Board 8 > Bosh watches through Friendship is Magic... again (with write-ups!)

(+) Yeah! (+)

Began watching this series around a week ago, absolutely plowed through it like SMuffin plows through reasonable political opinions, and now find myself in a situation of pony withdrawal. Like most bronies, I can attest to how I never thought I'd find myself here, but here I am nonetheless.

In honor of this new addiction, I'll be watching through the series again! Expect in-depth write-ups, ratings, humorous insights, and all things alpha male. And while I'm doing that, use this topic as a way to throw in your own views (or criticize mine!).

tags appreciated

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBpfwpOPXNc&NR=1&feature=fvwp
I watch Planet Chasers Starlight Excellent all day, every day.

Episode 1: Mare in the Moon Pt. 1

In the beginning... there was Trollestia.

As the first episode of the series, Mare in the Moon Pt. 1 reeks of exposition. Though necessary for developing the story, the mythology of Equestria is delivered heavy-handedly and comes across as a bit cheeseball; thankfully, this corniness dies down until part two! The introductions of the main cast are brief, but effective, and we get small snapshots into each character with surprising depth. Funny enough, the two ponies that made the strongest impression the first time around- Rainbow Dash and Applejack- ended up being my two least favorite of the mane cast. Thankfully, Pinkie is as awesome here as she always is!

It's interesting going back to the first episode, now knowing more about the characters, and recognizing hints about how they'd develop. Spike, for example, is already smitten with Moondance; Celestia is already tricking ponies in order to teach them lessons; Pinkie Pie is already completely off her rocker, as demonstrated by her freakout when she first sees Twilight; and the list goes on. And of course, pony puns galore! Interesting observation: at one point, Spike says "Rude, much?" Maybe I'm out of the loop, but I believe that's something you only say on the internet. Maybe some unintentional foreshadowing about the unexpected colt following! All in all, a solid first episode.

Bosh's Rating: 3 Bro-hooves out of 5

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBpfwpOPXNc&NR=1&feature=fvwp
I watch Planet Chasers Starlight Excellent all day, every day.

There's never enough pony. *tags*

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http://backloggery.com/genesistwilight/sig.gif
http://h4.abload.de/img/hghdeadpoolbth7.gif

From: BoshStrikesBack | #003
Spike says "Rude, much?" Maybe I'm out of the loop, but I believe that's something you only say on the internet.

It was a common thing for kids to say "[adjective], much?" in the early 2000s as I remember it

good topic though

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_foolmo_
mobile computer

It was a common thing for kids to say "[adjective], much?" in the early 2000s as I remember it

ah, good to know. if only i could use the edit function!

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBpfwpOPXNc&NR=1&feature=fvwp
I watch Planet Chasers Starlight Excellent all day, every day.

Episode 2: Elements of Harmony Pt. 2

Before, Luna was banished to the moon; now, she's banished to Season 2.

And here we arrive at the infamously corny second half of the FiM pilot. Though I don't look too favorably on this episode with all things considered, I must give it due credit as the episode that got me into Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, courtesy of this video (made by a B8er, no less!):



Anyway. As the second half of a strongly exposition-driven pilot, each of the characters gets another major development scene, this time in relation to the Element of Harmony each pony represents. Unfortunately, some of these are much worse than others. Rarity's in particular (with the "quirky" sea serpent) is perhaps the first cringe-worthy moment in a series with so few, and a weak introduction to what's easily one of the best ponies in the mane cast. The unevenness continues: Pinkie gets her own song, Fluttershy soothes a manticore, Twilight unleashes the Elements of Harmony, Rainbow Dash... turns down a shady offer? Applejack... says to let go? I'm nitpicking, but you can see the problem; thankfully, the good scenes compensate for the bad ones (for the most part).

And as previously mentioned, here we get our first musical number of the series, "Giggle at the Ghosties," and thankfully it's one of the best! If you haven't heard the 8-bit rendition yet, you really should:



What really brings the episode down is the campiness of the plot. Twilight's speech to Luna about the Elements of Harmony is particularly egregious in this regard, basically spelling out for the audience a point that's been hammered in all episode. I understand that this is a show geared mainly at children, so subtlety in storytelling isn't always what they're going for, but it still brings down the quality of the episode. The fact that the Elements are never brought up again just confirms they're a plot device that exist only to clarify the roles of the mane cast, so in that regard they might have been necessary. I'm just glad we're getting them out of the way!

Finally, we meet two new characters in Luna and Celestia. I suppose two awesome additions to the cast was too much, so Luna is relegated to the second season! (Although according to rumors, she's getting her own episode- and it's quite excellent.) Props to Luna for having arguably the worst/best pony pun in the series (which is quite an accomplishment given the heavy competition) when she tells Twilight: "You little foal!"

Overall, a below-average and heavy-handed episode despite a couple of strong redeeming features. Fun fact: if you look carefully during the scene when the mane cast is charging towards the manticore, you can see Pinkie doing her trademark skip!

And remember everyone, always giggle at the ghosties:



Bosh's Rating: 2 Tamed Manticores out of 5

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBpfwpOPXNc&NR=1&feature=fvwp
I watch Planet Chasers Starlight Excellent all day, every day.

There were two moments in the pilots when I realized this was the show for me. The first was Twilight introducing herself to Pinkie, who gasps in horror and runs away. The second...

"When I was a little filly and the sun was going down~"
"Tell me she's not-"
"The darkness and the shadows, they would always make me frown~"
"She is."

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Xbox Live: Mach Tornado
PSN: HeyGuysItsGhoul

But the Sea Serpent needs to be Fabulous!

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My Little Phineas and Ferb: Summer is Magic!

how about a bump for the late nite crowd

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBpfwpOPXNc&NR=1&feature=fvwp
I watch Planet Chasers Starlight Excellent all day, every day.

Alright, interest gauge time: should I continue? Are these write-ups entertaining my fellow bronies?

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBpfwpOPXNc&NR=1&feature=fvwp
I watch Planet Chasers Starlight Excellent all day, every day.

Wait, who are you? A new user? From where?

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Very scary and confusing
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb250/paperwarior/im-twirl-o.gif

I'm reading >.>

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http://backloggery.com/genesistwilight/sig.gif
http://h4.abload.de/img/hghdeadpoolbth7.gif

Wait, who are you? A new user? From where?

New account from an old user. I'm Jaffar.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBpfwpOPXNc&NR=1&feature=fvwp
I watch Planet Chasers Starlight Excellent all day, every day.

I'm reading. I like pony topics.

Alright then. I know this gets said in just about every write-up topic, but those of you who've tagged, please please post! Listen to Fluttershy if I'm not persuasive enough:



Even if it's just a personal reflection or two, it'd make my efforts seem that much more appreciated. And more importantly, it makes the whole topic more enjoyable! I'll be doing an update tomorrow and try to finish at least one a day.

--
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBpfwpOPXNc&NR=1&feature=fvwp
I watch Planet Chasers Starlight Excellent all day, every day.

update later 2nite

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBpfwpOPXNc&NR=1&feature=fvwp
I watch Planet Chasers Starlight Excellent all day, every day.