Friendship is Magic ~ The My Little Pony Fan Club

They've really handled Alicorn Twilight really well to not make her a total Mary Sue with her lackluster flying skills and her usual OCD. It was sweet to see both Discord and Zecora, two of the best supporting characters in the series, appearing the same episodes together. I'm really going to miss the Elements of Harmony now that the Mane Six gave it up to the Tree of Harmony in order to save Equestria from the dark roots from the Everfree Forest. Speaking of those dark roots, it was really clever that it was Discord's plan all along even after his rehab with Fluttershy, which makes up for the lack of a new villain to kick in the new season. Now we have a new arc regarding keys. :D

Wow, this was dark and serious. MLP keeps getting more and more dark and more serious with each season, my god. MLP is not a kid's show anymore... Seriously what the heck, Hasbro? T_T OMG EPISODE ABOUT THE PAST! We finally got to see what it was like when Celestia was banished to the moon--that was amazing. I learned so much about my favorite characters. Honestly, it shocked me when Luna turned into Nightmare Moon--I also thought it was happening right then and there--it wasn't until later I realized it was the past like Twilight did. I was just as clueless as her! Good job, Meghan! Disappointments, however:

No song, no major villain, just plants. ): Sad to see that, really--a villain that wasn't even really live. It was Discord was being annoying, btw. I love him to death, but when you really think about it, he was just being a major irritation. Though at least we saw him once again rather than never seeing him again. I think Discord will play a big role in season 4.

I really thought it was the right decision giving up the Elements of Harmony. I didn't expect it, to be honest, but really, that does bring a great opening to Season 4--to no longer use the elements... that's going to be really interesting. Also, it's pretty obvious that that box with the six keys will be a major plot in Season 4. I'm sure that there will be a lot of references to it. Then again, it might end up not signifying anything like that Allicorn Amulet in Magic Duel, but we'll see. Make sure that you keep it in your mind.

Also, the animation and magic aura has really improved since Season 3--I like to see how the show is going to keep evolving from when Faust was on the Team.

I'm no longer disappointing by MLP. ^^

Anyway, episode gets a 7.5/10 from me because there was no real villain.

I like that they set up another overarching plot for the season. It shows that the writers have ideas on how to have stories to develop the other characters, especially now that Twilight has gone through her major development. Now she can sit back and maybe learn to fly while the others learn their lessons and get some good development.

Hopefully they figure something out for Applejack.

I don't really mind that there wasn't a new villain. It worked better to bring Discord back because the writers didn't have to spend time developing some new evil creature only for them to disappear after being defeated.

Season 4 opener was simply fantastic! Princess Twilight exceeded my expectations of her princess role. I feared the writers would not include any flaws on her and they did. She still has her anxiety flaw, and to be honest I can actually relate to that. It was also about time that there wasn't any villain even though there was Discord. What a friggin troll, man. I look forward to more of Twilight's role as a princess and how it unfolds this season. I'm so EXCITED!

...Too bad my second post in here is mostly negative. :( Don't read if you don't want some rain on your new pony season parade. I was one of the folks concerned that Twilight was going to become the center of attention after becoming an alicorn. She's been a very flat character in my opinion since the first couple of episodes into season one, and I wasn't enthusiastic about her getting even more air time. After watching the opening...I'm still worried. The entire opener revolved around her. Rarity said everyone dreamed of being an alicorn. Princess Celestia and Luna disappeared, so Twilight suddenly had command over Canterlot castle and its guards. The potion Zecora had could conveniently only be activated by an alicorn. Applejack at first demanded she get her precious princess butt back to Ponyville where it was safe, and then later AJ and the rest of the group lamented that they were helpless without her because she would know what to do. She used the Elements of Harmony on her own in the end to revive the Tree of Harmony.

She also was shown completely outdoing other ponies at their special talent. In the scene with the crocodile, she lassoed it with magic at the same time as Applejack. She created a Sonic Starboom at the end (also showing that she had learned how to fly better than RD in two episodes). Not to mention she personally overcame the Everfree Forest vines, which had taken out both Celestia and Luna.

Long story short, it made me a bit sad. Pretty much the only reason the mane six are even together now is because they're necessary for finding the keys to open the box. There's basically no other reason for them to be there: Twilight has demonstrated that she is about as capable on her own as they are together. I understand that they're all friends still, but it's just not the same. It feels like everyone's friends with Twilight now just because they need her. The show used to be about everyone having a place in the world, something to contribute, no matter their societal status. The mane six were more or less equal, each bringing their strengths and weaknesses to the table. This has been thrown under the proverbial cart, with Twilight taking the limelight and her friends fading to the status of supporting characters. Maybe they'll all pull a Luna and try to overthrow her.

ALL THAT ASIDE, the animation was stellar, Discord was a riot, and the fight between Celestia and Luna was completely awesome. I did enjoy the episodes, even if their treatment of Twilight was mostly agitating.