My Little Pony - Friendship Is Magic: Episode 512 - Amending Fences

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Amending Fences plays as either the second part or flipside to Slice Of Life, but yet explores completely different ground despite starting from a similar spot.  Instead of fan-derived background characters, M.A. Larson based his script on one throwaway moment which occurs two minutes into the pilot.  These ponies had lines and some personality, but were then completely forgotten.  Twilight brushed past them and their party invitation before investigating her suspicions regarding the “Mare in the Moon” prophecy, and she was subsequently sent to Ponyville for good.  While Amending Fences’ story may feel familiar, Larson again took bold risks by strongly adhering to continuity and eschewing any sort of “interesting” plot.  But focusing on character interactions is never anything less than compelling.  Those three ponies who confronted Twilight (Minuette, Twinkleshine, Lemon Hearts) were barely moved and seem happy having some tenuous celebrity connection.  The mentioned but previously unseen Moondancer behaves quite differently though.  Without actual time travel, Larson uses her to show an alternate universe where Twilight never made friends.  Moondancer’s design and other similarities are therefore quite intentional.  But she also might be a shy introvert who got hurt and then retreated into herself.  Larson doesn’t have time for developing every new character, but Minuette and Moondancer are more well-defined than certain recurring ones.  He also touches on celebrity culture and (possible) autism while clearing up loose threads literally no one cared about.  This decision makes Equestria seem like a real world with consequences rather than an episodic TV show which always starts and ends in the same place.  Like its sister episode Slice Of Life, Amending Fences feels very different from “normal” My Little Pony outings, but Larson correctly realized that this show was well-suited for such material.  By using continuity to explore human themes and showing more “background” characters who deserve being seen again, Amending Fences stands as yet another testament to Larson’s superiority of craft.

Twilight tries relaxing with a book after the previous few shows, but we all know that won’t last long.  Spike’s offhand comment about the irony of Twilight now being a friendship expert makes her remember ignoring other ponies while living in Canterlot.  As a princess and professional worrywart, she decides upon fixing this problem immediately.  Well, once Spike looks up her old Canterlot friends’ names, since she’s forgotten them after so many years (this part isn’t a joke or meant to show Twilight being out of touch.  While forgetting faces probably won’t happen, names will disappear if you don’t think about them).

Since she no longer needs train tickets, Twilight arrives with Spike that very night.  She visits her old tower study, and discovers literally nothing has changed.  This isn’t very likely, but notice how Larson strictly follows canon.  After Twilight’s initial ride to Ponyville, her original place was not seen or mentioned at all.  Although most series operate on significant suspension of disbelief, it’s surprising yet delightful that Larson demonstrates what would really happen given My Little Pony’s events.  Spike quickly finds his damaged present for Moondancer (including “the rest of it”, which is an acceptable retcon despite lacking realism), and Twilight vows to fix her broken friendships with…“them”.

First up is Minuette, who Twilight figures must feel awful after being abandoned.  Clearly she has forgotten much, because Minuette doesn’t distress over anything.  While slightly suspicious of the princess’ unannounced visit, Minuette is stoked and even wants her picture taken with Twilight.  Before their interaction becomes too awkward, Minuette suggests they meet Lemon Hearts and Twinkleshine for donuts.

While Spike catches up with Donut Joe, Twilight attempts the same with her old friends.  But awkwardness unquestionably pervades this meal, because they haven’t seen each other in a while and probably weren’t originally all that close.  Twilight finally digs deep and apologizes for her conduct, since she did brush them off and leave without saying goodbye.  They only laugh in response though, as Minuette and company expected such behavior from Twilight.  Rather than let this ruin their encounter, they continue reminiscing.

Visiting their school’s science lab starts things off, which prompts memories of that one time Lemon Hearts got her head stuck in a beaker (it clearly isn’t physically possible, but watch how Lemon Hearts doesn’t share her friends’ laughter).  Twilight remembers her version instead, as she argues with Moondancer about something they both read.  Minuette vaguely recalls where Moondancer lives now, although they likewise haven’t seen her lately.  Another trip to a dilapidated cottage reveals their “other” friend, but Moondancer only groans and slams the door on them.

Minuette again laughs this off since she’s familiar with Moondancer’s antics.  She joins Twilight and Spike as they watch Moondancer’s daily routine, which only consists of trips between her home and the library.  Upon being asked, Minuette offers that Moondancer always used to be shy, but started opening up around the time of her party.  In case you’ve also forgotten, we get a shortened flashback of the very pilot scene which forms Amending Fences’ basis.  Twilight looks horrified as she realizes her casual brush-off literally defined Moondancer’s social life.  Clearly now on a quest, Twilight vows to put right what once went wrong.

Unfortunately, her plan involves harassing Moondancer inside the library and hoping she’ll become friendly again.  A few too many shushes obscure how terribly this goes.  After much annoyance, Twilight finally piques Moondancer’s interest by appearing in one of her books.  Despite a shocked scream and refusing more friendship overtures, Moondancer has to know how Twilight did that.  The author responsible (Haycart, which makes two pony puns in one name) happens to be a favorite of both, so Moondancer returns with Twilight to her study.

Once there though, Moondancer finds a book she gave Twilight near some spider webs.  At least the princess returns this forgotten favor by giving Moondancer her study keys, but socializing at one dinner asks too much in return.  Quoting Celestia’s words doesn’t change Moondancer’s mind either, but a free Haycart’s method lesson proves to be her price.

Securing Moondancer’s attendance means dinner is even more awkward than earlier.  Minuette tries including everyone, but they all feel uncomfortable and only blurt out short answers.  One subsequent pause finds a fed up Moondancer completely leaving the building.  She reiterates her stance on friendship to Twilight, who then imagines what must have happened that fateful day.  Naturally a hopeful Moondancer becomes very disappointed upon learning Twilight won’t be coming despite her other friends being there (such flashbacks are usually considered truthful, but Twilight’s unimaginative vision is clearly only her idea and not necessarily accurate, since she has no idea what actually happened).

Trying another plan, Twilight recruits Pinkie Pie from Ponyville for throwing a more spectacular make-up party which everyone will attend.  Inviting Moondancer is out of course, so Twilight chooses an alternative method.  Using the old “bread crumb trail” trope (which she also did in Luna Eclipsed), Twilight (delightfully) lines the path to her party with nerdy books only Moondancer would appreciate. 

She is in no mood for partying, though.  Finally letting her anger out, Moondancer announces how shitty Twilight’s behavior really was, and that this one time of putting herself out there left her totally humiliated.  While such an explosion isn’t original, Moondancer’s choice of words describes exactly what the real problem is, which makes the scene extremely effective.  Twilight consoles her bawling friend by bringing in a few other ponies she knows and admitting that hurting Moondancer ranks as one of her worst ever feelings.  This contrition finally perks Moondancer up, and she starts a rather successful party after tearfully embracing Twilight.  Spike offers Moondancer that “other” part of his gift, which is a seemingly unimportant picture of her various friends (including Twilight) enjoying cupcakes together.  We’ll never know how the teddy bear would have gone over, but this photo soon hangs prominently on Moondancer’s wall.

Twilight brings her years of experience to Amending Fences’ “quest”, which has both positive and negative effects.  She treats restoring her old friendships like saving the world, despite these ponies being more complex than a good vs. evil problem.  This finds Twilight needlessly apologizing and forcing encounters with Moondancer, although she also doesn’t give up when everything goes poorly.  As someone who’s still not that outgoing, Twilight can’t quite explain to Moondancer how friends will enrich her life.  Quoting Celestia instead of blandly stating her opinion is actually far more realistic and effective in demonstrating what Twilight has become from her various adventures.

Of Twilight’s old friends, only Minuette stands out at first with a positive personality very different from Pinkie Pie’s.  No matter what happens, she can spin everything into acceptance.  Minuette truly bears no ill feelings toward Twilight about being abandoned without explanation, and takes Moondancer’s brusque behavior as part of who she is.  Minuette also tries having a good time at their dinner even when that probably isn’t possible.  This could all come off as fake, but actually appears to be how she sees the world.  Larson hints at more depth though since Minuette’s reaction to Twilight’s appearance suggests she worries about being in trouble for something.  Unfortunately, Lemon Hearts and Twinkleshine aren’t given nearly so much development, but having Lemon Hearts work as a Canterlot event planner shows deeper character traits which could be explored later.

While previously unseen in the pilot, Moondancer takes over Amending Fences’ focus once she appears.  To underscore their similarity, Moondancer is a recolor of Twilight with tacked on “nerdy” taped glasses.  Larson might have called for this in his script, but he no doubt wanted to explore what Twilight’s life would have been like without friends.  Despite the distracting visual appearance, Moondancer establishes her uniqueness fairly quickly, and being bound to Twilight wasn’t necessary.

My Little Pony’s portraits of introverts have been suspiciously good, and Moondancer definitely continues that trend.  As is typical of them, she is generally uncomfortable talking to other ponies, but even the slightest hiccup serves as strong negative reinforcement.  Moondancer also has self-esteem issues, which possibly stem from her love of books or just being shy.  One such failure regarding Twilight’s sudden disappearance pushed Moondancer almost irrevocably inside.  Without friends, she only appears obsessed with her own little interests that have little chance of going anywhere.  Moondancer studies to keep herself busy from thinking about the dead end life she now inhabits.  Listing off many subjects at dinner only to respond clumsily that she isn’t planning on teaching (or apparently much else) indicates this.  While not really resembling Twilight here, it’s still possible that our princess could have ended up in a similar quagmire if one or two things went differently.

But another subtle change saves the ending, which could have easily come off as another “cure” for introversion.  Moondancer isn’t becoming someone else or conforming to an accepted way of life.  She’s rediscovering something that was always inside of her.  All of her “new” friends are ponies she knew from school, family, or her current daily life.  This may not count as “a lot” to most people, but it’s more than she thinks.  Moondancer clearly wanted friends before, and enjoying time with them now can only enrich her life.  Creating such a character from one throwaway line is marvelously well done, and hopefully Moondancer will return as promised.

Producing Amending Fences from a scene that was only meant to depict Twilight ignoring social interactions counts as an accomplishment by itself, but Larson fits in every small continuity detail perfectly.  You didn't remember Lyra as part of that group of friends?  Twilight rushes past her (as she waves) mere seconds after leaving the party invitation.  Maybe Minuette admitting they’re always visiting Lyra in Ponyville or vice versa is too obvious, but at least Larson offers some explanation for background ponies appearing everywhere.  This continues when Pinkie Pie recognizes Minuette from Cadance’s wedding and elsewhere, since they really couldn’t not be friends.  Shoutouts must also be made to Spike grabbing his usual seat at Joe’s, and a certain pony from season five’s premiere ominously appearing at dinner.  While helped by the animators here, this is Larson’s second straight effort which shows intelligence by paying attention to continuity rather than ignoring it in favor of retconning and resetting.

Slice Of Life teased viewers by demonstrating an episode featuring background ponies could be quite good, but Amending Fences builds off of it by doing just that.  Larson took one forgotten scene and created characters who are every bit as strong as any seen before.  But in doing so, he tackled a friendship problem most people will actually face.  Whether from leaving school or work, or by moving away, you will find yourself losing contact with friends at some point.  Encountering these people again may be awkward, but that doesn’t mean you can’t rediscover why your friendships started.  No doubt Amending Fences is more of a slice of life than the actual episode in that respect, but this style fits My Little Pony surprisingly well.

Larson took many risks in even doing this show, but they again pay off in another well-structured and enjoyable outing.  Even if act two wavers slihgtly, Larson redeems himself with Moondancer’s outburst and the almost magical closing minutes.  No, Amending Fences isn’t perfect throughout, but it overall matches Slice Of Life in terms of quality and enjoyability.  Despite an unconventional feel, the episode deserves recognition for its accomplishments and staying true to My Little Pony’s original intentions, even if most of the mane six are elsewhere.  Larson again proves he is at the top of his creative game, and we can only enjoy wherever this ride might take us.