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| This episode has some of the best lighting effects in the whole series |
S5E15: "Rarity Investigates!"
My original rating: ★★★★
IMDb score: 8.5
Thoughts: This episode is such a lot of fun. The thing most people remember is the film noir-style black-and-white sections, which are wonderfully done with exactly the right musical accompaniment. (I like the closing credits music, too. They even refrained from adding the DHX and Hasbro jingles at the end!) Rarity makes a great Shadow Spade, even when she's commenting on décor. It's a really atmospheric ep all round, laced with humour but not so much that it overwhelms the mystery. Well, I say "mystery" but really there isn't much: it's obvious from the word go that Wind Rider is the culprit. A shame too that the Wonderbolts jump to conclusions so fast about Rainbow Dash's guilt, and that only some of the clues are spottable by the viewer first time around. Oh well, at least the way the story flows (and it does) allows Dash and Rarity to have some excellent, sparky scenes together. I wish the series had given them more interactions of this quality later in the series, but hay ho. Despite my little niggles, this is a polished and – fittingly for a Rarity-heavy story – immensely stylish episode which shows S5 at its best. Not quite a five-star episode, but still worthy of a pretty high four, and that's nothing to sneeze at.
Choice quote: Rarity: "That's the polite but disingenuous laugh you make when you want to seem happy but really you're not."
New rating: ★★★★
Next
up is "Made in Manehattan", an episode about which I can remember almost nothing. This is not a good sign for an Applejack'n'Rarity ep, but maybe it will improve in the rewatching. Maybe.
| econd after Sassy's "Everypony loves royalty!" |
S5E14: "Canterlot Boutique"
My original rating: ★★★
IMDb score: 7.9
Thoughts: After the first of FiM's
irritating mid-season hiatuses, we did at least have the stalwart Amy
Keating Rogers in the writing saddle for the show's return. It's a good
episode, too, albeit perhaps the least of the run from "Amending Fences"
to "Rarity Investigates!" We see Rarity in her fashion designing mode
more centrally than since "Suited for Success", and personally I prefer
Canterlot as the big target for her than Manehattan as happened later in
the series. Sassy Saddles (voiced by Kelly Sheridan, incidentally) is a
decent sidekick, albeit not one with enough sass to be truly
memorable. A hint of a troubled past career ("another failed boutique"?)
but she was neither unpleasant enough to be a "love to hate" pony or
sympathetic enough for the redemption to really click. I still don't
like the very last joke, which is a bit too close to "let's make fun of
the weird-looking pony" for comfort, though it wasn't AKR's fault. A
couple of the other shop customers were fun, though, especially the
gothy Moonlight Raven. One small criticism of Rarity: the customer who
complained her Princess Dress wasn't what she ordered was correct,
yet she was portrayed almost as the bad guy for saying so. Still,
overall the episode's core plot of "creative job made into a chore" was
fine and appropriate. It was executed pretty well, there's a nice song by Jona Lewie and even though it's not an outstandingly memorable episode it is good. I think it's perfectly worthy of a very solid three. No change to this ep's star rating!
Choice quote: Rarity to Twilight: "In every poll Sassy Saddles took, you were the most popular princess!"
New rating: ★★★
Next
up is another Rarity-centric episode, "Rarity Investigates!" – it's
widely seen as an excellent ep. Certainly in 2015 I agreed with that
consensus. I hope I shall have at least as much fun with it this time
around!
I must have completely blanked on this episode when I gave “MMMystery on the Friendship Express” moderate praise a year ago. Because that episode really doesn’t hold water well (Amy Keating Rogers wouldn’t get consistent with writing Pinkie until Season 4). This, on the other hand, is fantastic. We all know that. Plus, it totally puts the lie to “The End in Friend” suggesting they can’t get along due to having nothing in common. They don’t, it’s true, but their episode is marvellous in how well they’re hanging out without any personality clashes (it’s also easily one of Dash’s most humble episodes). I wouldn’t want Dash to be like this for every episode, too much mellowness makes a character boring, but it’s a perfect fit here.
ReplyDeleteIf I had to complain, I’d say the first half, before Rarity goes full detective, can seem a little more ordinary then what’s to come, and some of the setups are a bit laboured over in such a way that makes their setup purpose obvious (the delivery pony gem mix-up, for one thing). There’s also some mild irritants as regards the Wonderbolts suspecting Dash quickly, and as the part where Wind Rider is present before he’s exposed, it’s the part where the obvious suspect not being called out grates. But all the info in the first half is essential to what’s to come and still plenty delightful on its own, not just for the great friendship between Rarity and Rainbow Dash, but for explaining through shorthand why Rarity would play dress-up for something like this (behaviour which is more Rainbow Dash’s speed).
After that, we’re off to the races. There isn’t a moment of the noir homage that isn’t a pure delight, and everything in the writing, acting and visual execution makes it so much fun, that it doesn’t matter the mystery is relatively obvious; it’s adjusted for kids, but doesn’t talk down to them. Plus, we get another one-time pony with a fabulous accent in the cake shop pony (first Tree Hugger and now her, Nicole Oliver’s got great range!).
This is also the episode where the Wonderbolts get their most sympathetic portrayal, once you step past them quickly suspecting Dash. Small shame the obvious extra improvement of Dash breaking the record while fetching Spitfire, which WAS in the script, got cut for time.
Oh, and the subtle continuity in this one is marvellous, present for both Rarity and Dash, properly leading up to Dash becoming a full Wonderbolt next season (ssh, let’s ignore the fact that was such a non-event, as was the aftermath).
Really, there’s not much negative to say against this one. Small wonder Season 5 was acclaimed heavily by many for a long time – episodes like this really do wash out the taste of the bad and mediocre ones.
Yes, you've very well hit on the highs and (few) lows of this ep, and I hadn't thought before of why this one undoes "The End in Friend," but you're completely right about that. I was always annoyed by how everyone immediately assumes Dash must be guilty, and a little bit by how she doesn't really try to fight it (which could still be accomplished while keeping her humble, as that was a nice attitude to have her display for once). But overall, the acting and atmosphere are all great.
Delete"Rarity Investigates!" – Production Changes
ReplyDeleteSince this episode has already been through a courtroom drama version by M.A. Larson (which made it to the script stage, very rare for unused episodes), the detective variant starts out pretty close already. Larson’s version was rejected for being not well-suited to animation and potentially boring for kids, something a detective story avoids by shifting locations and having more visual and animation potential.
PREMISE
The premise is as close as can be expected for 304 words, just lacking the details of how the actual investigation works.
OUTLINE
A very close outline, with every detail about the mystery matching already, and much of the prototype dialogue matching too. Differences include:
* Sassy isn’t present in the opening scene (Opal is; presumably McCarthy later suggested incorporating Sassy for continuity), and Rainbow only here proposes that Rarity join her tonight, rather than it being already arranged.
* The brief hallway scene establishing Rainbow Dash & Spitfire were room neighbours isn’t present either. The note also specifically requests Rainbow Dash fly for Spitfire.
* Rarity hadn’t yet made her new detective fashion line; she notes in the outro that this adventure has inspired her to do so.
SCRIPT
Even the 1st draft is pretty close already, with not too many dialogue differences (expectedly, those that exist were carried over from the outline). The most notable change is Soarin accompanying Rarity and Rainbow Dash for the first step of the investigation (he gets some of their lines).
The 2nd draft shortens the script by over a page, mostly by small trims, all while correcting most dialogue differences The final script removes another half-a-page via the same means. Only cut bits of interest are where the cake shop pony mentioned they heard through the grapevine about Wonderbolts being in hot water for subterfuge. And Rarity/Rainbow Dash butting heads about the couch she gets from nowhere (“It’s not a couch, it’s a chaise.” “Sure. And I’m not a pony. I’m a pon-ay.”). Also, Stormy Flare was named Silver Flare until the polish draft, and the cake pony named Amaretto Chai instead of Cinnamon Chai.
My favourite details from the script, once again, are the shorthand for the character descriptions. Wind Rider is likened to Val Kilmer in Top Gun, while Rarity’s seductive attire and pose is compared to Brigid O’Shaughnessy in Maltese Falcon.
[animatic-stage changes and final thoughts below]
ANIMATIC-STAGE CHANGES
DeleteWith the final script being only just 27 pages, very few cuts were made. Still, as the visual staging and timing of the noir homage and flashbacks necessitated timing and pacing not evident on the page, there were a few of note. Thus:
* Celestia introduces the banquet with a short thank you and permission for everypony to dig in. Hence her still getting a voice credit.
* On Rarity’s suggestion, Soarin waits for Rainbow Dash to finish her air dance and say “okay, I’m ready!”. Also, shortly after, Rainbow Dash and the Wonderbolts approach because Rarity waves them over.
* The other Wonderbolts murmured that Rainbow Dash should be suspended or kicked out for her misdeeds during the early interrogation.
* When interrogating the guards, Rainbow Dash’s part went on a little longer, asking for their alibis and names, which she got.
* As they approached the cafe, Rarity explained her change of costume as it being easier to get gossip when you’re one of them.
* When Dash returns with Spitfire, Soarin proclaims that means Rainbow Dash beats Wind Rider’s record, to which she is ecstatic, getting cheers and high-fives from the other Bolts.
The whole episode was visually boosted. In particular, the investigation being largely black-and-white wasn’t in the script! Otherwise:
* The tea and cake shop pony, Cinnamon Chai, was written as a stallion.
* Some scenes swapped locations – the indoor debates against the other Bolts were originally in the stands, and the interrogation of the guards was in the hallway, not an interrogation room.
Animatic feedback was especially short, with Hasbro gushing to the moon, saying it might be one of their favourite episodes ever, and they were dying to see what score William Anderson would add (“Let’s go full on Chinatown!”). Only feedback was requesting the camera hold on more of the cake shop pony’s lines, and to plus their performance. They anticipated she’d be a breakout character. Yeah… bit late for that, Hasbro.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
Since this episode had already been through much development in Larson’s “Rainbow Confession” draft, it’s not too surprising it landed early. But it is impressive how many of the great touches were present right from the outline – this is the episode that established the relative acclaim of the Lady Writers within the MLP fandom for a reason (though having read Larson’s version, much of the credit is still honestly his). Otherwise, a shorter than usual script – likely, they correctly pegged that a plot-heavy episode like this couldn’t afford to have details removed for time later on, when rewrites couldn’t be done to compensate, so they kept it condensed while writing. Smart!
Though, it is a bit odd they chose to cut Rarity inadvertently beating Wind Rider’s record in fetching Spitfire, instead of some mild trimming elsewhere in the episode.
P.S. Not even 900 words for this one! I'm getting more economical with these.
it is a bit odd they chose to cut Rarity inadvertently beating Wind Rider’s record
DeleteSo we're all in agreement that our eyes are just playing tricks on us, and the above definitely, absolutely, says Rainbow Dash, not Rarity? Good. Nice to reach an unanimous conclusion!
Also, Stormy Flare was named Silver Flare until the polish draft, and the cake pony named Amaretto Chai instead of Cinnamon Chai.
DeleteBoth good changes in my view. Stormy Flare is a much better name for a Wonderbolt, and Cinnamon Chai just rolls off the tongue better than Amaretto Chai.
Both good changes in my view. Stormy Flare is a much better name for a Wonderbolt, and Cinnamon Chai just rolls off the tongue better than Amaretto Chai.
DeleteProbably why they were changed! Now it's normally marketing/commercial reasons why names get changed, or having the ability to trademark them (this applied to Starlight and all the four named townsponies in "The Cutie Map"), as even apart from Starlight, the others are character it was possible Hasbro might make some limited merchandise from.
For bit parts like these though? It was probably just on the writers' part, purely to sound better (though let's remember that Cinnamon Chai was written as a male – that would have been weird!).
A little snippet – in the name clearances doc for this episode, the legal team note they found the name Cinnamon Chai used once for a fan-created MLP character (they said the same for the interrogated guards' names, which were cut for time. This is followed by an "Advise consult with Production Counsel" warning. A different document says the name isn't clear as a result, which might explain why it's only used in referring to her shop, not her as a pony.
…Yeah, this is why I don't bother looking into those docs normally – they're only so interesting. Hopefully that one nugget was worthwhile enough!
An very enjoyable episode in my opinion. I really loved Dash's facial impressions in this one, especially during the interrogation of the Royal guard members.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, this was a really good episode for Rainbow. She had a nice range of emotions, eg her little cute moment with Rarity putting the blob of sun cream on her nose. :)
DeleteWorth noting just how well this walks the often-cited line between appealing to adult viewers and leaning into that so hard it turns off the target audience. In this case, the amount of noir tropes and hard boiled references is *just right* to get maximum laughs and admiration from parents and bronies, while still remaining fully accessible to kids who have no idea what the source material being parodied/pastiched is. We've all always thoroughly enjoyed this one.
ReplyDeleteAlso, on a Grateful Parent tip, the entire reason my son loves broccoli is because Rainbow Dash thinks it's cool and scarfs down a plate of it here. Influencing kids' minds through cartoons is definitely a powerful thing that absolutely exists, and so I'm very glad the show uses its power for good!
Worth noting just how well this walks the often-cited line between appealing to adult viewers and leaning into that so hard it turns off the target audience.
DeleteHaving read Larson's original "Rainbow Confession" now, I can confirm that version of this episode didn't just walk over the line past kid enjoyment/comprehension, it pole-vaulted several miles off into the distance. It leans so hard into its genre parody (basically a Legally Blonde riff, with the courtroom scene being a very close mirror, so I'm told) to the point of pulling MLP in weird directions: making Dash and Rarity act weirdly, making everypony else so mean-spirited, and giving little context for everything or, indeed, allowing there to be much fun. Makes me appreciate "Rarity Investigates!" all the more, especially knowing the kids loved it just as much, as I suspected they would. Kids love silly stuff even without explanation, if it's done right and tastefully.
the entire reason my son loves broccoli is because Rainbow Dash thinks it's cool and scarfs down a plate of it here.
I've always wondered how much truth there is to Rainbow Dash being the favourite pony of most little boys that watch the show. Or, at least, she's the clear winner. Sometimes not in the best way (there was that media story of a boy with lots of Rainbow Dash-themed merchandise who got constantly bullied for liking MLP, to the point that even the school staff begged him to just not bring it to school), but it's lovely to, again, have first-hand proof it hits home for them too. Bonus points for being an effective Eat Your Greens influencer!