tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184562969471581744.post2193390166296209795..comments2024-03-04T02:09:30.979-06:00Comments on One Man's Pony Ramblings: Episode Talk: S4E7, Bats!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184562969471581744.post-9151398197591670262014-01-16T11:54:26.583-06:002014-01-16T11:54:26.583-06:00Nah, I strongly disliked this episode too, for all...Nah, I strongly disliked this episode too, for all the same reasons you did, though I feel the song worked how it was supposed to of being all weird and creepy.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10705430050817096427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184562969471581744.post-88736704327972651392014-01-03T23:33:58.194-06:002014-01-03T23:33:58.194-06:00Boo! DPV111 is one of those Likers! Well you'l...Boo! DPV111 is one of those Likers! Well you'll never defeat us haters!<br />LAUNCH THE HATE GRENADES!DeftFunkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15383241789583487786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184562969471581744.post-83248394072116301052014-01-02T16:51:18.587-06:002014-01-02T16:51:18.587-06:00I liked it. I have no idea what you guys are talki...I liked it. I have no idea what you guys are talking about.DPV111https://www.blogger.com/profile/01437920503784386649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184562969471581744.post-19176354714094642372014-01-01T14:12:10.543-06:002014-01-01T14:12:10.543-06:00An EXPERT says it's not racist. Wow! How could...An EXPERT says it's not racist. Wow! How could I have possibly been offended? It must be MY fault. <br /><br />Nu pay pas lolma iisaw'uy, you motherfucker.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184562969471581744.post-38403936076097492932014-01-01T12:54:01.809-06:002014-01-01T12:54:01.809-06:00Also, I count Owl's Well near the bottom of se...Also, I count <i>Owl's Well</i> near the bottom of season 1 as well, for assassination of a character who barely had any character to assassinate. I remember being really excited to get a Spike episode; given that it was his only one that season, you'd think they could have taken a better route than making him a cheesy villain.Present Perfecthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16195959811544391904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184562969471581744.post-10712574141659075992014-01-01T12:52:29.896-06:002014-01-01T12:52:29.896-06:00I'm gonna have to ask you for a source on that...I'm gonna have to ask you for a source on that "expert" thing, Oats.<br /><br />The issue is not, for me anyway, the depiction of "cowboys and Indians". It's the conclusion I draw from the narrative that all the settlers and natives had to do was learn to get along in order to resolve their conflict. It's worse when you consider that the pies are analogous to alcohol, given how much the buffalo want them, and looking at the rates of alcoholism and alcohol-related deaths on reservations in the current day... Well, that's pretty damned offensive, if you ask me.Present Perfecthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16195959811544391904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184562969471581744.post-72867691305301301462013-12-31T23:57:58.969-06:002013-12-31T23:57:58.969-06:00Yes, but those are classic cartoons. They have to...Yes, but those are <i>classic</i> cartoons. They have to be seen as a product of their times.<br /><br />I don't particularly think that anything in <i>Over a Barrel</i> is offensive in and of itself. It's just an outdated idea that is a touchy subject for some people. Just the idea that you would need to bring in an expert to make sure your episode isn't offensive should be warning enough that it's probably not a subject you should be tackling, but it's not really something I think people need to get up in arms about. The episode is okay besides the weirdness, and the target audience of four to eight year old girls don't really have that same feeling of unease, so it works perfectly well for them.xjuggernaughtxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12286896058684660654noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184562969471581744.post-44422038555566870482013-12-31T23:24:03.767-06:002013-12-31T23:24:03.767-06:00I don't get why cowboys and indians (not sure ...I don't get why cowboys and indians (not sure if that "i" should be capitalized, considering they aren't from India) should be such an issue for people. Lots of classic cartoons have episodes about that sort of thing, and an expert was brought in to make sure <i>Over a Barrel</i> wasn't offensive to Native AmericansHolly Oatshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01703437987958922954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184562969471581744.post-57054346731994278582013-12-31T20:20:01.959-06:002013-12-31T20:20:01.959-06:00Hmmm. That's tough. I'm sitting here try...Hmmm. That's tough. I'm sitting here trying to calculate out the worst episode of season one. <i>Over a Barrel</i> does have the uncomfortable thing with the revisionist history, but it also has some really great moments. <br /><br />Personally, I think <i>A Bird in the Hoof</i> and <i>Owls Well That Ends Well</i> are both worse episodes if we take out the emotional weirdness of the cowboys and indians thing. I find them both to be kind of bland, though I don't particularly dislike them. Spike's episodes is probably what I consider the bottom of season one. xjuggernaughtxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12286896058684660654noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184562969471581744.post-74873358818477183122013-12-31T11:52:53.024-06:002013-12-31T11:52:53.024-06:00I still say OaB was the worst episode of season 1,...I still say OaB was the worst episode of season 1, but it's really only if you think about the implications. If you don't, it's got one of the best opening sequences ever, a comedically bad song (a trait it shares with Show Stoppers), Pinkie in a can-can dress, and enough horrible puns to choke at least two camels. It's overall a pretty decent episode, depending on how much you can stand puns, so long as you don't think about the historical inaccuracies and revisionism that the writers no doubt did not intend.<br /><br />The long and short being that although I consider it the worst of its season, I do not hate it with the burning passion I have reserved for certain others seasons' worst.Present Perfecthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16195959811544391904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184562969471581744.post-6995096066941540292013-12-31T10:44:27.101-06:002013-12-31T10:44:27.101-06:00Well, I wouldn't call Over a Barrel one of the...Well, I wouldn't call <i>Over a Barrel</i> one of the best episodes, but the beginning is great. It's not a bad episode, it just feels emotional strange to have this simulated cowboys and indians thing going on. I could definitely do without the pie fight at the end.xjuggernaughtxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12286896058684660654noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184562969471581744.post-18739425156253406552013-12-31T10:09:49.569-06:002013-12-31T10:09:49.569-06:00Speaking of, how can there be an Applebucking Day ...<i>Speaking of, how can there be an Applebucking Day take 2?</i><br /><br />Ahh, I never thought of that. Further fuel to the "Why is it called Applebucking <i>Day</i>?" argument.<br /><br />Obviously, you should be writing for the show. :VPresent Perfecthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16195959811544391904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184562969471581744.post-32487305389929143062013-12-31T04:07:08.533-06:002013-12-31T04:07:08.533-06:00Phew! And there was me thinking after Flight to th...Phew! And there was me thinking after <i>Flight to the Finish</i> that I'd been infected with the ability to critically analyse these episodes. But nope. Looks like I'm back to disagreeing with everyone and arguing in favour of things that all the smart people seem to hate. It's good to be me.<br /><br />Seriously though, I did like this episode. I took no issue with the continuity for basically all the same reasons Aris listed, I actually really liked the song for its Danny Elfman-esque sound despite the technical problems that you noticed, and I've got no problems with the stinger either.<br /><br />Specifically because while you believe that it's just damaging the continuity of future episodes and such, I really don't believe that it's all pointless. With just the sheer quantity of stinger endings we've had this season in such a short time, I refuse to believe that it's not building up to something. These have a narrative purpose. I'm certain of it. If I'm wrong, you can all feel free to come back and tell me to eat my own hat, and I'll freely admit that all the stingers are just as pointless and stupid as you say they are. Right now though, I'm going to say to wait and see.<br /><br />Funny too that you think that Fluttershy is so stupid when she talks about how the bats can help though. I've seen other critics do in-depth reviews of this episode and have almost the exact same opinion, except about Applejack. Personally, I blame the fact that we don't actually know all the details about this bat situation and exactly how big the Apple family's orchards are, but I really don't want to start an argument based on headcanons.<br /><br />And FINE! YES! I LIKE THIS EPISODE BECAUSE IT HAD FLUTTERSHY AS A VAMPIRE! I'M ENTERTAINED BY STUPID THINGS! LEAVE ME ALONE!DannyJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13273313206696087395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184562969471581744.post-70340230774193039642013-12-31T01:33:23.050-06:002013-12-31T01:33:23.050-06:00/)/)Holly Oatshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01703437987958922954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184562969471581744.post-67260364538831301732013-12-31T00:43:34.214-06:002013-12-31T00:43:34.214-06:00On a completely unrelated note, I'm always lea...On a <i>completely</i> unrelated note, I'm always learning some new word when I read your blog posts, Chris. I'mma start keeping track of them.<br /><br />Word of the day: Pablum.DeftFunkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15383241789583487786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184562969471581744.post-9830093221768739772013-12-31T00:38:37.258-06:002013-12-31T00:38:37.258-06:00Right on, professor! I agree completely.
Brohoof!Right on, professor! I agree completely.<br />Brohoof!DeftFunkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15383241789583487786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184562969471581744.post-57625039775798680922013-12-31T00:22:56.172-06:002013-12-31T00:22:56.172-06:00So, I was thinking about this at work. Considerin...So, I was thinking about this at work. Considering the continuity issues and the pointless stinger ending (which I don't mind in small doses, though I'll agree they've been abusing it), what if this episode's just considered non-canon? The writers probably aren't concerned with that issue, and I doubt they'll ever reference or build off these events, so there's no reason we can't just ignore it. Hell, that may've even been the point for all I know! Why not? I guess it'd be a waste of time for those who only care about canon, but at least it's not ruining anything, and the rest of us can enjoy our little Flutterbat diversion. Actually, can we just do that with all of Merriwether's episodes?<br /><br />I believe I've already expressed my opinion on <i>Find a Pet</i>, so it should come as no surprise that I didn't care for the new song. The marching bit was kinda cool, I guess, but the whole thing had that through-written, Webberesque feel that I hate. Honestly, I'm surprised we've gotten as many good songs as we have, considering the process for writing themHolly Oatshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01703437987958922954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184562969471581744.post-28981290034024192952013-12-31T00:05:12.705-06:002013-12-31T00:05:12.705-06:00Absolutely agreed on the orchard bit. That line d...Absolutely agreed on the orchard bit. That line drove me positively <i>batty</i> as soon as I heard it :D<br /><br />Yeah, I know how bad that was; no, I'm not apologizingHolly Oatshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01703437987958922954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184562969471581744.post-54815035958120269092013-12-30T23:51:32.378-06:002013-12-30T23:51:32.378-06:00"The whole blog essentially decided the show ..."The whole blog essentially decided the show was going downhill by the end of the second season and nothing has changed that."<br /><br />Not true. While I haven't liked all the changes (that freakin' lighting!), overall I've really been enjoying this season. Then again, we have established that I have poor taste (plus, I have a history of not giving up on shows until well after they've dropped in quality - I think it took me eight seasons to finally admit <i>Family Guy</i> had become one of the worst shows on television), so maybe we're both idiots<br /><br />You guys all suck. Polsky's awesome. <i>Over a Barrel</i>'s best episodeHolly Oatshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01703437987958922954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184562969471581744.post-40959870330677655902013-12-30T23:41:35.936-06:002013-12-30T23:41:35.936-06:00Wowzers. I do believe that this is the first time ...Wowzers. I do believe that this is the first time that I've seen Chris bust out the caps lock. And to think those stinger endings have been so prevalent this season. I don't like them either.<br /><br />One thing that really boils my broccoli just as much is them shoehorning the mane 6 in there when they're not all needed. It was <i>really</i> terrible in <i>Daring Don't</i>. <i>Bats!</i> was not <i>as</i> terrible, but still pretty bad. This time they roped Spike into it too. Seriously! Why Spike!?<br /><br />Here's a way I think It could've been set up much better:<br />Granny Smith and Apple Bloom are off scoping the competition, but Big Mac stays with Applejack to help with Applebucking Day. (Speaking of, how can there be an Applebucking Day take 2? It really would've worked better as "The start of Applebuck season," Also, why does it take so long to scope out the competition? but I digress). AJ notices bat problem. AJ calls in Fluttershy due to her animal expertise. Fluttershy says leave them be. AJ says something like "I brought you here to help me, not oppose me." They argue about it for a bit, then both try to convince Big Mac to back them up. Big Mac remains characteristically silent the whole time until eventually saying "...I got a better idea." Big Mac fetches Twilight Sparkle who <i>brings a couple books to the orchard</i> to devise her fix-all spell. (That double scene change bothers me. <i>All</i> of them go for a quick jaunt to the library and then <i>all</i> of them go back? It just don't seem right.) They convince Fluttershy to use her stare. "We might need some help rounding up these bats." Says AJ. They bring in Rainbow Dash to do that. Yadda yadda yadda. Twilight suggests a stake out. (Rarity and Pinkie Pie can be written in here because "we need all the help we can get." They didn't have any significant lines up to this point anyway. <b>But not Spike</b>. Seriously! Why Spike!? Personally, I still wouldn't bring any of them though. Another option: Big Mac could be written out because "Big Mac, guard the main gate. Nothing gets in or out.") Yadda yadda yadda. They discover Flutterbat. "Rainbow Dash, bring her down here so we can reverse the spell!" (Seriously. Even ignoring all the times Twilight grabbed Fluttershy with her magic, The Dash was <i>right there</i>! It looked like she didn't even try.) Rainbow Dash flies up to Flutterbat. Flutterbat dips out. Cool chase scene ensues (instead of them faffing about for two solid minutes). Flutterbat flies with surprising agility, using the trees, apple/seed projectiles, and even the other vampire bats to elude Dash. Their chase brings them whizzing past the giant apple causing a gust of wind that blows off the tarp. Flutterbat gets all wide-eyed and dives for the apple. AJ's all, "NOOOO!" But it's too late, Flutterbat sucks it dry. Doing that however, slows her down enough for Dash to tackle her. AJ mourns the loss of the giant apple for a second then gets back to the matter at hand. (really, I see no reason why they had to use that apple as bait when a bushel of smaller apples was shown to work just as well.) Dash is having trouble holding Flutterbat down. "A little help here?" she says. "I got her" Says Big Mac as he slides in to pin her down. (Shipping fuel, I know, but I think it works well. Optionally, AJ can do it with a rope if Big Mac is written out). They hold her down long enough for Twilight to reverse the spell. Celebration ensues. NO WAIT! better idea: AJ is still mourning the loss of her giant apple. Fluttershy walks up and says, "Did I really do that? I'm sorry." AJ responds with "Sigh... It ain't your fault, sugarcube. None of this woulda happened if I had just went with your idea in the first place. Yadda yadda learned my lesson. Yadda yadda glad you're back." Then celebration ensues. Ending happens WITHOUT the stinger.<br /><br />Yeah, I like the sound of <i>that</i> episode.DeftFunkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15383241789583487786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184562969471581744.post-41090207116256407562013-12-30T22:02:09.185-06:002013-12-30T22:02:09.185-06:00Polsky's writing the Rarity episode?
I'm ...Polsky's writing the Rarity episode?<br /><br />I'm going to need a drink and a gun. I think it's time to punch out. There's nothing worth living for anymore.InsertAuthorHerehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16563861820054827515noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184562969471581744.post-46422349960226406582013-12-30T18:24:51.407-06:002013-12-30T18:24:51.407-06:00I was looking forward to the Rarity episode (well,...I was looking forward to the Rarity episode (well, I hope it's not THE Rarity episode this season) until I found out Polsky wrote it.<br /><br />Granted, Daring Don't was probably his best episode but still, ehhhhhhPolsky...Present Perfecthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16195959811544391904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184562969471581744.post-91888713091126921712013-12-30T12:27:08.037-06:002013-12-30T12:27:08.037-06:00Fluttershy being changed into a bat is probably th...Fluttershy being changed into a bat is probably the LEAST offensive thing about that episode. I don't think too many that are actually giving critques about the episode are too bent out of shape about that. There are probably plenty of people commenting that are, but not people that are going point by point breakdowns of the episode's problems.xjuggernaughtxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12286896058684660654noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184562969471581744.post-12619194064147781352013-12-30T11:51:23.242-06:002013-12-30T11:51:23.242-06:00I can appreciate that. Personally, I thought it wa...I can appreciate that. Personally, I thought it was one of the few interesting bits, even if I had some issues with the execution of it.<br /><br />No, if I was going to get aggravated about 'you did X to best pony' kind of stuff I'd be ranting a lot more about how the main six have been turnnd into half-blind, selfish, emotionally crippled simpletons just to make the plots work.<br /><br />I have ranted a bit, but believe me I could rant more :PInquisitorMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10209346997929773686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184562969471581744.post-50958073645140494342013-12-30T11:41:50.406-06:002013-12-30T11:41:50.406-06:00I thought this one was pleasantly watchable and fu...I thought this one was pleasantly watchable and fun, but ultimately forgettable. So, just like literally every episode from season 4. Hopefully some of this season's later episodes will have the sort of depth that the first seasons often had, but if not, then I'll still enjoy watching things like this.Benmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04280519700214420934noreply@blogger.com