My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic - Scare Master Talkback [10/31]

[zoombie]

It is that time of year again, Nightmare night, in this scary spooky episode.

Fluttershy faces her fears when she joins her pals for Nightmare Night.

Discuss

 

[TnAdct1]

NOTE: the main part of the review was written on September 21st after the writer, knowing full well that he'd be missing the Discovery Family airing of the episode due to Anime USA, opted to take advantage of the episode's "leak" and watch a stream of it on that date(with the additional comments section written later on to reflect the stuff that happened during the forty days between the leak and the actual air date).

As someone whose favorite member of the Mane Six is Fluttershy, I am going to brutally honest here: Scare Master is one of her weakest episodes IMO, and I feel the big issue with the episode is the way she is handled here.

The first problem is the way she is written during the first half of the episode. I understand that Fluttershy is nervous on Nightmare Night due to it being a day where ponies intentionally try to scare each other. However, at the same time, one thing that I'm very concerned about in terms of this season is that, as part of my belief that the different types of audiences are conflicting with each other (with the writers trying to appeal to each of them instead of writing something that would be liked by everyone), a number of characters are being reverted to their Season 1 selves for the sake of attracting a new generation of kid viewers. Not only does this happen to Fluttershy here, but also, the way she is written during the sequence at Sugarcube Corner "Flanderizes" her as a outright scaredy cat (to the point that she doesn't want to eat candy out of fear that it would cause her mouth to be glued shut). It also doesn't help that the writer of this episode has proven that she understands Fluttershy (as seen in It Ain't Easy Being Breezies and Make New Friends But Keep Discord) and would have known better than to go overboard with her nervousness.

While she does eventually try to have fun on Nightmare Night (and eventually spook her friends), this leads to the other issue with the episode: the resolution and moral. On one side, it does feel like its retreading elements from Filli Vanilli and Maud Pie. At the same time, whereas she does show a slow bit of growth in Filli Vanilli, here, it feels as if Fluttershy either doesn't get any growth at all or simply reverts back to her current self after spending most of the episode as her "Season 1" self. This makes me wonder if the writers are having a hard time trying to write for her (with them relying too much on her "shy" side and not taking full advantage of the "quick reaction" jokes that she tends to excel at).

All in all, this isn't the type of episode that I need to worry about missing just because I'm busy attending a convention.

Additional Notes:

-Either the animators realized ahead of time the possibility of this episode being held back until Halloween (i.e. after Crusaders of the Lost Mark aired) or they had a lot of luck with them, because the idea of the Cutie Mark Crusaders wearing full body Nightmare Night outfits helps the episode get over the biggest issue with the episode airing out of production order: the CMC finally getting their Cutie Marks a few weeks ago.

-The pony dressed up as Jem is a way better version of her than the crap that Jason Blum gave us this past week.

-Nice to see that someone on the animation staff is a fan of, among other anime titles, Revolutionary Girl Utena. Also, as I mentioned on the thread talking about this week's episode of Gravity Falls, it's interesting to see all these American cartoons having anime/Japanese references this week (the "anime" cut-outs here; the Godzilla parody on The Simpsons; the "anime bubble" on Gravity Falls; the "Tweek x Craig" shounen ai fan art on South Park).

-Forget Luna. Derpy is the best princess.

To round out the review, here's some fan art I saw last night that depicts the Mane Six as various "new classics" horror movie icons.

 

[zoombie]

NOTE: the main part of the review was written on September 21st after the writer, knowing full well that he'd be missing the Discovery Family airing of the episode due to Anime USA, opted to take advantage of the episode's "leak" and watch a stream of it on that date(with the additional comments section written later on to reflect the stuff that happened during the forty days between the leak and the actual air date).

As someone whose favorite member of the Mane Six is Fluttershy, I am going to brutally honest here: Scare Master is one of her weakest episodes IMO, and I feel the big issue with the episode is the way she is handled here.

The first problem is the way she is written during the first half of the episode. I understand that Fluttershy is nervous on Nightmare Night due to it being a day where ponies intentionally try to scare each other. However, at the same time, one thing that I'm very concerned about in terms of this season is that, as part of my belief that the different types of audiences are conflicting with each other (with the writers trying to appeal to each of them instead of writing something that would be liked by everyone), a number of characters are being reverted to their Season 1 selves for the sake of attracting a new generation of kid viewers. Not only does this happen to Fluttershy here, but also, the way she is written during the sequence at Sugarcube Corner "Flanderizes" her as a outright scaredy cat (to the point that she doesn't want to eat candy out of fear that it would cause her mouth to be glued shut). It also doesn't help that the writer of this episode has proven that she understands Fluttershy (as seen in It Ain't Easy Being Breezies and Make New Friends But Keep Discord) and would have known better than to go overboard with her nervousness.

While she does eventually try to have fun on Nightmare Night (and eventually spook her friends), this leads to the other issue with the episode: the resolution and moral. On one side, it does feel like its retreading elements from Filli Vanilli and Maud Pie. At the same time, whereas she does show a slow bit of growth in Filli Vanilli, here, it feels as if Fluttershy either doesn't get any growth at all or simply reverts back to her current self after spending most of the episode as her "Season 1" self. This makes me wonder if the writers are having a hard time trying to write for her (with them relying too much on her "shy" side and not taking full advantage of the "quick reaction" jokes that she tends to excel at).

All in all, this isn't the type of episode that I need to worry about missing just because I'm busy attending a convention.

Additional Notes:

-Either the animators realized ahead of time the possibility of this episode being held back until Halloween (i.e. after Crusaders of the Lost Mark aired) or they had a lot of luck with them, because the idea of the Cutie Mark Crusaders wearing full body Nightmare Night outfits helps the episode get over the biggest issue with the episode airing out of production order: the CMC finally getting their Cutie Marks a few weeks ago.

-The pony dressed up as Jem is a way better version of her than the crap that Jason Blum gave us this past week.

-Nice to see that someone on the animation staff is a fan of, among other anime titles, Revolutionary Girl Utena. Also, as I mentioned on the thread talking about this week's episode of Gravity Falls, it's interesting to see all these American cartoons having anime/Japanese references this week (the "anime" cut-outs here; the Godzilla parody on The Simpsons; the "anime bubble" on Gravity Falls; the "Tweek x Craig" shounen ai fan art on South Park).

To round out the review, here's some fan art I saw last night that depicts the Mane Six as various "new classics" horror movie icons.

Spoiler tags please.

 

[TnAdct1]

Spoiler tags please.

While I kinda feel it's unnecessary, I'll comply and put most of my review in spoiler tags until the episode actually airs today (although I plan to remove thme once it does air).

 

[zoombie]

While I kinda feel it's unnecessary, I'll comply and put most of my review in spoiler tags until the episode actually airs today (although I plan to remove thme once it does air).

Still rules are rules I don't make them, this is above me, I already saw the episode myself. I will post my review as soon as it airs, I already posted my review in another message board, though I might add some stuff. Anyway once it airs, you can take off the spoiler tag.

It is my fault, I should have told you from the start any spoiler stuff post in the episode until it airs.

 

[zoombie]

This episode was awesome. I loved all the costumes, the references to the past, vampire fruit bat as one of the possible costumes. I loved Spike's un finished costume. Here is one thing to notice, Scootaloo is dressed as a Shadowbolt, which is the same costume Rainbow Dash wore in the last Nightmare Night episode, so is in character for Scootaloo to be a follower and follow Rainbow Dash's lead. Ha ha ha. I over Pinkie Pie foxy brown costume, Twilight as a night, a princess as a night, Rainbow Dash an astronaut does space even in this world, and Applejack as the cowardly lion?

Dam those Cutie Mark Crusaders, those delinquents, they ought to be in jail, toilet papering the trees.

I loved how Fluttershy attempted haunted house, a mask less masker - aid ball, and the tea party was scary, no sugar, Nooooo.

Leave it to Angel to help Fluttershy scare the others, he has a dark side, I told he is evil.

But yeah Fluttershy was a party pooper, but she knew it, she is trying her best. Fluttershy deciding to take baby steps, it was like the "Filli Vinilli" episode. I liked the message that friends don't have to do everything together.

Is just me or was there a Jem pony, I guess returning the favor from the IDW comics.

A great episode, only complaint, could have used a little Luna, I mean just for a cameo.

 

[the_joker]

I liked this episode, but parts of it definitely felt off such as Rainbow Dash being too loud and direct with her intolerance, Granny Smith being oblivious about scaring Fluttershy, and Fluttershy exaggerating potential problems. Princess Luna (and/or Celestia) or Discord's appearance probably would've been welcomed, too.

I wonder who gets more credit between Angel and Fluttershy for scaring the rest of the Mane 6. Then again, they probably came up with those concepts together.

Also, what's Pinkie Pie's costume supposed to be?

 

[Kazuya Prower]

Happy Nightmare Night/Halloween! It was a good move of Discovery Family to move the episode to Halloween. Finally, Fluttershy gets her first episode this season. She has had the least focus out of the Mane Six this season ("Make New Friends But Keep Discord" was more of a Discord episode). The costumes were great. I wonder if Applejack will dress up as the Tinman next Nightmare Night episode considering she dressed up as a scarecrow in "Luna Eclipsed" and a lion in this one. I didn't like that Rainbow Dash was being a insensitive jerk here. Who knew that Fluttershy was a good artist? Fluttershy's first attempt at scaring the rest of the mane six was hilarious as well as the realistic horse mask Granny Smith was wearing.

 

[Neo Ultra Mike]

Like I've said before seemed like the first half of season 5 had an over focus on only half of the Mane 6 with the other half kind of only getting moments here and there. Heck the only focus we've even had on Fluttershy really was in "The Cutie Map" as the one agreed the most with Starlight Glimmer's whole "everyone should be equal" plan that wound up tipping the favors. That was at the start of the season though and since then we haven't seen much of her (yeah there was "Make New Friends But Keep Discord" but that to me was much more a Discord episode of him just pining after Fluttershy and not really the same thing as a focus on her) until now which is actually a follow up on one of the subplots of "Luna Eclipsed." You know that Fluttershy totally hates Nightmare Night and wants nothing to do with it and everyone knows that as she usually sequesters herself away. Which to be honest I... kind of relate to. I mean I loved Halloween as a kid and I still think it's a really nifty holiday and I did always go out and at least trick or treat and the like but... I'm not really a fan of horror whatsoever. Not really of horror houses, horror shows, horror movies or the like. And honestly I don't really enjoy being scared or freaked out whatsoever. Not that I will go to the lengths of avoiding it but... there's a reason why despite wanting to see a lot more movies in general I still don't go out to view horror films. So I actually really appreciated the whole sort of nod we've gotten to this already with the idea everyone knows Fluttershy isn't the type who enjoys that and are fine with it, but her (well more like Angel being the instigator. I know some people dislike Angel and I have to admit if I didn't find some of his jerkish actions amusing even not having any carrots and what not I probably would be in the same boat) actually being out and wanting to try it but still letting the fear constantly get to her, and admitting she isn't up to it. And even finding she can be good at scaring others and still not liking it because that's not the type of person she is and it's just not something she has in common with her friends. Which I honestly think is a good lesson and kind of a swerve we've gotten on the usual "Fluttershy needs to learn to be braver" shtick: this time just admitting that's not who she is and not just because she doesn't have the potential, but doesn't have the desire. And I like actually tying it back into "Filli Vanilli" and wanting to try and see it and this time it not just being a "I just need to ease into it slowly cause I do enjoy it" but a "yeah this just isn't my thing at all since even if I can do it I don't want to." Which I appreciate. Plus unlike the later episode you don't have someone unknowingly being a jerk and muddling the message in a not humorous way. I guess Rainbow Dash was being a bit of a jerk at times but that's just who she is and the others more called her out on it and you didn't have Pinkie Pie going into rants that didn't even lead into good punch lines IMHO.

And yeah the comedy of this one was also pretty solid: the animal friends all helping with the hiding spot, the look Big Mac gave Granny Smith when she was unknowing freaking Fluttershy (again it's the little twists that make those sort of thing good) Spike's two headed dragon costume, Rarity's over simple ghost story, that comment about how the mask doesn't give you full on vision (again something I symphatize with. It's annoying having to wear something that blocks your full view when you're so used to it), Fluttershy freaking out about bobbing for apples and candy bags, her attempts to frighten the group by inviting them to a party that will lead to them losing friends and not being good hosts (which actually is really funny as it's kind of a joke on some of the problems in the actual series but it's not the kind of "Halloween" scares you'd find. Plus love how all the guests were various anime related pony. Let's see Sailor Moon, Revoltuionary Girl Utena, Ranma 1/2, Dragonball... who was the fifth of that group? The one between the Utena and Sailor Moon pony? I don't recognize that one. *Looks it up* Oh that was Rei from Evangelion... huh don't know why I didn't know that as unlike Utena and Ranma 1/2 I've actually watched the original Evangelion. Maybe cause I hate Eva I blocked it from my mind... eh that's just going on a tangent now isn't it?), Angel being the scare master, Hairy's sea monster costume and the return of Flutter Bat.

So honestly a pretty solid episode though one I think where the message was again better then the actual comedy but I'm fine with that especially as it's not just hammering in the same joke. Yes we know Fluttershy's timid and shy and easily frightened but nice to have an episode just end with "well you know what? That's fine and she doesn't even need to step up at all cause that's not what she wants to do." Feels like most are saying she should but yeah sometimes even in life you don't for these sort of things so power to the show for recognizing that.

 

[Vraptor140]

Well, I've been waiting a while for this episode since the talk of the leak, but sadly it falls onto the usual feeling I get from Fluttershy episodes. As much credit I give them for the moral, which is one not told enough, the whole thing falls flat for me, even annoying at times.

Actually I think Dash voiced my thoughts pretty much spot on throughout the episode.

 

[Goldstar!]

I liked how even after Fluttershy experienced going out and being scary for Nightmare Night, she still didn't care for it and even though she's good at being scary, she just doesn't have a taste for it and will just continue doing her own thing from now on. I can relate. The spooky/scary thing was never really my cup of tea either. I only went Trick or Treating a couple of times before I lost interest and decided that I'd rather just buy a bunch of candy. I was a weird kid.

 

[Zanneck]

I liked how even after Fluttershy experienced going out and being scary for Nightmare Night, she still didn't care for it and even though she's good at being scary, she just doesn't have a taste for it and will just continue doing her own thing from now on. I can relate. The spooky/scary thing was never really my cup of tea either. I only went Trick or Treating a couple of times before I lost interest and decided that I'd rather just buy a bunch of candy. I was a weird kid.

I normally don't pay much attention to this show anymore, and yet I can still agree with this, only because I did see this just today... Not too bad at all, honestly, especially compared to the last time this show did something for Halloween (and looking back on it... It wasn't all that great the first time they did something like this, to be honest with myself.).

 

[trance2009]

Yeah, it was a good subversion of the whole "try it you'll like it" thing. You don't have to like everything.

Sent from my Verizon 4G LTE using Tapatalk

 

[zoombie]

Anyone notice you had Sailor Moon and Jem hanging out together, that is the crossover I always wanted to see, leave it to this show to give us that. Though Sailor Moon and some of her teammates did appear in an IDW Friends Forever16.