Fillies, gentlecolts, and foals of all ages, welcome once again to another edition of the My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic recap/review. Well, we’ve reached the penultimate episode of the season. The las time we reviewed the 2nd to last episode, it was an episode that didn’t exactly earn the strongest of favors. Was that the case this time as well, or did they pull out a decent episode? Let’s find out with “Games Ponies Play”.
Pony stacking
We open the episode with Twilight Sparkle and friends leaving for the Crystal Empire, leaving Spike to take care of the pets. The mane six have been invited by Princess Cadance to help ensure that the empire becomes worthy enough to be the candidate for the Equestria Games. One pony in particular who wants it is Rainbow Dash, who has known the pain of seeing her home being passed for the games (though Cloudsdale being the contenders would put an advantage for pegasi, don’t you think?)
The group make it to the empire and reunite with Cadance. However, their meeting is cut short as the harsh judge, Ms. Harshwhinny, is on her way. While Rarity is busy trying to work on a headdress for Cadance, the rest of the ponies leave to greet Ms. Harshwhinny. They meet a pony, who they believe to be Ms. Harshwhinny at the station, and take her to the empire, all the while unaware that they’ve taken the wrong pony.
Ms. Harshwhinny and the tourist
But that doesn’t stop the mane six from trying to keep her entertained, all the while thinking that her easily impressed nature is just a trick by the judge. It’s also discovered that this supposed judge is also a claustrophobic, scared of closed spaces. While they try to get help from Shining Armor to help keep the judge happy, they soon learn the truth. That this isn’t the Ms. Harshwhinny they assumed it was. It is actually just a tourist.
With the whole games in jeopardy, they try to find the real Ms. Harshwhinny, who is busy getting a massage with the tourist. They all meet up with Ms. Harshwhinny, as well as tell the truth to Cadance. But the twist is that the story that the tourist told Ms. Harshwhinny was enough to prove to her that the crystal empire is a perfect place to hold the next games. And so the episode ends with the mane six back on the train headed home for Ponyville. All the while unaware that Spike and the pets are below them.
So, this was an interesting episode to say the least, but how did it do with pros and cons?
PRO
I really liked the tourist pony. She was not just a very likeable character, but very funny and adorable. While I wasn’t overly fond with the episode’s plot (getting to that in a second), I did like her, and hopefully we do see her again in the future.
The one thing I really liked was that they wrapped this episode near flawlessly with “Just for Sidekicks”, opening and ending the episode showing Spike’s journey. Some people have said they would have preferred the episodes to have been switched, but the outcome seems more effective at least for me in this order.
I also liked the fact that through flashback, we have finally seen what appears to be Rainbow Dash’s father. This means now, counting the symbolism of the shooting stars in Apple Family Reunion, all that remains for family is Fluttershy’s.
CON
My first major issue is the whole story itself. It never really came off with strong humour beats, or even a decent pacing. The whole episode felt a little bland with too much idiot ball, and the annoying case of mistaken identity, that could have been fixed easily if the ponies had actually asked who she was. I just really hate idiot ball situations like this.
I also kind of wish we had seen more of a focus on the actual games themselves. Not just about making the judge happy, but showing reasons why the empire was qualified. And the reason behind them getting that really felt lazy and contrived too. So, the only way to get the bid is to appease the judge, not show that the place is awesome? I dunno. It’s another case of a really bad script.
“Games Ponies Play” is a bit of an underwhelming filler for me. Harmless, and kids will still like it. But if you were looking for a filler with a bit more depth, then you aren’t going to get it. Like last season, this is a par for the course penultimate episode.
Rating: 5 out of 10
Next week, it all comes down to this. The season finale of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. When Twilight Sparkle accidentally switches the cutie marks and destinies of her friends, it could lead to the downfall of Ponyville. Will Twilight write her own magic to save her friends? And will it lead to the beginning of her ultimate destiny? Find out with the “Magical Mystery Cure”, next week.
Until Next Time, Everypony!