Season 2 Episode 3 "Lesson Zero" Discussion, ***SPOILER****SPOILER***PONIES PWN*** Options

[DrSpengler]

Holy CRAP.

This show just dropped acid.

This post has been edited by DrSpengler: Oct 15 2011, 01:35 PM

[Masked Toaster]

Holy CRAP.

This show just took acid.

And went to a very good place. Although Fluttershy's Bear Mistreatment looked a lot like Sibsy's work.

[TM2-Megatron]

I really enjoyed this one. The updated opening was good; it was about time the CMC were included in it. The facial expressions were priceless, and this definitely tops Swarm of the Century for how deranged we've seen Twilight. There were some seriously creepy vibes in her scene with the Crusaders, though, lol (unfortunately, a bit reminiscent of a certain fanon incarnation of Celestia)... and materializing inside the ball and destroying it seems almost like something Discord would do. She seemed extremely comfortable with teleporting in this episode, whenever it took place. I wonder if that kind of unhinged state of mind is one of the things that's more conducive for performing that kind of unusual magic. The Dinky and Ruby sightings were welcome, too; I hope we see more of both this season.

This post has been edited by TM2-Megatron: Oct 15 2011, 01:44 PM

[DrSpengler]

In a way, this episode was weirder and crazier than the Discord episodes. At least in those, there was a plot device that explained all the zaniness and 4th wall hijinks.

But this was just supposed to be "another typical adventure", which is why stuff like Spike pushing backgrounds out of the way or flipping them up like window shades just seems all the crazier.

And Twilight tripping the hug OUT was... whoah. This almost seemed like a different show from the more mellow early season 1 episodes. Twilight's creepy expressions and total mental breakdown was almost Ren & Stimpy-ish.

The self-referential gags, too. The entire PLOT of the episode is that Twilight inadvertantly breaks the episode formula and loses her mind. Rarity's melodrama was a great recurring gag (especially the couch).

Don't get me wrong; this episode was fantastic... but it's like they're purposely shooting for a wider target audience than season 1, which had unintentionally caught a wider audience. Fluttershy brutally snapping a grizzly bear's neck would NOT have been in, say, episode 5 of season 1.

The show's definately trying to capitalize on its recent reputation as an all ages/genders program; not just a girl's show, anymore.

[Elegant Mess]

Holy CRAP.

This show just took acid.

And went to a very good place. Although Fluttershy's Bear Mistreatment looked a lot like Sibsy's work.

Apparently some of you weren't paying attention, as Fluttershy revealed when she had him pinned it was a chiropractic treatment.

[DrSpengler]

Holy CRAP.

This show just took acid.

And went to a very good place. Although Fluttershy's Bear Mistreatment looked a lot like Sibsy's work.

Apparently some of you weren't paying attention, as Fluttershy revealed when she had him pinned it was a chiropractic treatment.

We got the joke, dude.

[ZeroX]

I just find it odd that Twilight's reaction to the appearance that animal-loving FLUTTERSHY had just KILLED A BEAR BY SNAPPING ITS NECK was "Oh darn, Fluttershy's gotten over her fears so I can't solve any of her problems". Sure, it turned out Fluttershy was just acting as the bear's chiropractor, but Twilight didn't know that. Heck, she probably still doesn't know that.

[Skids]

That was an awesome episode! I was laughing hysterical throught out the whole thing. Twilight losing it was priceless. Fluttershy "wrestling" the bear was so out of character. It was great. Their was just so much good stuff in this episode. The Rainbow nuke by Rainbow dash, the Rarity drama queen bit, and how Celestiahandle herself with the main 6. Just awesome. Then you got a eyars worth of shipping materila with everyone fighting over the twilight enchanted stuff toy. i was even awe when i caught Lyra fighting bonbon durnign that/.

Its weird, with MLPFISM being going for so many months and then we get this new episode which is just comedic gold. It reminds of one Episode of Excel Saga where the episode premise was everyone had to serious and it was driving the cast nuts not doing gags until the very end. in which it feels like the staff of MLPFISM most have gone throuhght the same thign this summer and this eiosde was their way of releaving that tension.

[Master Fwiffo]

In a way, this episode was weirder and crazier than the Discord episodes. At least in those, there was a plot device that explained all the zaniness and 4th wall hijinks.

But this was just supposed to be "another typical adventure", which is why stuff like Spike pushing backgrounds out of the way or flipping them up like window shades just seems all the crazier.

And Twilight tripping the hug OUT was... whoah. This almost seemed like a different show from the more mellow early season 1 episodes. Twilight's creepy expressions and total mental breakdown was almost Ren & Stimpy-ish.

The self-referential gags, too. The entire PLOT of the episode is that Twilight inadvertantly breaks the episode formula and loses her mind. Rarity's melodrama was a great recurring gag (especially the couch).

Don't get me wrong; this episode was fantastic... but it's like they're purposely shooting for a wider target audience than season 1, which had unintentionally caught a wider audience. Fluttershy brutally snapping a grizzly bear's neck would NOT have been in, say, episode 5 of season 1.

The show's definately trying to capitalize on its recent reputation as an all ages/genders program; not just a girl's show, anymore.

It did feel very different. Return of Harmony felt right in line with Season 1 (slightly zanier given the villain, but still in-line with the first season). But this one felt.... I dunno, darker? More mature? Less innocent?

I'm not sure I like that direction. I mean, I laughed my ass off at the show, but I'm not sure it sits well with me.

[pao]

Very much more comic and cartoony than we are used to. ("Feeling Pinkie Keen" comes closest, I think.) And makes me even more of a Spike fan. Kinda hoping the next ep is a little more low-key. Also, I want to watch the opening in 1080p now just to confirm if they really did sneak Madam Foster on that train. It's definitely a very close resemblance.

[MyLittleEmpath]

I predict a veritable maelstrom of new avatar GIFs featuring psycho Twi.

[TM2-Megatron]

I think some might be reading a bit to far into certain aspects of the episode. Plot shots... really? I think you're letting your viewing of the episode be more influenced by certain elements of the fandom rather than looking at it objectively. I find it highly unlikely... nay, I find it rather impossible that the production staff are including more shots of ponies butts just to satisfy a small group of fans who seem to find that amusing. Those kind of angles are simply the nature of any animated series involving intelligent animal species that don't wear clothes; but there are no more of them now than there has been before, and there's never been anything sexual about it. Geez.

This post has been edited by TM2-Megatron: Oct 15 2011, 02:31 PM

[corgsopal]

I for one, hope the doom-saying stops pretty quickly. The show runners have said they aren't changing anything to benefit the bronies, so there's no need to read into things needlessly.

[DrSpengler]

Yeah, the idea that the animators are being... pervy with pony anatomy is an absolute delusion.

No.

Nonononononono.

NO.

[Waspinator]

This was a great episode. Twilight is confirmed as the most OCD cartoon character ever. And Fluttershy vs the bear? Rarity being a drama queen? Rainbow Dash as a weapon of mass destruction? All awesome.

[LoomX]

I only found out what "plot" meant yesterday when I looked at that ratemyplot website. Some people are just... I dunno. And the idea that they're putting those shots in the show intentionally is insane. It's a kids show at the end of the day.

I have a feeling the doom-saying will happen after every episode from now on. Well, as long as I'm still enjoying the show I 'm happy (IMG:style_emoticons/default/icon-hotrod.gif)

[Fero McPigletron]

Er, plot shots?

That was hilarious! I can so identify with Twilight, LOL! Yes, her in the bushes, planning her evil designs on the Crusaders was terrifying!!! Celestia's voice of God, calling Twilight's name was scary as well. Why didn't she reprimand her for abusing her magic? That love spell can do so much evil, seriously.

I kinda thought it would end with Twilight noticing that she neglected Spike's cramp. Him notifying Celestia and Twilight STILL not noticing that she was overworking him is slightly heartbreakiing.

WHY did Twilight think that Pinkie would NOT need help? Does Twilight already know that Pinkie is omnipotent? Hehehe. Seriously, though, why not Pinkie? She didn't even try.

AaaawMG, Big Mac picked up the doll in the end! He prefers intellectuals pony ladies! Woo! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/icon-waspy.gif)

Smartypants is sooo cute with the little notebook and quill... I'm imagining Twilight playing with her/it and making her/it do homework, LOL!

The massaged bear thing was kind of an easy joke bit. Try it with an Ursa Minor Minor (IMG:style_emoticons/default/icon-hotrod.gif) I LOVE Rarity and her couch. I was disappointed when it didn't appear for a third time. Was that a third Sonic Rainboom? It comes easier to RDash now?

Aaaaw, they could have added a psycho Twilight song sequence. It could work (IMG:style_emoticons/default/icon-waspy.gif) I knida thought there'd be a whole new song intro but it was just that train thing. :/

[Nayuki]

I think there's only ever been 2 intentional 'plot shot' scenes in the show, and both were merely for comedic purposes ('Bridle Gossip' where they're afraid somepony may have sat on AJ, and 'Winter Wrap Up' with Twilight and the magic-powered plow).

[Guardian Prime]

Cosplay maybe? Show and tell snap on wings? A bigger Celestia fangirl than Twilight? Sneaking into Magic Kindergarden to spy on the unicrons?

Unicrons?.....I don't know if that's a typo or on purpose. Either way, it's still funny. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/icon-fire.gif)

I think Twilight might have broken a record for the most new facial expressions (some creepier than others) from a single character in just one episode.

[Masked Toaster]

Also, I want to watch the opening in 1080p now just to confirm if they really did sneak Madam Foster on that train. It's definitely a very close resemblance.

And the white, poofy-hair mare next to her seemed fairly familiar, as well, mayhaps of the granny Madame Foster was always in contending with.