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| "And I know that my harp will go on..." |
29 Apr 2017
My original rating: ★★★
IMDb score: 8.2
Thoughts:
In 2017 I enjoyed this episode, especially the Maud/Starlight scenes, and as you'd expect from a Nick Confalone episode there was some funny dialogue too. However, Pinkie's portrayal really grated. Not much has changed this time around. I still like the chemistry between Maud and Starlight, and I'm a bit sad that didn't really go anywhere; I suppose Trixie took up all Glimmy's time. The backstory about Our Town is still a "whoa" moment. Pinkie is, yes, still really irritating and my least favourite part of the episode. That massive cavern is still pretty stupid. You know, some of these thoughts have been getting long recently, but this one? Not so much. Little has changed. Still a top-end three.
Choice quote: Maud: "It's a rock-based decision."
New rating: ★★★
Next on the list is "Fluttershy Leans In". I don't always get on with late-series Fluttershy episodes, and this was decidedly not a favourite the first time around. I'll be surprised if it makes a big jump upwards.
Yeah, that sounds about right. I still love the gag with Boulder getting them out of the cave. :)
ReplyDeleteBy pure coincidence, just watched this one yesterday, so I'd fallen behind as much as yourself!
ReplyDeleteI must have only seen this episode the one time prior, or at least not properly in several years. As I thought I knew it, and indeed I did, but Jesus Christ, I did not remember Pinkie being half this insufferable. Like, this was worse than "The Friend in Deed", and without a fantastic opening 30% to compensate. Hell, it's basically Pinkie being invasive and not getting it akin to that episode, in a manner than not even Maud being too stoic/polite to tell Pinkie what's up excuses. To the point I can't even judge Starlight being blunt with her "you kinda ruined everything" line towards the end. I think it's still better than something like "The Maud Couple" on that front, as at least here the other player against Maud works, but I did not enjoy this to rewatch at all.
Folks have noted that Pinkie's writing can go off the fails in episodes, primarily in chunks of Seasons 2 & 4, and that is true, but even there, it's not present for the whole episode like here (the graduation scene really is a primer), and more in subtle ways rather than her shouting in your face. It feels like an attempt to get back to early Pinkie (albeit with a late season story), but one that misses the nuance.
And yet, virtually everything else works (well, except the season's continuing approach to screwing continuity for a gag or its own world building, like with the network of caves). The fourth Starlight appearance in three episodes should irk, but by finally having her in a supporting role, and finding organic grounds for her and Maud to get along on, she's pretty good. Heck, on Maud herself, Nick Confalone (with the aid of DHX!) finds many points to get across parts of what makes Maud tick, and turns many verbal jokes into character moments, and vice versa – Rarity's reaction to Maud "Talking to you" bit fully shows in retrospect what she means about ponies normally not getting her. Also, whenever Pinkie isn't doing her thing, this is a rather funny episode (and even Pinkie has some knockout moments, like her speaking slow).
There are other problems – the last act in Ghastly Gorge – which isn't a train ride away, lads – is far too rushed and perfunctory (I'd have trimmed some of the bad Pinkie material earlier and expanded it), but it's almost impressive how much is going right here. Which is a roundabout way of saying I agree with all your points, but find Pinkie's characterisation far too infuriating to even contemplate a weak ★★★, let alone a high one.
Four episodes in, and it's another three-star rating from you; I'm almost certain that'll change as the season progresses.
ReplyDeleteI may have mentioned this before, but Nick Confalone isn't who I'd call one of the show's best writers. He leans too heavily into the comedy aspect, as if he's forgetting that he has a story to tell, which is why I didn't like The Saddle Row Review - mostly style, very little substance. I've felt like Confalone's writing is far more suited to DC Super Hero Girls, which is mainly a comedy show itself, and a good one at that.
That being said, Rock Solid Friendship works surprisingly well. Starlight and Maud have a good chemistry with one another, and the jokes don't overshadow the whole thing. Pinkie, however, gets a little insufferable after a while, but at least it isn't to the extent of A Friend in Deed, an episode which I'd consider season two's worst. So yeah, good but not great.
I liked this one well enough, but it rivals Filli Vanilli for worst use of Pinkie. Thankfully, the other characters are much more pleasant, and I enjoy the chemistry Starlight continues to have with Trixie and now develop with Maud. I don't know whether to credit the writers for this, but Starlight has nice personality intersections with these: Trixie being an outsider, and Maud sometimes just wanting to be alone and not relating like other people when she does want to socialize. Probably just because they're all outliers, it's not hard to draw parallels.
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