My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic - "Applebuck Season" - Talkback [11/05]

[The Huntsman]

Today @ 2:00 PM on The Hub

It looks like we'll be getting a few character specific episodes in the coming weeks, starting with this one. I'm sure the other ponies will show up, but hopefully we'll learn more about the characters now that they'll have more screen time.

Applejack is determined to complete her Applebuck season harvest alone.

[The Huntsman]

This episode was fantastic. There were a lot of funny moments, the characters were portrayed rather well, and there were even a few continuity nods to earlier episodes. I figured early on that Applejack’s many promises would come back to haunt her, but it was executed well enough. That seems to be a common trend with this series, which isn’t a bad thing; being able to take predictable plots and make them highly entertaining is quite an accomplishment.

[Mandouga]

I figured early on that Applejack’s many promises would come back to haunt her, but it was executed well enough.

I personally don't agree.

(sigh)...Four episodes in, and already the writing is starting to slip:

-The episode as a whole has been constantly overplaying the premise that Applejack is either afraid to, or won't admit that she needs to ask for help, all the way until the end where Applejack learns her lesson..

-We have an unnecessary "This will never happen" gag ([Applejack] is NEVER late"; cut to next scene...she's late), followed by a reveal that we already knew about: that Applejack is late. Also in the same scene, we have an unnecesary running gag where Twilight Sparkle's speech is constantly getting "inter...[pony interrupts Twilight...again]...rupted".

-Huntsman, you also said that the characters were "portrayed rather well". However, I felt that this episode overplayed Pinkie Pie's "Cloudcuckoolander" tendencies.

-There were also other bits of sarcasm here and there, but even a bit is too much.

If the writers are going to just mess around (instead of actually doing their jobs); if this is what the entire series is going to be like: where comedy is the only thing going for this show in the short term, then maybe this show needs to be cut short at just the single season. In any case, if the writers (and by extension Lauren Faust herself) want everyone to keep watching additional episodes (much less additional seasons) of the show (assuming they plan on doing that), then they need to cut that stuff out. Comedy is fine, but there's more to a show than just that. I even suspect the episode was written this way because the writer(s) of this episode couldn't come up with anything original outside the core premise. That, plus I also think they might have been going for more crowd pleasing material.(i.e., the spur-of-the-moment kind). Whatever the case, I felt overall that the writing of this episode was kind of inept (for lack of a better word).

Don't get the wrong idea though. I'm still going to watch this show...at least for now. I just hope the entire series doesn't become a running gag in and of itself. This show has potential, and I really hope it doesn't go to waste. That said, I never expected the show to have anime-like story arcs or anything like that (after all, this is My Little Pony we're talking about). All I can expect is that this show actually tries to entertain everyone instead of just messing around. I guess all we can do is watch more episodes and see what happens...

[Blackstar]

I thought that this episode was pretty funny, myself. The humor is definitely Foster's-esque, not surprisingly, and I personally don't have a problem with the show being all comedy, if that's the direction the producers are heading in. As predictable as the plot may have been, this was an enjoyable outing, especially if you're an Applejack fan.

[The Huntsman]

If the writers are going to just mess around (instead of actually doing their jobs)...

There is a difference between being critical and being offensive. If you don’t like the episode, that’s fine, but don’t make things personal by implying the writers haven’t been doing their jobs. That’s unnecessary and counterproductive to discourse, and infractions will be dealt if you continue to do that. This goes to everybody; respect is toonzone’s primary guideline and that respect goes beyond this forum’s reach. You don’t have to insult people to get your point across.

[Silverstar]

I thought "Applebuck Season" was great. Again, we have a generic plot which was livened up by clever writing, funny gags and endearing characters. The execution is such that I don't care about the simplicity of the stories, and the moral messages aren't delivered in a heavy, ham-handed way.

I also like how, although this was an Applejack-centered episode, that the other characters weren't ignored or forgotten; Pinkie Pie in particular got plenty of moments to shine. Rarity didn't do much here, but when you have 6 main characters to juggle between, some of them will turn up light from time to time. I did like Rarity's "What? Did you see her mane??" line.

For those wishing for continuity, there was a reference to Applejack's relatives from the first epsiode.

Overall, I like this approach; the show reminds me of a girl-centric Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, and I like it.

[Sprocket]

I really wish people would just get over this fixation with something with over-arching plot lines and antagonists. This isn't anime, and I'm glad. The plots aren't groundbreaking, but honestly, the only thing that's obvious is 'someone will learn a lesson' but everything in between is up in the air, and it does a fine job being entertaining while it gets there.

Other than that, I'm with the 'Star brothers. They're pretty much right on the money, as is Huntsman. Probably the best episode yet.

[The Huntsman]

I really wish people would just get over this fixation with something with over-arching plot lines and antagonists. This isn't anime...

I wasn't aware that only anime could have such continuity, but thank you, you've made my point for me. What has been expressed by me and several others is relatively uncommon in western animation. Blackstar and Silverstar can laud the virtues of stand alone episodes and little to no depth, but isn't that par for the course? Outside of the occasional action oriented series, just about every western cartoon has little continuity because networks are afraid that it will damage their rerun potential. Perhaps that is a fair point, but that doesn't excuse the fact that this is an act that has been played out far too often and quite frankly it's starting to get dull.

I'm not really a fan of anime. I love a few solid ones, but it's just not my thing. I do believe western animation could learn a thing or two from it, however.

[EHH123]

Did anyone get a good chuckle out of the bunny stampede?

[The Huntsman]

Did anyone get a good chuckle out of the bunny stampede?

Yeah, there were a lot of funny moments, but I liked the scene in which Applejack was looking at her reflection in the trophy the most. That cracked me up. Despite what I have been saying about continuity, I still really enjoy this series. I haven't been complaining about what it is - only lamenting over what it could have been.

[TheGunheart]

My favorite was the baked bads apocalypse. I never thought I'd see an MLP cartoon pull off something like that.

[aegisrawks]

Did anyone get a good chuckle out of the bunny stampede?

I did.

Ponies:EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEH!

Horrified Pony: IT WAS AWFUL!

Also:

Pinkie Pie: This makes my voice sound silly!

QUOTE=The Huntsman;3727838]Yeah, there were a lot of funny moments, but I liked the scene in which Applejack was looking at her reflection in the trophy the most. That cracked me up. Despite what I have been saying about continuity, I still really enjoy this series. I haven't been complaining about what it is - only lamenting over what it could have been.[/QUOTE]

THIS!

The Trophy thing was funny as hell!

Apple Jack And Pinkie Pie: WhoooooOOOOOoooooOOOOOOO!

[Mesousa]

So...wow.

Yep, poisoned ponies, ponnies who exaggerate a bunny stampede, and lots of slapstick humor.

And now, I couldn't catch the continuity nods; tehre was just too much stuff going on.

[Zam]

I love how in this Ponyverse, the cows and mules talk and have personas but live in the fields, not homes, and the rabbits and dogs don't talk and are pets.

[Sprocket]

I'm not really a fan of anime. I love a few solid ones, but it's just not my thing. I do believe western animation could learn a thing or two from it, however.

You're pretty much the only 'over-arching plot' fan I've found that isn't.

I don't mind over-arching plots, but really, it's not something that's required for any cartoon. Yes, I wouldn't mind seeing it used more often outside of boys action cartoons, but it's not something that makes a show more enjoyable for me. What I care about is being entertained, not projecting my biases. It doesn't help that the second episode of the initial 2-parter is my least favorite episode to date. Yes, one can get a false impression of the show from the 2-parter, making you feel like you've just had a bait-and-switch, but would people have felt that way had the 2-parter aired all at once? Chew on that one.

Nothing personal Huntsman, you're alright, but after the second episode, I've had enough over-arching plot from My Little Pony to last me a lifetime. Keep the comedy and self-contained plots coming, I say.

Plus I can use many of Silverstar's arguments for My Little Pony on his own criticisms of Adventure Time. Isn't it funny the way internet debate goes in circles?

[Mesousa]

One thing people didn't mention is that Amy Keating Rogers wrote this one.

The keeps feeling like if Cartoon Network was involved in this.

[Silverstar]

I can use many of Silverstar's arguments for My Little Pony on his own criticisms of Adventure Time. Isn't it funny the way internet debate goes in circles?

Hmm, that is funny. It's also interesting, considering that my complaints against Adventure Time have nothing to do with continuity (or the lack thereof); my gripes against AT are how the show too often substitutes randomness in place of genuine humor and how Finn doesn't do it for me as a protagonist, but that's off-topic for this thread and I've already elaborated on this on my blog.

One thing people didn't mention is that Amy Keating Rogers wrote this one.

The keeps feeling like if Cartoon Network was involved in this.

It probably feels that way because the humor and execution of this episode and last week's "The Ticket Master" were positively Foster's-esque, and I mean that in a good way.

Huntsman mentioned that we'll be getting more character-centered episodes. It'll be interesting to see what's in store when Fluttershy and Rarity get spotlight stories.

[The Huntsman]

Huntsman mentioned that we'll be getting more character-centered episodes. It'll be interesting to see what's in store when Fluttershy and Rarity get spotlight stories.

Fluttershy will get an episode soon. Here are the descriptions for the upcoming episodes.

Pinkie Pie feels left out when Rainbow Dash's old friend arrives and attracts Rainbow Dash's attention.

The ponies look to Twilight for help when Trixie, a magic pony, boasts so much that she becomes annoying.

Equestria is threatened by a sleeping dragon's smokey emissions. It falls to Fluttershy to convice the beast to move away.

[aegisrawks]

I love how in this Ponyverse, the cows and mules talk and have personas but live in the fields, not homes, and the rabbits and dogs don't talk and are pets.

I have a Personal running gag/catchphrase with this show

"What is that _______ DOING IN EQUESTRIA"

[Mesousa]

Pinkie Pie is the featured episode this week, ain't it?

I'd like to meet Angela Libman, though. After learnign that she's the one who voiced Cathy in Monster Buster Club (and not Sonja Ball, than what I originally thought), and now Pinkie Pie, she must take a lot sugar before taking such roles.