[Blind Commentary] "Father Knows Beast" - My Little Pony: FiM Season 8 Ep 24

[@magic_pink_horse]

I think MLP does need characters like Sludge because kids and even some adults are oblivious to the fact that people can be truly awful and can do the most morally forbidden things (like feeding of an orphan and lying to him) without any regret. I hope they show him in the next season though so we can either see him get punished or see how he developed his behaviour in the first place. The second option would be a good way to show how some people become the worst of the worst which is not the question most people have a right answer to.

[@absentialucci]

Wow, even without the x-ray of the heart breaking... I felt that scene with Twilight... jeeze, that was painful... poor Twilight

[@SwordTune]

Spike: YOUR NOT MY REAL MOM! Twilight: It's "YOU'RE!"

[@Kian_0708]

SwordTune *OOOOOOOOOOH OHHH OHHHHHHHHHH*

[@mikaela-gw8lz]

Colton Griggs yeah WAIT HOW IS SHE STILL MOVING?!

[@igottasneeze091]

When was it??

[@ripit.3457]

In the case of Spike, Sludge you are NOT the father.

[@michaelaburns734]

Ha Harry reference I never thought of that

[@artisticchip4805]

I was saying this over and over throughout the episode.

[@Melody-dh7rv]

Yep, all he needs is Paternity Court

[@fusionomni305]

OH HELL NO!

[@naenaesgamingtime3901]

GIVE HIM THE BLOOD TEST

[@Double-R-Nothing]

Spike: how did you know I was a boy? Sludge: Well, you see Spike, there’s this part of your body that- Twilight: I’m going to stop you right there.

[@NoctemnesiaRabbit]

If that actually happened this show would be rated PG-13

[@Kian_0708]

“REMEMBER THIS IS A KIDS SHOW”

[@silversmoke4159]

@@NoctemnesiaRabbit pg

[@n0stxlg1a12]

Keep it TV-Y

[@RYMAN1321]

Twilight's going to have to have "The Talk" with Spike now.

[@truexenith8596]

Did you hear what Spike said to Twilight? “Maybe you just don’t like that I have a real parent now.”

[@SwordTune]

I think he got the gist of it, but talked over the real heavy hitter.

[@truexenith8596]

+SwordTune It seemed like he missed it and mistook it as, “dragon racism.”

[@clearmelody6252]

Yeah, I noticed that. It was the one thing that was kinda disappointing for me when he watched Sounds of Silence, he just talked over everything and missed so much of what was going on. >.

[@truexenith8596]

+Fyren Lokieiðr Agreed. :|

[@KazuoLucas]

Agreed and to make it clear the main problem isn't him talking over it, it's him missing out the thing. Not sure if because he can't concentrate on what's being said while talking or because he isn't wearing headphones.

[@SonicStalker123]

Smolder got some development this season. I’m happy for her!!!! *Sludge is literally worst dragon.*

[@SuperRavensfan101]

Smolder basically represented the fandom through these last 3 episodes of the season, in that she wasn’t oblivious to the stuff around her

[@spicycheeze2516]

I know many people don't like this episode, but in my opinion I think this is one of the best episodes in the season.

[@derekbackofen6]

I agree I really like this episode too

[@booklover4330]

I'm really surprised but happy that they did an episode like this. Yeah the whole the parent isn't really their parent is a big fat cliche, but it worked. I love Spike's character and love how he's been developing, he really needed something like this for his character. Seeing Twilight's actual heart breaking was just, it was a punch to the gut. Even though I'm not adopted I can totally understand where Spike is coming from though; I mean he was defending the guy because he thought he was his dad, someone that he never thought he'd get to meet. I see this as an episode that it doesn't matter who or where Spike's parents are, but that Twilight is his true family and that's all that matters. Would I love to see an episode about Spike's biological parents? Heck yeah. But to me it isn't as important as this message was. I love that MLP still continues to do mature lessons like this; I thought something like this would be a little too mature for little kids to handle, but I think it's good that we have this for the ones who maybe are going through something similar or would like to know their true biological parents, this lesson is there for them.

[@arellajardin2323]

I felt that heart break as immediately as Twilight did. Spike stabbed deep with that comment. Though, as someone who knows someone adopted, the reaction is very indicative of his age. When it comes to adoptees meeting their bio-parents, children are often more excited by it, teens tend to be more antagonistic and demanding explanations, and adults are more curious than anything. Of course, mileage may vary on if the person is happy or not with their adoptive parents at the time, and whether or not it was kept a secret.

[@booklover4330]

I've heard of stories where the child is trying to find the parent, gets in contact with them and the parent tells them to never talk to them again; that's just sad. So I can definitely see the child being more excited by meeting their biological parent more then the parent would be. Of course there's also the parents that want to meet with their children but don't know how to go about it/think that it'll be too uncomfortable ect extra. While Spike's reaction with Twilight was super harsh, I do understand where he's coming from. (Even though I'm not adopted myself). It's a very realistic reaction to have.

[@jacksimpson8529]

it might sound cynical, but Twilight's not actually a very good parent, I don't even consider her his parent (I like Celestia being his adopted mother, but she's not done much better in that department). Consider these two things; 1.) how easily Spike just accepted Sludge's word that he was his father, with just a flimsy story and no actual proof or anything and 2.) how easily Twilight just ALLOWS Spike to go off with this complete stranger with no verification of his story or any precautions taken. That is NOT good parenting at all, that is DISGUSTINGLY neglectful and it paints, for me, a disturbing picture about just how 'good' a parent Twilight actually is for Spike. Consider something else, in the season 2 episode "Secret of my Excess" it was established that was his first visit to an official doctor, meaning that Twilight never took Spike for a medical check-up in all those years beforehand. I know he's a dragon, and knowledge of them is scarce, but if Twilight was the 'true' parent you claim she is, she would've searched for that knowledge to better prepare herself for acting as a surrogate parent to a draconic child. But she didn't, she just shoved him into the role of '#1 assistant' expecting him to do all her chores, cook for her, clean for her, etc. with no real compensation in return and almost no real free time for himself. Granted, she does give him a place to live, but that's about it, and that's not even getting into the fact that he sleeps in a basket, or even the ACTUAL cases where's she's neglected him, intentionally or not. So, as to your comment about Twilight being Spike's "true family", I shudder at that remark, because even if both you and Spike considers her his family, as far as I'm concerned she's done a rather poor job of it so far. In terms of the chronic abuse and neglect Spike gets put through, you might go so far as to say that the only difference between the portrayal of Twilight's and Sludge's various neglectful actions concerning Spike is A.) what species they are and B.) whether or not they're the protagonist. I read a lot of the TV Tropes "Warp That Aesop" articles about this show, so that's probably swayed my opinion a tad, so you should look it up and judge for yourself how biased or not I am.

[@fusionomni305]

Ironically, this episode made dragons look better. While we learned that some dragons are as shallow as Sludge, we also hear from Smolder that they usually aren't. In a way, dragons seem more human now.

[@SuperRavensfan101]

2:13 Blank: “that happened right? That wasn’t a lucid dream I had?” ... *I STILL SEE YOUR SHADOWS IN MY ROOM*

[@everfreebrumby8385]

Surly Celestia knows something about Spikes origins

[@SwordTune]

Celestia: I was at the grocery store and found this weird egg produce aisle.

[@ghosts_pp]

@@SwordTune LoL

[@datprawn4850]

Pinkie Pie: A funny thing happened to me as a filly with a rock cake at the Rock Farm. Actually laid a rock egg, and the family sold it. Don’t know what happened to it?

[@Boygamer0312]

It's a lie Like a cake From portal

[@fusionomni305]

Alright, you got me.

[@steel58836]

I like how Twilight was still uncertain it was her at the end there XD

[@bubbyvibes9095]

Spike:how do you know I'm your son? Sludge:well,you see...your mother and I did ha-- Twilight:ALRIGHT THEN! Who's hungry for dinner(awkward laugh then silence)

[@SpacialRend7]

5:01 - Hey look, I t’s a dragon ball!

[@emlox5987]

lol

[@goldenqueen7973]

More like a Fireball Jutsu.

[@kingfirestorm4047]

OMG 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@feqbrony8989]

I AM THE ETERNAL DRA- ok who died?

[@nirock2550]

wth ewww

[@jonathanwallis3300]

If Spike Ever does meet his REAL parents in season 9, I really, really want to see Noel Macneal (a.k.a Bear from Bear in the Big blue house) voice Spike’s Dad. I don’t know, it’s just the voice that keeps coming in my head! 😆

[@Galinn_Arts]

I commend you for your ability in avoiding spoilers

[@wanawana7245]

I couldnt even be excited while watching season 8 because of spoilers smh

[@Chozo_Ghost]

I loved Smolder even more after this episode! :3

[@SwordTune]

Smolder is a precious gemstone.

[@fusionomni305]

So did I. She has a good dynamic with Spike.

[@erikcintronthemite2755]

I ❤️ Spike and her

[@shadowisinsane845]

Same. She's my favorite of the young 6 I see her as an older sister type friend to Spike

[@autumbreeze1129]

11:26 now, while WE all know Sludge's story is BS, the characters don't, so Dash's question is actually pretty heartless and if his story had actually been true, would've been a pretty cruel thing to say. "Hey, even though you were held captive for years, explain to us how the egg of the baby you were forced to give up got somewhere else, even though your being imprisoned means you never could've seen what happened, but we expect you to tell us anyway." Pretty freaking callous, even for RD.

[@joshblackwell8632]

Who do you hate more??? A.) Garble B.) Sludge C.) Both D.) None of the above

[@yannick-guymarvens9067]

B

[@nirock2550]

C

[@skylaplayz0422]

A

[@nicolevanderwesthuizen3016]

B) by faaaaar😐

[@urchinnation9590]

C.) BOTH!!!

[@Narrator007]

5:41 "You have very tiny wings, sir." But a very big something else, as Twilight later discovered. ;)

[@shadowisinsane845]

GOD PLEASE NO- THAT'S NOT AN IMAGE I NEED IN MY MIND-

[@artisticchip4805]

Awwww, big sister smolder to the rescue!

[@TracyHeart]

R.I.P starlight in the bathtub. Starlight: MY BATHTUB NOOOOOOOOOO Blank Check: *laughs* Me: STARLIGHT NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! Starlight: Back in the bathtub Starlight: *gets chucked out* Starlight: AGAIN F YOU!!!!!!

[@40watt53]

YOU AREEEEEEEEEEEE......... NOT THE FATHER! *SCREAMING*

[@ProjectT]

Slightly disappointed that Blank missed how Spike basically said to Twilight: "You're not my real Mum."

[@njnjhjh8918]

Starlight Glimmer in the bathtub, saucy. Oh wait nvm they never wear clothes!

[@eclipsethesun9616]

20 minute late notification. Anyway, the reaction to this was absolutely amazing like the rest of the reactions- Lotta jokes, 'in character' fun, etc. Keep doing what ye doing! :D Edit: By in character fun, I mean like how he says stuff as if he was the characters, and jokes around like that. It is really fun :D

[@yannick-guymarvens9067]

"if its not me , you can leave too." the only line i wish was in the show LOL

[@hatstorm1097]

Spike: “Your not my mom!” Twi: “What are you talking about? Of course I am!” Spike: “Really?” Twi: “Yes.” Spike: “I love you mother!” Twi: “I love you too, my daughter.” X-files them plays Twi: “And it’s ‘you’re’, not your.” Spike: “Pinkie?” Pinkie unzips a hidden zipper in what was Twi’s scalp. Pinkie: “How’d you know?” Spike: “4th wall powers.” #scootertrix & #UFP

[@phantomtail2270]

Was waiting on ya to make this review

[@somethingoriginal4372]

I...am at a loss for words honestly I don't know why in even here right now...

[@NoctemnesiaRabbit]

Sludge: Listen up my boy Hmmm.... MR. KRABS IS THAT YOU?!

[@sambojorquez8436]

I think this episode would have been way better if Sludge was actually Spikes father. I think Spike rejecting him despite being his real father would have been much more impactful and less by the number. I do have to wonder if the writers are setting up for the real introduction of Spikes parents given the hesitation to canonize them in this episode. Hopefully we do get answers regarding Spikes origins eventually.

[@booklover4330]

I think it would have made it worse. I mean Sludge was taking advantage of him; while I hate the whole fake parent cliche I like it better then if Sludge was Spike's father, just because he's still a horrible character and didn't change by the end.

[@sambojorquez8436]

I agree. Sludge isn’t a good character and while my hypothetical version of Spikes father would still be somewhat dislike-able, I would give him some redeeming qualities so that Spikes ultimate decision to choose Twilight over him would have a better weight to it. I think it would fit well with the “leave your background behind and embrace who you are now” theme many of the previous Spike episodes have had.

[@chendakorn2640]

Sparkle:*.heart.breaks.me:geez girl you should probs go to a doctor

[@PuppyLove2468]

Sluge in the wheelchair gave me dragontails flashbacks

[@jonathanrussell6525]

1:04 FRICK YES. I'm not the only one who thought that! XD

[@someothername2585]

08:20 this writing is... weird to say the least "-You have great friends- - I'm an orphan lol-"

[@overlordsalem2706]

This episode is kinda a mixed bag for me. On the one hand I really do not like Sludge as a character and he brings the entire episode down. But I really liked all the scenes with just Twilight, Spike and Smolder.

[@cofagrigusfan24]

i love this episode, also Sludge is clearly not the dad... but he does seen he could be Spike's uncle... without eather of them realizing it, cause they do look somewhat simmular

[@Angels-vq7rz]

Same i love it but there was definitely more potential to this episode

[@Th3Shrike]

22:06 "some pony" >directly referring to a dragon... Is it still racist if your racist to your self, or speciesist

[@SwordTune]

It's neither, it's just a less inclusive way of speaking.

[@femoman]

Between this episodes song, On the Road to Friendship, and Celestia and Lunas song, it's clear these songwriters have a thing for swing jazz :p

[@catluvr2]

13:00 THOSE CUPCAKES. The ULTIMATE REUSED ASSET Seriously, though, that's lesson zero in animation. ...wait, no. Those cupcakes are FROM "Lesson Zero". My bad.

[@tenofprime]

Spike's development over the shows run is indeed shown off well here, like Fluttershy his development is easy to miss as it is subtle from one episode to the next. Then on the episodes when they do get the focus things have a 50/50 chance of pushing it to far, but you look at them season to season and you can really spot it.

[@tboy817]

I wish they went to someone about his family like celestia , ember, or the old dragon lord

[@paan4261]

5:15..Yeahh...you said about Spyro Reignited Trilogy

[@n0stxlg1a12]

Starlight when getting thrown out the window: Ah, here we go again.

[@absentialucci]

Alright. Onward, let's do this

[@Inundate.]

Dragon tales is that the show your thinking of?

[@mixedlove217]

Well there's a show I haven't heard since first grade

[@someothername2585]

I started watching Raritydash's reaction to the finale but than in the recommended I saw this video about which somehow I didn't get notified about so I immediately clicked on it without even thinking about it XD

[@hollowmist4800]

It’s like Star Wars i am your father 9:00

[@bradcoreshhockeymon4888]

noooooooooooo

[@Edward256]

"I saw an opportunity and I took it. That is what dragons do." "No, it isn't." So, the Hearth's Warming story Smolder told was fiction? _" "Home is where the heart is" is probably the best cliche and I allow anyone to use it as much as they want.

[@anna-flora999]

In her story, the dragon used an advantage to attack. It didn't exploit its child

[@heathledgersjoker6262]

Smaug: Us dragons don't act like that fat free loading con artist! Elliot: I am a guardian to a child who is in trouble and you guard a horde of treasure. Maleficent: In some way I am a dragon, but I can change back and forth. Ludmilla: I became a dragon when I drank a potion that Bartok got from Baba Yaga and now I canon rule Russia since I'm in the underworld. Nerisa: You and me both sister, except I love change willingly into your dragon like Maleficent can. Mad Madam Mim: Me too.

[@bittervagrant]

11:55 Marty on Steven Universe and Finn's dad, (also named Marty? ) on Adventure Time

[@spike2623]

14:24 I wouldn’t lie but this song is my favorite

[@Doughboy123x]

I don't know if I should be glad I'm not the only one who thought of Spike filling Sludge's bathtub with saliva.

[@ebonylo.]

**blank check says mocking the dragon that's fat:oh my wings hurt i'm in a lot of pain** Me:*XD WHAT THE HECK* **dies of laughter**

[@cutiederpcake1319]

Puberty I can't tell if it hit

[@thefool727]

After seeing the starlight in a bathtub we don't need you we need that as a memes

[@someothername2585]

02:56 ... don't mind me, I'm just... you know... not spying on you or anything that's for sure

[@funcoolfunfun]

This is an alright episode.

[@changelingkingcocoon5029]

As said in the Lion King, "Home is where your rump rests."

[@GeneralChrisGaming]

12:38 really a heart container from the legend of Zelda series lmao 😂

[@deletedaccount9250]

21:12 just pause and look at that face

[@bloodhoof66]

good to see you again!!.

[@professorn.shroudthegreats2916]

OK IM SHOCK THERE I WAS LIKE *SPIT TEA OUT ON FUTABA NARU GONZALEZ* "HES HIS FATHER WHAT IS GOIN ON IN THIS WORLD" XD

[@midnightgalaxy886]

Is it bad I didn't really like this episode? Oh well Blank Slate always makes videos better

[@SonicStalker123]

Anne Cat11 I didn’t like it either lol

[@fusionomni305]

I think making it obvious he was lying has its benefits for the way that you view events, but being such a cliche, it was kind of hard to keep it a secret, even if they tried. It would fail, and it would just seem odd that they were trying to hide the obvious, making things more of a mess.

[@midnightgalaxy886]

Arella and Fusion true

[@FloetryFox88]

That ending rambling was hilarious man

[@eventyraren]

When I read the synopsis on this episode I don't think this dragon was going to be Spikes Father, that feels too GOTG2, "he was your father but not your daddy". This is an American Children's show, and making him spikes real father and forcing him to choose between his dragon and pony family is something too adult an an American Children's show. We are probably gong to find out how Celestia got his egg, but not what happen to his family, we still don't know what happen to the apple parents and this is probably the same thing.

[@TheropodHunter]

To be fair, it would have made for a good movie plot (I still enjoyed the movie though.)

[@hka2501]

I feel like Sludge is Dark Vader... Dark Vader: *I am your father*

[@zoddieoddie7759]

darth not dark

[@bradcoreshhockeymon4888]

nooooooooooooo

[@silversmoke4159]

The difference is that he's not spikes father

[@Sea_Maranatha_]

_I'VE GOT ANOTHER CONFESSION TO MAKE_ Lol I love that you are such a musical person (pony?) Blank

[@eteii]

I like how the only scene Starlight gets in this episode is getting thrown out of a window.

[@landosalemchainsaw]

11:48 I think of the 80s chipmunk series with uncle harry

[@mikaela-gw8lz]

Anybody else thinks Twilight’s voice is like a robot sometimes

[@erikcintronthemite2755]

19:00 THIS PISSED ME OFF CUZ EVERYONE BLAMES SPIKE FOR NOTHING SLUDGE IS THE TRUE JERK

[@ninjagregshow9423]

Sheesh, the sails on the black pearl have less holes than sludge's story

[@ziriebenton6659]

Honestly though, it should’ve been kind of obvious that Sludge wasn’t Spike’s real father. I mean, where would Spike’s mom be? But more importantly, Spike as an adult towers over Ponyville, so his parents are likely just as massive. I’d say Sludge’s appearance and design should’ve been a giveaway, but seeing as how Dragon Lord Torch was the biological father of Amber, that might not be the case.

[@Goofy-pn9te]

When I saw sludge I thought he was going to use spike to stay in the castle

[@Marvest3021]

hold on if he was spike's father the dragon hunters took took spike's egg and put it somewhere nearby because celestia gave spike's egg to twilight for her to raise as her own

[@DesertedPikachugirl]

Does the title remind anyone else of rupunzel ?

[@joshuaking3731]

I kinda have a feeling that the scale collectors might actually be a real thing. Obviously, Slug's story wasn't real, as he confessed and all. After all, the best lies derive from some truth. Plus, this wouldn't be the first time MLP has name-dropped something that turned out to be false for its episode, only to be real later down the line. The Pony of Shadows from season 4 actually being a major threat in finally of Season 7. Twilight's panic over Cerberus leaving his post way back in season 1, leaving Terik able to escape for the Season 4 Finally. If MLP goes on for a few more seasons (which I'm sure it will, as it's making Hasbro so much money) Then I believe the Dragon Hunters/Scale Collectors will make a comeback.

[@jervisangelopitao7118]

EVEN if that was his dad then he would be HUGE compared to Sludge, like he is literally as tall as a teenage dragon!!!!!!

[@bubbyvibes9095]

Did anyone notice him "swearing" for the first time? (The first time for ME,anyway.)

[@RYMAN1321]

17:13 Nice "Titanic" (1997) Reference. But isn't he always naked anyway?

[@xxedgythehedgyxx8409]

6:36 Lorca from Dragon Tails

[@Chiller-pc1dv]

Sludge is THICC af

[@autumbreeze1129]

17:58 damnit. I wanna know what they were going to do with the map

[@UniTheAppl]

Smolder? Smudge? Spike? Do dragons really love names with S that much?

[@womenlover800]

and then theres garble and ember

[@UniTheAppl]

@@womenlover800 Sgarble and Sember...hmmmmm

[@shadowisinsane845]

@@UniTheAppl Sarble Smber

[@xandanetabanor3393]

How did the pony get spike egg

[@untimedt.v-_-2526]

Wait didn't spike know how to fly when he got his wings with the monster now he doesn't know?!

[@LiamLightwolf]

I think he's learning the fancy nuances of flying

[@arellajardin2323]

Its the same as Twilight, she flies just fine at the end of Season 3, and is a mess at the start of S4. My headcanon is that the initial adrenaline let them both fly fine at first, but as they stopped to think about it, the instinct wore off and they were left not knowing what to do.

[@Mirality]

They were practicing fancy flying.

[@untimedt.v-_-2526]

Oh ok...

[@beatriztrigo4731]

He's learning Advanced Flying tecnics.

[@mellyflori6856]

Who else wishes these episode was just the small scale fan fic?

[@777Rowen]

Great reaction Blank Check.

[@KingsBard]

MR KRABS IS THAT YOU?!

[@Idontknowwhattogobyheh]

This honestly reminds me of Elf. I mean come on, hes got the list and everything!!! Its just "dad" seeking out "son" instead of vice versa

[@voidknight4639]

Final two ep is crazy... And i don't mean the pinkie pie crazy nor discord crazy it's the _____ crazy

[@justa_snowmothblm7656]

....... Hmmmm, DRAGON TAILS, DRAGON TAILS, ITS ALMOST TIME FOR DRAGON TALES!

[@soonergirl997]

Blank:maybe it’s about cozy glow an- Me:UMMMM...no....

[@GhostlyFyre]

Hey Slate, the final episode was released also no your theory is incorrect in all the best ways.

[@rafashawnferrer1653]

did he just....umm....throw starlight omg hes a monster

[@benvacco8997]

Dragons are totally opertunistic a holes, ecspeccially the older ones (typos)