MLP FIM Issue 39 Reaction

MLP FIM #39

Okay, I didn't do a live reaction to the first half, so here's a quick synopsis:

Cheerilee's class is on a field trip to a mountain where a legendary bird is, the CMC, Snips, Snails, Diamond, and Silver are all separated from the group, get lost, get chased by a bear, Diamond was a bit of a jerk and her and Applebloom are currently clinging to the edge of a cliff. Snips and Snails prove to be surprisingly helpful and competent, despite still being their goofy selves.

With that out of the way:

When we last left our little ponies, Diamond and Applebloom were hanging for dear life off a cliff, Diamond hanging onto a limb or root and Applebloom from her tail. Is it just me or does that seem like it'd hurt REALLY bad?

The rest of the group are naturally trying their best to save them and SILVER SPOON is the one to figure out the best way by pointing out a tree limb long enough to do so. Scootaloo still can't fly up to reach it very well, but with a boost from Silver Spoon and the three unicorn's telekinesis, they manage to get the limb.

Also, Silver's expressions during this scene are really cute and funny.

And together, the group manages to pull them up, which takes a group effort. I get the feeling Silver is a bit out of shape, given she's an Earth Pony.

I like how Silver Spoon is genuinely worried about her friend here, it shows Diamond IS her friend and gives her a little bit of depth.

However, before the group can relax, a storm starts and they decide they'd best continue to higher ground (their plan from the previous issue).

Diamond's pessimistic, but this IS pre-character development Diamond, so yeah.

I do like the thing that gets them moving is Applebloom saying the cliff is probably going to get washed away and their reactions.

However, as they work their way up, Diamond realizes something: in this storm, they probably won't be able to see the others. Applebloom admits she doesn't know what else to do...and Diamond admits neither does she, but thankfully the storm breaks up. But they still can't see anyone and Snips and Snails begin to call for help...triggering a small avalanche...that comically makes Applebloom look like Gandalf the Great.

With nigh falling, the group decides to take refuge in a cave for the time being.

They decide to make a fire, which neither DT or Applebloom doesn't know how to make a fire...but surprisingly Snips and Snails DO.

I'm going to say this: of all the unicorns their age, Snips and Snails seem to have some legit magical talent despite their dimwitted nature. In the show, they were able to use magic before Sweetie Belle, despite being the same age, and while their telekinesis is about as strong, we've yet to see Sweetie use ANY spell beyond the default telekinesis and magic glow, even with Twilight's instruction, and these two were able to start a fire with ease. I'm wondering if those two could benefit from having a magic instructor.

Anyway, now that they have a fire going, they divide up their food...and of course Silver and Diamond are a bit snooty about it and insult Snips and Snails...resulting in Applebloom calling them out on it and asking WHY they act like they're better than everyone else. The two think they are, or that's what Diamond SAYS.

Applebloom replies then maybe they're 'too good' to share the cave with them, which makes them calm down a bit...and we get a bit of character that would become much more clear in Crusaders of the Lost Mark:

Diamond and Silver believe that's the case because they were TOLD it was (which is confirmed in Crusaders of the Lost Mark with Diamond's mother basically says just that). That they were TOLD they're better than others, so ACT like it's what's expected of them.

Sweetie and Applebloom reply by pointing out who THEIR big sisters are. And Scootaloo does the same with Rainbow...and they ask how they're expected to live up to THAT.

Silver and Diamond genuinely never thought about it that way before and Diamond says something interesting:

Diamond: Who knew ponies without tons of money had problems?

This benefits from the context given by Crusaders of the Lost Mark: Diamond's mother puts megatons of pressure on her due to her being rich. Did Diamond feel like Applebloom simply had a more carefree life than she did?

Remember Diamond's solo song in that episode: 'Would you believe I've always wished I was somepony else?' The implication Diamond sincerely believes others without her wealth have fewer problems than she does goes quite well with that.

Applebloom and Sweetie Belle don't have that context and take it how you'd expect.

Snips and Snails interject and point out THEIR feelings are hardly ever considered...they know the town sees them as dunces and it HURTS them. They don't know WHY others see them this way...Scootaloo points out the Ursa incident and they admit that wasn't the best idea.

In a brief moment of realization, the three groups laugh at the fact they actually have something in common: that others expect things of them and it isn't all sunshine and rainbows.

It doesn't last, as Silver and Diamond try to cover it...then everypony cowers together as a wolf howls.

I like this scene as it kinda makes the Crusaders going to help Diamond in Crusaders of the Lost Mark make more sense. They don't understand EVERYTHING, but they DO have foreknowledge that Diamond is always told she's better than others, and might have an idea she'd take losing to Pip that badly hard because of it.

Next morning, the group is sleeping together (except Diamond, who's keeping watch) and it's adorable. We've got a pile of foals sleeping, what would you expect?

Applebloom wakes up and talks to Diamond, who hasn't seen a sign of anypony else yet, and has doubts anyone WILL find them, something Applebloom tries to discourage.

And then Diamond sees something coming. Namely, the Turul Cheerilee brought them here to look for, which is FREAKING HUGE. It only flies down and caws before leaving...

And we find out the Turul HELPED the others find them and return them home.

Back home, the Crusaders admit maybe they've gotten to know Diamond a bit better...and then Diamond tries to take all the credit.

This IS pre-Crusaders of the Lost Mark, and while we don't see Spoiled Rich here (only Filthy, who hugs Diamond and she seems GENUINELY HAPPY TO SEE HIM), this IS before she's broke free of her conditioning, so I imagine trying to make herself look impressive is paramount on her mind.

Also, Cheerilee's reaction is fun.

And it's clear that the CMC have gotten SOME respect for Snips and Snails out of it.

I like this issue.

Some others have said this story doesn't have much to it, but I'd beg to differ. The true weight of this story is when taken in context with Crusaders of the Lost Mark.

Let's imagine this arc is canon to the show proper. Okay?

In the first issue, the Crusaders saw Diamond react sadly to being left alone, a circumstance repeated in Crusaders, and in THAT issue they react instantly and come to her aid.

In this issue, the Crusaders become aware of the fact Diamond Tiara's family EXPECTS her to be better and see herself as better than others. Diamond in Crusaders loses the class election by a landslide, loses her best friend, and basically hit rock bottom. The Crusaders know Diamond has a high opinion of herself, which would mean they know she's going to take that hard.

But most importantly, this issue has Diamond drop subtle hints about some things in Crusaders: if you read this issue before watching Crusaders, you'd think Diamond is just being a jerk, but if you looked back on it after, you'd realize Diamond's reaction to being left alone, her admitting she's always TOLD she's better, her giving a subtle indication she might secretly believe Applebloom and the Crusaders have a simpler, less complicated life than herself, and her saying things like she did in the first issue when she asks 'who cares about a crown', the context changes that completely.

The context changes a great deal about this issue...but the important factor is the Crusaders, if we take this as canon, knew these things going INTO Crusaders of the Lost Mark, but didn't know the context.

When they saw Diamond's home life and her mother, they saw the CONTEXT of all the things they learned about Diamond on this adventure, and I think with that in mind, that episode actually fairs better than if this arc didn't exist. I loved the episode and viewed it as good already, but this arc enhanced that for me.

And there's also the fact that Snips and Snails gave a big showing of 'don't judge a book by its cover', something the CMC have seen before, but is an important factor to their realization in Crusaders of the Lost Mark, both about Diamond and about their Cutie Marks: that you have to look deeper to realize who somepony really is.

All in all, this issue manages to do something it REALLY needed to do as a prequel: add to the episode it's predating and help give some character development to characters like Silver and Snips and Snails who needed it.

I liked this one, and while nowhere near the scope of Siege...I find this arc infinitely better than it was.