Well, I was technically part of this place since a week or so ago. Around the time the clip of Discord was first shown. As soon as I'm done episode 2, I'll leave you guys to talk amongst yourselves.

Actually the episode format and tone reminds me of the first two season of Reboot. Largely stand alone episodes that don't need to be viewed in any particular order, many of them primarily comedic, while others are more adventurey. Often comedy and adventure are done simultaniously. Occasionaly there is a two-part episode.

Of course when the end of season 2 rolled around the show Season Fluidity changed and everything became one giant story arc. I don't think that will happen here though.

You know what I just realized?

Celestia had Twilight stay in Ponyville and write Friendship Reports. She uses these Friendship Reports to be the Spanner in the Works of Discord's scheme. After the villain voiced by a Star Trek actor is defeated, she celebrates by holding a ceremony that's a homage to Star Wars.

You can't out-troll the Troll-Goddesss.

Well here's a question: Which 2 parter was better: This one, or the one from season 1?

Speculation time.

The Elements of Harmony. Fires the fan-nicknamed "Orbital Friendship Cannon". Apparently doesn't work when everyone's grayed out and/or one of the team isn't present. Meaning that the elements are at the least keyed to the wielder's emotional state.

So what do they do? Are they a power source, or do they just amplify/focus whatever friendship-magic is already present in the wielders? (My guess would be the latter.)

They are ambient amplifiers that take all the facets of the Power of Heart (aka Friendship) and converts it into a purifying rainbow of I'm Seriously Gonna Make You My Friend.

I'd say that the wielders of the elements need to be Synchronized with them in order to access their power (like the Innocence from D. Gray-Man)

The elements actually produce all that power, it's just that most people can't unlock it

edited 24th Sep '11 10:30:54 AM by gingerninja666

Is everything under control? Or do i have to get pinkie pie up in here?

While I do think a few things could have been changed (At the very least, a short flashback for each pony. Like one scene from one of the episodes that had the most meaning for them), I definitely prefer this one over the first two-parter. Seeing them all back together and the Rainbow Dash chase scene was worth it.

Speaking of that chase scene, it's an excellent example of Fluttershy getting mad without going over-the-top Flutterrage.

1 thing we've learned from that chase scene:

Anger can give you enough strength to outperform professional athletes.

(x7)

They fire a giant rainbow.

edited 24th Sep '11 10:34:10 AM by tectonicRobot

Pinkie Pie already proved that in Party of One, when she was upset enough to actually create a pink streak while chasing Rainbow Dash.

edit: Oh noes Cereal @ Equestria Daily has fallen ill someone mail him some healing potions stat

edited 24th Sep '11 10:36:57 AM by AceOfScarabs

but pinkie's the exception to every rule. This is the first time it's happened to a relatively realistic character

Hm... Yeah, I still don't think making it a Magical Girl series would be a good idea if all they do is slap on the necklaces and crown and have their enemies taste the rainbow.

yeah tasting the rainbow would get old if used a third time.

edited 24th Sep '11 10:43:28 AM by FallenLegend

To be fair, Rainbow Dash had two ponies already tied to her at the time.

If the elements aren't overused, then I don't think it's that bad.

Next time they'll need to subvert it though. (let someone deflect the Elements or something, it would look so cool)

The next time, they'll have to find another way to use the Rainbow because you can't expect to solve EVERYTHING with the Fantastic Power of Deus ex Machina.

OH DAYUM! CELESTIA IS CORNERING THE INJURED LUNA! SHE WON'T LIVE TO TELL... Oh wait, she offers her friendship.

Okay then.

most of the time it's about getting the elements though. Even the villains are aware that the elements are a one hit kill of sorts

but come on: tell me the image of somepony pimpslapping away that rainbow wouldn't be the coolest thing ever

edited 24th Sep '11 10:50:49 AM by gingerninja666

And with that I finished the second episode. They're alright.

If they did went for the Magical Girl route, they should probably give them some additional powers as opposed to "taste the rainbow!" because I just see it as a girl version of Captain Planet with messages of friendship instead of the environment.

I am so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so sooooooooooo disappoint.

So much wasted potential.

So predictable.

The recovery method was lame. Perhaps it's because I've been watching Tiger & Bunny, which has had a very similar plot (protagnist had to fight all his friends who had been brainwashed by the enemy, in a huge I Know You Are Somewhere In There fight).

Anyway, yeah, Hype Backlash. I really hoped to see more of Luna.

And the reason the girls shine more in Slice of Life stories is because their personalities are interesting in such settings, and seeing them solve everyday problems and overcome their weaknesses is more interesting when there's not huge stakes that mandate they quit their usual vices and behave more reasonably.

Also, Discord's taste is just plain tacky and childish... but I like how is cotton candy chocolate clouds spoke directly to the heart of a child ("Aren't chaos and unruliness attractive? But they're just plain not sustainable).

edited 24th Sep '11 10:55:57 AM by JesusSaves

I like the adventuring episodes because we get to see more of Equestria. I enjoy seeing all the magic of it, and exploring how it works.

Plus I like the mythology stuff with Celestia and Luna, which would be non-existent if it were all Slice of Life.

I like seeing the mane cast overcome their own problems, but I like it when they actually achieve something big every once in a while

edited 24th Sep '11 11:00:38 AM by gingerninja666

My only major gripe is that Discord picked up a gigantic Idiot Ball in the last three minutes or so. Although what really bugs me about is that they could have explained it in a matter seconds by making it clear that Discorded didn't realize that Twilight had uncorrupted the other ponies. If they would have done that, his actions would have been way more understandable.

That aside, pretty much everything up to that point was perfectly fine as far as I'm concerned (Well, except for the lack of Rainbow Dash, but Twilight making Spike the new Rainbow Dash was funny enough that I don't care). Discord was trollish as ever, his plan came to fruition, and the way Twilight was redeemed by her own friendship reports worked perfectly with the character. The way the Elements failed the first time proved the point of Discord's plan. It's just that the end was a bit of an anti-climax because he knew that the ponies were uncorrupted and therefore the elements were going to work. If they had fooled him into thinking they were still corrupt, I wouldn't have any qualms about the ending.

Anyway, I'll probably write up another overly detailed review today to tomorrow. I'll post it when it's finished.