WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD
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Well here we are, after an unusually short hiatus, Friendship Is Magic returns to our screens. While I find it irritating that our little magical talking horse show is having to share its morning time slot with the Rio 2016 Olympics, at least we'll know where our loyalties lie, right? Lets hope the ratings don't suffer more than they have this season.
Anyway, we return to the action with not only an interesting premise, but a guest star of quite decent name recognition coming in to help spice things up. Patton Oswald, who is most well known as Rémy in Pixar's award winning 2007 feature Ratatouille, will hopefully add some lively comedic chops and sharp wit to proceedings. As for the premise, seeing the ponies go to a Fan Convention, it will be a great test to see how the show manages to showcase the many facets of convention-life that it can show-off tastefully.
Nonetheless what am I expecting? An episode that is as introspective and analytical as it entertaining. After all, we are looking at critique within a fandom as the core of the story, so I expect there to be a lot to look at, quibble with and see some familiar reflections that we can all take home and learn from. Whether that happens or not is another story altogether, lets stop procrastinating with the minor analogies and get on with the detail, as I'm sure the writer in me will look forward to.
Anyway, we return to the action with not only an interesting premise, but a guest star of quite decent name recognition coming in to help spice things up. Patton Oswald, who is most well known as Rémy in Pixar's award winning 2007 feature Ratatouille, will hopefully add some lively comedic chops and sharp wit to proceedings. As for the premise, seeing the ponies go to a Fan Convention, it will be a great test to see how the show manages to showcase the many facets of convention-life that it can show-off tastefully.
Nonetheless what am I expecting? An episode that is as introspective and analytical as it entertaining. After all, we are looking at critique within a fandom as the core of the story, so I expect there to be a lot to look at, quibble with and see some familiar reflections that we can all take home and learn from. Whether that happens or not is another story altogether, lets stop procrastinating with the minor analogies and get on with the detail, as I'm sure the writer in me will look forward to.
STORY AND NARRATIVE
So far this season we've had stories that fluctuate in tone, pace and structure to the point where some of them bear no semblance of a well-constructed narrative. To compound this, only FOUR episodes have ranked above a three in this category in the three months this season has been on air: "A Hearth's Warming Tail", "On Your Marks", "Gauntlet Of Fire" & "The Saddle Row Review". If you aren't aware, they are the four best reviewed episodes this season from best to... um, least best in ascending order. "Newbie Dash" tried its best but couldn't buoy up an infuriating episode with a story that surprised in its pace and depth. You have no idea how happy I am, that for only the sixth time in this twelve episode season, I have a narrative and story on show that did more than enough to grab my attention and thankfully keep it for its entire run-time. I would dare say, "Stranger Than Fan Fiction" got it done nigh on perfectly, at least in my opinion.
It was a slow burner, feeling inconsequential, having to occasionally cut and transition through time to ensure they can tell the story smoothly, which it benefits from later as it progresses from a slice of life convention episode trope into a tense yet archetypal adventure tale that is bluntly accented but some biting commentary on how cliched said adventure is along the way. This critical slating at the hands of Quibble Pants created subtle comedy that was fantastically placed alongside the heated character arguments and tense situations to create a great balance of tone across the whole episode's time. With this tone fluctuating but never steering away from a core measured presence it allowed both Rainbow & Quibble Pants to showcase themselves at their highly opinionated selves, while allowing room for them to be humbled and proven wrong so by the end, they learn to co-exist and allow the episode to resolve itself with feeling complete and doing it with a measure of class too.
Overall, this episode is shining example of how to create a story that over its three act structure, if given enough breathing room but allocated a clear path to steer on, it can work wonders. It combined the slice of life and adventure genres to satisfy both sets of fans, and with well placed ad breaks and short sequences it allowed the transition between comedy and drama and not appear jarring. This episode got pretty much everything right in terms of story... well, except for forgetting that Twilight needed her book to be signed, but honestly with all the positives here, I can forgive a small plot point that was forgotten early on.
It was a slow burner, feeling inconsequential, having to occasionally cut and transition through time to ensure they can tell the story smoothly, which it benefits from later as it progresses from a slice of life convention episode trope into a tense yet archetypal adventure tale that is bluntly accented but some biting commentary on how cliched said adventure is along the way. This critical slating at the hands of Quibble Pants created subtle comedy that was fantastically placed alongside the heated character arguments and tense situations to create a great balance of tone across the whole episode's time. With this tone fluctuating but never steering away from a core measured presence it allowed both Rainbow & Quibble Pants to showcase themselves at their highly opinionated selves, while allowing room for them to be humbled and proven wrong so by the end, they learn to co-exist and allow the episode to resolve itself with feeling complete and doing it with a measure of class too.
Overall, this episode is shining example of how to create a story that over its three act structure, if given enough breathing room but allocated a clear path to steer on, it can work wonders. It combined the slice of life and adventure genres to satisfy both sets of fans, and with well placed ad breaks and short sequences it allowed the transition between comedy and drama and not appear jarring. This episode got pretty much everything right in terms of story... well, except for forgetting that Twilight needed her book to be signed, but honestly with all the positives here, I can forgive a small plot point that was forgotten early on.
RATING: 5 out of 5.
WRITING AND VOICE ACTING
As this is a cartoon about magical multi-coloured talking ponies, I have to note that this show is one that doesn't take itself too seriously a lot of the time. When they do, my god does it hit harder than a ton of bricks, but knowing the writers and what the audience expects, we want to be surprised and more importantly laugh as a result of those surprises. While some episodes fail on this ephemeral mantra, this one pulled off something I never thought this show would do: self-criticise a genre within an episode that lives by it as well as the fans who watch/read it. As a person who has analysed this show from episode one, I can understand the desire that the writers will have had to want to disregard the tropes of certain genre styles and character archetypes, thanks to this episode they were given the platform to exploit it and create a character to execute their frustration an exultation to near perfection.
In Quibble Pants we have a character who fits the stereotype of the 'over analytical fan' who will pick apart any and everything to do with the product, and form in their mind a 'superior opinion', providing perfect foil to the hyperbolised 'fan-girling' of Rainbow Dash who will stand by their idols come what(ever) may. It created sublime chemistry that exuded from the moment they started sharing the screen and allow both to shift between strong and weak to fit the flow of the story and not lose traction. It acted out like an internet comment section and it was quite fun to see those core differences come out audibly in their dialogue and visually in their expressions. However, they were only the start in this game of 'Online Nerd Cliche Bingo' that the episode seemingly played post-title sequence. The argument of 'original versus new trilogy' echoed the Star Wars film quality battle that still continues today, the shaming of cosplay likeness and quality of character portrayal were subtly nodded in Caballeron's best sequences, photo booths, figure collecting, 'fan experiences' and finally, most importantly, admitting that the hug pillows made most famous by the anime community are canon within the show. These nods to nerd culture were wonderfully executed and a nice thing to see, but overall overshadowed by what the writing did to undermine its own progression through exploitation of its own cliches. In the 'adventure half' of this narrative, seeing Quibble Pants nail down every cliche in the book from villains movements and plans to creaky, easily breakable bridges and the 'inevitable escape' from a temple were sublime and had me laughing at how blunt it was. It turned what should've been a piece of tense action into comedy, which was supplemented by more intense action sequences as it progressed, keeping me on my toes as it kept me buzzing.
In terms of voice acting, both Quibble Pants, Rainbow Dash, Daring Do & Caballeron showcased varied performances that matched up greatly with their exuberant facial expressions, with Patton Oswald's sublime performance taking the win on this day. He added vigour, a sharp wit and superb eloquence to a character who could've easily been showcased as a winning brat if given to another writer, he handled it with care and made this character one that even if taken down a peg could still compose ones self. I will give extra nod to Caballeron too, whose limited range and exaggerated dialogue came through well, even though I still can't define what his accent is meant to represent. If someone could help, that would be appreciated.
This episode overall had me buzzing thanks to some smart writing, great character building and some vocal performances that kept attention without being overwhelming. I can't say much more, and will leave it at that.
In Quibble Pants we have a character who fits the stereotype of the 'over analytical fan' who will pick apart any and everything to do with the product, and form in their mind a 'superior opinion', providing perfect foil to the hyperbolised 'fan-girling' of Rainbow Dash who will stand by their idols come what(ever) may. It created sublime chemistry that exuded from the moment they started sharing the screen and allow both to shift between strong and weak to fit the flow of the story and not lose traction. It acted out like an internet comment section and it was quite fun to see those core differences come out audibly in their dialogue and visually in their expressions. However, they were only the start in this game of 'Online Nerd Cliche Bingo' that the episode seemingly played post-title sequence. The argument of 'original versus new trilogy' echoed the Star Wars film quality battle that still continues today, the shaming of cosplay likeness and quality of character portrayal were subtly nodded in Caballeron's best sequences, photo booths, figure collecting, 'fan experiences' and finally, most importantly, admitting that the hug pillows made most famous by the anime community are canon within the show. These nods to nerd culture were wonderfully executed and a nice thing to see, but overall overshadowed by what the writing did to undermine its own progression through exploitation of its own cliches. In the 'adventure half' of this narrative, seeing Quibble Pants nail down every cliche in the book from villains movements and plans to creaky, easily breakable bridges and the 'inevitable escape' from a temple were sublime and had me laughing at how blunt it was. It turned what should've been a piece of tense action into comedy, which was supplemented by more intense action sequences as it progressed, keeping me on my toes as it kept me buzzing.
In terms of voice acting, both Quibble Pants, Rainbow Dash, Daring Do & Caballeron showcased varied performances that matched up greatly with their exuberant facial expressions, with Patton Oswald's sublime performance taking the win on this day. He added vigour, a sharp wit and superb eloquence to a character who could've easily been showcased as a winning brat if given to another writer, he handled it with care and made this character one that even if taken down a peg could still compose ones self. I will give extra nod to Caballeron too, whose limited range and exaggerated dialogue came through well, even though I still can't define what his accent is meant to represent. If someone could help, that would be appreciated.
This episode overall had me buzzing thanks to some smart writing, great character building and some vocal performances that kept attention without being overwhelming. I can't say much more, and will leave it at that.
RATING: 5 out of 5.
ANIMATION
I've noted that the story and writing have all showcased a balance of bluntness and subtlety in their execution of key points and elements that bring their respective categories up to the highest mark. In following the same, the animation brought quite a lot to the table, while also showing its apparent weaknesses as well.
The designs of Quibble Pants, Caballeron and his minions were quite simple, not overcomplicating and overshadowing from all around them. Quibble Pants fit the knowledgable cosplayer motif, with a greying mane symbolising the toll the stress of maintaining his opinion puts on him, adding more depth to a character I already enjoy. As for Caballeron, the discoloured eyes and flamboyant shirt/cravat combo set himself apart from his bland heavies to represent what could be seen visually as an archetypal villain, which worked well in context of the 'real life fiction' world of Daring Do take it was participating in. The convention hall was as you'd expect, be shown in camera angles to be expansive yet cramped, filled with sloppily made and sleek pieces to showcase both sides of artistic creation within fandoms and businesses. The bridge scene showcased intricate detailing for something as mundanely simple as a utility, and the temple shone thanks to use of colour, shading and light projection to give it an eerie yet awe-inspiring feel for the limited time it was on screen, especially in the wall murals and doors respectively. I finally have to comment positively on the extremely varied facial expressions on show by all of the main characters sans Daring Do. It showed just how maddening keeping everything together is from a social to a physical aspect and provided artistic dexterity that gave way to many laughs too.
While I am praising a lot here, there are some things that bring it down from a high perch. The jungle felt incredibly flat considering how vibrant they can be made, with an abundance of green colour obscuring any depth that could've been brought out of its scenes, the same could be echoed with A.K. Yearling's hotel room and Rainbow's room as well, primarily that it added nothing to the table. It meant that for large portions of the episode, I was left wanting a lot more than was offered. While I will give some final credit to the KEY to the treasure looking more opulent than the desired artefact itself (another nod to Adventure Genre tropes), the sight of the final treasure was bitterly disappointing considering the hype. Nonetheless, this episode did its best on the visual front but needed more effort in key areas to be able to bring it higher.
The designs of Quibble Pants, Caballeron and his minions were quite simple, not overcomplicating and overshadowing from all around them. Quibble Pants fit the knowledgable cosplayer motif, with a greying mane symbolising the toll the stress of maintaining his opinion puts on him, adding more depth to a character I already enjoy. As for Caballeron, the discoloured eyes and flamboyant shirt/cravat combo set himself apart from his bland heavies to represent what could be seen visually as an archetypal villain, which worked well in context of the 'real life fiction' world of Daring Do take it was participating in. The convention hall was as you'd expect, be shown in camera angles to be expansive yet cramped, filled with sloppily made and sleek pieces to showcase both sides of artistic creation within fandoms and businesses. The bridge scene showcased intricate detailing for something as mundanely simple as a utility, and the temple shone thanks to use of colour, shading and light projection to give it an eerie yet awe-inspiring feel for the limited time it was on screen, especially in the wall murals and doors respectively. I finally have to comment positively on the extremely varied facial expressions on show by all of the main characters sans Daring Do. It showed just how maddening keeping everything together is from a social to a physical aspect and provided artistic dexterity that gave way to many laughs too.
While I am praising a lot here, there are some things that bring it down from a high perch. The jungle felt incredibly flat considering how vibrant they can be made, with an abundance of green colour obscuring any depth that could've been brought out of its scenes, the same could be echoed with A.K. Yearling's hotel room and Rainbow's room as well, primarily that it added nothing to the table. It meant that for large portions of the episode, I was left wanting a lot more than was offered. While I will give some final credit to the KEY to the treasure looking more opulent than the desired artefact itself (another nod to Adventure Genre tropes), the sight of the final treasure was bitterly disappointing considering the hype. Nonetheless, this episode did its best on the visual front but needed more effort in key areas to be able to bring it higher.
RATING: 3 out of 5.
MESSAGE
With the synopsis of this episode highlighting its 'conflict' before airing, it was incredibly important that with that being open knowledge, that it would be able to carry and resolve itself without becoming contrived and falling flat. Having both characters come to a solid resolution of their differences may seem predictable and honestly boring, but the progression to get there and how it steadily built the message up helps carry it above many other messages this season in execution.
Both Rainbow and Quibble Pants were given ample chance to showcase the positives and negatives of their sides of their respective arguments, allowing them to seek a balance of unity by its conclusion. While the viewer may believe their own preferences will decide which one they think is wrong or right, there is no denying that slowly building up a position of trust between two outlandish characters stabilised what could've been a potentially volatile plot to create a heartwarming and essential message that many fans of this and many other programmes can learn from. It shows what the power of consensus can do to help, while also noting how toxic the opposite can be, showcasing both aspects to give this message a further well-rounded appeal to ensure it hits home right and makes it feel fleshed out unlike others this season.
If not for time constraints in the last few minutes making it feel shoehorned, this message for me would come across a brilliant. It may have taken quite an elongated adventure to make these two opposites of a fandom learn to respect and even like each other, but it got there in one piece and I couldn't be happier despite the bumps and bruises both of these two sizeable ego's gained in the process.
Both Rainbow and Quibble Pants were given ample chance to showcase the positives and negatives of their sides of their respective arguments, allowing them to seek a balance of unity by its conclusion. While the viewer may believe their own preferences will decide which one they think is wrong or right, there is no denying that slowly building up a position of trust between two outlandish characters stabilised what could've been a potentially volatile plot to create a heartwarming and essential message that many fans of this and many other programmes can learn from. It shows what the power of consensus can do to help, while also noting how toxic the opposite can be, showcasing both aspects to give this message a further well-rounded appeal to ensure it hits home right and makes it feel fleshed out unlike others this season.
If not for time constraints in the last few minutes making it feel shoehorned, this message for me would come across a brilliant. It may have taken quite an elongated adventure to make these two opposites of a fandom learn to respect and even like each other, but it got there in one piece and I couldn't be happier despite the bumps and bruises both of these two sizeable ego's gained in the process.
RATING: 4 out of 5.
MUSIC
Considering it had to compete with "Flutter Brutter" & "Spice Up Your Life" as well as an abundance of well written dialogue and exaggerated facial expressions, it would be hard for the music to spring forward to my attention. In fact, the only time it got real opportunity was during the passage of time sequence in the convention with whimsical high octave wind and brass to compliment the fun both Quibble & Rainbow were having. Every other time it was obscured by overly loud sound effects and character speech, making it incomprehensible to the ear. While the latter action sequences were accented with its typical orchestral fare, along with some low tempo pieces for the tense jungle capture, it felt like a very barren soundscape and failed to capture a lot of what was on show.While the animation tried at times to secure my eyes in perfect view, I am saddened my ears weren't treated to the same intermittent excitement.
I will give it credit for trying to fill the convention hall with a fun atmosphere for the seven to nine minutes it was showcased, however not being able to fill an abundant jungle with character is bitterly irritating. I'll rank it above a zero, only because I'm kind, on another day I might not be this giving though, so this episode escaped with its musical skin barely hanging on.
RATING: 1 out of 5.
FINAL THOUGHTS
If you read my "Mid-Season Progress Report" that was posted last month (which can be viewed here), you will have been made fully aware that my feeling towards Season 6 hadn't been left on the best terms by what I've received from Hasbro & DHX Media thus far. However, after a month-long rest and a chance to reboot, they came out swinging and gave surprisingly, the best overall episode since "A Hearth's Warming Tail" was broadcast back in May.
I was nervous going in, worried if the rivalry between Rainbow & Quibble Pants would make this episode sink. I am very thankful that clever and fun writing as well as a well-constructed story proved me wrong, providing a very entertaining product in the process. The fun, analytical atmosphere this episode created through is subversion of tropes and cliches (something this show has failed to execute properly for years) allowed breathing room for an action plot to not feel crowded and give both new and established characters the chance to shine with subtle complexity and shifting tonal positions which made their dialogue funny as it was introspective. When you combine some solid animation and a message that built itself within the wonderfully weaved narrative, and you have an episode that made the best of its premise and showcased the best of both comedic and action sides of the show in one go. The writers had fun with this one, playing with the formula and directly creating an episode that the adult demographic who would analyse to pick out all they could lay out, while also paying acknowledgement to that same unexpected crowd who has helped gain this show the status it has today. While the music and some aspects of animation and message ultimately let it down from reaching the zenith of my ratings, it didn't stop me from enjoying what was put on offer here, making me want more.
It may not have done enough to warrant a place on my Wall Of Fame, but "Stranger Than Fan Fiction" will happily sit alongside this seasons' best, and it fills me with great joy that the first post-hiatus episode has eased my fears for now, lets just hope it can continue this momentum forward.
FINAL RATING: 18 out of 25.
I was nervous going in, worried if the rivalry between Rainbow & Quibble Pants would make this episode sink. I am very thankful that clever and fun writing as well as a well-constructed story proved me wrong, providing a very entertaining product in the process. The fun, analytical atmosphere this episode created through is subversion of tropes and cliches (something this show has failed to execute properly for years) allowed breathing room for an action plot to not feel crowded and give both new and established characters the chance to shine with subtle complexity and shifting tonal positions which made their dialogue funny as it was introspective. When you combine some solid animation and a message that built itself within the wonderfully weaved narrative, and you have an episode that made the best of its premise and showcased the best of both comedic and action sides of the show in one go. The writers had fun with this one, playing with the formula and directly creating an episode that the adult demographic who would analyse to pick out all they could lay out, while also paying acknowledgement to that same unexpected crowd who has helped gain this show the status it has today. While the music and some aspects of animation and message ultimately let it down from reaching the zenith of my ratings, it didn't stop me from enjoying what was put on offer here, making me want more.
It may not have done enough to warrant a place on my Wall Of Fame, but "Stranger Than Fan Fiction" will happily sit alongside this seasons' best, and it fills me with great joy that the first post-hiatus episode has eased my fears for now, lets just hope it can continue this momentum forward.
FINAL RATING: 18 out of 25.
LETTER GRADE: B
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
THE CRYSTALLING - 12/25, C-
SPICE UP YOUR LIFE - 11/25, C-
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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