behind the columns. While standing next to Big Mac, she can only
answer Apple Bloom’s questions with his catchphrases, which of course leads to
a rather loquacious moment for the red stallion. Both are handled perfectly.
Any flaws keeping PC from a higher rating are relatively
minor. Rarity keeps spouting “juicy” a
bit much, and certain plot points are not surprising (obviously Rarity’s only
going to enjoy gossip until it’s about her, while Diamond Tiara gets her usual
embarrassing comeuppance). Tiara’s
character is dangerously near a stock rewrite (similar to Williams’ Spitfire
the following season), but also no doubt inspired by real life examples. And given Tiara’s previous appearances, she
would likely be such an editor. The
Crusaders not standing out as separate characters remains slightly problematic,
but Gabby Gums is able to be three places at once because of it, which gives
the mane six an effective mystery.
Admittedly though, all of this is an extreme case of
nitpicking. Even years after the
episode’s airing, it is amazing how sound Larson’s choices are compared to other
staff writers. He knows just how many
clichés can be tolerated, and again finds depths in characters where others are
unable to. Instead of annoying
disasters, the Cutie Mark Crusaders find growth in exceling at an activity. And the personal touch Larson brings of being
a writer also can’t be forgotten. That’s
what really elevates Ponyville Confidential, which brings an insider’s and a
philosophical perspective to what was probably supposed to be a somewhat fun
filler story. Even if not quite his best
work, it’s easy to see how Larson spoils you for anyone else.
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