• Episode Followup: Baby Cakes

    It's that time of the week again! Pinkie Pie rarely gets her own episodes, but when she does, you can bet it will be absolutely crazy.  This was no exception.

    I did make the mistake of watching it while half asleep.  The combination of Pinkie's even-more-hyper than-usual voice, and the foals crying, definitely didn't mix well in that state! I ended up watching it a second time once I woke up, and it was much more enjoyable. I think that is a useful lesson for future party pony episodes!

    On with the followup, after the break!




    This one starts off with all sorts of canon building additions.  We find out that great great great great grandfathers and long lost uncles can in fact contribute their pegasus/unicorn genes down several generations.  Both the cakes are earth ponies, so I guess they lucked out?


    We also find out early on that Unicorn foals sometimes surge their magic.  Later on in the episode this is pretty apparent with the portal opening and super strangth.  Padlocks ain't got nothin on a foal.  


    Episode followups aren't about summarizing things though! On to characters!  First off, Nurse Redheart gets a pretty nice spotlight in the intro this time around.  I'm sure we will see all sorts of new art and fanon pop up.  He previous air time has been pretty empty.


    The foals themselves, Pound Cake and Pumpkin Cake, may or may not end up as owlicious level characters.   We see sugarcube corner a lot, so I wonder if they will become a permanent backdrop in there for future episodes?

    Onward to crazyness!


    First off, we have some very familiar looking foals in the fertility ward.  I've recieved so many ZOMG TRIXIE AND RARITY ARE FOALS emails, I had to toss something in here.  I suppose they just decided to borrow their color schemes, because both have the best combinations.  There is also a Derpy colored one later on, but it's a unicorn, so probably unrelated.


     As is the norm for Pinkie Pie episodes (all two of them), something creepy just has to happen! This time around, we what appears to be an Exorcist reference, though I'm sure a whole bunch of horror movies could fit the mold. 


     We also have a painting of a...human?  Or a gingerbread man?  It's a mystery!

    And finally on to the music!


    We have two very short songs this time around.  I'm sure they will be remixed like crazy though.  Hell a few already have popped up

    And just in case you all missed the links yesterday:

    Monthiversary
    Oink Oink Oink


    HD Versions for your mixing pleasure.


    And finally, I leave you with a Diddy Kong Racing mashup, because, why not?






    And mini-madness


    161 kommentaari:

    1. Autor on selle kommentaari eemaldanud.

      VastaKustuta
    2. I figure baby ponies are like baby fairys, in that they have awesome magical ability, in pegasus it's natural flight and strength, in unicorns its unparallel control of magic.

      As soon as they get old enough they forget or just run out of this newborn energy and will have to relearn to control it.

      Just like humans are born with the knowledge of how to swim but forget as soon as they reach 8 months of age. (usually around the time babies learn to crawl)

      VastaKustuta
    3. Agreed, pinkie episodes are always good.

      VastaKustuta
    4. Ah, Pinkie, if only you had more episodes. She's so awesome. I wonder where the Smile song will crop up, if it does. I heard someone say it was probably just going to end up on a soundtrack, yeah?

      VastaKustuta
    5. That gentics part in the episode was fun. Now people can justify Derpy /Dinky though.

      VastaKustuta
    6. I guess even ponies lose their imaginations as they grow up. This is the first time I've seen a unicorn levitate themself (in the show, or in fan works) or a pegasus stick themself to the ceiling.

      VastaKustuta
    7. Autor on selle kommentaari eemaldanud.

      VastaKustuta
    8. Yeah, this episode was pretty wacky. Once I get my copy from iTunes, it's a sure thing I'll be playing the hay out of this one. Sure, there's some stuff that doesn't make sense, but that doesn't really bother me. As the older brother to a five year old sister (that I've had to babysit pretty much every day of her life,) I can vouch for a lot of the stuff that happened here, other than the supernatural shenanigans. And I can assure you guys that's it's possible to simply melt down in the way Pinkie did. Nothing more to say other than this is the best episode yet...aside from Lesson Zero.

      VastaKustuta
    9. Derpy isnt in the episode itself, but she is in the opening sequence. So I guess they will put Derpy in the OP if not in the episode.

      So look for her in the opening, and if she's not there it's fair game for the entire episode :P

      VastaKustuta
    10. I missed most of the episode, I was too busy retching after Mr. Cake changed their diapers with his MOUTH.

      VastaKustuta
    11. Considering I have a fairly good grasp of genetics, I'm going to have to say BS on the unicorn and pegesus ancestors. Cup Cake clearly still has her groove on.

      VastaKustuta
    12. I don't know why, but Pound Cake's WTF face during Oink Oink Oink had me laughing harder then I've ever laughed before.

      VastaKustuta
    13. There was also an ice age reference Seth! "Where's the baby.... THERE HE IS" is what Diego says to the kid

      VastaKustuta
    14. Forgot to chime in on the two videos posted here. The mashup was pretty funny. And I thought I was the only one that remembered Diddy Kong Racing. Oh, such good memories from that game. n_n

      VastaKustuta
    15. I'm glad to see they did show that a unicorn could potentially fly using their magic, because it does seem like it's possible. In fact if I were to ponify myself, I'd be a unicorn that would be able to fly, since Alicorns and Mary Sue's are frowned upon. Also, I believe Pumpkin has been hanging around Pinkie Pie a lot, because she's been learning how to break the 4th wall, or at least phase through it.

      VastaKustuta
    16. I think Cup Cake is barren, and Carrot Cake stole some babies. :| FOALNAPPER.

      VastaKustuta
    17. @Shingo That could easily be the theme of a viral video. Reaction faces to 'Oink Oink Oink.' I'm sure we'd get thousands of WTF faces.

      VastaKustuta
    18. No mention of how the cakes children are similar to Bambam and Pebbles from Flintstones.

      VastaKustuta
    19. When Pound Cake started flying I started to feel bad for Scootaloo actually. Is pound cake special as a Pegasus that he can fly so early? Or is poor Scootaloo underdeveloped that she can't fly yet as an older filly?

      VastaKustuta
    20. http://browse.deviantart.com/?qh=&section=&q=pony+genetics#/d4hjid0 This was posted a while back, which I think can adequately why Pound cake is a pegasus and Pumpkin Cake is a unicorn while both Cup Cake and Carrot Cake are both earth ponies. So as long as each one had at least one pegasus and one unicorn ancestor in their family trees, then twins are entirely possible. Still, had to have hit the genetic jackpot to get a pair of twins like that.

      VastaKustuta
    21. Not lying: the super babies creeped me out a bit. All and all, good episode... still creepy.

      POUNDCAKE: HOW U FLAI SO GOOD?
      PUMPKIN CAKE: HOW U DO SO GOOD MAGIC? (okay, this one was kind of explained, but still)

      VastaKustuta
    22. Good evening everypony, I hope-what in the!
      @Cereal Velocity But...how...why...you too? *sigh* I'm not even asking for an explanation to that behavior...

      VastaKustuta
    23. @Star Storm
      Wouldnt there have to be a pegasi/unicorn ancestor in bot the mom and dad? seeing how its recessive

      VastaKustuta
    24. They need to have an episode where scoot learns how to fly. In the words of a fellow Scootaloo fan, "This episode proves the writers hate scoot." I loved this episode. The piggy song was hilarious, and it was a nice bit of nostalgia thinking about when my younger siblings where still babies.

      VastaKustuta
    25. It think that's a Trainspotting reference, not the Exorcist.

      VastaKustuta
    26. @Greenf0x I know right? Assuming we all still buy the "magical surge" business, Poundcake's ability to fly can be totally explained by this!

      VastaKustuta
    27. @y2kyle89
      Suprised they would include that in kids show for girls

      VastaKustuta
    28. I love Pinkie episodes. They are always the most cartoony, and I love that. This one felt a lot like an old Loony Tunes short, and that's a pretty big complement.

      VastaKustuta
    29. @SourApples

      Cutie Pox. 3 minutes 24 seconds in. Flying Scootaloo.

      I don't know why people keep saying she CAN'T fly...

      VastaKustuta
    30. One thing I really love in this show is their attention to detail. That especially came through for me with this episode when Pinkie opened the fridge to get the babies' food, and you could hear the refrigerator whirring. That's pretty nice.

      VastaKustuta
    31. @DarthMaul22 fallout:Equestria made that point, Littlepip couldn't recall anypony levitating themselves, and upon trying it, she found it very taxing

      VastaKustuta
    32. How does one go about learning babies under 8 months old know how to swim?

      VastaKustuta
    33. Episode brought a lot of new canon rules, none of them I have a problem with.

      On the Cake babies, only one thing about Pound Cake rubbed me the wrong way, the ability to carry himself and Pinkie through the air.

      On being able to fly, horse foals can walk within an hour of being born. A Pegasus, flying horse/pony being able to fly isn't a long stretch. Why Scootaloo hasn't been seen flying is going to go on for awhile in the fandom though.

      Pumpkin Cake and her magic, you can fall back on the old, "It's magic, I ain't gotta explain..." or define what is a magic surge for a foal.

      This episode all in all ranks in the bottom fourth of least liked episodes this season for me.

      VastaKustuta
    34. @mattwhite924 I can't tell you how many times my mind goes back to Looney Tunes whenever I watch a particularly wacky episode. They do seem to borrow some elements from them from time to time, but just enough that the gags are truly their own and not just copying them.

      VastaKustuta
    35. Normally, I look down on baby episodes like this one, because taking care of babies is like one of my worst nightmares. But this one surpassed my expectation. Pinkie being Pinkie can save just about anything.
      But I just can't forgive those babies for making Pinkie cry. It takes something truly dark and evil to make that happen.
      This episode, plus all the remixes and videros, has pushed Pinkie Pie way up my list. Let's say for now, number 3.

      VastaKustuta
    36. @palaminopegasus

      You're right, there would. And for all we know there is and was just lost in the family history for who knows how many generations back.

      VastaKustuta
    37. Somehow people completely missed that we finally got a confirmation that second pony names work in the same fashion as human surnames. Meaning "Sparkle" and "Belle" could actually be family names.

      VastaKustuta
    38. You know everyone is crazy in the show (or it just runs in the "family") when Pinkie and kids laughs at flour... XDD

      VastaKustuta
    39. @Conner O'Brien
      @Altherix

      Again, Scootaloo HAS been seen flying. Just check out Cutie Pox, 3:24. I'm sure when she gets her own episode, she'll fly a lot more, but when she's hanging with two ground-bound ponies all the time, she really doesn't have much need to.

      VastaKustuta
    40. Thanks for the follow up! I do hope we see more of the twins even if just in the back drop.

      VastaKustuta
    41. Everything in this episode seems so legit: pinkies actions (as always), cakes genes, and some other random stuff.
      Alicorn: magic and flying
      Pegasi: flying
      Unicorn: magic and flying w/ magic

      And cereal goes first

      VastaKustuta
    42. @CanterEdlund Indeed, it could just follow it seems rude to Scootaloo to go flying off when her friends can't.

      VastaKustuta
    43. I absolutely loved this episode...

      VastaKustuta
    44. Is it bad that my favorite part of the episode was when Nurse Redheart showed up in the intro, AND she had lines?

      VastaKustuta
    45. lol Cereal. Also, Feeling Pinkie Keen wasn't a Pinkie episode? O_o

      VastaKustuta
    46. "Baby on the ceiling" is totally from Trainspotting:

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgeDh1WCyeM

      VastaKustuta
    47. i know people usually don't like people firsting but what are we to do when a mod firsts?

      anyhoo i loved the episode i love every episode and i love pinkie pie episodes even more.i loved the foals they were adorable. not to mention the episode reminded me of when i had to babysit my friends 2 babys. luckily for me they cant fly or preform magic.

      i must say i was a little disappointed in the piggy song it just didn't do it for me. i actually cringed at the song. i never cringe at pinkie pie songs!

      i guess i was just wishfully thinking that when she said she was going to do a song that it would be the smile song. But when it wasn't i was a bit disappointed. but that just means the smile song is going to come later in the series right . . .right?

      anyhoo that's my 2 bits worth. now time to reactivate lurk mode.

      VastaKustuta
    48. As an earlier poster said, it's likely that Pegasus magic is just as erratic as Unicorn magic when they're very young. This would allow Pound Cake to fly, and perhaps even have super strength. Remember, even Rainbow Dash herself had a much easier time performing a sonic rainboom as a filly than she does as an adult.

      VastaKustuta
    49. man the scene were pound cake disappeared was so scary
      like a horror scene
      but amazing episode

      VastaKustuta
    50. the first time I saw the episode when it got to Pinkie's Stand-Up act, I dropped a lung from laughing so hard. The jokes, that one random guy in the back coughing and the drums made it even better.

      VastaKustuta
    51. If people would pay attention to the beginning of the episode, then you will know why the babies are already flying and using magic.

      VastaKustuta
    52. @brony and proud of it
      I'd say that pegasus magic is inertia/gravity control. Otherwise it would be impossible for them to fly given their weight, relatively small wings and poor aerodynamics. It could be speculated that their magic can flare the same way as unicorn one. Twilight and Rarity didn't mention it because they are unicorn and have no experience with pegasi kids.

      VastaKustuta
    53. @ZAquanimus Newborns know how how to swim instinctively? Quick, someone throw a baby into a pool to see if this is true!

      VastaKustuta
    54. Oh, and Scootaloo can fly, she just does so differently. She uses her wings to propel herself on her scooter. She can actually move faster on the ground like this than she could through the air, since she only needs to focus on forward momentum instead of forward and upward. After all, we've seen her propel herself, the other CMCs, and a wagon of construction supplies and equipment once in this manner. Given that, she definitely has the strength to lift her own body off the ground if she wanted to.

      VastaKustuta
    55. Yeah, was slightly disappointed in no Derpy. But, me always being the optimist, I have a sneaky suspicion that This lack of Derpy has meaning. I think that the next time we see Derpy she's going to be in the scene for longer than just a second or two. Maybe even a real speaking part?

      VastaKustuta
    56. Everybrony discussing genetics when princess Molestia is to blame :)

      VastaKustuta
    57. My first thought when I saw Pound Cake on the ceiling was Trainspotting...

      VastaKustuta
    58. @palaminopegasus
      We have seen Scoots fly though. In Cutie Pox. Why does no one ever seem to remember this?

      VastaKustuta
    59. Worst episode ever. The only enjoyable parts were the beginning and very end.

      VastaKustuta
    60. Am I the only one who got the Trainspotting reference?

      VastaKustuta
    61. @Lucres

      I caught it too. For all of you who didn't, btw, it was the part where Pound Cake was walking on the ceiling.

      VastaKustuta
    62. @Lucres
      Ctrl-F -> Trainspotting -> 4 results

      Is it really so hard? Why do people keep repeating the same comments without bothering to read what has already been posted?

      VastaKustuta
    63. @Cereal Velocity

      I know I shouldn't, it's just so wrong, but seriously dude you made me LOL for like a full minute straight, or at least half that. Mods firsting, and in Royal Canterlock no less, what has this world come to?

      I'd say maybe now all of us can put such nonsense behind permanently, but I know better. Still you deserve so many applause.

      VastaKustuta
    64. @DarthMaul22

      A...nope. You saw Twilight levitate herself and her friends during the final confrontation with Discord.

      VastaKustuta
    65. I have a hypothesis I wish to propose.

      Since the previous two episodes (Family Appreciation Day and Baby Cakes) don't have Derpy in them, we see her three times in episode 13 (Hearth's Warming Eve). They are making up for her absence by putting her in three times in HWE.

      Just a thought.

      VastaKustuta
    66. @SourApples
      It could be one of those reflex things. Humans can swim at a few months of age but lose that ability, and must intentionally learn to swim when they are more developed.

      VastaKustuta
    67. The Derpy-colored baby in the Cold Open IS the Derpy appearance for this episode. Gotta think outside the box, yo!

      The majority of what I've had to say on this episode, I've already done so in the Discussion thread about it. I'll sum up my feeling on this episode here, however:

      I love it. Needz moar Pinkie Pie!

      VastaKustuta
    68. Awww still no art about how Pinkie looks like a Spoink when shes bouncing on her tail if we put a giant pearl on her head?

      VastaKustuta
    69. So... was I the only one, who thought that this was THE WORST EPISODE EVER?
      Seriously, there was just ONE character, the script was dull and nothing surprising occured...

      VastaKustuta
    70. Derpy is in the intro, therefore in every episode. :)

      VastaKustuta
    71. @DarthMaul22

      I've seen self-levitation in fanworks (Fallout: Equestria, for example).

      VastaKustuta
    72. Oh, and this may be one of my favorite episodes this season.... So Filip.. GGGRRRRR..

      VastaKustuta
    73. @Hio590

      The obvious way: Toss'em in a pool.

      Science can be mean some times. That's why there's regulations on what can be tested now. :P

      VastaKustuta
    74. @iloveMLP

      Every parent or caretaker immediately jumps to the worst conclusion when a child disappears.

      For Pinkie Pie, who lives a cartoony life, the worst conclusion would be a horror movie.

      VastaKustuta
    75. My go-to explanation for the kid's genetics and freakishly strong magic is simple: Mrs. Cake was preggers when Discord escaped. Chaos magic caused recessive genes to come to the forefront and give then bigger bursts of magic when born.

      VastaKustuta
    76. @Shantara

      Because people are allowed to do that! They're proud they spotted something! Do not take the little joys from them or so help me I will pour hot sauce in your oatmeal. |8

      VastaKustuta
    77. @palaminopegasus considering this fan base exists, and the people on the show know it, assuming the writers are intentionally adding things now, rainbow glasses is a good example of this, you KNOW they added that for the fans. that and little girls and such are not going to pick up on things that even adults dont catch the very first time.

      VastaKustuta
    78. Pound and Pumpkin for best ponies? Those kids are going to be awesome when they get older.

      Also, my favorite part of the episode was Pinkie on the drums commenting about the "tough crowd"... and then Pinkie on the mic agreeing. It was really clever, plus I ship Pinkie with herself and that's as close as I'm ever going to get to a ship tease with them, so... I enjoyed it.

      VastaKustuta
    79. @DrOblivian
      These episodes were written and created long before we showed up, so I doubt that the reference was thrown in for us. It was likely just a little bonus joke intended for the parents watching it with their kids.

      VastaKustuta
    80. Painting of a human?... huh. Owait, I've got a reasonable fanon explanation:

      Obviously Lyra drew it, then gave it to the cakes as a wedding present

      VastaKustuta
    81. @Mike

      Might also be a pic of twilight ice skating.

      VastaKustuta
    82. @SourApples

      I thought of that too! I also felt sorry for her! =/

      VastaKustuta
    83. @CanterEdlund Good catch re: Scoot flying.

      VastaKustuta
    84. The "unicorns can fly by levitating themselves" part actually has me thinking about unicorn mobility. What other ways can a unicorn use their magic to get around?

      - If a unicorn "latched" onto a distant object that was anchored in place and then tried to pull the object toward them, could they use their own telekinetic pull to "grapple" or "slingshot" themselves across the distance?

      "I wanna go check out that new store. But I don't feel like walking across town, so..."

      *shimmer*

      "WEEEEEEeeeee..."

      VastaKustuta
    85. Anyone else see a connection between this episode and that old The Incredibles mini movie they released with the DVD? The one where Jack-Jack was driving the babysitter insane with his crazy powers?

      VastaKustuta
    86. I don't think it's worth getting too bogged down in pony genetics when there's the problem of pegasi having six limbs. They're mammals. Mammals have four limbs; if they have wings they have to make them out of part of their existing quota of limbs. For pegasi to have four legs and a pair of wings requires an impossible duplication of part of the animal's skeleton and musculature.

      It's enough to make me suspect there's some sort of magic involved.

      VastaKustuta
    87. really? no one reacted to wet mane pinkie at 12:02?

      VastaKustuta
    88. @Solar Phoenix

      This is an interesting observation. If we can pretend physics work on pretty pastel ponies for a moment then she should definitely be physically capable of flying.

      The only counter argument I can think of is Lauren Faust's speculation that Scootaloo just hasn't "figured out" flying yet.

      We know she can hover, we know she can propel herself forward fast. Maybe she can glide.

      You know what would solve this? A Scootaloo episode where she learns to fly/flies!

      VastaKustuta
    89. I'm surprised noone haven't commented on this already, cause surely I can't be the only one that saw a "The shining" moment coming on when the twins had escaped and Pinkie was in the corridor. I just waited for them to appear before her. "Pinkie Pie, come play with us! ForEEEVEEEER!" =D And then there would be a lot of cake frosting coming out of an elevator.

      And I'm not calling someone Shirley!

      VastaKustuta
    90. @Hexplosion Weeeeell, being a geneticist myself, you could say that unicorn and pegasus genes are incompletely penetrant when crossed into an Earth pony background. Ooo! Or perhaps Earth ponies tend to be the carriers of the genes and require another set of normally recessive genes to activate the wing/horn patterning genes! Thus, Mr. Cake and Mrs. Cake didn't have the full set of triggers, but at their pairing, the offspring each received enough of the mutant (I'm assuming unicorns and pegasi are like X-Ponies) transcription factors to fully develop the physiology! SCIENCE!!! Now if you'll excuse me, I must complete construction of my laboratory on the South Jersey shore... GENTLEMEN!! BEHOLD!!

      VastaKustuta
    91. @Kayriel Yeah! I demand to see the birth certificates! *and the Pony Birthers movement was created*

      VastaKustuta
    92. @EquineNoxX

      You are not alone. Everyone in my university's brony group was saying "omg The Shining!" during that part. It was awesome.

      VastaKustuta
    93. Eh... I have a hard time counting 3:24 in Cutie Pox as Scootaloo full-on flying. She jumps up, hovers in place for roughly a second, then falls straight back down. I suppose it's possible she can fly normally, too, but we haven't seen it yet. I do wonder when she's going to get more screentime, though. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle have both had their own episodes. Why not Scootaloo? In the words (sort of) of the Chick-Fil-A cows, SHO MOR CHIKIN!

      Anyway, this was an OK episode, but mostly just because Pinkie being random is inherently funny. It didn't have enough dialogue or even other characters in it to have much more potential than that. I think Pinkie's randomness is best used with the rest of the cast around, so we can see them react to it.

      VastaKustuta
    94. I also think it's a Trainspotting reference... not an Exorcist reference...

      The exocist had a young teen doing a reverse spider-walk down a flight of stairs, while Trainspotting had the baby on the ceiling.

      This is the Exorcist one (warning, a bit graphical)
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-4f_NMUxcY

      While the Trainspotting one looks like this:
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgeDh1WCyeM

      You decide :P

      VastaKustuta
    95. @palaminopegasus I mentioned a little possible genetics already, but let's say that pegasi and unicorns were genetically designed, using earth pony as the genetic base, by the alicorns playing god on the mythical continent of Atlantis. The easiest way to add the genes to the earth ponies would be to design an artificial chromosome carrying all the needed genes. Then this chromosome's expression could be triggered by a special transcription factor integrated elsewhere in the genome, likely tied via a promoter to other developmental genes. My bet is the BMP-Bcat-Wnt signalling system, since horns and wings both require skeletal augmentation and early patterning. But, you wouldn't normally want a pony to end up with both, so one could also include suppressors on each of the types of artificial chromosomes, such that if any pony ended up with both types of chromosomes and promoter elements, the supressors would shut down the expression and the offspring would be an earth pony carrier of both traits. Also, if out-breeding with Earth ponies occurred, the different chromosomes and promoters could become separated (aka Au=unicorn artificial chromosome, Pu=unicorn-specific promoter element. Unicorn genotype-phenotype correlation= AuPu. Earth pony base: B=base chromosome Q=null carrier for artificial chromosome. Earth Pony genotype=BQ. Assuming they are homozygous for each trait and crossing, you end up with an F1 genotype Au/Q Pu/B. Successive generations would further dilute this background. Assume also the same rules apply for Pegasi Ap/Ap Pp/Pp homozygous genomes: F1 earth pony cross yields Ap/Q Pp/B. We can addin the assumption that at some point, any one of the Cake's direct relatives might have reproduced with another Earth pony carrying a promoter or artificial chromosome from the opposing genome. Now, taking into account that each type of artificial chromosome carries the suppressor for the other trait AND that the promoters are specific to each artificial chromosome, we can end up with these diploid genotypes in Mr and Mrs Cake without their developing any pegasi or unicorn traits: Ap/Q Pu/B and Au/Q Pp/B. Following gametogenesis, these 8 haplotypes can be generated: Parent 1: ApB, ApPu, QPu, QB Parent 2: AuPp, AuB, QPp, QB. As you can see, with such combinations available, there is the chance for the twins (being fraternal rather than identical) to end up with the correct combinations to allow expression of either unicorn or pegasus: ApB/QPp= heterozygous pegasus, QPu/AuB= heterozygous unicorn. The raw stastical probability of each genotype is 1/4 x 1/4 = 1/16, which is actually not at all unlikely. In my genetics lab, we've done mating with mutant mice for 3 genes with a probability of 1/32, and still end up with some of the combined mutant genotype in roughly every other litter of mouse pups, averaging 8-10 pups/litter. So, in conclusion, should the genotype function as described in this paper, it is entirely possible for the Cake foals to exhibit the unicorn and pegasus phenotypes despite having earth pony parents.

      Do I earn my PhD now? ;3

      VastaKustuta
    96. @ZAquanimus

      Bumping because these are exactly my thoughts and should be put out there because of all the "this is bullshit" I see floating around :/

      VastaKustuta
    97. @Filip

      It was better than the last episode "Family Appreciation Day", at least all the ponies appeared in some capacity here. Just hope everyone gets at least 1 episode this season.

      VastaKustuta
    98. I thought it was trainspotting too, but take a close look at this scene: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KmJZs5I4r8

      After rewatching the Trainspotting scene, they aren't really that similar except for the baby on the ceiling.

      VastaKustuta
    99. If nothing else, the pony genetics make more sense than the pony stubble.

      VastaKustuta
    100. As for this episode itself, my one complaint was Twilight's appearance. She seemed kind of rude to tell Pinkie she couldn't handle two babies (granted she was somewhat right but still...)

      Nonetheless good episode.

      VastaKustuta
    101. @Shantara
      I agree. Did you read the comments for Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000? That was the most annoying comment thread I've ever read.

      VastaKustuta
    102. @Alondro
      I hereby nominate this post as a post of the year.

      Is it hard to introduce those artificial modifications to Earth pony genome in such a way that all three resulting population groups (earth ponies, pegasi and unicorns) would have an stable equal size in long term perspective?
      Keep in mind that there are still closed communities dominated by members of one of the races.

      VastaKustuta
    103. @shadowfalcon76

      In Pumpkin's case, more like "phase out of the box"

      VastaKustuta
    104. While I love season 2 so far, in part thanks to many of Pinkie's one-liners, I was starting to get annoyed by her characterization. It looked like the party pony had become nothing but randomness.

      In this episode, the randomness was still present. Pinkie was in full sugar rush mode. She shamelessly abused cartoon physics. She totally freaked out at the end. And yet, she had feelings, something to prove and, ultimately, a believable "responsible" side to herself.

      Pinkie Pie is a tridimensional character again. I can only thank the writers.

      VastaKustuta
    105. Uff, uff, okay, I'm still on time!

      http://awthredestim.blogspot.com/2012/01/my-little-pony-friendship-is-magic-baby.html

      Episode Review ^_^ Almost out of the time limit, but I muscled through. Hope you guys like it.

      VastaKustuta
    106. @Alondro

      Don't try to muddle the issue with yer complicated science!

      This actually makes sense though, since there are families out there where two children are both born with different skin colours.

      VastaKustuta
    107. I would say the genetics mechanism I described would keep all the populations fairly equal. Carriers of the traits would be everywhere, and any type of pony could emerge at any time from a family, even with populations of purebloods still existing. The net result would be a constant emergence of all 3 types. If you take out the need for suppressors (mostly unnecessary with phenotype-specific promoters instead of a single promoter activating both types, you could still end up with an alicorn this way, however, with a frequency of every 1/64 births from heterozygous parents heterozygous for each of the promoters and chromosomes (genotype AuAp PuPp)which is why I included the need for alt-type suppressors.

      Good lord I am such a nerd. On the plus side, Twilight would love me! :D

      VastaKustuta
    108. I love this episode, but I also think some folks are over-thinking the genetics a little bit. It is a cartoon, fiction, and designed for a younger audience after all, so it's inherit they will throw some rules out the window. I do love the fanbase and the show, but sometimes it seems we forget that the show does not have to be tagged with all the science and sense we know.

      Just my thoughts, anyway. Still have to say this is my favorite episode so far, and I hope we get more Pinkie episodes!

      VastaKustuta
    109. Good... I'm not the only one who finished watching this episode and went...

      "SCIENCE! It must be figured out!" and immediately went to how the genetics might work on this. I'm also glad that there is also a geneticist in the fandom who prolly knows more than I do.

      Ponies... and science. This episode has it all.

      Except for... nevermind. I have to stop reminding myself that I have a song which I wished I didn't have! Curse you curiosity for making me listen to that song! That... beautiful... wonderful... amazing song.

      VastaKustuta
    110. All two Pinkie episodes? Griffon the Brush-off I consider to be a pinkie episode.

      Also, I can't wait to see all of the stand-up comedy and horror movie mashups for this episode!

      VastaKustuta
    111. THANK YOU! Finally someone else brings up the Exorcist reference!

      VastaKustuta
    112. Great aunt's second cousin twice removed wouldnt contribute any of his/her Genetics to Ms Cake's kid. I personally think that the "that makes sense right?" comment plus 5 of the main 6's surprise at the unicorn/Pegasus babies implies the possibility that pony genetics dont really work that way.

      VastaKustuta
    113. Its obvious that Mrs Cake cheated on Mr Cake with an Alicorn

      VastaKustuta
    114. @ActionScripter9109

      Yay!! I guess that's why that scene actually felt so creepy. =)

      VastaKustuta
    115. Autor on selle kommentaari eemaldanud.

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    116. Autor on selle kommentaari eemaldanud.

      VastaKustuta
    117. This episode proves my theory that Scootaloo must have some kind of disability in her wings that only allow her to fly for very short distances. This would make alot of sense since all filly pegasi (and now newborns) are shown to be able to fly without issue.

      This isn't a bad thing, and its a perfectly logical theory, it would explain some aspects of her personality, and it could be integrated into an episode about acceptance and equality of the disabled. Even with her disability, it has been shown that she is capable of extreme speeds on land with her scooter, even faster than Rainbow Dash, who's speed is limited to being airborne. Maybe this episode can finally have Rainbow Dash mentoring Scootaloo and have her coming to terms with her disability. Maybe she had some kind of accident? She was born that way?

      How about it Hasbro? Bronies? Make it happen!!!

      Hell, I might even write a fanfic myself.

      VastaKustuta
    118. For those who have missed it... Lauren Faust has answered some questions about this episode:
      http://comments.deviantart.com/4/1603670/2368877900

      VastaKustuta
    119. Anyone else notice the Cakes actually have a life raft like from Rainbow Dash presents Cupcakes video?

      VastaKustuta
    120. As promised yesterday, today is for more critical/technical-viewpoint on the episode.
      (Note, I may be rederencing one person only, but each episode is still a full efford from the whole team in the end).
      ---------------------------------
      Ah, Charlotte Fullerton (one of the writers), you are either unlucky when drawing for the episode topics, or for some other reason you just seem to get all the most difficult topics for to be written: You've got the Sleepover- party (Ep. 8 "Look Before You Sleep"), "Not Looking into mouth of Gift horse" (Ep. 14 "Suited for Success"), "Ask before acting" (Ep. 22 "A Bird in the Hoof"), a pet episode (Ep. 33 "May the Best Pet Win!"). And now, you got one the most challenging of every topic for anyone, the baby-episode.

      I admit I cheated a little bit before watching the first time around by looking up who the writer is, which sort of ruined the "surprise me"-factor. But then again, being well informed helped for softer landing too.

      There's a kinda of a pattern with the MLP:FiM episodes Fullerton has written so far (or as far we've seen): The beginning (before the theme-song) usually has some great outstanding and surprsing events happening (RD's Dream sequence to name one). Then we've had great introductions for the upcoming events (more or less at least), not to mention many times featuring memorable songs. This is the 1/3 point of the episode (most the first 7-minutes).
      Nothing much extra special to comment what I've already mentioned yesterday to add for the 1/3 part.

      Now we get to the 2/3-part of the episode. Like with every episode written by Fullerton, they could have played a huge amount of already overly used plot-device-cards which make us cringe most of the times. Sure, they have played some, but fortunately for the most parts they're played with enough moderation without things getting overly blown, at least for the most parts.
      Let's make one thing clear here though: Since we had already established baby-ponies of the series in "Mare-do-well"-episode, the folks working on this episode didn't have too much of freedom to make their own visions on baby ponies anymore (both behavior and visual-wise). So playing around full episode with established things is even more challenging, and that happens with everything; most of the times in various series this has caused some very uncomfortable/annoying episodes in viewers opinions.
      That said, I say that the team handled this section with a good balance once again. And with some great references too, which weren't too mind-boggling for younger/"non-geeky" audiences either.

      What about the last few minutes/the 3/3-part of the episode? Well to quote many commenters, "it was obvious". But to be honest, you can play obvious endings well too, like it has happened with other Fullerton's episodes. Each episode has been sort of like "oppsite/from-top-to-down rollercoaster": Right from the beginning the ride is extremely intense, and the ending has been a calming "climbing"-section to deliver enought slowed-down ending.
      ---------------------------------------
      And that's basically my review on the episode, and Charlotte Fullerton-written-episodes in overall. Needless to say she's one of my favorite writers so far along-side with Meghan McCarthy for example.

      Actually, I could reference to my older post regarding to M. A. Larson and Merriwether Williams: They both have actually surpsides me positively with their recent episodes writing wise. and I deeply hope they kept the quality up for the rest of the season and for any possible upcoming episodes they were part of. Here's for hoping for the best.

      VastaKustuta
    121. I really loved this episode, except for the fact that a lot of us are jumping to WAY too many conclusions. Here's just a few of my statements:

      1. Who cares if they had unicorn and pegasus babies? Would this episode have really been as much of a hassle on Pinkie Pie if they were just scooting around everywhere? I don't think so, so having the other two pony species adds to the craziness for Pinkie.

      2. I see a lot of comments calling a Surprise cameo by the FiM crew. To that I say: That does not entail that they believe Surprise to be canon now. Pinkie is babysitting IN A DAMN PASTRY SHOP! So of course there would be an overstocked supply of flour, and children seem to laugh at any random misfortune, especially those involving the dropping of an object unto one's head, so there's your "Surprise" cameo. But of course I'm sure this was probably in the back of their heads at some point in production.

      Either way, this was perhaps one of my favorite episodes so far. And if they get a Fluttershy centric episode, that will do it for my character enrichment, as well as my insulin shots as I will be overcome by the diabeetus.

      VastaKustuta
    122. There are three Pinkie episodes. Feeling Pinkie Keen, Party of One, and Baby Cakes (duh)

      VastaKustuta
    123. Why do so many of you think the genetics thing is new?
      http://www.equestriadaily.com/2011/04/different-types-of-ponies-confirmed-for.html

      VastaKustuta
    124. @Kayriel
      I now demand a Raising Arizona crossover fanfic!

      VastaKustuta
    125. Awesome ep. I want more Pinkie stand-up! Give her a Comedy Central special already!

      VastaKustuta
    126. @Pinkieguy14

      And to some extent "Griffon the Brush-off.

      VastaKustuta
    127. Pinkie had an important part in "Swarm of the Century" too, even if she wasn't necessarily the star.

      VastaKustuta
    128. This episode was awesome. I was this one 3 times today due to it awesomes.

      VastaKustuta
    129. I kinda freaking lol'd when Mr. Cake said "That makes sense, right??" and looked back and forth. Apparently he doesn't know shit about genetics. XD

      Well, screw genetics. I just like to think that which type of pony a foal will be is completely randomized. Almost like the X/Y chromosome, except it has three possible outcomes. I'll leave it to the biology ponies to figure out how that works.

      Are you a pegasus? Is your wife also a pegasus? Having a foal? Male? Think he's going to be a pegasus? Too bad, he's a unicorn.

      This explains why some foals don't know how to fly or use magic at an early age; their parents are different than they are.

      "Mom? Dad? How do I fly?"

      "We don't know, son. We're unicorns."

      denied.jpg

      VastaKustuta
    130. One of the better but not outstanding FiM episodes.

      VastaKustuta
    131. The babies are an obvious shout-out (even if it unintentionnal) to the babies in the Flintstones, lol.

      VastaKustuta
    132. Autor on selle kommentaari eemaldanud.

      VastaKustuta
    133. Autor on selle kommentaari eemaldanud.

      VastaKustuta
    134. @Rachel White

      Actually, that shows up about anywhere where there is a baby involved.

      VastaKustuta
    135. @CanterEdlund

      Because Scootaloo can't fly. We know she can achieve liftoff, but the best she can do is hover for a bit, as already witnessed. That's not actual flight.

      VastaKustuta
    136. @GaruuSpike

      This is kind of the theory I'm going with, but with some modifications.

      In my version, while the genes for one race do take dominance, the recessive genes for the other two races remain active as a pony's secondary and tertiary character traits.

      Take as an example: Fluttershy. She's (allegedly) a weak flyer as a pegasus, but has a very strong connection to plant and animal life, similar to an earth pony. At the same time, she also has in-depth knowledge and versatile talent in a variety of areas besides her own gift, which is typically a unicorn trait.

      VastaKustuta
    137. "We also find out early on that Unicorn foals sometimes surge their magic. Later on in the episode this is pretty apparent with the portal opening and super strangth. Padlocks ain't got nothin on a foal."
      from a few coments I read here it seems most of you are pretty stupid. Have you ever heard of the Cutie Mark Crusaders? I am sure that the unicorn magic thing happens when they're around Sweetie Belle's age or filly Twilight's. Twilight showed pretty crazy and erratic magic, though that may have been due to the Rainboom, no way to tell. Sweetie has never used magic so she has yet to go through the erratic magic stage. It also does not explain Pound's amazing strength even a little. The fact he can fly perfectly when Scootaloo can't also proves that this is unnatural. To further debunk Pumpkin's magic being that erratic spurt mentioned before, it was totally un-erratic. She was in full control!

      It's really very clear that these two baby ponies are simply scarily gifted. Pumpkin is already more magical than Twilight and Pound is probably stronger than Big Mac. I don't think that'll change when they get older. Or rather, they will only get stronger...

      VastaKustuta
    138. Maybe the babies are adopted? It would explain Mr. Cake's nervous "That makes sense, right?"

      Though I don't know why he would lie instead of just tell other ponies about them being adopted... unless he and Mrs. Cake plan on never telling the babies?

      VastaKustuta
    139. @SourApples yeah i always wondered why we have never seen Scootaloo fly

      VastaKustuta
    140. @Conner O'Brien i also think the creators hate Fluttershy :( i am still waiing for a fluttershy episode

      VastaKustuta
    141. @O-Zone yeah I AM STILL WAITING FOR A FLUTTERSHY EPISODE this season

      VastaKustuta
    142. This is a good example of a character-centric episode, because it features significant character development on Pinkie's part. I like how it reveals more serious facets of the party pony's personality - namely, her willingness to take responsibilities and her determination to prove herself. The final scene is particularly noteworthy, as it added considerable depth to Pinkie's character by itself.

      Granted Pinkie was, for the most part, being Pinkie, this episode has no shortage of random moments and slapstick humor. It is clear the writers did a great job as they managed to strike a fine balance between developing Pinkie's character and having her maintain her funny demeanor that viewers are familiar with.

      Unfortunately, as much as I want to, I can't say I'm particularly fond of this episode. Perhaps I'm biased against its generic and somewhat overdone premise, but I find that it lacks the originality and unique appeal that I've come to love in other MLP:FiM episodes. As with other episodes of season 2 (thus far), some of Pinkie's jokes seem a little forced. Add a pair of month-old babies to the equation, and the result is a number of scenes that appear rather contrived and mawkish.

      Pointless nitpicking aside, this is a good episode. It is certainly enjoyable to watch, but in my humble opinion, it just isn't as impressive as most other episodes in season 2.

      VastaKustuta
    143. It’s a maternity ward. A fertility clinic is something else again—although given the genetic hijinks involved, one does wonder if the Cakes visited such a clinic nine months ago. . . .

      VastaKustuta