S4 Episode 22 - Trade Ya

[OneMoreDaySK]

I found this episode hilarious. Fluttershy/RD subplot brings me immediately to Animal Crossing. Rarity & AJ subplot with the 'vintage' items makes me think of TF2 trade. (unusualunusualunusual). Pinkie bothered me this episode. The whole point was to free up some space in her library. Pretty sure more items aren't going to help. Sure she helped Twilight realize books that are chronologically tied to events in her life (callback to Spike at Your Service), but in the end she still has no space for the books. If she ain't going to read it, either she learns time-space distortion to make the tree-house-library bigger on the inside, or she should've just given them away, if not on that day for free. Poor filly.

[OneMoreDaySK]

Feels like the writers wanted to involve the whole cast, but have to find something to do with each of them. I'm fine with concurrent plotlines as long as they don't drag or take away from eachother. The characters shifting to the background when the subplot switches off was funny.

Still don't like Pinkie when she lacks empathy. Always seems to be like that for me; either I hate her for the episode for being so obnoxious, or I like her when she actually gives a thought for <b>how</b> her antics can affect the target.

[Downloaded Skill]

I really wasn't fond of this episode. It wasn't bad by any means, but it just wasn't good enough to really stand out. It's just so utterly average as to be forgettable.

All the plot threads were predictable, but still managed to be at least somewhat funny, Spike was completely pushed to the sides again, AJ and Rarity seemed rather exaggerated and their plot thread didn't go anywhere only to be resolved mostly off screen and in the last scene, Pinkie was written all kinds of weird, Twilight's lesson was kind of forced and off considering what she came there to do, there was a lot of exposition in the beginning when there used to be a fair bit of showing not telling, and the last scene was hamfisted and cavity inducing. 

I liked that Twilight's position as a princess was finally focused on, but it just puts the first half of the season in even starker contrast. I don't think the writer's know what to do with Twilight's Princesshood since the first half would have been mostly the same if Twilight was still a unicorn. 

It wasn't bad, but I just have so many nitpicks and small problems that it leaves a bad taste in my mouth and I really wouldn't watch it again.

[OneMoreDaySK]

Methinks a reason to not like it is that it doesn't do anything to progress the character development. Just reinforces the opposing character definition and dynamics as in:
Fluttershy willing to go to train the Orthos (at the cost of the other animals at her home -_-)
Dash finally sticking up for 'shy and willing to dispute the barter
AJ and Rarity doing the whole Gift of the Magi thing, though both are kinda dumb. Rarity just wants it for the <strike>unusual</strike>antique status while AJ wants something that cooks pies 5 seconds faster (how the hay does that even work? I'd think new material cookery would do a better job but apparently some sort of ancient magicks is at play or something)
Pinkie and Twi.... Well, I'm pretty sure I ranted already on them.

Giving Twi a judge position is a step in the direction of making her a leader, though I disagree that she should be a leader in the first place. It's one thing to lead a group of friends, and a whole different thing for a nation. At heart I still think that she'd be better as a scholar, or professor.

[OBS.GS.§S]

I liked this episode I think, I thought it was sweet and fun. One thing I thought about however is that instead of Rarity and Applejack deciding in the end buy something for the other with their half of the “stash”, perhaps they should have kept their things together for something Bigger that they both wanted and could share. Since they're both so generous and honest, I would think they'd be fine with sharing, yes?

Also, I thought the back and forth between Pinkie and Twilight was cute, though I think Twilight should have traded at least some books for that big red gem that was offered, that looked pretty valuable/useful.

As for Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash, I feel as though Fluttershy was selfless to the point of unhealthiness since she not only forgave Rainbow completely discounting what she wanted at first and offered what she had to help Rainbow get what she wanted, but she also chose helping Rainbow get the Orthos to the book stand over retrieving her Bear Call. Then to top it all off she agreed to leave her home, her animals, and all her friends as well as Ponyville itself behind for a few months, just so that Rainbow Dash could get a single book. This borderline masochistic behavior leads me to believe that either Fluttershy simply does not have the confidence or self-esteem to value her own wants, needs, and responsibilities over those of other's no matter how trivial. That extreme lack of self-worth could lead some very interesting plot points in future episodes I think, if the writers choose to expand on them.


I feel like if some random person were to knock on Fluttershy's door at her cottage and tell her to “clear out I want your house.” She would mumble “w-why”, then slowly look dejectedly at the floor as she moved to pack her bags with as much as she could before shuffling out the front door of her cottage, crying to herself as she goes to wander off into the Everfree Forest or something.

[OneMoreDaySK]

Question is who would be crazy enough to go and live on the edge of the Everfree aside from Fluttershy and the occasional OC. Besides, the current Fluttershy does have something of a backbone, what with all the lessons in assertiveness, and the Breezies episode. I just fault the writer (who if I recall correctly is a new guy) for trying to get a feel for the characters.
As for AJ and Rares, they'd first have to find something in common to share.
And for Twi and Pinkie, well, I've already stated my position. And for Twilight needing valuable stuff, if she really needed it, I'm sure being a Princess of Equestria should have some bonuses.

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