Don't Knock Fox Reviews: MLP: S503: Castle Sweet Castle Review

  

 

99. Season 5 Episode 3: Twilight's Content House 

    
    

    Radio Static 

     

    JAC
    

    Hello, Mutants. This is the first official broadcast of the MLP Review series that will get a name after I make one up. This is JAC and my co-host KIERAL, who is known as my co-host because I posted first in chat.

     

    KIERAL

    Hey guys! Yes it is me, KIERAL. So, we're picking up on MLP Season 5 Episode 3, pretty much the first non-2-parter.

    
    

    Basic Summary:

     

    JAC

    Anyway: So basic intro of this episode. This follows up after the mayhem caused by WWE wrestler Randy Orton burning down Twilight's home, known as Golden Oaks library, in a build-up to their match at Wrestlemania. 

     

    Twilight Sparkle is still recovering and now has a new castle in the middle of Ponyville. How this affects the economy is uncertain. So with an episode like this, there's a pretty clear structure. You know that the friends will try repairing the house, screw up, and try again.

     

    However, the importance of episodes like these is showing heart in how the characters behave. In a way, this is an adjustment not just for the characters, but also for the fans.

     

    

    
    

     Scrub that weasel butt.
    

     

    KIERAL

    I also wanna mention that the new place rose from the ground, never previously written about anywhere or known about by anyone. Its architect is unknown. (Quick note from JAC: Holy Barnacles, I just looked at the episode while going over the review, making sure this was accurate and Kiki didn't forget something, and yeah, the castle sprung from the ground). Maybe the tree from the last season designed it, which, if true, would have a lot of implications regarding plant intelligence. Frankly that's all pretty unsettling in and of itself, though the fact that it's all stone and crystal doesn't lend to coziness either. The episode starts with Twilight doing everything she can to avoid it.

     

    Review:
    

     

    JAC

     

    I think the Tree of Harmony made the castle, as most benevolent trees of life will if you give them enough water. Anyway, I'll start talking about the music here. The song is... quite interruptive. As soon as they transfer to the next scene you can hear the background music rev up, like a weird editing error. Quite literally they have one background song, then next, bam! The drums of war.
    

     

    "Let's all work together" is the first line and while cheesy... also makes Rainbow Dash sounds strained. However, everyone seems more on tune and melodious throughout the song, as they assemble stuff they like. Some of this makes sense - Pinkie Pie spreads cheerful balloons. However, Rainbow Dash brings in posters and trophies. Which seemed slightly oblivious, until I realized Noah has a Rainbow Dash poster as well.
    

     

     

    

    

    

    

    

    
    

    Good wrap-around animation.
    

    
    

    KIERAL

    Indeed. I think one of the things that bugged me about the start of the song was- while not unenthusiastic- just the last scene, Rainbow Dash seemed more occupied thinking about cider than really helping anyone. Not Rarity who suggested helping or Pinkie who could help kick the thing off with some cheer. That being said the song's definitely fun. Even though the decorations brought in tended to be kind of ridiculous- Fluttershy brought a bear and Applejack planted flowers on the floor. It's obviously gonna be a mess, though the shots throughout the song focus on each pony working with just one theme, so individually they don't look so bad-

     

    

    
       

    KIERAL

    - Until we get hit by the final result of their efforts.

     

     

    

    
    

    JAC

    So yeah, there's some interesting choices. Some I personally wouldn't want in my house. The girls tell each other they're doing great and fabulously while making passive-aggressive comments about how much their sense of design sucks.  "Wow Fluttershy, I love how you put a BEAR in the house." They realize they overdid everything and then decide they gotta bare everything once more. 

     

    Rarity is a bit less keen on taking her stuff out and they perform sub-ter-fuge to make sure Twilight stays away from the castle. Which is kinda weird. Why they can't just say "we're not done yet,"? My best guess might be that they edited the script midway through. I theorize the initial plan was that flipping the castle would be entirely secret, but the writers realized that wasn't necessary. Still, while editing out that plot line, they kept some lines in order. So that explains why no one just said, "Give us a minute Twilight."

    KIERAL

    Yeah. Twilight said, "I know you'll do a great job, because nopony knows me better then you" before she leaves. I think this makes them feel under pressure, but even so, I think Twilight would be able to understand that a grand redecorating might take more then one day to sort out. In either case, offering to cozy the place up was a really kind suggestion and one'd have to appreciate the effort, but instead they just use Spike to keep Twilight out and keep pushing themselves. 

     

    Anyways, since Rarity has such a hard time removing something, Rainbow Dash makes a choice for her, and they start fighting amongst themselves. Eventually they stop recognize their mistakes, and actually start considering what Twilight might want, which mostly involves books. And so, they start thinking of doing something more coordinated. 

     

    JAC

    
    

    We end up with a beautiful piece of architecture. A bunch of eldritch tentacles with gems that show Twilight Sparkle's memories.

    Twilight claims this is everything she wanted, however then she sees the dining room has some of Rarity's personal touches. Rainbow Dash says the library has daring do posters, and Applejack says she left rustic farm equipment in the kitchen which... is an interesting place for rustic farm equipment. Personally, I feel like this place would be better suited as like a hub zone in an MMORPG. I think Twilight could have kept the library.

    Honestly this may be weird but I don't really feel like I miss the library in general.

     

    KIERAL
    

    I can agree with that, it's shown and mentioned several times just how big the place is. There's even a room for the six ponies to sit in together. It feels as if letting others (or at least the main six) come through is a part of the design. Though, everyone treats it as just Twilight's place. It's a bit weird, but it's as the ponies choose to live I suppose.

     

    JAC

    Honestly, they have a content house.

    A house that a group of people buy simply for Youtube content.

     

    Tell me I'm wrong.

     

    KIERAL

    Indeed. As content creators, we can recognize a content house anywhere there is one.

     

    JAC

    Anyway, like I said, I don't really feel like I miss the library.

     

    While the library was nice, there's just something lacking, emotionally. Everybody moves and loses an old house at some point, this is a universal feeling. But I don't think they really tap into that. Not that they don't address the feeling, but they don't make this feel real. 

     

    Also I don't like how Rarity flutters her eyes at Spike and manipulates him with her raging sexuality. However, we do see Spike's feelings of the house acknowledged by Twilight, but a lot of this is more focused on the new house than the loss of the old house.

    
    

    The show could benefit from having two-parters in the middle of a season sometimes.

     

    KIERAL

    I always found the old library pretty cozy. It had all those warm colors and round and organic surfaces, the contrast from which was one of the things that made the new home seem particularly cold to me. I think missing it is very understandable, despite the sheer coolness of the new tree house. Though yes- ultimately the episode's mostly redecorating.

     

Star Ratings:

 

JAC

4/5 

 

This episode is meaningless in a way. After several months, most viewers had time for grieving, and even after only a couple weeks, I already accepted the loss of the treehouse. However, this is an episode really about community and togetherness. 

 

The new castle represents all of them, even if I think this is completely unnecessary. Everyone comes together for once, and even when they disagree, their disagreements aren't intense arguing like we get all the way back in the Ticket Master where they keep bribing Twilight. Nor in Lesson Zero where they ignore Twilight's feelings. Nor Castle Mane-ia where they enter a hall of cut off hooves... Wow, episode 3s of a season are really a traumatic experience. 

 

However, these are the first "normal" episodes of a season. An introducer of the new status quo. The colors are bright and enchanting, and there's plenty of new animation shown off, being a contrast with the duller two-parter. This was funny, and ultimately, the wacky hi-jinx and minor details are the only things truly taking away from this.

 

KIERAL


3/5 

The episode has some good moments- like the song and the accompanying montage- and a solid message: "The memories you make are what make someplace feel like home". It's very sprinkled with, the ponies acting straight up insane and tricking their friend and bringing bears in, which at times makes it frustrating since all those problems can be avoided by thinking straight.

Though ultimately it's a fun watch, at times heart warming, with nothing too egregious. Since this is the first review of season 5 I also want to add that the quality of the animation's has gone up a lot since the old days and is holding solid. It's really wonderful to see how much this show's evolved.

 

JAC

Yeah, you would have thought we'd have gotten the animation going down after all this time, lol.

 

Recommendations:


 

JAC

Castle Sweet Castle is more of a wistful episode, one that Sibling Noah themself liked as well. No high stakes, and instead focuses on the beginning of the new status quo of the season. This is more a gentle episode for easing one back into the minutia so common within the series. I, however, don't think this provides as much emotional closure as possible. The animation and art is great. Those who are fans of ensembles will also enjoy this.
 

KIERAL

Firstly it's one of the ones to hit if you're into the continuity/things-happening of the show. Secondly- it's overall a sweet-feeling episode. The way twilight's friends recognize her struggle and all come together to help is real kind of them and we get to remember all those good old times a bit. Nice if you wanna watch one that's fairly pleasant and also goofy.