The Conclusion of "The Return of Harmony"

Well, here it is, the long-awaited conclusion to the Discord story arc.

When the episode began, I was just about to say "Wow, this totally redeems part one." I liked the craziness early on, and I especially liked that Discord's turning Pinkie had actually turned back on him for a bit. Toward the midpoint though, I kinda mellowed out.

The humor in this episode goes a little way towards making up for the episode's main flaw, which is that... it really didn't do anything unexpected, plot-wise. Sorry, fans: all your theories, predictions, and even your hope that Luna would have some part in the story, they were all for naught. All that happens is Discord mucks around a bit, turns Twilight who... stays turned for like five seconds before Spike's stomach problems turn her back around. Then Twilight goes around using an extended metaphor for rape to turn the rest of the ponies into good girls again (I'm sure getting to see Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash tied up—complete with struggling and grunting in Fluttershy's case—is going to inspire so many clopfics). Once everypony has lost their virginity they confront Discord and turn him into a statue again.

Keep in mind I may have re-interpreted a few things to make it sound better than it was. "Spike's stomach problems" may, for example, have been "Celestia saves the day by proxy" and "extended rape metaphor" may have been "Twilight Sparkle just conveniently and inexplicably happens to know a spell that undoes Discord's mind control." Yeah, that's right—the whole effing time she could've just tapped them and they'd be normal again. But then we wouldn't have gotten Flutterbondage.

It gets me to think, though, that I may have overestimated Discord's power level though—between the two parts, he really doesn't come off as all that powerful or effective. So perhaps Nightmare Moon is on a higher tier than Discord, which absolves one of my complaints about him.

The episode ends with an extended Star Wars reference, including even transitioning to the credits the same way those movies do. I suppose that counts for... something, but to be honest I tend to see homages as a sign that a show is losing its own identity and hope this doesn't become a regular thing. The credits seemed to have new ending music this time, but of course since that was interrupted by Hub commercials I couldn't freaking hear it.

So anyway, with this episode "The Return of Harmony" went from being a turkey to being... mildly enjoyable. Pretty much all the good parts are in part 2 though. And Discord is still a lame villain, even moreso now since the story paints him as being basically ineffective, dangerous only in the sense that he's annoying to pick up after. Which I guess is really all the villain this show needs, but it just highlights what I've been saying: MLP doesn't need villains!

So let's sweep this whole thing under the rug and go back to having hijinks in Equestria. Can I get a "yay?"

and she couldn't have just tapped them on the head at any time.