My Little Pony LXXIII: Luna's Sordid Dreams? I'm Not Googling That...

[Soras Teva Gee]

So the fanart has begun to what should be no pony's surprise.

Spoiler: ?????

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What's in the Mystery Box of Plot Importance?

[Beacon of Chaos]

Spoiler: Season 4 opener

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Edit: woah!

Spoiler: Season 4 opening

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[Rater202]

So the fanart has begun to what should be no pony's surprise.

Spoiler: ?????

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What's in the Mystery Box of Plot Importance?

1, it ain't Tuesday yet, put that in spoilers.

2, well, I've already given my theory. I even beat TV tropes to it

[Deadly]

Spoiler: S4E1-2 First impressions and thoughts

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As seems to be the consensus so far, the biggest slip was definitely the awkward handling of the "Go Home, Twilight" thing. I agree with Anarion that there's a valuable and sensible lesson in there, but it was handled really, really poorly.

I suppose slips like that happen from time to time, even to a show as good as FiM. Still, it was a downer of a scene.

The rest of the episode was okay, not great. It felt like they wanted to say a lot, show a lot, reassure a lot of concerns about Twilight's new role, and make a lot of big points, and this led to a lot of talking and exposition and idle back and forth.

It felt a bit unfocused and a tiny bit preachy.

I also feel like Twilight was made to look way too helpless and in need of constant saving. I think that was part of the above problem, trying to make a point about her new status, which kinda fell flat and I'm not sure what point was being made exactly.

I wouldn't say it was ruined, but it definitely could have been a better pair of episodes. It felt a tiny bit ... what's the word, like it could have all been done in a single episode. That's actually strange, it's usually the other way around.

Discord's entire role in this was brilliant, though.

I'm sure more thoughts will come bit by bit in the coming hours and days.

[Soras Teva Gee]

1, it ain't Tuesday yet, put that in spoilers.

It is in spoilers.

[t209]

On the theory on

Spoiler: Season 4 spoiler ep1 and 2

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discord not helping the mane 6? My theory says he's god of chaos.

[Rater202]

It is in spoilers.

your question implies things about the episodes.

Spoiler

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Asking what's in the box tells others that there is indeed a box.

and my spell cheack tride to turn indeed into undead. I choose to blame Bleakbane.

[Deadly]

Oh, and

Spoiler: S4

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Celestia, and Luna now too, continue to be utterly defenseless and in need of constant saving. Is it a princess theme? If you're a princess, you must be saved from trouble by others.

It was good to see Luna kicking Celestia's tail in the flashback, though. Even if it was without Celestia fighting back.

[DigoDragon]

Spoiler: Spoiler theory

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I think, that, since the box has six keys, and there are six mane characters, that each member of the Mane 6 will find a mysterious Key after learning an important lesson about friendship.

S4 Theory Heat Death Expansion

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I hope this means each of them gets at least one episode centered on themselves then.

Spoiler: S4e1-2

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It most definitely was dark magic. Which, of course, brings up the question as to why a zebra would create a potion that requires the dark magic of an alicorn to have any effect. And just conveniently has it prepared as she was fleeing the forest for her life.

S4 Ep1-2

Spoiler

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"Without darkness there can be no light."

We know very little about dark magic, but it might not be necessarily evil. We've seen it do illusions and visions, so perhaps it's magic that deals with memories and the mind?

Yeah, Zecora is crazy prepared.

Edit: woah!

Spoiler: Season 4 opening

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Nice catch.

On the theory on

Spoiler: Season 4 spoiler ep1 and 2

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discord not helping the mane 6? My theory says he's god of chaos.

S4 Theory #34

Spoiler

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Yeah, he seemed to be enjoying the chaos as much as possible before it ended. I don't blame him.

[Humble Master]

So, anybody have any non-spoilery opinions about the opener for those who have to wait until Netflix updates to watch it?

[Deadly]

So, anybody have any non-spoilery opinions about the opener for those who have to wait until Netflix updates to watch it?

Summary of my thoughts, non-spoilery: It was mildly disappointing, had some issues, could have been a single episode. Not terrible, though.

[DigoDragon]

Oh, and

Spoiler: S4

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Celestia, and Luna now too, continue to be utterly defenseless and in need of constant saving. Is it a princess theme? If you're a princess, you must be saved from trouble by others.

S4 Defense

Spoiler

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So who get's first dibs on saving the Commodore?

So, anybody have any non-spoilery opinions about the opener for those who have to wait until Netflix updates to watch it?

It's exciting and high quality. There is lots to see, so don't blink.
Worthy of a season opener.

[Rater202]

So, anybody have any non-spoilery opinions about the opener for those who have to wait until Netflix updates to watch it?

My opinion is that you need to whatch it ASAP!

[Gamerlord]

Happy birthday, Deadly!

Spoiler: Season 4 first lesson

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The timing was lackluster there, probably the worst part of the episode. What I find interesting is that the lesson isn't all that clear. They were together, Twilight almost got hurt, and what made them change was the realization that if all the princesses dropped, Equestria would kind of fall apart (or Cadance would come back and the Crystal Empire would fall apart, minor details). It's a reasonable idea that I hope they explore more: being a leader means being responsible for other people, and that sometimes means not doing the things you want to do because you need to be leading instead.

There's a good lesson in sending Twilight back. In another context where it wasn't so painfully obvious what needed to be done, sending Twilight back, or perhaps leaving her back from the start could easily have been the right choice. I'd love to see a story where the lesson is that when you're in charge, you can't run off and do your own thing, but need to be responsible for the people you're in charge of.

Yeah, in any other episode, it probably would have been great. But the scenario this episode presents? Not so much.

Spoiler: Season 4 opener

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Edit: woah!

Spoiler: Season 4 opening

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Okay, that is really neat.

Spoiler

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What's in the Mystery Box of Plot Importance?

*Insert Se7en reference here*

So, anybody have any non-spoilery opinions about the opener for those who have to wait until Netflix updates to watch it?

First, you should probably look into finding a Youtube link or grab it from Itunes or something, because it is going to be a loooooooong time before Netflix gets these.
Second, I thought it was pretty good with only one really glaring issue.

[otakuryoga]

also..as has been mentioned it feels like they stepped it up a notch on animation

whether that be from just more time spent learning/knowing the system they use
or a bigger budget
or just that they had so much time to work on it none of us can really say

but if they keep it lookin this good all season i would be quite a happy pony

S4 Defense

Spoiler

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So who get's first dibs on saving the Commodore?

you
win unfortunately for you what you win is a visit from Darkspark when the Commodore sees this...

[Anarion]

Gee

Spoiler: Actual Crazy Theory

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So here's a thought. Zecora mentions that the potionelixir can be whitened only by "alicorn magic". But this is not the magic of friendship, as Magical Mystery Cure implied. No, no! It is a kind of magic we've seen only three, maybe four ponies use: Princess Celestia, Princess Twilight and King Sombra, with Sunset Shimmer as an edge case based solely on similar, though not identical, visual effects. Perhaps what we know as "dark magic" is, in fact, a kind of "alicorn magic," one only that breed can use without going all demon-y or "crystals, slaves, blargh" on us. Note that Luna's transformation was not accompanied by "dark magic", and that she did not use it after her transformation.

Spoiler: Crazy theories continued

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An interesting thought is that Trixie using the Alicorn amulet also had a different visual effect. Perhaps that amulet was developed specifically as a way to give somepony "alicorn magic" who couldn't normally use it, and the reason it drives ponies to evil who wear it is precisely as you said: using that sort of magic if you're not an alicorn makes you start going "crystals!, slaves! blargh!" or some variation thereof depending on individual personality.

Spoiler: Season 4 opener

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Edit: woah!

Spoiler: Season 4 opening

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Huh? That second one is too blurry, I don't get what we're supposed to be seeing.

Spoiler: S4E1-2 First impressions and thoughts

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As seems to be the consensus so far, the biggest slip was definitely the awkward handling of the "Go Home, Twilight" thing. I agree with Anarion that there's a valuable and sensible lesson in there, but it was handled really, really poorly.

I suppose slips like that happen from time to time, even to a show as good as FiM. Still, it was a downer of a scene.

The rest of the episode was okay, not great. It felt like they wanted to say a lot, show a lot, reassure a lot of concerns about Twilight's new role, and make a lot of big points, and this led to a lot of talking and exposition and idle back and forth.

It felt a bit unfocused and a tiny bit preachy.

I also feel like Twilight was made to look way too helpless and in need of constant saving. I think that was part of the above problem, trying to make a point about her new status, which kinda fell flat and I'm not sure what point was being made exactly.

I wouldn't say it was ruined, but it definitely could have been a better pair of episodes. It felt a tiny bit ... what's the word, like it could have all been done in a single episode. That's actually strange, it's usually the other way around.

Discord's entire role in this was brilliant, though.

I'm sure more thoughts will come bit by bit in the coming hours and days.

Spoiler: Responding to Deadly

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No, I still think they didn't have enough time. The problem with sending Twilight away and having her come back is that it was too sudden and then too quick of a turnaround. I think there was no way to do this in one episode because the flashbacks and the problem explanation almost took up a full episode slot by themselves. And even with two episodes, the new aspect of the conflict was handled very quickly and really was lackluster.

If anything, I'd have preferred they found a way to send Twilight Sparkle out of the group at the end of the first episode and then spent part of the second episode contemplating the conflict between her status and her desire to be in the thick of things with her friends. Had that gone on longer and we'd had more time both to explain why Twilight needed to separate and why it was a problem, it would have held up better than the less than 5 minute exile+rejoin that we got.

[Gamerlord]

Huh? That second one is too blurry, I don't get what we're supposed to be seeing.

Spoiler

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Discord is in the windows.

[Soras Teva Gee]

So, anybody have any non-spoilery opinions about the opener for those who have to wait until Netflix updates to watch it?

Its pretty good.

Probably a bit misnamed as "Princess Twilight" since this is more an ensemble adventure episode then a Twilight focus episode. But I quibble there. Makes good use of a lot of characters, or at least reasonable use.

For a "Big" episode does more filling holes in the background then introducing new stuff... but I suspect people will love it for that.

[Yana]

Spoiler: S4 CMC plot

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Did anyone else notice that Sweetie Belle was affected by the same magic incontinence spell that affected Rarity? And that she was the only member of the CMC to actually get lines in either part of the opener?

I do hope this means that she'll actually learn how to harness her magic this season, along with Scootaloo learning how to fly.

[DigoDragon]

you
win unfortunately for you what you win is a visit from Darkspark when the Commodore sees this...

Given how long since anyone physically visited me... I'll bring out the good china set.

Spoiler: Not a Spoiler

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Spoiler: Crazy theories continued

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An interesting thought is that Trixie using the Alicorn amulet also had a different visual effect. Perhaps that amulet was developed specifically as a way to give somepony "alicorn magic" who couldn't normally use it, and the reason it drives ponies to evil who wear it is precisely as you said: using that sort of magic if you're not an alicorn makes you start going "crystals!, slaves! blargh!" or some variation thereof depending on individual personality.

S4 Crazy Theories the 3rd

Spoiler

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There's a web comic called "Two Kinds" and it has been established there that a specific race is unable to mentally handle using magic. If they do, it slowly drives them insane. Why? Their minds just aren't capable of handling it.

So yeah, I can merit in this theory. Non-alicorns using such powerful magics can be a problem if you're not physically/mentally strong enough.

Spoiler: S4 CMC plot

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Did anyone else notice that Sweetie Belle was affected by the same magic incontinence spell that affected Rarity? And that she was the only member of the CMC to actually get lines in either part of the opener?

I do hope this means that she'll actually learn how to harness her magic this season, along with Scootaloo learning how to fly.

S4 CMC Plot

Spoiler

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I did notice that as well. I guess that means Sweetie's horn is capable of magic (which the spell was drawing upon) and she just needs to learn the control of the thing herself. I'm excited!

[erikun]

So, anybody have any non-spoilery opinions about the opener for those who have to wait until Netflix updates to watch it?

It was pretty good overall. There were a few awkward points with how it all played out, but nothing overly distracting. There were several characters that had some important parts, other than just the main six.

Its pretty good.

Probably a bit misnamed as "Princess Twilight" since this is more an ensemble adventure episode then a Twilight focus episode. But I quibble there. Makes good use of a lot of characters, or at least reasonable use.

For a "Big" episode does more filling holes in the background then introducing new stuff... but I suspect people will love it for that.

Spoiler: S4e1-2

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A lot of it was about Twilight dealing with being a princess, making decisions and responsibilities and stuff. Yeah, the action plot itself didn't depend on her being a princess at all, but quite a bit of it did.

It probably wouldn't make much sense to see another episode named "Princess Twilight Sparkle" anyways, so they might as well make use of it now.

[DigoDragon]

S4 Comic Art Already. Kinda Funny Actually (and tall).

Spoiler

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Not a Spoiler Art of Luna/Chrysalis (but a bit wide)~

Spoiler

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[HalfTangible]

Spoiler: Season spoilers

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Haven't been able to watch the episode yet, but according to Meghan McCarthy's twitter there's a season-long story arc planned.

[Soras Teva Gee]

Spoiler: S4e1-2

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A lot of it was about Twilight dealing with being a princess, making decisions and responsibilities and stuff. Yeah, the action plot itself didn't depend on her being a princess at all, but quite a bit of it did.

It probably wouldn't make much sense to see another episode named "Princess Twilight Sparkle" anyways, so they might as well make use of it now.

I don't entirely disagree just feel that topic was more of an underlying theme then truly the focus... given I personally anticipate we'll be visiting that topic quite a bit this season.

[Beacon of Chaos]

Nice catch.

Can't take credit for that, I'm afraid.

S4 Comic Art Already. Kinda Funny Actually (and tall).

Spoiler

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A comic. An entire S4 comic. Vectored and coloured. After only 2 hours.

The fandom continues to amaze.

[zimmerwald1915]

A comic. An entire S4 comic. Vectored and coloured. After only 2 hours.

The fandom continues to amaze.

Not to take away from the amazement, but much of the background appeared in the various promos.

[Soras Teva Gee]

A comic. An entire S4 comic. Vectored and coloured. After only 2 hours.

The fandom continues to amaze.

Other then a name in there its basically all preview material... so pixelkitties cheated.

[Beacon of Chaos]

Not to take away from the amazement, but much of the background appeared in the various promos.

Other then a name in there its basically all preview material... so pixelkitties cheated.

Oh. Okay. Nevermind.

Have some S4 fanart instead then.

Spoiler

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[Alabenson]

Oh. Okay. Nevermind.

Have some S4 fanart instead then.

Spoiler

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I laughed far too hard at this.

[Soras Teva Gee]

Fave Se4 Art So Far:

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