Episode review: S9E10: "Gone to Seed"

I almost missed this lovely touch, but AB is doing a Pinkie Promise here

I should probably mention before going any further that I now have seen the Italian early releases, since I found versions with English soundtracks. I will of course not be even hinting at any spoilers for episodes that haven't yet aired on Discovery Family, so please don't anyone else do that either, not even in the comments. Thanks! Anyway, "Gone to Seed" was Dave Rapp's first episode since "The Parent Map". More relevantly perhaps, he also wrote "Where the Apple Lies" in S6. Past the break for more!

This was one of those episodes that S9 seems to be spending a lot of time on: a down-home ep with a domestic flavour, almost like a modern-day version of the show's early years. In this case, the focus was entirely on the Apple Family, so much so that there were only four voice actors in the entire thing. Between them, Ashleigh Ball, Michelle Creber, Tabitha St. Germain and Peter New did a pretty darn fine job. We've grown to expect outstanding VA work on My Little Pony, of course.

The Great Pumpkin Seedling plot of this episode reminded me strongly of the "Sass Squatch" one from Applejack's IDW Micro-series comic. Even though that was almost six years ago now and the stories had significant differences, I do wonder whether it was something in Rapp's mind as he wrote "Gone to Seed". I thought it fitted pretty well. I don't see why the Apples shouldn't believe (or at least half-believe) in some kind of magical Earth spirit, given everything else that Equestria has to offer.

It's fun to keep an eye on how this map changes as the episode progresses

Having the Great Seedling portrayed as a deer worked very well, especially as he reminded me a bit of the magical reindeer in "Best Gift Ever". It was interesting that the episode chose to leave open the question of whether he was actually real, with the apparent reveal of Big Mac as the culprit being followed in short order by a little doubt: the final scene with the carrot trails. I think that was probably the right decision, especially if you look at this episode from the target audience's perspective. Father Christmas and all that.

Sisterly bonding between Applejack and Apple Bloom was a major part of this episode, which was fine by me. I probably find it a little less interesting than Rarity/Sweetie or Rainbow/Scootaloo (if you count that) as the Apples have always been very close, but it was cute all the same. Applejack learnt (again) that you're never too old to have fun, a nice if unoriginal moral. However, she also acknowledges that AB is growing up... by telling her plainly that she's old enough now to pull her weight at apple-bucking time.

Goldie Delicious is not a character I find all that compelling. She only really has one special feature – being a crazy cat mare – and that was milked for all it was worth this time. I doubt we'll see her again in the show, and I'm not too bothered about that. I was much more interested in the brief flashback scene, which brought us welcome glimpses of Bright Mac and Pear Butter from "100 moons" ago. (The answer to the obvious question is, of course, "As long as the story needs a moon to be.")

Absurdly, this was Winona's first appearance since late S6!

One pony above all others got a horribly raw deal in this episode, and that was Big Mac. The other Apples, to a pony, took his extra work during the Confluence for granted and failed to openly care very much about his sleep deprivation. As befits his character, he didn't complain too much in public, but we were left in no doubt that he was seriously unimpressed. He even ended up falling down a pit at the end and having AJ and AB laughing at him. Sure, his smile showed he was fine really, but even so.

"Gone to Seed" is one of those episodes I tend to categorise as "superior filler". That f-word isn't meant in any derogatory way; it's simply that the ep is a stand-alone thing with no relevance to any wider storylines. Its tight focus on the core cast (oh ha ha —Ed), with not even a background appearance from any non-Apple pony, works well in this instance. There's nothing especially extraordinary about "Gone to Seed", but it's solid and nicely crafted and has a pretty decent message when all's said and done.

Best line: Granny Smith: "I s'pose it coulda been Goldie's cats. Why'n'cha ask then?"
Best moment: Winona and the cats in the apples near the end
Worst moment: Little specific stands out

Yays

• Tight focus on the Apples stops the episode drifting
• Nice interplay between the various family members
• Good to see a little flashback to the old days
• Interesting and appropriate design for the Great Seedling
• AJ tells a truth to AB; the moral tells a truth to AJ
• Leaving the question of the GS's existence or not open

Neighs

• Big Mac really does get the rough end of the stick
• A few too many meme faces for my taste; they look odd on AJ
• Goldie Delicious isn't a strong enough character to do much
• The broad story has been done before, in that IDW comic

★★★