Episode review: S7E07: "Parental Glideance"

Scootaloo is Scootaloo-er than ever before in this episode

Another day, another episode. I think I can keep up with the Canadian schedule reasonably well, so I'm going to continue with my plan to post two reviews a week. This time around, we had a newcomer to the writing staff: Josh Hamilton, whose previous credits include episodes of Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra. After my disappointment with "Forever Filly", would the 150th episode of the show deliver something more?

Yes! This is not only an episode I like, it's my favourite episode of Season Seven so far. In fact, it's probably the best debut since Michael Vogel delighted us all (okay, nearly all) with the spectacular "A Hearth's Warming Tail" last season. "Parental Glideance" is a truly lovely episode, full of heart and packed with nice touches in the way that Friendship is Magic can do so well. Also, there's Scootaloo. A whole lot of Scootaloo. Without one big minus, this could have been an all-time classic; it's still great.

Let's start with Rainbow, who clearly has some issues. Okay, I get that she finds those parents of hers annoying – who wouldn't? – but not even telling them she was a Wonderbolt? Even though they've never been to a show, it's stretching things a bit to suggest that nopony else had dropped by to congratulate them on raising such a successful daughter. Unless, of course, all Bow Hot Hoof (what?) and Windy Whistles' (G1 near-reference, yay) neighbours avoid them too. Which seems probable.

Who's that pony in the picture on the left? Could be anypony

On the plus side, Dash is obviously now very comfortable as part of the Wonderbolts. This is probably the best episode so far at showing the camaraderie within the squad – even "Top Bolt" can't match it in that regard. Late on, we also get some intriguing backstory, though those scenes may be more notable for the way in which Derpy's results deteriorate as her eyesight does likewise. (Unlike Lightning Dust, however, Derpy's winning smile remains throughout.)

Scootaloo is absolutely adorable throughout, from the moment she launches her spectacular (and let's be honest, wildly stupid) bid to reach Cloudsdale without winged assistance right at the start. Her utter fanfillying at everything even remotely Rainbow – even, um, Dash's old nappy – helps her to be received by the Rainbow Parents as a kindred spirit. There are some lovely touches in this sequence, the Effects Door of course but also Windy's apparent Celestia collection.

Scootaloo also shines in her less happy moments later on. Yes, she overreacts somewhat when she sees Rainbow yell at her parents, but Scoot is still pretty young and besides, it gives us the chance to see how important she is to her adoptive big sister. Plus we learn that Scoot lacked supportive parents herself. This is vague enough that we can't tell whether she knew her mum and dad at all, but it's still a sobering reminder that there are worse things to deal with as a kid than over-enthusiasm. Sad story though it is, I think this has strengthened Scootaloo's character.

There are so many stories waiting to be told from this scene alone

I only have one major complaint with this episode: that Rainbow's parents never really accept that their obsession with supporting their daughter is ridiculously over the top. We're made to feel as though Rainbow's outburst at them is entirely unreasonable, but in context I don't think that's the case. Yes, she overdid the emotion there, but she still had a point. There is a slight suggestion Bow and Windy may appreciate the situation almost at the end of the ep, but we don't get anything more.

Mostly, though, I was delighted with "Parental Glideance", to the extent that I've already rewatched it just for fun; I intend to do so again before long. It gave us a reason why we haven't seen Rainbow's parents before, as well as providing Dash herself with an interesting character flaw. Her relationship with Scootaloo was tested, and we found out a little more about Scoot's own background, even if it wasn't particularly cheerful. As so often with FiM, character-driven episodes are the best.

Best quote: Scootaloo: "You should see your faces right now! [takes photo] See? That's what your faces look like!"

Yays

• Scootaloo steals every scene she's in
• We finally meet Rainbow's parents!
• Some great interplay within the Wonderbolts
• That Flight School flashback!
• Excellently animated
• A very fine writing debut by Josh Hamilton

Neighs

• A real shame that Rainbow's parents were let off so lightly
• Bow Hot Hoof is a really stupid name

★★★★