Welcome once again fillies and gentlecolts to another edition of the My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Recap/Review. The holiday season has come once again. And everypony is in a festive mood. Especially the denizens of Equestria, who celebrated their own festivities in the most recent episode. Ever wonder how Equestria was made? Surprisingly it had nothing to do with Pinkie Pie’s cutie mark. But it’s still an interesting story nonetheless. So let’s find out as we see just what brought forth the birth of “Hearth’s Warming Eve”.
Our episode opens with a fun cold open of the mane 6 heading to Canterlot by train. The six are excited about the upcoming Hearth’s Warming Eve play, as well as it being the holiday. They play a game of I spy, and point out stuff like giant candy canes, and snow ponies. Pinkie even sees a gingerbread house, which she proceeds to eat.
After the theme song, we get to the actual plot of the episode, which has our protagonists as the stars of Canterlot’s annual production about the founding of Equestria. All of them are excited to be participating, except for Fluttershy, who of course has stage fright. Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack bicker over the window being open, but before they can settle this dispute, it’s show time.
Spike plays our narrator who tells us of the time before the peaceful reign of Princess Celestia. A time where ponies knew not of equality, and only of hatred. There were three pony tribes. The pegasi, the unicorns, and the earth ponies. The earth ponies served as harvesters of the food. They could give food to the pegasi for their control of the weather, and to the unicorns for control of day and night. All this went well, until a mysterious blizzard would overtake the land.
With the storm causing a lack of warmth and food, the three tribes send their leaders to try and make peace. The three leaders being Commander Hurricane (Played by Rainbow Dash), Princess Platinum (Played by Rarity), and Chancellor Pudding Head (Played by Pinkie Pie). However, the three hotheaded leaders just squabble at one another, blaming each for the blizzard. They leave the meeting accomplishing nothing, and possibly making the storm worse.
They return to their respective lackeys. Private Pansy (Fluttershy), Smart Cookie (Applejack), and Clover the Clever (Twilight Sparkle), and complain. That is, until all three come up with the idea to go and discover a new land, away from the other tribes. The three arrogantly set off, and each eventually make it to the exact same place. Commander Hurricane proclaims it Pegasopolis. Princess Platinum calls it Unicornia. And of course the great Chancellor Pudding Head calls it Earth. The three once again are unable to cooperate with one another, despite the attempts of the lackeys to stop the argument. While this all happens, the blizzard happens yet again, causing the six of them to stay in a cave for shelter.
However despite being cooped up together, the three rulers still can’t manage to get along. They each argue over who deserves the most space in the cave. This causes the storm to enter the cave, freezing everything in sight, including the three leaders. The storm is caused by creatures known as windigoes. Wind horses that freeze all hatred. However, the only thing that isn’t presenting any hatred are the three lackeys. And before they themselves see demise…
MAGIGASM!
Clover the Clever suddenly creates a fiery heart that manages to repel the windigoes. The heart keeps the three lackeys warm, and their friendship keeps it growing strong. So strong that it eventually thaws out the three leaders, and ends the blizzard. Everypony manages to get along and become friends. The three decide to share their new land, and christen it Equestria. The play comes to an end as our players take a bow, and end a song which I believe is the Equestrian anthem. The show ends with the ponies still arguing over the open window, until eventually coming to their senses and getting along.
And that’s how Equestria was made. But did this story make for a good episode. It’s Pros and Cons time!
PRO
Who would have ever imagined that a show like My Little Pony would actually have some detailed history? Especially one filled with touchy subjects like racism and class warfare? I love seeing how this world functions, and especially getting a history lesson is what gives me absolute pleasure. Hopefully this isn’t the last look into Equestria’s past that we’ll see in the show.
I like that they used a play to convey the story, instead of just having a history episode with the mane six randomly inserted into the role. Making it a play works far better, and made for some enjoyable moments. Especially a scene where Spike takes his narration a bit too far.
I love seeing holidays and events in the show, and how they work. And while I’ll get into some issues I had with this in this episode, I still love seeing how things run in this land.
Another thing I love about this show is the great bestiary they continue to have. And the windigoes made for interesting creatures. It’s been a while since we’ve seen new beasts in the show. Hell, since Discord at least. So hopefully this is a sign of things to come.
The song, while short, was still great as always. It really feels like a believable anthem of the land.
This episode was filled with great quotes and quips. Especially perhaps one of my favorite Pinkie pie lines in that the world is round. There is no up or down.
Speaking of Pinkie, this was classic Pinkie Pie at her best. Just being the silly, random pony that she was sorely lacking in throughout most of the second season so far. It’s great to see her being the wacky pony that we all love again.
CON
The episode does feel a bit too short, and really feels rushed by the end. This episode definitely feels like it would’ve been able to benefit better as an hour long special, or even something direct to DVD.
While I love that we got to see another holiday in Equestria, I’m a bit saddened that we never got to see enough of it. Other than the founding, we never really got to see how Hearth’s Warming works as a holiday. But by the look of things, it just ends up as Pony Christmas, which is kind of disappointing.
Hearth’s Warming Eve is another good episode. Good, but not great. It could’ve felt more like a holiday episode, and definitely could’ve benefited from being longer. But those issues aside, it’s still another solid addition to what has become an amazing season.
RATING: 6.5 out of 10.
And with that, the 2011 My Little Pony year has come to a close. We’ll see you in the new year with another episode. When Apple Bloom has to bring Granny Smith to “Family Appreciation Day”, the young filly worries about being embarrassed. Is embarrassment imminent? Or will Apple Bloom learn some things she didn’t about her grandmare? We’ll find out on January 7th.
Until then, have a happy and safe holiday season. See you next year Bronies and Pegasisters.