Quiver

Friendship is Magic: Part One "Once upon a time, in the magical land of Equestria..." Friendship is Magic begins with a series of fairytale-like illustrations, accompanied by a narration by Princess Celestia. The prologue provides the audience with the backstory for the episode, as the voice slowly morphs into Twilight Sparkle, with the reveal that the legend of the Mare in the Moon is a story from a book she's been reading. Twilight concludes the narration by musing about the McGuffin the story introduced: "The Elements of Harmony... I know I've heard of that somewhere before", before the theme song for the show kicks off. It's a short, effective introduction, packed with information. A lot of viewers- certainly the older audience attracted by the show- will find themselves in the same situation as Twilight, with the whole thing having a sense of familiarity to it. While it may not have (at least pre-FiM) the same merchandising and marketing giants as Transformers and G.I Joe, My Little Pony is still a familiar brand name for a lot of people. The soft, lilting tones of the theme song echo that recognition, with the familiar My Little Pony jingle, before tearing it apart and going in a completely new direction with the song. The theme alone puts the audience in Twilights (horse)shoes; we'veheard this music before somewhere, but never reinvented, and as energetic, as this. The prologue also plays with expectations in a similar way. Friendship is Magic is a contemporary of the Avatar series, so the concept of living in Harmony was already present in pop consciousness; it's an awareness which justifies the existence of elements of Harmony. The prologue also mixes a few different cultural touchstones; the fairy tale opening words, the yin-yang symbol the illustrated Celestia-and-Luna form, the epic myth of the Sun defeating the Moon and restoring balance. It's not a "girly" opening; it's a creation myth to match that of most epic fantasies. In fact, I'd argue that epic fantasy of the Way of Kings, Lord of the Rings and Wheel of Time constitutes a decent strand of FiM's DNA, a point that I'm going to cover whenever it's relevant. For now, the important thing is that in the first five minutes, the show has broken out of the pre-conceived notions of what it's going to be "about" by embracing cultural and genre from across the world. It really is a well-done opening. After the opening, we rejoin Twilight in mid-gallop, another point that separates her from the previous generation of ponies. Our heroine is doing things, rather than just waiting for things to happen to her. She also isn't a "perfect" character; one of the ponies she brushes off comments disparagingly that Twilight is more interested in books than friends. It isn't a shaming of nerd culture- since literature is important both as part of the show and within the show itself- but it is the first hint at Twilights flaws. As the first season goes on, she never loses her love of reading and books, but she does learn to better balance her private life with a social one. Which is something she desperately needs; whenever she crashes into the library, she not only bulldozes over Spike without apology, she ruins his present to Moondancer in the process. Twilight is our hero, and she's a "good" pony... but it's alsready pretty obvious that she's also a flawed character. (And as an aside... Spike getting a present for Moondancer is interesting to me, and just screams of fanfic potential. The only pony he really lavishes such gifts on in the series proper is Rarity, making me rather curious about what kind of history he might have had with Moondancer). Creating the letter has a series of childish humour (like Spike not knowing how to spell), but it also establishes the stakes and the roles of Twilight and Celestia. It also has my favourite blink-and-you-miss moment in the pilot as Twilight, discussing the threat of Nightmare Moon, walks in front of an hourglass... and the statue of a unicorn behind her is transformed into Nightmare Moon. It's a rather nice piece of animation, and, along the mare-in-the-moon motiff that reappears later, helps make Nightmare Moon a more concrete threat; it isn't just Twilights ramblings, it's a real terror, one which permeates all of Equestria. Celestia's response is to send Twilight to Ponyville, with the purpose of making friends. Again, there is a moment which may seem like a criticism of nerd culture- "you really must get out of those dusty old books"- but given how the second episode (and later ones) play out, I'm inclined to dismiss that as just a bad line, albeit it one which establishes something else about Twilight personality. She isn't just a reader; she a connoisseur of literature, delving into works that other characters have forgotten about or dismiss. It's a comment that will actually become more important in the second season and beyond, since one of those "dusty old books" was most likely written by Starswirl the Bearded, making this the earliest hint at the arc that will appear in the later seasons. For now, though, Twilight has to meet the rest of the cast. It's a pretty stock plot line; Twilight goes to one place, meets someone, moves to the next. It's simple and predictable... which makes the fact that she meets Pinkie Pie first all the more hilarious. Because Pinkie Pie will demonstrate cartoon physics as the series goes on, and break the fourth wall on multiple occasions; she's the Deadpool of the MLP-universe. So, naturally, her first response to seeing a stock plot is to break it, by saying nothing and running off-stage. It's a sign that ends up running through the other meetings with the rest of the mane cast. Applejack's sequance highlights her emphasis on family (with the extended Apple family), and her simpler "rustic" values by banging on the triangle. As a meta-point... AJ will end up being the least developed of the mane six, to the extent that "Applejack is my favorite background pony" is a fandom joke. It obviously isn't intentional- no one creates a character to be superfluous- but in the wake of Pinkies reality warping, it's amusing to consider that AJ's first appearance features her as part of a background crowd of characters. After AJ, it's Rainbow Dash, a meeting which is caused by Rainbow shoving Twilight in the mud and showing off. We get a little more about Equestrian society with the mention of the Wonderbolts (and Rainbows desire to be one) which leads to Rainbow's meme-generating boast: "I can clear the sky in ten seconds flat". She not only does it, but she does it accompanied with a guitar sting totally unlike any other piece of music in the episode to date; Rainbow Dash doesn't just have an unconventional personality for a "girls" show, she breaks the score and replaces it with her own, awesome "guy" music. Of all the ponies introduced so far, it's Rarity who is the most "girly", with an introduction decorating the town hall, and dressing up Twilight. Like Rainbow, Rarity's introduction plants the seeds for her story arc over the series, her fascination with Canterlot: "The glamour! The sophistication! I've always dreamed of living there!". The first episode sets Rarity up as a very superficial character, and even a tad flightly, as evidenced when she presents a dress then leaves to switch it out a moment later, asking herself what she was thinking, but the second part of the pilot (and the rest of the series as whole) will dig into who I consider to be the most complicated character on the show. Fluttershy's introduction is something of an extended punchline, with her mumbled responses of her name as contrasted to her enthusiastic talking with Spike. She's clearly a character who is more comfortable with animals than with people- she even has a choir made up of songbirds- and while her ambitions aren't as clearly stated as Rainbow and Rarity, we again see the course her character arc will take; growing more confident around her friends and strangers over the course of the series... though again it's not something which is particular developed here. The cast is rounded out with Pinkie, who, in another sign of her fourth-wall awareness, has managed to fit an entire party inside Twilgihts house... the house she had no way of knowing belonged to Twilight. And the memebrs of this party not only include a lot of background ponies who will go on to have their own sizable fandoms (hey there, Derpy!), it also includes the other ponies who make up the mane six... including Fluttershy who, literally seconds ago, was locked out of the house by Twilight. Pinkie Pie explains her motivations, concluding by saying that this way, Twilight can have lots of friends, a statement which is obviously directed at the mane six rather than the town as a whole. Pinkie Pie's fourth wall awareness lets her pick out the main characters of the show and lump them together already. The interesting thing about all this is how, despite the friendly overtures the others make, the audiences sympathy is always directed at Twilight. In a more traditional show, the other characters may be shown to be kind to Twilights dismissive attitude, generally winning her over. Here, Twilight is stuffed with food (to the point of pain), shoved in mud, rainblow dried, dressed like a doll against her will, enduring Fluttershy's (clearly uninteresting) conversation, and tops it off by setting herself on fire. The rest of the cast don't come across as jerks, but Twilight maintains sympathy from the audience. She has her priorities, and while we know, from a meta-sense, that friendship is going to be important to saving the day, it's impossible not to empathize with her, trying to save the world while being bothered by everyone. Spike tries to get Twilight to relax, reminding her that the Mare in the Moon is just an old ponies tale, and that she should be enjoying the party... which Twilight refuses. She can't stop herself from staring at the mare shaped blotch on the moon, a reminder of the looming danger of Nightmare Moon, and a hint for viewers at Twilight's personality. She's an anxious person; it's a trait which will reoccur throughout the series. Everything comes to a head at the SUmmer Solstice celebration, when Princess Celestia goes missing. In her place rises a dark smoke which takes the form of a dark pony in armour with an etheral mane. Once again, Pinkie's fourth wall awareness drives her to undermine the situation by guessing names for the new arrival, but this time she is silenced by Applejack. There's a time and a place for Pinkie's antics, but this, the showcase moment of the pilot, isn't it, and the narrative intervenes to stop her from derailing things completely. And I call it the showcase moment, because Nightmare Moon makes one hell of an entrance. She has the voice and mannerisms of a supervillain, including the great supervillain laugh right at the end; she's grand, dramatic and threatening. She's the first alicorn we see in the series, and she looms over the other characters, giving her an aura of danger. At the same time, her initial moments are closer to that of a bully, flicking Rainbows muzzle to get a response, and her dialogue speaks to the tragedy established in the prologue. Her dialogue- "Is my crown not royal enough for you?"- speaks to that isolation that drove her to become Nightmare Moon in the first place. There's even a degree of satisfaction in her tones when Twilight says she recognizes her. That recognition is going to play a minor part in the next episode, and it forms an important part of Luna's personality as the series goes on. The episode ends at the height of the drama; Nightmare Moons mane grows into a rising vortex, and she makes her villainous proclamation, that the night will last forever; cue 'To Be Continued' sign. Conclusion: I love this episode. I really do think it's a great piece, both as an episode in it's own right, and as the starting of the series. It introduces the characters (bar Celestia), kicks off the character and story arcs which are going to be carried for the rest of the series... and I think that it does a good job of drawing in new audiences. There is a real feeling that the creators are trying to convinced you that this version of MLP is something new and exciting, and I genuinely believe that the set up for this is every bit as epic a fantasy as the sources I mentioned above. As it turns out, I don't think the concluding part of the pilot really lived up to it's expectations- but it was ambitious ina way that no one could really have xpected a show based on plastic pony toys would be.

Am I the only one who sees Rainbow Dash in that picture and thinks that must be Pandas reaction to all this?

He cannot be Wafflesworn and Muffinborn at once! The Waffle and the Muffin are eternal foes, whose enemity began in the dawn of time (when the Waffle tried to add -urgh- syrup to the Muffin dough) and shall continue till the end of time, even past the Great Devouring.

Honestly, anytime I read Yelig-nar, I think of Yog-Sothoth... but that comparision doesn't really fit, either with the pattern you have for the existing unmade, or for what Yoggy apparently stands for in the Cthullu mythos. I think it's just a phonetics thing; both of the names have a wierd combination of letters, hyphens, and just sound... off to me.

Huh. Haven't read Sixth (I've been well and truly spoiled by now, I don't care)... but I'll just say that I thought it was a parrot. Bright colored feathers, repeating what it hears? Sounds like a parrot to me. Now, yes, maybe a parrot in Shinovar wouldn't quite fit the environment; I don't think we've seen enough of it to work out what kind of Earth animals would survive there besides horses. But... "It's a parrot" seems like the obvious answer to me.

Lightsongs visions from the paintings?

Uh... Sorry. I returned my copy of HoA a while ago, so I can't check it... would you mind supplying the quote they use? Because I'm kind of confused as to what you mean.

And lo, upon the sixth day of the eighth month, the deviancy of the Wafflesworn was brought to light. For where other factions would parley for favor and invite members of their own accord through the spreading of anime, fanfiction and pony, the Wafflechefs would hide away in their kitchens, pouring over their arcane baked bads. For alone, of all Guilds, the Wafflesworn held a dangerous power; that of time. For any member active enough to partake in the social games of the forum would, ineviatbly, reach the dreaded reputation 1111 and, whether they will it or no, be inducted as a Scadrian Waffle Cook. Avoiding this terrible fate seemed impossible, for the Lord of Chaos, Reputationsmith himself, had forged the chains that pulled members into those infernal kitchens. And yet, not long after this villainy was discovered... hope was born. A new guild, as alternative to the Wafflesworn, a refuge for those enduring the terrible effects of the Reod Rep-od, and a bastion against those dark chefs insistence upon the superiorty of Waffles. And who founded such a guild? Who took the burden of opposing the Waffles and the Chaos into her own hooves?

For the record, my reputation? Is pronounced "Equestrian" and "muffin".

Pony Avatars? Pony fan fiction, using fan fiction characters from a different setting? MLP's influence on the forum grows.

This is an idea I've had for a little while now, I just can't tell if it's a case of genius or crass cashing in, so... thought I'd open it up to you guys. Basically, it's a collection of Sherlock Holmes stories, with a slight twist; each story is set in an advancing decade, and is written in a particular literary style or movement associated with the time period. At the same time, there is an overarching mystery running through each of the stories in small ways connecting them (despite the characters themselves not being related at all; each one is the real Holmes and Watson, meaning the backbone is an impossible mystery). As an example... The first story would be a traditional, Doyle Holmes story, set in 1880's. The second would be a fin de siècle, Dorian Grey, sensualist tale, with hints of the supernatural and "the love that dare not speak it's name" between Holmes and Watson. A noir 1920's detective piece, followed by pulp adventure in the 30's, and a propaganda-tale of daring war spying against nazi's during the 1940's. 1950's, Sherlock Holmes in an Agatha Christie style mystery. 1960's, one of Watsons accounts, rendered in the style of Ulysses. 1990's, female!Holmes. 2000's, a story about government conspiracies and cover ups, essentially being Dan Browns Sherlock Holmes... And leading up to my version of a modern day Sherlock; an internet nerd in the 2010's. A geek, who is inspired to become a detective and wear a long coat because... he's a Batman fan. Which is part of the impossibility of the thing, since... Holmes is such a pop culture giant. He's part of what inspired detective heroes, but now he's inspired by something which wouldn't exist without him. He solves the mystery lingering from the first story, a mystery that couldn't happen since, in 2010-Holmes life, there was no 1880's Holmes. The whole thing is an impossible loop, feeding into and informing itself. So... Like pop culture itself. Thoughts?

Little known fact: astrology was in fact an Olympic sport in the early days of the Games. Contestants would each map out the constellations of the night sky. Well known fact: I am a liar.

"Now that's what I call frosting!"

That sounds like a very unsustainable system. "Let's eat doughnuts! Where do they come from? Who cares! If it runs out, we can invade another faction and eat their doughnuts!" Until you realise doughnuts aren't a renewable resource, and there are no more doughnuts. Way to ruin the buffet bar for future generations, Vasher.

I can only assume this is Leftfinches favourite pony. http://th00.deviantart.net/fs70/PRE/f/2012/264/7/9/doughnut_joe_by_xain_russell-d50hzcs.png

I will admit, the Wafflinator is a powerful weapon. But we have our own counter measures. Get 'im!

Just so I understand where factions align: The Wafflesworn and Lords of Chaos promote Waffles as the finest breakfast. Iron Chef Derpy Hooves disputes that with the Herd special of Muffins. Newcago fills itself on a diet of frosted doughnuts And the Feathersworn indulge their sweet tooth with a cake of some sort. I believe historians shall look back upon this day as the moment the Pastry Wars (alternatively referred to as 'The War of Four Chefs') began.

Raoden 8 Vin 11 Wax 10 Kaladin 11 Shallan 10 Shai 8 Sarene 10 Vasher 10 Hoid 10 Nightblood 11 Galladon 10 Demoux 6 Ati 6 Leras 12 Rayse 10 Tanavast 9 Cultivation 10 Dominion 10 Devotion 10 Endowment 11 Bavadin 10 Endowment Reigns

I prefer Nightpanda Moon, personally. I think she had some neat ideas. Seriously... I think the second last one looks the best.

Was Dalinar motivated just by the Navani issue though? It sounds more like some extension of the Thrill; urging to combat, and Gavilar being 'the only worthy opponent', with Navanni being an example of what makes him worthy.

It also has not been cupcakes made from the meat of ponies, the excess of which are poured into a machine and ground into rainbows. I mean, I don't think anyone would think it was, but I felt it was important to say what it most definitely isn't. Which is cupcakes and/or Rainbow Factory fuel.

That was the worst cinema experience of my storming life. Not the film; the film was wonderful. But when the first twenty minutes are shown as a blur because the projectionist obviously doesn't know how 3D reels work, it sours the experience a little. That said, the film cheered me right up because, like Pilgrim and Traceria say, it is a fantastic film. The characters were interesting, the acting strong, the story is engaging (sometimes a little obvious, but whatever) and the humour... Oh god, the humour. Amazing. I won't say it's a perfect film. But it was a very, very good film. I don't want to call it Marvels best, but it is, at the very least, in the upper half if the rankings. Definitely worth seeing, and I might go see it again.

I had thought of the same trick Observer did; I was going to change my title and avatar to something different reflecting each rank, albeit it each rank 'ponified' since that's my thing these days. I started when I hit the Highprince rank, so I named myself the Highprince of Ponies and changed my NyanArrow avatar to a king from the MLP comics. I decided to stick with it though when I got upvoted through Truthless too fast; I couldn't find a decent Assassins Creed Ponyvatar to be 'The Pony in White'.

I had no idea we were going full-on Rainbow Factory with the spam bots.