My Little Pony XL: The Plot Thickens!

[OracleofWuffing]

She was already in the process of making more when she pulled the very badly burned ones out of the oven,

She couldn't have been in such a process- the ingredients are in the song, which had already ended by the time she had pulled the tray out of the oven. Unless Applebloom and Pinkie Pie were singing rounds...

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Idea!

[Forum Explorer]

She couldn't have been in such a process- the ingredients are in the song, which had already ended by the time she had pulled the tray out of the oven. Unless Applebloom and Pinkie Pie were singing rounds...

...

...

...

Idea!

After the song it cut to black. So we know a bunch of time could pass.

The Flim Flam Bros were unicorns and they could make a good cider

[BlasTech]

You can blame thank Erikun for this one.

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Argh my pancreas!

[Soras Teva Gee]

She couldn't have been in such a process- the ingredients are in the song, which had already ended by the time she had pulled the tray out of the oven. Unless Applebloom and Pinkie Pie were singing rounds...

Different scene, same set. We break between starting to cook and sometime after the results of at least two batches. Since not enough time has passed to cook even one batch anyways.

[OracleofWuffing]

After the song it cut to black. So we know a bunch of time could pass.

That could imply that Rainbow Dash made the cupcakes for the rest of the party, then. I totally ran into this picture while looking for something completely unrelated to the discussion, clearly Pinkie Pie's trying to tell me I should stop trying to talk about cupcakes.

The Flim Flam Bros were unicorns and they could make a good cider

I thought about that, too, but the problem is that cider (especially they kind ponies make) isn't exactly cooked. Really, you can argue that dropping a piano on an apple makes apple cider.

[maximus25]

You can blame thank Erikun for this one.

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Argh my pancreas!

Can I just have them all?

Wouldn't be right to separate them.

[Deadly]

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Luna took swift action upon her return from her 1000 years of banishment. Very swift action.

She used one of them spells from the Starswirl the Bearded section.

so is anyone else in a situation like me?

you religiously avoided as much royal marriage coverage as humanly possible and just found yourself disgusted with how much time people wasted on it?

and now know that you will be sitting and watching and rewatching and rewatching the same thing (now done with pastel colored marshmallow ponies)
(thus making it even MORE strange for an adult male to be interested in) and talking about it for weeks afterward?

Maybe this is partly why I dread the season finale. If I was the kind of person to have nightmares, I'd be having them about this. I'm not sure even the power of pony is enough to make this work for me, as blasphemous as that is to say. I hate being so negative, but the prospect of the season finale is making me feel awful. I shall be immensely relieved once it is over, HUGELY relieved!

I woke up this morning, and I'm just feeling kinda ill with concern for this whole thing.

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Big overblown royal wedding, new alicorn who's a princess and Celestia's niece, Twi suddenly has a brother who's marrying into the royal family, no Luna from the looks of it, possibly return of Discord (although it could just as well be anything else)...

Clones might be pretty cool, though, and seeing Twi's parents again is always nice.

But all of this... maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised, but right now I'm feeling terrible and not at all excited like everyone else seems to be

[thubby]

finale

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wait a minute, she's an alicorn?!? she better be in charge of the tides or something (actually, that would be kinda awesome) or im going to be annoyed

[Sean Mirrsen]

finale

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wait a minute, she's an alicorn?!? she better be in charge of the tides or something (actually, that would be kinda awesome) or im going to be annoyed

Finale thoughts:

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Well, let's see. Going by names: Celestia, referring to a star, the Sun being the closest, so, Princess of the Sun. Luna, obvious. "Cadence" is a word referring to rhythm, a tempo. Since Faust herself was behind the creation of Cadence (though not of the alicorn Cadence), we can assume she has some significance in the world. Going from the name, if Cadence is a princess, she is a princess of something related to rhythm, equidistant and/or equally spaced events. Tides, Seasons, that sort of thing.

However, of the many shots we've seen of Cadence so far, we have never seen an important detail. Maybe the whole thing with the Princesses doesn't work that way? Maybe only two can ever be in power? Maybe that's the "dark secret"?

Cadence is a blank flank?
edit: scratch that, the toy has a cutie mark. And it's a sort of a heart-shaped tiara/necklace thing. If she's a princess of something, I've no idea what it is.

[Deadly]

finale

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wait a minute, she's an alicorn?!? she better be in charge of the tides or something (actually, that would be kinda awesome) or im going to be annoyed

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She has both wings and horn (that kinda sounds like a euphemism, doesn't it? ), and is apparently Celestia's niece, but we don't know anything beyond that. Maybe she's Celestia's "niece" in the same way Blueblood is her "nephew", which is to say probably way, way back in the tiny roots of the family tree if it isn't actually just a social title with no family relation at all. Like the "Duke" he was apparently supposed to be all along, perhaps "princess" Cadence is actually nothing more than a Duchess, and in Equestria they just like to call all rulers "princess".

And she better not be in charge of anything other than some small principality somewhere if you ask me. I do NOT want another princess like Celestia and Luna. If she's like Blueblood, that is to say probably totally insignificant and no more special than somepony like Fancy Pants, then I'm fine with that.

[Soras Teva Gee]

Seeing as Cadence has a normal mane its seem more then obvious she is no on par with Celestia and Luna.

Speaking of... IIRC per Word of Faust have no offspring or siblings so any and all relations are further removed.

All suggesting she is either some sort of foreign noblity or a compromise on the definition of "Princess" like "Prince" Blueblood. I'd point out that actually has some weight by the by, princes deriving from princeps and merely noting the first ergo leader. Hence why you have Principalities for example.

So while we can't know what Hasbro shoehorned in (probably the wings, watch them like not even be mentioned) Lauren involvement through the finale is worth at least some trust that this won't cause some RUINED FOREVER canon.

Spoilers? None of this is spoilers, its been around for months and months.

[Deadly]

Seeing as Cadence has a normal mane its seem more then obvious she is no on par with Celestia and Luna.

Speaking of... IIRC per Word of Faust have no offspring or siblings so any and all relations are further removed.

All suggesting she is either some sort of foreign noblity or a compromise on the definition of "Princess" like "Prince" Blueblood. I'd point out that actually has some weight by the by, princes deriving from princeps and merely noting the first ergo leader. Hence why you have Principalities for example.

So while we can't know what Hasbro shoehorned in (probably the wings, watch them like not even be mentioned) Lauren involvement through the finale is worth at least some trust that this won't cause some RUINED FOREVER canon.

Spoilers? None of this is spoilers, its been around for months and months.

It may have been around for months, but I like to spoiler it as a courtesy to those few who may try (and probably fail badly in this case) to keep the season finale unspoiled. If I was one of them I'd probably find it annoying how Hasbro spoils stuff months in advance and everyone seem to take that as a reason to not care about said spoilers. It is still a future episode.

Anyway...

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She likely is not much different from Blueblood, especially in Faust's original vision. I'm not so much worried about what the writers had in mind, and more what Hasbro is forcing down their throats. I have much more trust for the writers than for Hasbro. Also kinda worried that they will decide to not explain anything about Cadence and just throw her in without a word, maybe thinking that'll be better than giving an explanation that some may not like.

[Lix Lorn]

Right, well before I head off today. I wanted to leave behind a nice little imagebomb to remember me by. Random image edition!

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Warning: Huge but awesome

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Warning: Huge and funny

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Warning: Huge and Derpy

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[IMG][/IMG]

Warning: HNNGGG

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QFS

Well it could be that it comes more naturally to EPs. Spike has a lot of time clocked in his apron, and Discord doesn't so much cook as rewrite reality into cotton candy.

Man I want that power.

You can blame thank Erikun for this one.

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Argh my pancreas!

aaaaand QFS.

[thubby]

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And she better not be in charge of anything other than some small principality somewhere if you ask me. I do NOT want another princess like Celestia and Luna. If she's like Blueblood, that is to say probably totally insignificant and no more special than somepony like Fancy Pants, then I'm fine with that.

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i get where you're coming from, but having her just be no one means alicorns aren't unique or mystical. that not only screws up a lot of fanon, i think it makes the world a little less interesting.

though the fact that both of our opinion exist with decent enough reasons means hasbro just screwed themselves no matter what.
non-serious-prediction/hope: she gets retcon-ed at some point to a unicorn

of course, i may be bias because i've had an idea for a fanfic rolling around in my head that requires alicorns be special.

[Deadly]

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i get where you're coming from, but having her just be no one means alicorns aren't unique or mystical. that not only screws up a lot of fanon, i think it makes the world a little less interesting.

though the fact that both of our opinion exist with decent enough reasons means hasbro just screwed themselves no matter what.
non-serious-prediction/hope: she gets retcon-ed at some point to a unicorn

of course, i may be bias because i've had an idea for a fanfic rolling around in my head that requires alicorns be special.

Season Finale

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I would much prefer alicorns to be special and mystical too, that's why I prefer to have only Celestia and Luna. But since they've decided to throw in a third alicorn, so far for no obvious reason, I would much prefer to have Cadence be more mundane exactly so that Celestia and Luna can keep their special, mystical appearance. If she's just like them, then that diminishes them.

[DigoDragon]

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LOL, that expression. Doesn't look like he's having kids anytime soon. Trying to ride Dash just got 20% more painful.

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Where do these relatives come from, since Rarity had a crush on Celestia's nephew? Are they from Luna?

I'm thinking Greek mythology, where gods occasionally had flings with mortals (because even gods can get lonely) and sire bloodlines of pony decendants. I figure these occasional nieces & nephews are from such unions.
It makes sense in my mind.

Discord also made Cotton Candy and Chocolate Milk pretty dang well.

*Exploding* chocolate milk.

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I would much prefer alicorns to be special and mystical too, that's why I prefer to have only Celestia and Luna. But since they've decided to throw in a third alicorn, so far for no obvious reason, I would much prefer to have Cadence be more mundane exactly so that Celestia and Luna can keep their special, mystical appearance. If she's just like them, then that diminishes them.

Didn't the TV guide episode summary say something about Twi discovering her dark secret? Maybe there's a perfectly reasonable (and obvious) explanation about this third "alicorn"?

[Aotrs Commander]

Maybe there's a perfectly reasonable (and obvious) explanation about this third "alicorn"?

E.g. the pony pantheon is bigger than two...?

[Deadly]

E.g. the pony pantheon is bigger than two...?

But who would we like in it? Would we like just about any random pony in it? Specifically Cadence. And is it an actual pantheon in the first place, that is, are Celestia and Luna deities or seen as deities or just... powerful sorceresses who rule a fairly small nation of ponies?

Didn't the TV guide episode summary say something about Twi discovering her dark secret? Maybe there's a perfectly reasonable (and obvious) explanation about this third "alicorn"?

Yes, it's really Trixie in disguise There's a lot of speculation, as always.

[Aotrs Commander]

But who would we like in it? Would we like just about any random pony in it? Specifically Cadence. And is it an actual pantheon in the first place, that is, are Celestia and Luna deities or seen as deities or just... powerful sorceresses who rule a fairly small nation of ponies?

Well, I've always been solidly in the goddess camp.



Though, I don't think I've ever mentioned it, but I've always had a half-thought that there maybe should be a very small chance (like one in a thousand, or one in ten thousand) that a pony born to a unicorn and pegasus parent is a mutant that gets both wings and a horn. Very rare, but not completely unheard of, but not any more likely to be extra powerful or anything outside of popular pony fiction (in fact, probably more likely to be the reverse, more prone to medical complications); i.e. not a goddess like Celestia or Luna, just a natural product of pony genetics.

[Deadly]

Well, I've always been solidly in the goddess camp.



Though, I don't think I've ever mentioned it, but I've always had a half-thought that there maybe should be a very small chance (like one in a thousand, or one in ten thousand) that a pony born to a unicorn and pegasus parent is a mutant that gets both wings and a horn. Very rare, but not completely unheard of, but not any more likely to be extra powerful or anything outside of popular pony fiction (in fact, probably more likely to be the reverse, more prone to medical complications); i.e. not a goddess like Celestia or Luna, just a natural product of pony genetics.

Personally I'm in the "Gandalf" camp. That is, not quite goddesses but some sort of immortal, "angelic" sorcerers. I guess that counts as demi-gods maybe. And I think that works best with a somewhat limited number and a certain level of exclusivity and status.

I'm just not convinced that Cadence should belong in such a group. She strikes me as quite unworthy of that (of course maybe she'll turn out to be totally kick-flank awesome, but still). Also, would we like somepony like that to marry a mortal? I know we do that sort of thing all the time in fanon, and that's great, but in canon? Would we like Celestia or Luna to marry, for example? I wouldn't, except in fanon where anything goes.

[Thanqol]

Would we like Celestia and Luna to marry, for example? I wouldn't, except in fanon where anything goes.

*Thanqol's perception of that line. Was interested by the implications - eclipse?*

[Anarion]

More finale stuff that I'm not certain is actually spoilers or not

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I'm curious where the expectations for all this alicorn world-building (or lack thereof) came from in the final episode. As far as I can tell, they drew tiny wings on the character because the toy is going to be an alicorn so it can be larger and sell for a bit more money.

Now, there definitely is hype related to the season finale. The show is going all out to try and make this a spectacular wedding with what appears to be a cool story, and I have expectations about the narrative of the episode that I hope are met.

But as far as information about alicorns and their place in the universe, I don't expect them to say anything about that at all and most likely they'll ignore Cadence's wings entirely.

[Deadly]

*Thanqol's perception of that line. Was interested by the implications - eclipse?*

Eclipse would be an awesome name for a young alicorn foal.

More finale stuff that I'm not certain is actually spoilers or not

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I'm curious where the expectations for all this alicorn world-building (or lack thereof) came from in the final episode. As far as I can tell, they drew tiny wings on the character because the toy is going to be an alicorn so it can be larger and sell for a bit more money.

Now, there definitely is hype related to the season finale. The show is going all out to try and make this a spectacular wedding with what appears to be a cool story, and I have expectations about the narrative of the episode that I hope are met.

But as far as information about alicorns and their place in the universe, I don't expect them to say anything about that at all and most likely they'll ignore Cadence's wings entirely.

Yes, the very likely prospect of them not explaining a thing is one of the - or at least my - major concerns about all this.

And I'm not sure I'm convinced by the massive hype Hasbro seems eager to stir up, what with this whole event surrounding the episode. It's like Hasbro wants a little too much from this, instead of just letting the studio deliver us an awesome two-parter as usual. I get the feeling Hasbro has a little too much interest in this, which of course means financially. Maybe I'm just way too pessimistic. I don't like to be, I try hard to be as positive about things as I can, but in this case I'm failing.

[OracleofWuffing]

*Exploding* chocolate milk.

Wait, chocolate milk isn't supposed to explode? Ohh dear.

In other poniness:
Bulked-up Pegasus versus Big Macintosh in Tug-of-War.

[Anarion]

Eclipse would be an awesome name for a young alicorn foal.
Yes, the very likely prospect of them not explaining a thing is one of the - or at least my - major concerns about all this.

I think you shouldn't worry about this. It's sort of like going to a restaurant that advertises the best Hamburgers in town and then complaining that you're worried they'll make poor spaghetti.I probably shouldn't cook up metaphors right before lunch...wait a second.

[AlterForm]

It may have been around for months, but I like to spoiler it as a courtesy to those few who may try (and probably fail badly in this case) to keep the season finale unspoiled. If I was one of them I'd probably find it annoying how Hasbro spoils stuff months in advance and everyone seem to take that as a reason to not care about said spoilers. It is still a future episode.

Guilty as charged. I haven't lost yet, though! All I know so far is:

(Finale Spoilers ... Minor and Common)

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There's a princess(?) Alicorn named Candace.
She is getting married to Shining Armor, Twilight's brother.
Twilight will discover a "dark secret", presumably about Candace.
Hasbro(?)/The Hub(?)/Studio B(?), presumably in some strange attempt to garner ratings by appealing to memories of that British royal wedding from a while back, will be having some gal putting on a bridal shower(?) ARG-like thing.
It's a two-parter.

Mostly because I read the TVGuide synopsis (which is pretty much my line for spoilers) and stumbled into an EDaily article title mentioning sentence 4 above.

It's not too hard to keep unspoiled, though, since I can't keep up with the fandom at large anymore and so don't bother; I pretty much read whatever's unspoiled here and pop on EDaily occasionally to add any new banner(s) to my collection. That said, I do appreciate how good everyone's been about spoiler tags and accompanying labels of late.

[Callos_DeTerran]

E.g. the pony pantheon is bigger than two...?

But who would we like in it? Would we like just about any random pony in it? Specifically Cadence. And is it an actual pantheon in the first place, that is, are Celestia and Luna deities or seen as deities or just... powerful sorceresses who rule a fairly small nation of ponies?

See, this is why I've never believed that Celestia and Luna were divinities. Extremely long-lived? Sure! Able to raise the sun and moon on their own when unicorns seemed to need multiples? Definitely! Powerful at magic? Well...we see this more in Luna then in Celestia, but I'd say 'yeah' on this too.
Divinity? Not by a long shot.

Gotta say, the only problem I see with Cadence is that Faust previously established (albeit not in the show) that Celestia and Luna were the only alicorrns in her vision of the show. Now...things have obviously drifted from that a bit since she's not in the lead-chair anymore, and that's not a bad thing by definition...but it worries me...until I remember Faust is working on the Finale too. So obviously she's okay with what is happening in it.

[Deadly]

Dark-skinned human Luna works surprisingly well in this one. It's usually Celestia who's depicted as dark-skinned, isn't it?

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I think you shouldn't worry about this. It's sort of like going to a restaurant that advertises the best Hamburgers in town and then complaining that you're worried they'll make poor spaghetti.I probably shouldn't cook up metaphors right before lunch...wait a second.

I... am not certain I get your point I hear a lot that I shouldn't worry, but it's hard to not worry about things you care about.

Guilty as charged. I haven't lost yet, though! All I know so far is:

(Finale Spoilers ... sorta)

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There's a princess(?) Alicorn named Candace.
She is getting married to Shining Armor, Twilight's brother.
Twilight will discover a "dark secret", presumably about Candace.
Hasbro(?)/The Hub(?)/Studio B(?), presumably in some strange attempt to garner ratings by appealing to memories of that British royal wedding from a while back, will be having some gal putting on a bridal shower(?) ARG-like thing.
It's a two-parter.

Mostly because I read the TVGuide synopsis (which is pretty much my line for spoilers) and stumbled into an EDaily article title mentioning sentence 4 above.

It's not too hard to keep unspoiled, though, since I can't keep up with the fandom at large anymore and so don't bother; I pretty much read whatever's unspoiled here and pop on EDaily occasionally to add any new banner(s) to my collection. That said, I do appreciate how good everyone's been about spoiler tags and accompanying labels of late.

It's kinda tricky to spoiler things when no one else seems to bother. It kinda defeats the point when I put a spoiler on something right after a post where someone else talks about the same out in the open.

I don't get why we aren't (consistently) spoilering discussions about the season finale. It's a future episode, someone might want to avoid knowing anything about its plot or which characters are in it before it airs, especially because the characters that are in it are kinda... big spoilers, you know.

I don't like spoiler boxes any more than others. I wouldn't mind lowering the limit of post-episode spoilering to 24 hours. Tuesday is too long, IMO, since episodes are out in HD within something like 3 hours, and frankly if you don't have the time to watch 20 minutes of pony then you're way too busy to be reading ponythread anyway.

But when it comes to future episodes, it is only fair to spoiler everything until they are future no more. Especially big things like a certain bride and groom.

[MCerberus]

finale

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I believe there was an image floating around that said 'faust is gone, post alicorns' or something similar

Wait, we do have one pony that's a unicorn and does a lot of cooking according to the fandom: Pony Joe

[Kairaven]

Finale comment:

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I find it funny that most joke speculations about Cadence is "fake horn". Me? I say "fake wings!" I mean, seriously, has anyone seen her fly?