MLP:FIM School Raze Parts 1 & 2

We have a two-parter today. The first part was written by Nicole Dubuc, and was storyboarded by Karine Charlebois, Tori Grant and Ansley King. The second part was written by Josh Harbor, and storyboarded by Kaylea Chard, Mincheul Park and Nicole Wang. In this episode, all magic is disappearing from Equestria and no creature knows why.


Many of the episodes lately have been too predictable. That is not the case here. The reveal of who is behind all this is actually really shocking. It is also kind of dark for this show and I applaud the writers for taking such a huge chance (and one that could have easily not worked). This is an intense episode with some of the best action since Twilight's Kingdom. Seeing what happened to Starlight in particular is shocking. The ending could have easily been a dues ex machina, but it doesn't come off that way because it feels like this whole season has been building towards it. Still with all this, the humor is quite funny. Rarity being the one to struggle without her magic is not only surprising, but really funny as well. This episode also again shows how well defined the students have become over this season and how there is just as much to them as their is to the mane six.

All in all this is a fantastic episode and a perfect way to end this season.

-Michael J. Ruhland  

MLP:FIM Sounds of Silence S8 Ep23

This morning's episode introduces us to a new writer, Gregory Bonsignore. This episode was storyboarded by Cory Toomey (Who has been boarding for the show since season 2) and Megan Willis (who has been boarding for the show since season 6). In this episode Applejack and Fluttershy are sent to solve a friendship problem in the land of the Kirin, who have taken a vow of silence after an argument causes damage.


This episode very closely follows the formula set by the map episodes. The map tells two ponies to got to one place to solve a friendship problem. The problem happens to resemble a conflict those two ponies have with each other. Both conflicts get solved and it is a job well done. Honestly I was happy to get away from the redundancy of these storylines with the episodes revolving around the kids lately. Still I have to admit this episode does the story quite well. The lesson here about how you can't just give up living your life because you might hurt someone is an important lesson. Autumn Blaze is a great character and she is a joy to watch. The humor is very funny, and there are quite a few good laughs here. The animation is excellent, with the characters' facial expressions and reactions are just as funny and sometimes even funnier than the jokes. Overall this is a fun episode that has quite a bit to offer even if it all is very familiar.

-Michael J. Ruhland

MLP:FIM What Lies Beneath S8 Ep22

Today's episode was written by Michael Vogel, who has been writing for the show since season 6 and worked on the development crew since Season 2. It was storyboarded by Cat Tang (who has been boarding for the show since season 6) and Krista Porter. In this episode the students discover something beneath the school and their fears are put to the ultimate test.


This is a very enjoyable episode and shows just how developed these characters have become over the course of this show. They show they are more than the simple stereotypes they could easily be and are accused of being towards the begging of the episode. They have some personality traits that conform to these stereotypes, but also some that are in direct conflict with them. The fears of the characters are especially interesting, and in some cases add another dimension to the personalities. Smolder is afraid of his tough image being challenged by other creatures figuring out he likes some stuff that guys against it. Ocellus has the fear that he will always be viewed as a monster and that maybe deep inside he still is one. Silverstream is afraid of going into hiding again. All this shows just how much they have developed and become real to us. Also featured in this episode is excellent character animation, some great humor and a story that opens up more into what is possible in the world of this show without ever stretching into the field of being unbelievable.


-Michael J. Ruhland  

MLP:FIM A Rockhoof and a Hard Place

Today's episode is the second written by Kaita Mpambara (her previous episode being Horse Play). The episode was storyboarded by Kat Dela Cruz (Who has been boarding for the show since season 6) and Ward Jenkins (Who has also been boarding for the show since season 6). In this episode Rockhoof tries to fit into the modern world.

This is an excellent episode. It is a very comedy based episode that made me laugh several times. Especially excellent is the scene where Rockhoof is teaching a class. Watching him get too carried away in his own stories is fantastic. The animation in this scene is also excellent, especially the students awe-inspired reactions to the story. I also loved that when he had them all practice a growl, Silverstream barked like a small puppy. Beyond just the humor the story is very relatable. While this isn't an especially emotional episode, the serious moments do have a sweetness to them that I really like. We never really got to know Rockhoof much before this episode, and to be honest, I found him a somewhat uninteresting character. However having an episode centered on him, shows that he is more than just a one trick pony and can carry a whole story by himself.


-Michael J. Ruhland  

MLP:FIM The Washouts S8 Ep20

This episode was written by Nick Confalone, who has been boarding for the show since Season 5. It was storyboarded by Kaylea Chard (Who has been boarding for the show since season 3) and Nicole Wang (Who has been boarding for the show since the 1st season). I this episode Scootaloo becomes obsessed with a new team of daredevil flyers called The Washouts led by Lighting Dust.


*Slight spoilers coming*

This is an enjoyable episode, however it is not one of the season's best. It has a good story and some funny moments (especially Spitfire's scene and Twilight becoming a fan of The Washouts). However what I was disappointed in here was the depiction of Lighting Dust. In her first episode (Wonderbolts Academy), despite how reckless she was, she seemed more misguided than anything else. She seemed to truly consider Rainbow Dash her friend and at the end seemed hurt when Rainbow told on her. She definitely did not seem like somepony who would actually risk a child's life to put on a good show and not care. The way she is here certainty feels less interesting than the previous depiction of her. Also in this episode how Rainbow Dash acts towards the beginning of this episode is not at her most likable. Later on she is worried about Scootaloo's safety and this is much more likable, but at first she seems to be a little mean to Scootaloo for the simple fact that the foal is looking up to someone else as well. This kind of feels pretty mean spirited.


Still this episode has one of the show's most touching moments, when Scootaloo tells Rainbow Dash, he will never be as good as her, because she can't fly. The emotion in this scene is so real and heartfelt, that it easily makes up for the episode's short comings.

-Michael J. Ruhland  

MLP:FIM The End in Friend S8 Ep17

This is the fifth episode written by Gillian M. Berrow (her previous episodes being The One Where Pinkie Pie Knows, Fluttershy Leans in, Daring Done and Grannies Gone Wild). The episode was storyboarded by Mincheul Park (who has been boarding for the show since the season premiere of season 5), Cory Toomley (who has been boarding for the show since season 2) and Megan Willis (Who has been boarding for the show since Season 6). In this episode Rarity and Rainbow Dash wonder why exactly they are friends.


This episode is strange as the relationship between Rarity and Rainbow Dash has been an extremely effective and touching part of the show. To see them doubt being friends because of one bad day seems to not fit into the already established relationship. However as a standalone episode this is excellent. The humor often hits very well. I especially love the jokes involving the glitter from Rarity's boots. Starlight is in great form here and I am reminded why I love her in the role of guidance consular. The message is a very good one and the story is quite charming.

-Michael J. Ruhland  

MLP:FIM Friendship University S8 Ep17

Today's episode was written by the team of Chris "Doc'' Wyatt and Kevin Burke. This team has previously worked on the episodes The Times They Are A Changeling, Viva Las Pegasus and P.P.O.V. This episode was storyboarded by Krista Porter and Cat Tang (who has been working on the show since season 6). In this episode Flim and Flam open their own school of friendship and Star Swirl the Bearded is attending.

This is a fun and enjoyable episode, even if it is not one of the show's best. The best part of this episode is the humor. I love Rarity going undercover and quickly become the star pupil (slight spoiler: Flim and Flam not recognizing her when she takes off the disguise was my favorite joke). Her disguise for Twilight is also down right hilarious. The song is great and measures up to the song from Flim and Flam's first appearance. The story though doesn't completely work. It is much too predictable and feels like we have seen it before. This is an extremely safe episode and one feels if certain parts had a different outcome it would have been more interesting. Still this plot worked before and it works again now, but because of this safeness, this is not an especially memorable episode (except for a few really good jokes).


-Michael J. Ruhland

MLP:FIM The Hearth's Warming Club S8 E16

So a Christmas episode in August. Well, why not? After all I am used to it from this show and the episode is delightful.


This episode is the second written by Brain Hohfeld (the first being Surf and/or Turf). It was storyboarded by Kat Dela Cruz and Ward Jenkins. Both have been boarding for the show since Season 6.

This is an excellent episode. It really shows how in such a short time, the School of Friendship's student have become as characters. They all feel completely real and devolved here. They also all play off each other perfectly. That is a real rarity is enjoying seeing the characters together just as much as on their own. Each tell about their own backstories and Holiday celebrations here, and they are all extreme well thought out and even quite touching at times. All in all this is just a pure delight of an episode.


-Michael J. Ruhland  

MlP:FIM A Matter of Principals S8 E15

This episode was the sixth written by Nicole Dubuc. Her previous episodes were Shadow Play Parts 1 & 2, School Daze Parts 1 & 2 and Marks for Effort. This episode was storyboarded by Kaylea Chard (who has been boarding for the show since the Season 3 premiere) and Nicole Wang (who has been boarding for the show since the seventh episode). In this episode Twilight puts Starlight in charge of the school, however Discord tries to sabotage her time in charge.

This is a very funny episode. The humor hits completely. Discord's choices for subsite teachers were especially hilarious. I especially love the scene with Iron Will. After not liking the episode he first appeared in I really like the uses of this character afterward. Also hilarious was Discord and Trixie's scene together. They are just as good together here as they were in To Where and Back Again. I am glad they are continuing this rivalry.

The only complaint I have is that Discord acting this mean here, kind of takes away from the lessons he learned in previous episodes. Still on its own this episode is a delight.

-Michael J. Ruhland