ORIGINAL AIR DATE: 13/8/16 - Written by F.M. De Marco
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD
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With a title like '28 Pranks Later', its easy to see where this past weeks' episode got its inspiration, and helps gather together an idea as to what we are going to get. With the nod to Danny Boyle's acclaimed post apocalyptic film trilogy firmly in place, we finally get to see MLP do something that unlike quite a lot of the episodes this season have artistic licence to take things in a 'darker' direction.
While that is the case, knowing this show, there have been few times they've gone OUT AND OUT into a non-kid friendly direction with the series (see Twilight's Kingdom), so to trust the writers and animators to deliver on this promising development is something that myself, as a viewer and critic can't do. However, I will give them benefit of the doubt for attempting to make an apparent 'zombie' concept a try, and see how they can 'ponify' a scenario like it. Will it be fun, will it be dark, or sensationally, could it be both? Well, that's what the analysis will find out.
Oh, and it's another episode surrounding Rainbow Dash being the 'centre of attention'. This could go one of two ways, lets hope it's not the negative side.
While that is the case, knowing this show, there have been few times they've gone OUT AND OUT into a non-kid friendly direction with the series (see Twilight's Kingdom), so to trust the writers and animators to deliver on this promising development is something that myself, as a viewer and critic can't do. However, I will give them benefit of the doubt for attempting to make an apparent 'zombie' concept a try, and see how they can 'ponify' a scenario like it. Will it be fun, will it be dark, or sensationally, could it be both? Well, that's what the analysis will find out.
Oh, and it's another episode surrounding Rainbow Dash being the 'centre of attention'. This could go one of two ways, lets hope it's not the negative side.
STORY AND NARRATIVE
The last episode, "The Cart Before The Ponies" had a simple story premise, and took it in a direction where it felt lifeless, predictable and honestly made the episode worse for its stark lack of efforts. Many fans will look at the prospect of seeing Rainbow Dash humbled as a re-hashing of Season 2's "Mysterious Mare Do-Well" and nothing more. I can safely say that this episode took that stigma and proved it to be a more competent entity than its predecessor all because of righting what Mare Do-Well did wrong.
The story surrounding Rainbow Dash going to hell and high water to prove herself wasn't treated as humbling negative like it was four seasons ago, instead having the rainbow-maned pegasus looking strong throughout its run-time. The response of her friends was also different, having them decide to tackle the problem head on at the episodes' start rather than tease and insultingly steer their friend towards the final conclusion, it felt like a much more progressive, positive and fresher story than its predecessor was, which made for much more enjoyable viewing, which allowed for the sheer genius of the Zombie Pony prank to give this season a major highlight. While the title gave away what this premise was, it didn't make it any less enjoyable to watch, especially as it narratively allowed for Rainbow Dash to be brought down to earth in a creative way that still had her looking commendable by the end.
This was helped by the pace of the episode that was kept remarkably consistent, staying steady and keeping you at ease, allowing enough time to build-up to the large-scale prank and have take full effect, instead of having the set-up take up most of the episode. This was helped by the two time progression montages, which changed tempo and lasted just enough time to be seen as lazy on a writing front. The steady pace allowed for the structure of the episode to come through just as consistently, earmarking certain tone changes and story progression as each act ended. With its balance of equilibriums and disequilibriums being beautifully managed, Todorov and his theory was adhered to without feeling out of place, while it had to keep Rainbow Dash's and the townspeople' motives on watch.
I found the story to be simple, but creatively executed through balancing comedy, tension and its frightening conclusion, which when accompanied by enough time, space and structure to make it all come together made it all look like a great episode on the outset. However, it is taken away from top marks by marks by having its ending marred by three pieces of foreshadowing that meant the reveal isn't as epic as it should've been. Firstly by Rarity with the 'Cookie Coma' remark, secondly Applejack's "Prank has backfired" remark, and finally through Hasbro's official synopsis which made this grand joke become expected and make the message feel shoehorned into the flow of the story. While up until that point it was superbly executed, the anticipation for the reveal became a waiting game despite the enjoyment I had watching it unfold. As a result, this episode could've had a sublime start to its review process, but considering all it did, I'm happy that it did enough to warrant this rating, compared to the last episode, THIS is how you do it right.
The story surrounding Rainbow Dash going to hell and high water to prove herself wasn't treated as humbling negative like it was four seasons ago, instead having the rainbow-maned pegasus looking strong throughout its run-time. The response of her friends was also different, having them decide to tackle the problem head on at the episodes' start rather than tease and insultingly steer their friend towards the final conclusion, it felt like a much more progressive, positive and fresher story than its predecessor was, which made for much more enjoyable viewing, which allowed for the sheer genius of the Zombie Pony prank to give this season a major highlight. While the title gave away what this premise was, it didn't make it any less enjoyable to watch, especially as it narratively allowed for Rainbow Dash to be brought down to earth in a creative way that still had her looking commendable by the end.
This was helped by the pace of the episode that was kept remarkably consistent, staying steady and keeping you at ease, allowing enough time to build-up to the large-scale prank and have take full effect, instead of having the set-up take up most of the episode. This was helped by the two time progression montages, which changed tempo and lasted just enough time to be seen as lazy on a writing front. The steady pace allowed for the structure of the episode to come through just as consistently, earmarking certain tone changes and story progression as each act ended. With its balance of equilibriums and disequilibriums being beautifully managed, Todorov and his theory was adhered to without feeling out of place, while it had to keep Rainbow Dash's and the townspeople' motives on watch.
I found the story to be simple, but creatively executed through balancing comedy, tension and its frightening conclusion, which when accompanied by enough time, space and structure to make it all come together made it all look like a great episode on the outset. However, it is taken away from top marks by marks by having its ending marred by three pieces of foreshadowing that meant the reveal isn't as epic as it should've been. Firstly by Rarity with the 'Cookie Coma' remark, secondly Applejack's "Prank has backfired" remark, and finally through Hasbro's official synopsis which made this grand joke become expected and make the message feel shoehorned into the flow of the story. While up until that point it was superbly executed, the anticipation for the reveal became a waiting game despite the enjoyment I had watching it unfold. As a result, this episode could've had a sublime start to its review process, but considering all it did, I'm happy that it did enough to warrant this rating, compared to the last episode, THIS is how you do it right.
RATING: 4 out of 5.
WRITING AND VOICE ACTING
I already alluded to the notion that Rainbow was written in a much stronger, more dominant position than similar episodes to this such as "Sonic Rainboom", the aforementioned "Mysterious Mare Do-Well" and this seasons "Newbie Dash" in that while she is still driven through her desire to be 'the best', she didn't crumble under that weight as noted in those episodes. She showed this by using her intellect and knowledge of her friends to make her pranks against Rarity and Applejack seem inspired and done by a person who is at one with what she is capable of. It was a reminder that even though Rainbow has matured over the years, this rebellious streak within her exists, which is a much more positive angle to take on this than many in the fandom are, who just see it as a flashback to her desperate attention seeking heroism of its Season 2 counterpart. While I am irritated that this is the THIRD time this season that Rainbow's well-built reputation has been deconstructed and taken apart, I happy that it was done in a more positive way that doesn't take away too much from the mature character that Hasbro and DHX built for themselves over the last five years.
While Rainbow Dash's character being written decently was one thing, seeing Pinkie Pie show herself to be mature and serious even surrounding a pastime she enjoys was something I didn't see coming and was surprising to no end. Given her ADHD, flip-flopping attitude and bubbly demeanour, it was incredible to see the sugar filled pony understand that there is a time and place for jokes and pranks. Hell, it's part of her job to do it, so to see this come through when it rarely gets time is great. While her hyperactive and fun tendencies still came through on occasion, I'm happy that this character, who is often shown to be air-headed with no thought process, got shown in such positive light like this and makes her much stronger going forward. Rarity, Fluttershy and Applejack's placement as victims in advancing Rainbow's prank train was nicely implemented, however I do have to question why Rainbow went after other people in the town when it was JUST her friends who she was trying to prove her effort to? I also have to question that casts' usage, as outside of Rainbow & Pinkie, the rest of the characters roles were fleeting and didn't impact too much on the episode as a whole, making them not have the weight they might've wanted to have. I also have to question why the town was so negative towards pranks when in the past, specifically Season 1's "Griffon The Brush-Off" took such glee in watching Gilda get irritated at pranks SHE didn't find fun. It makes the message and motives behind the cast look shoehorned in and suspicious, as it seemed that this episode made everyone out to be hypocrites.
On a voice acting front, Rainbow, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie gave themselves a huge range of emotions shown to show to variety needed to symbolise and emphasis the different feelings and moods the episode needed to show, and the zombie masses saying "COOOOOKIIIIIEEESS" was done nicely, made even better with different vocal styling and inflections to make it unique to individual characters, made it ever more great. However it was Rarity who pulled off the vocal equivalent of the symbolism holy grail. In the sequence of telling Pinkie to talk with Rainbow Dash, her "Quit It!" line could have been executed with the hyperbolic nature we'd expect from this self-professed drama queen, but it was done with such brilliant restraint by Tabitha St. Germain that it amplified the severity of the townspeople' ire, while also showing off her compassion, that she CARES for her friends. That, is deep, and all from one quick utterance is sublime and when coupled with Pinkie not bending the laws of physics to talk Rainbow from BELOW her house compounded the tone beautifully.
All in all, the writing was great but hit and miss in places, the voice acting is what gets this category the above average mark I've allocated. Seems fair, right?
RATING: 3 out of 5.
ANIMATION
Sorry, I had to make that joke given the screenshot.
Anyway, considering what the story was taking influence from, the animation department needed little to do to put me on the forefront with the 'apocalyptic' theme. While I will say it took a long time for those influences to come to fruition within the episode, this one did a lot to keep my eyes fixated, more-so than I anticipated given the weight of the fun story.
Obviously, the Zombie Pony sequence had most of the animation points tied up, with the cluttered and claustrophobic shots of cookie strewn houses as well as the discolouration, rainbow coloured mouths and extraordinary facial expressions of the 'infected', with Pinkie Pie taking the gold medal on this count. The Filly Guide Uniform was simple and not over the top as expected, being quite respectable and still allowing the CMC's to be themselves, rather than be dwarfed by the uniform in context (which has been done before on this show with other characters). There were some nice coloured backgrounds which the characters used their facial expressions to heighten emotions, the fog and use of light and shadows during the pre-intro Fluttershy scare scene and Rainbow Dash's 'Changelling' costume were nicely executed, as was the detail of the Sewing Machine cake, both inside and out. When you add the cross dissolves in the second montage to the mix, it all comes through as a nice bundle of animation pieces to make this episode feel like it was given something, but not too much as to where it overwhelms.
While this category does lose points in its placement of most of these elements in the last ten minutes if the episode, leaving the rest feeling a little barren and a lack of stark set pieces, it still gave me enough to where I am pleasantly satisfied, although I was expecting more, even when we got a subtle not to The Godfather with the 'pig in bed' notion, which was a great thing to see.
RATING: 2 out of 5.
MESSAGE
If there is ever an example of what shoehorning a message into a story to fit a moral purpose can do to effect an episodes' quality and final rating, the largest example is here. Considering that in past seasons, the residents of Ponyville have been totally fine in pranks and jokes being pulled (see the aforementioned Griffon The Brush Off) and revel in Gilda's irritation, to see them turn a negative eye on it is baffling and confusing. To see RAINBOW DASH state she didn't find the prank funny (for the message to take effect) only for her to later claim how great it was turned my head even more, knowing how hypocritical it is, coinciding with the rest of the town if we needed any more reaffirming. The way this message was instigated in revealing the Zombie Ponies to be in on the joke was ruined by Applejack through subtle foreshadowing right before its climax, meaning this message lost its impact and sense the longer it went on and didn't feel like it was entirely necessary. It ruined the episode in its poor execution, even if its moral permeated the episode from scene one, it hung over it like a bad habit, making it more of a burdensome inclusion than a helping hand to any aspect on and off screen.
The final nail in this messages' coffin is quite simply, the real world implications of it. After watching NUMEROUS pranks and joke videos on the internet (as well as being the butt of a few myself), it is very rare for one to be take one in good faith. Seriously. The message surrounding that pranks are 'a good time' as Pinkie puts it is quite infantile and infuriating. Is this message directed at the youngest among us to not unfairly target anyone? Is this a message to older fans that what they make for the internet will do more harm than good? In its application in this episode, I see no use in a real world context, which lessens what little impact it could've had down to zero. This message made no sense, and watered down an episode that had what it took to be great. As a result, as we'll see at the final conclusion, it will feel the repercussions of it in its final score, which is quite depressing to see.
RATING: 0 out of 5.
MUSIC
This was done by using the music turn the concentration and flow of the episode from a 'lighthearted-fun' one, into a serious one through its musical application over the course of the episode, making its tonal shift not feel as jarring if done suddenly. While the episode starting with some tense, moody and dark orchestral arrangements was done to foreshadow how dark the episode would become, it was a tease I didn't see the full effect of until analysing, because it meant the fun accordion and tubas to amplify Rainbow's attitude but it also comes across as infuriating to those being pranked, made for great symbolism, but showed how this episode wasn't being portrayed as all fun and games. Even Pinkie Pies' whimsical high octave orchestral pieces got a jarring record scratch to proceed them down to low octave minor pieces that made this seriousness come through more. While the higher tempo and key of the second montage piece gave us a sense of security that this 'prank' would work, the corresponding scenes tense, mood and dark orchestral score bookended the episode to feel like it was in a cocoon, reminding you of how this episode wants you to feel, angry at Rainbow Dash for being a selfish, inconsiderate dick. As a result, the music was executed nicely.
What the music accomplished here deserves a nice round of applause, as it did this without a musical number to get it to this rating to inflate what it had (unlike last weeks episode). It's a showcase of William Anderson's score working to its best. While it, like the animation didn't have this permeating more of the episode than what was stated, I'm happy with what I've gotten here.
RATING: 3 out of 5.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Thanks primarily to the message falling flatter than a flatfish at a Flat Earth Society meeting, this episode ran out of steam after it had built itself up so well with a well-structured, well-paced and well-executed story, writing that was unexpected took a different spin on a prior episodes' hoof prints and gave enough animation and music elements to make it look like a nice package. However, that package was decorated with a sub-par ribbon, that tarnished all its good will, and as a result leaves this episode floundering in mediocrity. While I am happy it was better than last weeks episode, it is only marginally better.
I did enjoy watching this one, however upon critical analysis it didn't quite hit the mark, and joins the ever-growing pile of mediocre episodes that keep on coming regardless of my hopes. Next week is the highly anticipated "The Times They Are A Changeling" episode, one which many hope can bring this season back into line. Lets hope it does, because while this episode tried, it wasn't the finished article it promised to be.
FINAL RATING: 12 out of 25.
LETTER GRADE: C-
In relation to other Season 6 episodes, it lines up as follows:
A HEARTH'S WARMING TAIL - 24/25, A
ON YOUR MARKS - 22/25, A-
GAUNTLET OF FIRE - 19/25, B+
STRANGER THAN FAN FICTION - 18/25, B
THE SADDLE ROW REVIEW - 13/25, C
FLUTTER BRUTTER - 13/25, C
28 PRANKS LATER - 12/25, C-
THE CRYSTALLING - 12/25, C-
SPICE UP YOUR LIFE - 11/25, C-
THE CART BEFORE THE PONIES - 10/25, D+
THE GIFT OF MAUD PIE - 7/25, D-
NEWBIE DASH - 6/25, D-
NO SECOND PRANCES - 5/25, E+
APPLEJACK'S "DAY" OFF - 4/25, E+
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I've been Freddy Thomas, you've been people reading. This has been an MLP Episode Review for The CC Network Blog. I'll see you all next week for the next review. Cheers!
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