Fillies, gentlecolts, and foals of all ages, welcome once again to another edition of the My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic recap/review. Season 3 has been eventful to say the least. From reformed magicians, to an entire empire rescued. There’s nothing it seems they can’t do. But can they actually manage to reform an old chaotic villain? Find out as we “Keep Calm and Flutter On”
Discord is totally stoned
We open the episode with Twilight, Rarity, Spike, Pinkie, and Rainbow Dash awaiting the arrival of Princess Celestia, who wants to see the mane six. However, the one thing they weren’t expecting was who Princess Celestia was bringing along with her. Discord, the spirit of chaos and disharmony, still encased in stone.
The reason Celestia has brought him with her is that she believes, if turned good, that Discord can be helpful in ensuring the peace and harmony of Equestria. Because, you know, spirit of chaos and all, that makes sense.
Applejack and Fluttershy join the group not long after, and we learn that Celestia believes that Fluttershy can be the pony that can finally turn Discord around. Despite the mane six still not liking this idea, they use the elements of harmony and free their former foe.
The ever-chaotic Discord is freed.
Discord is awakened from his stone nap, and does what he does best, begin to spreak havoc on the creatures of Ponyville. However, with the ponies using the elements, and threatening to return him to his prison, he mends his ways (not before turning some beavers evil).
With Fluttershy being the one who has to turn him good, he shacks up at her place, and causes anarchy. However, Fluttershy tries her best to be nice to him, and not resorting to just going after him. He feigns being good, but as you’d expect, it’s all a ruse. He even eats a reform spell to ensure it can’t be used against him.
But despite the qualms of the mane six, Fluttershy is determined to prove that he’s changed, and invites her friends to dinner at her cottage. And things continue to go awry, with the ponies still not satisfied with the results. However, Fluttershy still believes that she’s made a friend in Discord. When Discord discovers that Fluttershy considers him a friend, you begin to see the slow change of heart.
That's what happens when you won't be our guest.
But the dinner is cut short when it’s revealed that the beavers Discord possessed earlier have flooded Sweet Apple Acres. Fluttershy tries to get Discord to fix the mess he’s made, but he’ll only do it if she promises not to use her element of harmony against him. She agrees.
But he once again messes with her, and instead turns the flooded water into a frozen pond. He invites Fluttershy to ice skate, but she refuses, and says that he isn’t her friend. This actually gets to the old chaos lord, who finally gives in and turns things to normal.
And so the episode ends with the once evil Discord mending his ways, and promising to help out Celestia, as he’s learned a valuable lesson. That Friendship is magic.
Well, this chaotic return was an interesting one. But what worked and what didn’t? It’s time to dig through the pros and cons.
PRO
Discord is once again awesome. John De Lancie returns to voice his beloved character, and hasn’t missed a step. He’s still silly, sly, insane, and just plain awesome. And while I’ll get to my feelings on the reforming shortly, I will say that it’s good to see that we should be seeing more of him in the future.
Fluttershy was also great in this episode. Though I do find it odd that the pony who’s afraid of dragons and even at one point Princess Luna was so calm and collected around the likes of Discord. But it still works as she plays perfectly well as a foil for Discord’s chaos. I mean she can make a being that literally turned Ponyville upside down feel guilty for his actions. That is pretty amazing.
Angel Bunny got abused a lot in this episode and all I can say is it was a long time coming. One of the easiest characters to hate finally getting a little comeuppance feels awesome in my book.
CON
While they did handle it better than Trixie’s turn, I wasn’t all that fond of the turn for Discord either. Again going to my issue of the show lacking major recurring villains other than Diamond Tiara at this point. So far we’ve had three villains changed to good, one completely killed off, and another demoted to the comic book. I just want to see a major foil to the six remain a foil. And Discord turning good (or at least as good as he can be) is a massive blow. But as always, I await what they have in store.
I also feel the episode lacked some amazing moments. This is a long awaited return for a character, and the stuff provided, while entertaining, didn’t fully satisfy me either. This is definitely one that could have handled well with a two parter.
It would have help the poor pacing at times too. Not the worst pacing, but still pretty awful nonetheless.
“Keep Calm and Flutter on” was a fun episode. And whether you’re for a redeemed Discord or not, it was great to have him back, and I await whatever they have in store for him in the future.
RATING: 8 out of 10
Next week, Spike takes the stage once more. The little dragon is out to make some extra bits, and offers to pet sit for the ponies. But will this job get out of control? Find out in an episode that’s “Just For Sidekicks” next week.
Until next time everypony!