Watch as Twilight Sparkle learns a new word: Synergy.
After the 1000-years prophesy results in Princess Celestia’s disappearance and the appearance of Nightmare Moon, Twilight Sparkle goes on a quest to find the Elements of Harmony, reputedly the only thing that can control Nightmare Moon. The annoying ponies responsible for putting together Ponyville’s Summer Sun Celebration insist on joining Twilight on a journey to the ruin deep in the dangerous Everfree Forest because “That’s what Friends do.” Twilight is unconvinced. Nightmare Moon sets scary impediments for the Mane 6 but (with the help of a Barney-friendly song and some laughter) they arrive at the ruined castle and bond together as they go. At the castle, Twilight discovers why Celestia wanted her to make friends, and the real reason Celestia made Twilight her apprentice. (We won’t learn until the fourth season the hint Celestia got when Twilight received her cutie mark.)
This episode is a further exploration of the potential of the rebooted series. This includes detailing Rainbow Dash’s impulsiveness, Applejack’s steady no-nonsense demeanor, and Pinkie Pie’s ability bounce and to defy logic as well as pull solutions from outside the box and peer into our dimension. Essentially, it’s about how people with so little in common can become good friends. The song in the episode is aimed at young children, but stands as a barometer of better things to come. The absurd solutions–and some of the problems–in the quest appear silly to adult eyes, but are illustrative of each character: Like Fluttershy kindly pulling a thorn from a “lion’s” paw and having her mane spiked when the manticore licks her, or Rainbow Dash having her ego stroked but in the end having to say no to a too-good-to-be-true offer because friends are more important.
Look for artwork that creatively draws on primitivism, with a hint of Van Gogh. Abstract backgrounds make the Everfree Forest leafy and real without burdening it with extraneous detail. Keep a eye out for the movement of manes and tails. The inclusion and animation of horsey details will won’t be this good again until the fourth season. And speaking of horsey-ness, look for rearing, snorting steam from nostrils, and ground pawing. The pony friends may not look as horsey as earlier generations did, but the animators did their best to assure Hasbro that this show could light-up little-girl desires for ponies and pony toys. Much is later toned down.
What to watch for (and comment upon)
- Because of the relatively plain and simple nature of the pony faces, the animators show emotion by changing the size of pony’s irises.
- Look for the occasional appearance of darker shaded key-color eyelids. This depicts mood or annoyance. Only Rarity shows color above her eyes most of the time. Could this be eyeliner?
- What happens when Twilight’s new friends find her after Twilight realizes Nightmare Moon won by shattering the dormant Elements of Harmony? This is an important visual trope. It will reappear multiple times throughout the series when important things happen.
- How is intense magic depicted? This is actually quite scary…
- Is it possible that Princess Luna 1.0 is drawn too much like a Disney-princess to have made it past the pilot?
Marathoning Pony 