Episode review: S8E10: "The Break Up Break Down"

Not often we see those stable-style split doors used in MLP these days!

I have a sore shoulder I'd rather not aggravate, so today's review isn't all that long. We were back with a veteran writer this time in Nick Confalone; I didn't like his last episode ("The Maud Couple") all that much, but he had produced some fine stuff in the past. As such, I was cautiously optimistic, although I've rarely been a huge fan of romance-themed episodes in Friendship is Magic. After the break, a briefish assessment.

This was definitely one of Confalone's better episodes. Despite a very well-worn "misunderstanding" plot at its centre, the ep was highly entertaining and well paced. Especially on a second viewing, I was impressed by the writer's ability to keep track of multiple intertwining storylines without the episode feeling overstuffed. And yes, I'll admit that I think Big Mac and Sugar Belle are a very cute couple.

Peter New as Big Mac got one of his rare chances to be the central figure of an episode, and he certainly grabbed it with all four hooves. His dialogue was generally very good, as indeed was the dialogue of all the characters. He was convincing as a stallion who'd had his heart broken and so was acting abnormally – even down to throwing cider down his neck. (Mind you, he'd probably need about eighteen gallons to get drunk!)

Discord and Spike were a great double act, reprising their "Guys' Night" roles from "Dungeons and Discord". I've already praised Big Mac's dialogue, but some of these two's lines absolutely sparkled. Spike teasing Discord about his friendship with Fluttershy was an early highlight, and things went along from there. Spike himself played the voice of reason for the most part... well, apart from one tiny Rarity moment!

It's a 2D world, so it's fitting Skeleanor was described as "one-dimensional"

The other subplot was Sweetie Belle's mistaken belief that she had a secret admirer. It was a little strange to see Scootaloo of all fillies (briefly) sad she didn't have a special somepony; she's changed her tune since the early days! Doubtless including Button Mash in the list of potential suitors was a deliberate fandom nod. One minor quibble with the dialogue here: "every stallion in Ponyville" was a bit strange when everypony we saw was a colt, some of them still blank flanks.

The animators clearly enjoyed themselves with the background ponies this time. They got about as close as US network kids' TV will allow to canonising same-sex couples – stallions as well as mares – and the LyraBon scene wasn't even subtle. Okay, so it's possible that "best friends" give each other presents on Hearts and Hooves Day, but... yeah. As another bonus, there was a blink-and-you'll-miss-it shot of Cheerilee with a stallion. Sorry, CheeriMac shippers!

Discord breaking Sugar Belle's wagon wheel was a nice way to bring the lovebirds back together – physically and emotionally – giving us a satisfying end to the episode. I wonder whether there might be one more wedding before the show ends? Add to that a nice bit of Derpy, albeit a non-speaking one, Discord's "cool" outfit and even a little more acknowledgement of equinity than usual and this was a very good episode all round.

In days of yore, Sweetie's face on that poster would already be a meme

Best quote: Discord: "Love is about spying in the bushes."

Yays

• Well paced, keeping all plotlines involving
• Excellent dialogue
• Visually attractive
• Big Mac getting a chance to speak properly
• Sugar Belle is adorable

Neighs

• "It was all a misunderstanding" is nearly as hackneyed as "it was all a dream"

★★★★