• Episode followup: Putting Your Hoof Down


    Fluttershy has leveled up once again! Remember back in the day when just Twilight Sparkle intimidated her?  It's amazing how much character development these ponies go through.

    So lets get it started! After the page break as always. 



    I'm going to begin with the background ponies, because this episode was completely filled with all sorts of references.  First off is of course, Lyra.  In a few of the beginning scenes, she can be seen reaching toward her cup, as if she desperately needs hands.  You might assume it's just Lyra being lazy, but then we get this...


    Bonbon's saddle bag definitely has Lyra's cutie mark on it.  We can't stop there though!


    They seal the deal with yet another Lyra and Bonbon sequence.  They can be seen in the background blabbering away for a good minute or two.  I think half the fun of these episodes each week is just watching the background characters.  This episode in particular seemed to have a full on story going on out there. 


    Of course, we can't forget derpy, who totally has a muffin bag clip.  Whoever tossed that on there deserves a medal.  I really hope the recent Derpy drama doesn't stop these at all.  I'm cool with her not having lines, but this was amazing.

    Also, no Asparagus =[ 


     And we can't forget the derp eyes.  Our little waldo reference is hopefully here to stay. 


    I'm sure these two are a reference to something...


    And our new villian/antagonist is.... a minotaur!  Gotta love all these fantasy creatures.  He definitely plays the part.  Not to mention the Mr. T reference.


    As for Fluttershy herself, she spent most of the episode rollin with Assertiveshy, but I saw a small amount of Flutterbitch sneak out later on!


    And of course, the Flutterhulk reference later on was pretty awesome.   This one in particular is a direct one for one reference.


    Obligatory awkward screenshot. 


    We also have the return of "that" Rarity.  I'm not too sure if I like it, or dislike it, but she does seem to use it quite a bit!  



    We also have...socks. Yes, socks are now canon.  For some unknown reason, they are human socks, but I for one welcome our new Twilight Sparkle in socks overlord.


    We were  introduced to goats for the first time this episode.  I'm honestly having a hard time determining their intelligence level, but it's not lookin good...


    Equestria in general seems to be much more cutthroat than we used to believe.  I remember talking about it like it was some sort of paradise back in the early days of the fandom.  These merchants are just straight up greedy though.


    In the end, Fluttershy solves things with her good old stare power.  Have you seen the Fighting is Magic rendition of this? It's totally not overpowered at all.  This is yet another episode without poor Twilight Sparkle.  I wonder how she is handling the lack of fame these days?

    Overall this was definitely a solid one.   It's about time we got something focused on Ponyville's animal lover for season two.   It looks like another is coming up in a few weeks.  They definitely seem to be scheduling each character in bundles this time around. 

    And I'll leave you with the best reference of all!  Check that out below.




    344 comments:

    1. First.. i hope. I loved this episode for several reasons.

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    3. And, like every sunday, here's my review of the episode for you guys to check out.

      http://awthredestim.blogspot.com/2012/03/my-little-pony-friendship-is-magic.html

      Thank you for checking it out! Let me know what you think of it on the comments :D

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    4. Woohoo, they kept Derpy Ditzy Doo!

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    5. Iron Will wasn't an antagonist or a villain. He did his job and took defeat with grace at the end. Fluttershy was both the protagonist and the antagonist here.

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    6. Twas a great episode, loving Lyra in the background, she is definantly my favourite background pony. Glad to see Derpy still around and I agree with Seth, long as she's in the episodes I'm happy.
      Iron Will was also a great character, had a good laugh watching him.
      Great Fluttershy episode, look forward to the next one :)

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    7. Ah, the episode in which we learn Equestian's are a bunch of asses. Or was that the episode a fortnight ago XD!
      This was a still pretty good episode though!

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    8. Studio B is doing a great job at giving subtle fan service. They should stick with that kind of fan service.

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    9. What about nice "3d" moment? It was awesome.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64vJVJpkhdE

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    10. How could you neglect Pipsqueak sharing that shot with Lyra? I'm glad he didn't end up vanishing after Nightmare Night (TO THE MOOOON) .

      Also, in "May The Best Pet Win", Fluttershy's got a goat as a pet option, but in this episode, they're more like interns/assistants for Iron Will. I just find that odd...

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    11. One of the coolest things in the episode was the camera swoop from Fluttershy's face to the door in the background right here:

      http://pinkie.ponychan.net/chan/files/src/133087864805.gif

      It's got a subtle 3D-ish effect, and it's just so ridiculously cool, it's one of the most striking things from the episode to me.

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    12. My first reaction to Pinkie's scene with the tomato vendor: 'Are they really doing this?' I mean, it was hilarious, but really?

      Also, Video Game Rule #46: Shopkeepers are greedy to the point of stupidity. 'Yes, I realize there's a dragon coming to destroy our town. But if you want the sword, it's 4000 gold.'

      This was a really exciting episode. On first View it didn't seem like much, but when you go back and look at it, it was really really good. And given the studio's recent penchant for continuity, I'd venture that we may have seen the last of the Fluttermat.

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    13. Angel bitch slapping Fluttershy, a Minotaur who may or may not be related to Mr. T or could be Hercule from DBZ in disguise, Pretty sure i heard Eye of the tiger in there, Fluttershy legitimately scaring me, Lyra cant reach her cup, A bazaar like system for the market (Or so it seemed so to me), Flutterbitch getting out for a few seconds, Fluttershy pretty much being a total badass the whole time while also remaining adorable, Derpy derpin it up, Pinkie Pie Bugs Bunny'd, Rarity being... umm... seductive, i guess, and a whole boat load of other things.

      Hasbro... You geniuses, you did it again.

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    14. i cant wait for ironshy/flutterwill shipping

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    15. You didn't mention the fact that, for some reason, Rarity was hanging out quite a bit with Pinkie today. Not to mention she happened to be in the back of Sugar Cube corner when Fluttershy walked in. Might this be a reference to their time spent together in the desert?

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    16. @Coltrick Whiteheart

      Studio B, not hasbro.

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    17. Pipsqueak was old news for me but the leadup shots to Lyra and Bon-Bon at the table. WIN!

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    18. Cool episode with large dose of awesomeness.
      @darkconsoles
      Yay for 3D Fluttershy! It looks very nice and smooth, love it.

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    19. Oh wow, totally didn't see Derpy there with the muffin clip bags. And Lyra and Bon Bon! Poor Lyra looks bummed out. And dat Hulk reference. Even the same music! XD

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    20. My god! Equestria is full of Levantines!

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    21. @RaccoonBL

      Studio B. Got it. Thanks for the correction!

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    22. What about the crazy amazing animation during the scene where Fluttershy's tied up on the chair in her home?

      It's at like 17:15 or something, and you almost get fooled that it's a 3D model rendering of her face as the camera pans to the left. DHX is incredible with flash animation.

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    23. Iron Will seemed more like a Randy Savage parody to me than Mr. T

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    24. Better than a solid episode - this is probably my new favorite!

      And Iron Will is easily my favorite one-shot character now (Sorry Discord, you had a good run). Iron Will was funny, he was a joy to watch, and he wasn't a villain, I could actually sympathize with him.

      Speaking of which, does anyone know who voiced Iron Will?

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    25. When she says with celestia as my witness i'll never be a doormat again that is almost a line for line gone with the wind reference. Don't pick on my terrible grammar, i just woke up.

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    26. I have always said I do not Accept the "Derpy loves muffins" thing unless it becomes canon... ...it is now canon. 8DDD HURRAY!

      Also... If there are minataurs.. does that mean there are humans?

      I always try to look at the background characters but you guys always seem to catch more things than I do XD;;; booooo.

      You guys didn't mention the Eye of the Tiger in this recap ;P

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    27. I honestly knew the last vid the instant I saw it, though who didn't? Its honestly a classic joke that I will NEVER forget.

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    28. Woah woah woah! Hold up for a second!
      How did Pinkie Pie NOT breaking the fourth wall not get a mention?!
      Skip to 17:35 on the episode. Iron Will says his catch phrase and looks right at the camera. Then Pinkie just stares in confusion right at us!!!
      Am I the only one who saw this?!

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    29. Having visited a few open markets around the world (Mexico, Kenya, Russia.) where bargaining was expected, the ponyville market wasn't too much of a shock to me. It's too bad that Fluttershy can't have someone else go do her shopping for her, because shopping at that kind of place is all about pretending you can take or leave any of the products no matter how badly you actually need them, and haggling the price down or the quantity up.

      Don't waste time being annoyed that someone shoved in front of you, belly up to the stand, grab a product and start commenting on how small it is, is that a bruise there? Can you go a little lower? No? OK. (Walk away, keep an eye out for someone else selling the same thing) What! 2 bits for three lousy tomatoes! Look at how small these are! 1 bit for four would be more like it...

      And so on. The pony with the cherry was a joke, point out to him that nobody is going to buy one freaking cherry at all, let alone for real money, flip him a cent and take it.

      I wonder what a haggling cutie mark would look like?

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    30. "but I saw a small amount of Flutterbitch sneak out later on!"

      Sneak out? I'd say that being such an asshole you make Pinkie and Rarity cry is neither a small amount of Flutterbitch nor sneaky.

      Anyway, it was a fine episode.

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    31. My only real complaint from this episode is that scene where Rarity gets the asparagus from the geeky pony... That's not assertiveness, that's manipulation, and I always disliked girls that used flirting to get their way. Maybe that's because I never could :P

      Otherwise, a decent episode... Not my favorite, but in the middle of the pack.

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    32. The best part of these followups is seeing others pointing things out that I missed during my own viewing.

      Also, Flutterbitch is really potent; she's the first character to drive two ponies to tears at the same time (unless I'm forgetting something).

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    33. The worst thing Fluttershy did in this episode? Not give Derpy her asparagus. Poor Derpy!

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    34. I hated this episode. It left me depressed. Like Seth said, it ruined my view of Equestria being a paradise. It also made me officially hate Angel Bunny and dislike Fluttershy. I already didn't care for her but this episode made my opinion clear.
      (I'm entitled to my opinion. No need to hate me for it. I'm not being a troll)
      The episode wasn't cheerful. The way the characters were so cruel and...human-like put me in a bad mood. I immediately watched the "Smile Smile Smile" song to cheer me up and it only worked half way. I teared up when Fluttershy made Pinkie and Rarity, my two favorite characters cry. In TV shows, seeing characters I like being bullies or being bullied breaks my heart because I can't do anything about it. I couldn't yell at Fluttershy and tell her to piss off.
      Overall, this episode put me in a worse mood than the Mare-Do-Well episode. I watch MLP for a reason. And that reason is the cheerfulness. This episode ruined all my views on the characters and Equestria and I'll never forgive Fluttershy even if I try to! (I assure you I have been trying to forgive her but it's not working.)

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    35. I did not like Rarity's and Pinkie's version of "assertiveness." It was all deception and chicanery--I'd call that the opposite of assertive--cowardly even.

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    36. I made a recut of this episode here:

      http://youtu.be/R8Uz_vg803I?hd=1

      hope you enjoy :)

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    37. I am inclined to agree with the comments about how much more cynically Equestria was rendered in this ep. Seems like the populace at large could use a dose of Harmony, yo. And Fluttershy's rant to PP/RY seemed WAY off base, even if she WAS trying to be a bitch on purpose. She may find Pinkie a strain (see: "I'm a year older than you! *frown*), but she knows as much about sewing as Rarity does and they often go to the spa together. Hypocriteshy, you are cleared for launch.

      ------------------

      However, I also remain kind of stunned by how much like the Assertive Fluttershy fanfic my friend wrote the broad strokes of this episode were. Line-cutting, pushy Angel at breakfast, self-help mantras, mirror-talking, a moment of reflection staring into water, assertiveness turned to bitchiness... : O

      Just replace the Minotaur with Chris Farley, and bam!

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    38. @The Conflicted Writer

      I would say it's simply because the mane 6 are all best friends. As such it's in accordance that they're hanging out with one or the other from time to time. Like in last episode Rainbow Dash was with Twilight at the library. In this one Rarity and Pinkie were together. Maybe in the next one Applejack will be seen with Twilight or Pinkie? Who knows!

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    39. @xXFAT PIGXx

      My brother actually said "woah" when that happened, it was that good.

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    40. awesome one! XD I totally neglected to mention the socks since they were normal ugly ones that were shaped for humans xD

      ....

      could they some how be planning on showing off some sort of Human tribe in the future? o.O it could be a whole Planet of the Apes all over again! and then Twilight will befriend a hairy dude and fall in love and make out before she totally throws him through time just to fall prey to the disaster that befell humanity! :P




      GOD I so hope not xD

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    41. I feel horrible for not spotting Derpy in the first place. Loved the episode, though, both for Flutterbitch and for background ponies!

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    42. That moment when Fluttershy looked into the puddle and that little whine when she realised what she had done. That little scene brings me to the edge of tears every time. Don't cry Fluttershy! We still love you, really!

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    44. All the awesomenesss with the backround ponies in this one made me squee. :D

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    45. I loved this episode as well. "Assertive" fluttershy's hilarious!

      Although, this episode lowered rarity to second worst mane 6 pony (just above rainbow and below applejack) because of what she did to the nerd pony.

      What's worse is that it felt to me as if she was trying to make herself a role model of assertiveness by being a manipulating *beep*.

      Loved all the derpy and references though!

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    46. I don't think Derpy was listening to the seminar to be more assertive, she was probably just bored. She does tend to go to a lot of these get togethers.

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    47. I'm lazy so if you want go to the minion post below
      Haha see you must work to do something!!!

      Damn fine episode thought out, maybe not a favorite but still good.

      I still think it would have been hilarious if Fluttershy went at it with Rainbow Dash, although I think Fluttershy would have really hurt her and not her ego.
      She was probeblly doing the sudden storm that appeared within a few seconds

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    48. seth i think you forgot the pic of the Ep. being on the front page...but you probably have a reason for not using it

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    49. Also did anyone else hear the slight sad music from The incredible hulk walking away scene?

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    50. Well, haven't seen it yet in the posts so I guess I'll start...

      HELLO BRONIES! IT'S THAT TIME OF THE WEEK AGAIN! TIME TO PLAY...

      NAME THAT BACKGROUND PONY!!!

      So names I've come up with. Specs for the nerdy pony. Jersey Shore for the palm tree pony for general dislikability and beach references, and Farah because a surfboard is kind of like a life preserver if you have never actually seen bay watch.

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    51. @Wolf of Twilight They are cartoon characters, not real ponies. I particularly enjoyed how they put the fact that not everyone is lovable (we had diamon tiara, silver spoon, filthy rich, upper crust, etc before already anyway).

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    52. I already said how this episode and verbal beatdown from Shy are awesome, so few peculiar things.

      Audio oddities:

      For all Fluttershy cuteness in the first part not a single squee.wav was used.
      There are gunshots mixed into Iron Will fireworks' sounds. Rednecks?
      Pinkie saying "make it stop", imitating (mocking?) Rarity mannerisms.
      And New Fluttershy not giving any FLying FEathers... Did censors fall asleep there?

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    53. This is a tough one to classify. On one hoof, it had some of the better jokes and references. On the other, when your "Villain" is actually the least jerkass character in the episode, you have a bit of a problem.

      Angel smacking Fluttershy in the beginning went a little far for my taste.

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    54. Ponyville has always been a little weird. Somedays they welcome strangers with open arms, others they're the most xenophobic community ever.

      Some days they're organizing impromptu parades for Pinkie Pie and her smile song, others they're trying to bilk Fluttershy 20 bucks for a cherry.

      the "in real life" reason for all this is surely a combination of "Depends on the Writer" and "Depends on what Today's Lesson is." In universe though, if I didn't know for SURE that Discord was sealed in canterlot gardens, I would really have to think...

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    55. Something that ended bugging me:

      A minotaur is basicly half human, half bull (or something like that), actualy.. he has HANDS.

      Therefore... if humans are not in equestria.. how can noone notice he has hands? (specialy lyra)

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    56. This isn't the first time we see goats. It's the second. There was a goat at Fluttershy's cottage in "May the Best Pet Win!"

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    57. @Clow0

      Well, hands DO exist in Equestria. Just look at Spike.

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    58. @IkkouSoryu

      I don't get why people say things like horse apples and flying feathers were missed by the censors...

      They may be close to curse words, but that doesn't mean they should be censored...right?

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    59. Getting pretty sick of the whole sudden 'I for one welcome our new -insert new thing every five minutes- overlord.' It sounds silly and the sock thing was a 'meme' I do not want to be reminded of. :/

      The episode was great though. I sighed when I heard it was an episode about Fluttershy but she's apparently gone one space up in my favourite mane 6 ponies list, putting Twilight Sparkle at the bottom.

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    60. what did you mean by "that" Rarity? is slut Rarity that gets what she wants or something?

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    61. Even Ponyville has it's share of assholes.

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    64. They kept Pip! That makes me so happy. I thought for sure they were just going to forget all about him, but it looks like he'll be around.

      And the Derpy scene was just the greatest. It was tiny, but it was cute.

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    65. As for the episode, I really liked it and felt that it deftly examined Fluttershy's layers.

      Such as, why did she become a jerk because she became assertive? I think that, speaking as a shy person, it points out that shy people often have some pent up resentment about their place in the world. Often, and this is the case with Fluttershy, this is turned in ward, such as "it's my fault I'm treated this way because I'm not good enough."

      Iron Will taught her to turn all that resentment outward. "It's everybody else's fault." That's, of course, the opposite and also unhealthy extreme. Fluttershy used this excuse to get things off her chest, but it was unfortunate she chose to do so in an abusive way.

      The scene where she's mean to Rarity and Fluttershy is interesting. They are 2 of her dearest friends, but Season 1 did give Fluttershy reason to be a little annoyed with both of them. Someone on TV tropes once argued that Fluttershy doesn't forget, it just takes her a while to process things. Remember Fluttershy got annoyed when Pinkie Pie was being condescending to her in "Griffon the Brush Off?" Flutterbitch finally paid her back with the "Simple brained" comment. Rarity put Fluttershy in an uncomfortable bind in "Green isn't your color," mostly for Rarity's benefit. But then when Fluttershy became famous instead, rarity got resentful. And out comes the "Frivolous" comment. (Not to mention that we know Fluttershy also has a passion for fashion and she thinks Rarity is doing it wrong, while Rarity walks around like she's the world's greatest expert on fashion.)

      So the fact that episode explored all this I appreciated. Some things I wish were spelled out a little better, (such as "It's not always your fault and it's not always everyone else's fault, be reasonable.) but Fluttershy getting the upper hand on angel was good.

      And Angel's always been kind of a dick.

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    66. This episode was beautiful! although I was a bit disappointed Twilight wasn't in it, but I guess she can't be in all of them. Fluttershy has jumped up in my "Best Pony" list.

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    67. As I said yesterday one of the best parts about this episode was the use of background characters, incorporating established ones (Lyra, Bon Bon, Derpy, Pip, Rose, Daisy, Lily, the Old Chess-Cutie Mark Pony) while at the same time introducing new background ponies (the Nerdy Pony, the Older Mail Pony, the 80s ponies)

      And s for 'that' Rarity I love it, but not for the reasons some may assume, I just think its part of her character and its not like she didn't pay him money for the asparagus

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    68. Is it just me or is Iron Will also Hercule from Dragon Ball Z and "The Bat Dad" from South Park?

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    69. Fluttershy has hands! Well she is using her wings as hands. Isn't this new?

      Screen caps:

      http://goo.gl/Ftb8k
      http://goo.gl/w8Ksp
      http://goo.gl/aXTba

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    70. Yeah, this episode was packed full of fan service, and finally my favorite Pegasus standing up for herself. Been having trouble choosing my favorite episode, well, I can finally choose.
      I'm also annoyed at myself for not noticing much of the fan service things besides the obvious Lyra/Bonbon notes and the Bugs Bunny reference.

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    71. Totally didn't notice any of the background stuff, but good to see that Derpy is back.

      Anyone else think that Iron Will sounds a lot like The Boulder from Avatar?

      And yes, obligatory bondage shot.

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    72. Pip is right there in the screenshot but no one said anything about him. :/ He's so adorable.

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    73. I too would like to welcome our new Sock Overlords!

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    74. @TechnoTrot

      Yeah, that's some epic flash animation there. I also like how they changed the focus from the foreground to the background.

      ...hope you don't mind if I save that gif...

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    75. I think this episode showed how Pinkie Pie isn't the only one with teleportation powers! Did anypony SEE where those Valley Girl ponies came from?!

      As for sentient goats, I think a lot of animals are just more intelligent than usual. And most of them are just okay with being animals.

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    76. @Unknown

      I certainly noticed it and thought it was new. In some shots it looks almost like she has tiny hands bolted directly to her middle flank, which is quite disturbing.

      I think the closest thing with seen to the before is Rainbow dash "holding" her bouncing ball by tucking it under her wing. But this is the first time in of the pegasi have used their feathers like "fingers" before.

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    77. The loony toons reference is now tied for my favorite reference, the other being the Alice in wonderland one, very tough decision

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    78. @xXFAT PIGXx
      Yeah, that was so awesome. I kinda want to search through the episodes to find more moments like that. There must have been other scenes, right? For some reason I don't remember them.

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    79. @GardBreaker

      "The Bat Dad" was definitely the first thing me and my brother thought of.

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    80. @RedSquirrel456

      Weighing in on the goats, I'm leaning against them being sentient, and being more like highly trained animals that Iron Will utilizes. In that context, It's still okay that they were pet candidates in "May the Best Pet win!"

      Of course, if a goat should talk in a future episode, this is all blown out of the water.

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    81. I just want to point out that when the stage opens up for Iron Will, in the background the music sounds extremely similar to Survivor's 'Eye of the Tiger'.

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    82. I think the fact that they put all that stuff in the background for us shows that the Studio still cares :))

      Also, I enjoyed the whole market scene. Brings me back to when I had to haggle for stuff when I visited China.

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    83. @Mike

      I try ^_^; I tried to keep it simple and not read too much into things. I hope I didn't went too deep analyzing stuff.

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    84. Ponyville was NEVER paradise to me, that would be hideously dull. They are a closed community (heavy emphasis on Earth ponies and their ways), often close minded, sometimes quite shallow and often unforgiving. They remind me of several small towns I've lived in - and I wouldn't have it any other way. So no, it didn't surprise me AT ALL that there was a pony trying to rip off Fluttershy (the tomato chick wasn't - she had a sign, her price had actually gone up).

      The only thing about this episode that irked me was Rarity using sex appeal/manipulation to get the nerd pony to cough up his asparagus. I'm tired of her doing that - it's a horrid freaking example to children!

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    85. And finallly, I love Pip's cameo, and appreciate finally seeing what he looks like without the Nightmare Night costume. (yeah, fan renderings had pretty much gotten it right, but is was nice to see in show.) would love for him to get some more speaking lines later.

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    86. Posted this on James Corck's blog, but felt I'd repost it here because it needs to be said.

      This episode is a shining example of why My Little Pony stands out as a fantastic show made for kids in a sea of crappy sappy shows: The moral given.

      In a lot of kids shows, they tend to paint the world in a saccharine, unrealistic manner, and usually have unrealistic morals that would make you naive and easily taken advantage of in the real world. My Little Pony, on the other hand, acknowledges that people are going to be dicks, and that while it's a very admirable trait to be kind and nice to others, you should not let yourself be a doormat. That last detail is one that a lot of kids shows tend to miss, and it's part of what makes them overly sappy.

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    87. @Unknown

      My best explanation for that is that it's her wing itself she's using, not the feathers moving independently as it looks like. Depending on how flexible / where the joints are in the wing, it could work

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    88. I really don't get people saying their vision of Equestria as a perfect paradise is spoiled. Sure those teen ponies that cut in front of Fluttershy were rude, but we already knew not everypony is nice (Blue Blood, Diamond Tiara). The tomato seller wasn't really out of place either, produce prices can vary over time. The cherry guy seemed a bit greedy, but it kinda was Fluttershy's fault for being obviously over eager in market place where bargaining is the norm, and he may have been genuinely honest in his appraisal that she needed to learn to stand up for herself, even if he did so with a poor amount of tact.

      Truth is we've always known Equestria wasn't PERFECT, but just because it has flaws doesn't mean we can't still hold it up as an inspiration for a world that is still overall better than our own.

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    89. Oh Please. Don't dis the goat. Like YOU wouldn't chew on Pinkie's Tail?

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    90. Missing Pipsqueak on your own screenshot is sad Seth, VERY SAD!

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    92. @Fireseeker

      OMG NOWAI

      they were ALL staring at the screen there: it was the Minotaur that broke the fourth wall, not pinkie!

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    93. My biggest problem with this episode was how apparently during the bridge scene with the garbage carts Fluttershy apparently forgot she was a pegasus.

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    94. That old cutie markless pony is gonna be like the CMC in the future. >D

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    95. @DPV111 But that's what made it FUNNY. ;) Just like when Dash was running from the authorities in Read it and Weep.

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    96. Mr. T, Billy Mays, and apparently Hercule from DBZ...

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    97. @MudPuppy

      That was because her wing was still aching and she still wasn't fit for flying yet.

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    98. @DPV111
      She didn't necessarily forget. Sure she could just fly over, but like the goat on stage the point is that someone was still being rude/thoughtless by standing in the way. Remember the point is that FS is tiered of letting others take advantage of her timid kindness.

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    99. Hey there's Pipsqueak on the first picture.

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    100. Great episode! I liked BonBon's voice.

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    101. @Yellow 13 Well that's the convenient excuse the writers had then isn't it. Her wings weren't bandaged up, so she probably could've flown, but not only was it funnier if she didn't, but it created another parallel to Daring Do.

      With Fluttershy...the scene wouldn't exactly have worked if she decided to fly over them. It was so much funnier that she did forget to fly. :P

      Anyways, cartoons. Yep.

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    102. 1st off, LOVED this episode, deffinantly one of my favorites of season 2. Fluttershy was great, Iron Will was awesome, and yeah, he wasn't an antagonist, Fluttershy was own enemy in this ep.

      Also, wow I didn't notice any of the background stuff this time around, Darn Flutes & Iron Will for stealing the show & distracting me from the background goodness, lol. but glad to know PIP is still around, and that the animtors are still throwing fun nods to the fans.

      And you know, may make me a horrible person, But I actually like to see Fluttershy act like a jerk, that side of her appeals to me for some reason, lol.

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    103. And Bonbon has a new voice. AGAIN! How did you forget to post that? That's headline news if you ask me.

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    104. @MudPuppy

      But she tried to fly off while stealing the book in the hospital and her wing cramped up and she crashed to the floor.

      Plus the doctor said to stay off of it for a week when they checked her out of the hospital.

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    105. I'm agree that that Iron Will is not the monster,or antagonist.

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    106. As for the goat thing, most people always notice him eating Pinkie's Tail and say "omg he thinks it is cotton candy" but really he's just being a goat. a few seconds later he is eating the other goats tie.

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    107. @MudPuppy Even though her wing was no longer bandanged up, she was still hurt and incapable of flight.

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=qfIrpS_lY6g#t=1048s

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    108. Woah Pipsqueak, didn't think he'd actually make an appearance again. Good stuff

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    109. @Blaze

      Rarity did the same thing in Sisterhooves Social.

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNgnLTsf7wo

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    110. Someone with a high quality copy is going to have to check, but I thought the nerd pony might have had Rosie the Robot from The Jetsons as his cutie mark. You can't see it very well because it's mostly blocked by his saddlebag, but that's what it looked like to me.

      I thought they may have taken Fluttershy's new assertiveness a little too far, especially when she made Pinkie and Rarity cry, but I understand that they needed a climax to get Fluttershy to understand what she'd become, so I forgive them. Up to that point, though, I thought Fluttershy was fairly believable. She's been bullied her whole life, so she had a lot of pent up frustration. I know what that's like. She's pretty susceptible to suggestion, so finally when someone like Iron Will encouraged her to release that frustration, and it was working for her, she just ended up taking it too far.

      I would have liked to see Fluttershy go all meanie on Iron Will at the end, though, just to show him first hoof why she was dissatisfied. When she was done with him, he would have agreed with her, and maybe even tried to help her go back to her old ways. That would have seemed a bit more believable to me than the sudden and mostly unexplained change of heart she had. Still, a great episode, and I can't wait to see the next one with Fluttershy. We need more of her this season!

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    111. Fuck Lyra, Pipsqueak is right there!

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    112. Did anyone else think the white goat at Iron Will's seminar (7:09) looked like Vince Offer, the Shamwow guy?

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    113. I think we can all enjoy the humor and the excellent production quality overall that seems pretty consistent, but this was an exceptionally cold episode filled with greed, physical and verbal abuse, rage, manipulation, emotional pain, and just plain rudeness in general. You could do an assertiveness story without turning Ponyville into New York City.

      Clearly this doesn't bother most people; it's a pretty safe bet they are more emotionally stable than I am, as most people are.

      But at the same time, I don't think I'd want to get to know anyone that *didn't* find this episode disturbing.

      If I wanted to watch brutality, there's plenty of other TV viewing options, or I could just go downtown.

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    114. @gingerale

      I think the episode would of ended even better if Rar/Pinks called him a monster one more time near the end (before FS began narrating her letter)and FS reminded them (NICELY THIS TIME) that he is a minotaur...not a monster ;p

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    115. BTW that old pony without a cutie mark (the one in the first pic of Seth's post) has a canon name now

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    116. I love how people are angry at Rarity for using good looks to "manipulate" the nerd, yet none of them lay blame on him for falling for it. Really, people?

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    117. I'm consistently surprised that so many fans see Rarity using charm as some kind of horrible sin. Context is never considered, either. In this case, she sweet talked the guy who cut in front of Fluttershy into doing the right thing... That's not egregious behavior in my book. The guy wandered off with an ego boost, Fluttershy got the asparagus that she was in line for, and at no point did Rarity do anything bitchy or take unfair advantage of the guy for her own gain. As I pointed out yesterday, Pinkie confused a vendor into unintentionally selling for half of her listed price, likely leaving her feeling like a chump, and still far more anger was focused on Rarity for daring to use flattery to achieve a non-violent resolution with good feelings on both sides.

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    118. Geek pony is named Pencil Neck.
      IT HAS BEEN WRIT!

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    119. I think pinkie pie jumped up to first place in my "best poni" list this episode xD

      loved the scene where she was haggling with iron will :D

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    120. @Harwick

      AND she paid him back. I postulate struck nerves.

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    121. @Yellow 13
      @FreezingShock
      *Ahem*, my POINT here is that it's cartoony and not really meant to be taken seriously. ;) But yeah, I guess Read it and Weep wasn't the best example to use...I'd forgotten about the part where her wing cramps up. They wouldn't have even needed to do that, but that was a very nice touch and made it more believable.

      As for Fluttershy, well...as I said, that particular part was just plain out hilarious, whether it made sense or not. :D

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    122. @monocrowm
      "Brutality" might be a bit of a hash judgment. Sure this episode showed some of Ponyvilles less pleasant realities, but it's still a fair bit cheerier and optimistic all around than most of the dredge on TV.

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    123. One little piece I really liked was the fact Iron Will (Minotaur) was holding his show in the center of the hedgerow maze.

      I guess all Minotaurs prefer to be in the center of labyriths.

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    124. @Harwick
      I think it's because some people like to have any reason to justify their dislike of Rarity, I agree that I find it odd that Rarity is called a 'slut' or 'manipulative' yet Pinkie Pie gets a free pass for her behavior

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    125. Great insight in Scott_Lochmoeller's post! This episode reminded me of the book "The Long Secret", which focused on a very shy, mousy girl who was taught from an early age to be "nice" and "ladylike" at all times.

      “You’re very timid, aren’t you?”

      “What?” Beth Ellen was caught completely unaware.

      Her grandmother looked away. “I suppose you’re timid because you’ve had to grow up here with an old lady. You haven’t had any real life. But there’s something I want to tell you about timidity, about shyness.”

      Beth Ellen searched her grandmother’s face to see if she were angry, but the face looked impassive. I’m going to be told I’m bad, she thought.

      “Shy people are angry people,” said Mrs. Hansen and snapped her head around to see Beth Ellen’s reaction.

      I am not a lady, thought Beth Ellen. It’s coming now. She’s going to say I am not a lady.

      “You know,” said her grandmother, smiling, “it’s important to be a lady, but not if you lose everything else, not if you lose yourself in the process.”

      Beth Ellen felt her mouth drop open.

      “There are times when we must express what we feel even if it is anger. If you can feel it and not express it … it might be better, but you must try to know what you feel. If we don’t know what we feel, we get into trouble.” She looked hard at Beth Ellen. “You’re a very angry little girl. I have no idea what you’ve been doing about it because you’ve never shown any of it before yesterday, to my knowledge.”


      Fluttershy is a nice pony. She is a kind pony. But she's also an angry pony. Others trample all over her all the time or are condescending towards her, and in her heart KNOWS that's not fair, but she feels helpless to change it. So she goes along with it, or puts herself down. ("Maybe it's my fault . . .")

      All that pressure was building up and building up, and Iron Will's seminar uncorked it.

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    126. Fluttershy into bondage is now canon.

      Ditzy "Derpy" Doo muffin monger now canon.

      Those two ponies straight out of the eighties is referencing JEM. Truly, truly, truly, outragous.

      Yay for Pipsqueak <3

      Fluttershy not appearing in many of the episodes and reason thereof now canon. She holed herself in her house for several months.

      Bon-Bon laughing at everything now canon.

      Bon-Bon possible break-up with Lyra possibly canon. She's seen with this OTHER pony (Probably named Daisy).

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    127. I just lost it at the wabbit season reference! This is why I love this show so much!

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    128. So in a world without humans, a minotaur would be half-bull half-?.
      Unless humans do exist somewhere far away, or are extinct.
      Eh, this is probably the most over analyzing I have ever done towards this show, lol.

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    129. This episode illustrated more than any other episode this season the direction the series is going, and it's not good. The absence of Ms. Faust on the MLP:FIM staff becomes more and more apparent with each episode.

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    130. Though I have to ask one thing. What is Rarity doing in Sugarcube Corner?

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    131. @Coltrick Whiteheart OMG That's what Iron Will's voice reminded me of! I can't believe i didn't catch the Hercule voice before! (or Mr. Satan if you prefer)

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    132. The goats are smart! Everypony knows that pinkie pie's mane is cotton candy..

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    133. Lol. I totally loved watching pinkie pie Bugs Bunny the salespony.

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    134. He might be the antagonist, but I found Iron Will to be a pretty reasonable guy.

      ...Or at least that's how I saw him next to "Flutterbitch". Anypony can seem reasonable next to her.

      But yeah, Iron Will's just your average personal-improvement instructor whom had a student that took his lessons too far.
      He didn't make too big of a problem out of Fluttershy not being 'completely satisfied' with his lessons and not paying. He just accepted it and went grocery shopping.

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    135. The bitch ponies are a reference to the G2 ponies only bitchy and that's not a Mr T reference... Its HERCULE!! Never watched Dragon Ball before Seth? Its even the same voice actor!! All we needed was and afro!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEhlvzF5R7g

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    136. Also, Pencil Neck's cutie mark is a robot, but it's not Rosie.

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    137. Anyone else notice that the tourist pony doesn't have a cutie mark?

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    138. @Unknown

      Yes, that's how I see FS character. She suffers frustration and anger just like anyone else, but always keeps it inside, only letting it out in extreme situations like dragon encounter. In best night ever she had a catharsis of sorts, venting pent-up feelings at once.

      In this vein of thought, you could say Iron Will's training flipped a switch and FS simply stopped suppressing her frustration and started telling off ponies on the spot.

      Also, her verbal beatdown kinda underlines her extremely introverted personality.

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    139. Just throwing this out there, those socks are possible for a pony to wear.

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    140. @D. Shadows
      *Head Explodes*

      But that just cannot be it's clearly obvious that those socks are evidence of some sort of human Illuminati group who secretly run Equestria

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    141. Iron Will was actually a fairly sympathetic character, even at the end when he became something of a JerkAss - Fluttershy DID take his advice to heart and it DID make her more assertive. She just took it a step too far, and that was hardly HIS fault.

      I'd have had her pay him part of his fee. He deserved SOMETHING. But sadly, it would've diluted the Aesop, so it had to go away empty handed. That you felt kinda sorry for him at that point, meant he was a well written character. :-)

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    142. I should also like to note that lyra and bon-bon can be seen sharing that drink with the same straw.

      indirect kissing in MY MLP? it's more likely than you think.

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    143. While I was interested in hearing about that music from the puddle scene, I was surprised you didn't mention the much more obvious and well known "eye of the tiger" variant.

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    144. This would be my favorite episode even without all the BG pony stuff.
      Lyra x Bonbon is more or less canon now, in my eyes - yay

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    145. Lets not give Iron Will too much credit... He wasn't evil, but he did teach Fluttershy to be a bitch rather than truly assertive. I don't think she was taking his advice too far... I think she was pretty much following it to the letter. At least, that's what it looked like from his forcing her to knock down the goat onstage.

      She had reason to be dissatisfied... I think he was mostly shocked to meet someone who wasn't happier being a bully than a doormat at the end.
      So he wasnt evil or really bad, but he was still kind of a jerk.

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    146. I think the two "referenced" ponies are meant to be valley girls.

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    147. @Dark Griffon
      Well he did give "100% satisfaction or it's free" guarantee. Which means that even if she where 99% satisfied, she would still owe him nothing :-)

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    148. The goats have radio mikes, and huddle with Iron Will to discuss Fluttershy's billing; he speaks their language as well as Equestrian. I'm gonna call them intelligent. (I'm assuming Fluttershy was there for several hours we didn't see, learning all those rhymes with the others who joined the seminar.)

      As for Lyra and Bon-Bon, they could still totally be roommates and platonic buddies. Who share the same straw.

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    149. I just watched it, and it was majorly GAY! Those references suck my dick! I can make a show with shit references also, Hasbro! DOES THAT MAKE ME COOL, HUH!!!? GAY!

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    150. You forgot to mention Pipsqueak in the same scene as lazy Lyra.

      Or how Iron Will sounds EXACTLY like Hercule from Dragon Ball Z!

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    151. Before this episode, I thought that the haters of Angel Bunny were overreacting, and that he usually had Fluttershy's best interests at heart (Ticket Master, A Bird in the Hoof), but now there's hard evidence of him being downright mean to his "owner". Shame on you, Angel.

      Then again, it seemed like everypony in this episode took at least a level or two in Jerkass, including Rarity and Pinkie (albeit not to the same levels as most everypony else). Kinda makes me wonder why Gilda was treated as such a big deal - sure, she was nasty, but not MUCH more than some of the other ponies. Ah, well. *shrug*

      Also, it seems that haggling is not only accepted in Equestria's economy, but it's almost expected. Fascinating.

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    152. While it points out things I haven't seen, I disagree with Iron Will being a antagonist, he's more of a salesman than a villan

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    153. The 80's looking ponies might be Earth girls are easy...?

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    154. I for one enjoyed seeing Ponyville as a more realistic place filled with characters that are sometimes assholes. That's life; people will try to manipulate you, scam you, put you down. But there's also a wonderful side; people who are noble and gentle and giving. Then there's just average folk who are just passing through and want to get from point A to B without harassing anybody. It fleshes out Equestria as a believable place when the writers do that, it makes the world feel more real.

      And it makes the everyday heroism of the Mane 6 all that more amazing.

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    155. i think the reason rarity called iron will a monster was because they believed that he was the reason fluttershy became so mean.

      also, rarity merely flattered the dumbass pony into selling his asparagus to her. Its not like she stole it

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    156. @MadDoctorD Hang out with Pinkie? Just because Pinkie and Rarity aren't as close as Pinkie and Dash or Rarity and Fluttershy doesn't mean they're not friends who hang around with eachother from time to time.

      @Jason Shadow Because she made Fluttershy cry, of course. I learned fairly early on in my "career" as a Brony that insulting Fluttershy is the quickest way to get hate mail: stating that she was my least favorite character on Youtube got me about 2 death threats within 24 hours.

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    157. The reason many sees Rarity's charm as despicable is because it seemingly comes as second nature to her. To charm is to offer something intangible and likely fake for something very true.

      While some may argue that charming does consist of a fair trade, I find the end result to be too unpredictable to compare it to what the charmer seeks. In the end, the asparagus was the only real element, the 'ego boost' that was given in exchange might as well be for naught when the person realizes he was tricked, or when he remembers why he wanted the asparagus in the first place.

      As for Pinkie Pie... well, that kind of trickery doesn't often work in real life, so it's harder to know for sure if it's justified or not. Both methods preys on a person's incompetence, so I suppose they're both despicable.

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    158. @FreezingShock

      Do you understand how massively gay you sound? You're defending cartoon ponies. You forgot the part where it's a show! Faggot, anyway, bye guys.

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    159. @Sothalic
      >In the end, the asparagus was the only real element, the 'ego boost' that was given in exchange might as well be for naught when the person realizes he was tricked

      Sigh, once again: SHE PAID HIM BACK 1(one) BIT.

      Your point would've had some credibility if Rarity charmed off that asparagus without paying anything.

      Also, charm is similar with eloquence and reasoning, only compelling people using emotional side instead of logical. So what, every orator "preys on incompetence" and should be shunned as despicable? Wat.

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    160. Loved the episode, but I'm thinking Rarity needs to learn a lesson about abusing the feelings of others. Rainbow's pride issues are a harmless quirk compared to Rarity's gold digging.

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    161. I can't believe I didn't see lazy Lyra in the back. She looks so funny. Great episode!

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    162. *sigh* References in most cartoons are references to older stuff. Saying that Iron Will is a reference to DBZ is like saying that all those old artists keep copying songs from Glee (I heard that once, and wanted to throttle someone).

      Hercule is a reference to Mr. T, Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage, all much older than that cartoon. And the wrestling references make much more sense.

      But I guess it's what you are familiar with. I like it that a lot of 80's and 90's references popped out in this episode, and well done.

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    163. I didn't see Pipsqueak either! I'm glad that Hasbro hasn't forgotten about him.

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    164. I'm conflicted.
      My friend, a non-brony, came on the internet, and as a running gag I described the episode in few sentences to her. it went like this:

      "On MLP today we discussed verbal abuse and domestic abuse via bunny!! I'm not sure this is a kid show... Eventually, Fluttershy was so saddened by her own rudeness, she boarded up her cottage and had Angel tie her to a chair. The End."

      Friend: "wow..."

      "lol, Not really the end. She eventually had to come out and tell a Minotaur that she wasn't 100% satisfied with his seminar. But the bondage was in there."

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    165. @Yellow 13 Well, that's why they call him a "monster": he looks like a perfectly normal talking bull that's been genetically spliced with one of those scary mythological furless creatures with opposable thumbs and no tail.

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    166. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    167. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    168. @IkkouSoryu

      Eh? What does the bit even have to do with it? You think it's justified because she didn't 'steal' it? There is a shortage, thus he won't be able to get another, that's just as bad.

      As for your actual argument, there's 'Charm' as being actually charismatic, and there's 'Charm' as a means to an end, there's a definitive nuance between both. You can be charming, there's nothing wrong with that... but to charm someone is to manipulate them, which is a moral grey area, I won't be going there.

      It all depends on your point of view, really. I grew around a straight-forward and honest family, so obviously I resonate poorly with that kind of behavior, while for others it's the only way they can get things done.

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    169. Time is MLP:FIM's worst enemy. Cartoons used to be roughly 27-28 minutes. Now they try and cram so many more commercials into a half-hour as possible and the episode ends up being about 21-22 minutes.

      Eh. Whatta ya gonna do.

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    170. All in all this episode had parts that made me laugh my pants off and parts that almost had me crying (literally). All in all one of my favorite episodes. I feel bad for the nerd pony but in the end rarity payed him the same amount as he payed so it wasn't horrible. And pinkie being pinkie and confusing people was lulzy.

      This was really a somewhat dark episode but I think that they played it well. Ponyville (and to some extent all of Equestria) isn't perfect and sometimes you do have to stand up for yourself. But standing up for yourself can be taken too far. All in all I'm really impressed with Studio B. They took some risks no one else would and they made a really emotional episode.

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    171. The level is hight on this episode. What a good way to start school tomorrow except seing this fabulous episode today. I'm not saying the other were worse no it's everytime fantastic. However love those ester eggs and this approach on each character, it's not something you will find on a common girly show :] !

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    172. @keneticpest

      Yup, Pipsqueak sighted.

      Pony continuity is now canon.

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    173. I think the Bugs Bunny reference would be more akin to "My Bunny Lies Over the Sea," where Bugs plays golf with a scotsman, wins, then ends up one-upping him with instruments attached to the bagpipes. That would ALSO link to Pinkie Pie's One-Pony Polka from that Parasprite episode.

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    174. @MudPuppy

      Dash had a sprained wing there.


      @62835fdc-3fb1-11e1-9fc6-000bcdcb2996

      She was being assertive with ponies being inconsiderate to her, but they were NOT in HER way because she can FLY.

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    175. Sethisto, Y U NO put Pipsqueak's name? I mean, you did got the shot of Pipsqueak but still XD

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    176. I was really hoping Angel would get his ass handed to him. Actually, I guess I would have preferred that he be the brunt of her insults instead of Rarity and Pinkie Pie, since he actually deserves it.

      Also, the "lessons" being taught by Rarity and Pinkie Pie were kind of messed up--"it's okay to rip off venders if they're jerks and/or you think they charge too much", basically.

      Still liked the episode, tho--the comedy worked, and in the end, that's most of what I care about.

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    177. Hey guise, what kind of death should Angel suffer?

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    178. Asparagus sells for 1 bit a bundle. Cherries can sell for 2 bits easily EACH, plus drive ponies to spend from five to ten times that much.

      Just how rich is Cherries Jubilee from 'The Last Roundup'?

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    179. I think the animators had a blast with faces in this episodes. Fluttershy went through a whole spectrum of expressions, and Rarity was both hilarious and heartbreaking when she was being bullied.

      Good use of music, too. I like the New Fluttershy's theme, and the short tune right after the opening sequence is a favorite.

      Isn't the younger mailpony the same one who delivered Applejack's letter in the Last Roundup?

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    180. Yes! Finally socks now. Loved this episode but some ponies were really mean in this especially those lame 80's ones.

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    181. @Matt Sullivan
      I agree, I think this episode would have been even better if it had more time for the ending, which it felt really fast paced compared to the rest of the episode. This is one of the episodes in the series that would have benefitted from a longer time frame.
      I still really liked the episode though. The complaints I have been hearing is that this episode was too mean. Yes it kind of was but I don't think it is a bad thing. If you ever go to any sort of market place in other countrys people are really like that. Also I have to agree with you guys on Rarity, that scene did kind of send a bad message out. Angel is supposed to be a dick, he has always been that way.
      I really liked how this episode just had Pinkie, Rarity, and Fluttershy and established that Pinkie Pie and Rarity are good friends. I also liked how this episode felt slightly darker than the others. I would not mind seeing Iron Will again.
      Putting your Hoof Down gets a 4/5 for me.

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    182. Nobody noticed that the tourist, it is Tom Selleck in Magnum PI?

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    183. "Bonbon's saddle bag definitely has Lyra's cutie mark on it. "

      I dunno. That looks kinda like a regular buckle to me. The muffin buckle however....

      "We were introduced to goats for the first time this episode. I'm honestly having a hard time determining their intelligence level, but it's not lookin good..."

      To be fair, Pinkie's tail totally looks like coton candy and goats seem to eat just about anything. They were likely playing off the Pinkie's hair = coton candy joke :)

      Also, I'm in with the "Iron will isn't a villain" reasoning. He provided a service, and played by all the rules. He could cut out a few of his mantra's though and I think it'd be a fine business.

      Pretty solid episode, not my favorite but still a top one :)

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