Flight to the Finish Review

[@andymac4883]

You've really said a lot of what I've been thinking about this episode, especially regarding the song. As for my own input, there was an odd moment between the song and DT and SS's second teasing scene where the dialogue just felt... off. It was the first time I felt like I was listening to dialogue written exculsively for children, which is odd since the rest of the episode seemed well written to me. My favourite thing about the episode, though, is how Rainbow and Scootaloo's relationship change from Sleepless in Ponyville is carried through in the way Rainbow acts towards her 'little sister' during the lesson scene, and how she acts towards the others on the train when she hears about how Scootaloo stayed behind. It's not explicitly brought up, but the subtle continuity is very reassuring for me, and makes for a great heartwarming moment.

[@SaiyanGamer95]

You know, I heard that Lauren Faust had no intentions of Scootaloo being able to fly. So with that in mind, it's highly possible that she does or will have a handicap and won't be able to fly. However, Hasbro has gone against Lauren's wishes before, with Rainbow Dash being a sister-figure to Scootaloo and EQG to name a few; so Scootaloo being able to fly is just as possible.

[@matt0044]

Faust didn't want Dash to be Scoots' sister figure? Glad they dropped that idea.

[@SmartAlec86]

Personally, I'd think that making Scootaloo being unable to fly actually adds to her personality. Maybe I just like the episode because I can sympathize with the situation. I know what it's like to have disabilities. Not physical, but neurological. The handled the idea of a disability well, and quite realistically...for a kids show. As for the song, I loved it because it more or less matched the situation. The music had a feel like a march or a cheer leading competition song. And the animation matched the music in terms of how the CMCs were marching down the road. And they were competing in what could only be the pony equivalent of a cheer leading competition...sorta.

[@alaingravel2159]

Since Scootaloo is my second favorite pony after Twilight, I was both fearful and eager for this episode since the release of the animatic. In the end... none of what I feared and hoped happened. Still, it was a pretty good episode for me. Personal pros: - Continuity! The return of the Equestria games is great. If we can see a couple episodes about it, it would make a nice subplot for the series to go along with the Mystery Box plot-line. - Snowflake! His short appearances were hilarious. - Awesome animation. The animation really remains great. I was actually "wowed" at that scene in the song where the CMC stood on that hill with Ponyville in the background. - Rainbow Dash. It was really nice to see her try to act professional. She didn't quite succeed, but she tried. Her support of Scootaloo when the filly was down was also pretty nice. Good feels there. - Scootaloo has a house! I can hear the groans of the "homeless Scootaloo" fanfic writers out there. Personal cons: - Status quo with Scootaloo. Whether she'll fly or not still hadn't been decided. While a disabled Scootaloo could bring interesting drama, a flying Scootaloo could have the potential for interesting changes in the CMC dynamics. - Status quo with the Cutie Marks. No Cutie Mark for any of them yet. Again, one of the CMC getting a Cutie Mark would shake up things a bit for the CMC. - Diamond Tiara. Urg. In the end, the season is still young, so there's still time for something new to develop with the CMC. As it stands, I really liked the episode, it's probably my favorite after the premiere.

[@sadlobster1]

This, alongside with Call of the Cutie, personally spoke to me. I know what it feels like to not be like everyone else because of a disability. At one point, it almost did have a negative effect on me. But good friends, family and teachers told me something that I take to heart very strongly. Instead of worrying about what you CAN'T do. Focus on and strengthen yourself in something you CAN do. In my case; my greatest skills are reading, writing and acting out lines/scenes from stories. Such skills have blessed me with much positive attention. As well as some rare but fair critiques. Still, it is these things that helped shape me into the individual I am now

[@pokemaster361]

Personally, I think the only reason the CMC don't have their Cutie Marks yet is because they're obsessing more about getting their marks together as opposed to getting them at all. They want to be able to get them at the same time, and that's part of the reason why they keep missing the point on what their special talent is.

[@TheMephox]

First thing's first: I, for one, am very glad to see the apparent end of the "Try ALL the things" episodes for the CMC. It feels more like we're reaching an apotheosis where at the end, the CMC will all get their cutie marks. That said, I agree very much with Dr Wolf's analysis of the episode. It's good to see some character development from the CMC and see them getting above the "Blank Flank" business, even if the 'villain' for the episode reached a new low and attacked a particularly vulnerable point for one of my favorite characters on the show. It feels like we're heading for a critical forking point for Diamond Tiara as well, where she will either be forever lost down a path of ever increasing cynicism, or she will reach a point where she realizes that she's pushed away everyone else that would be a friend to the point where even Silver Spoon doesn't want to spend time with her. I would love to see a DT centered episode where she falls from what little grace she has left and sees herself for what she is, only to come back as a better pony and use her apparent ability to see other's weaknesses as a gift and help to shore up those weaknesses in other ponies. This is, I think, the true meaning of her cutie mark, to become a leader by building people up to be stronger and to follow her because she helped them, not because she's a bully. Anyway... Just a personal headcanon and wishlist for DT that I have been mulling over for a while. It's interesting to see the intimation that Ponyville may be the only diverse town in Equestria. I would argue that it is not. For one, we know that Celestia has Pegasi guards that live in Equestria, and there may well be a large group of them living in the towers of the capital city. As for Manehatten, all that we've seen really of Manehatten is Applejack's relatives and a little shot of the streets. We haven't seen much of the rest of the city and can't really gauge based on Applejack's family. Appleoossa would also be mostly Applejack's kin, judging by the name of the town, and was hinted at being a small settler town, maybe not more than a hundred ponies total. Cloudsdale, obviously, would be the exception and may very well be where most of the pegasi live. I don't really have a lot more to say about this episode, as there wasn't a lot of world building (my favorite thing), and other than the character building and hinting at a larger plot coming on down through the season, I really enjoyed this episode.

[@EnvoyOfTheBlackAbyss]

08:07 Actually, I'd been hoping that the last scene was alluding to Scootaloo sensing that she may (for real this time) get her Cutie Mark soon. Like she was starting to realize what her life's purpose was, but hadn't quite figured it out yet. I hope it just wasn't an one-off joke...

[@BioniclesaurKing4t2]

I'm expecting the Games to maybe be a mid-season event (perhaps even a mid-season 2-parter?) to correlate with the actual Olympic Games (I hope).

[@DragoSonicMile]

Snips: "Hey, it could happen!" Me: ... only on the Hub. :D

[@matt0044]

So I wasn't the only one.

[@MsFluffyninja7]

I don't think Scootaloo having small wings should keep her from flying I mean look at Snowflake's wing's and how big he is and he can fly and he's training to be a wonderbolt. New head-cannon What if Snowflake has the same handicap like Scootaloo and he found a way to over come it. New episode idea Scootaloo ask Rainbow Dash to teach her how to fly and ask Snowflake how he over came his handicap

[@Ic3w4Tch1]

In my opinion, one of the best episodes so far. I watched it 3 times already, and it has by far the best lesson!

[@DizzyBlackUA]

Absolutely loved the episode! Perfect pacing, nice story, good moral, first song, scoot-dash relations and overall CMC adorableness :) Finally I feel like watching MLP - with huge, wide, hopeless neverfading grin :) P.S. I noticed, that on the station scene Carrot Top is parting with some stallion - a little detail, but brought so much into this scene. P.S.S. Ed Valentine - seems to be an another new writer. Nice job! P.S.S.S We see once again mention of "horses" during the song (first was in castle-mania, the old statue), and once again they stand as honourable creatures. Nice opportunity for the future episodes (or fanfics) to reveal this intriguing side of Equestrian history. (I haven't watched your review yet)

[@BlythePennyBicycle21]

I agree. This episode was awesome. However, I have to disagree with you on pacing. Ed Valentine's weakness is that he takes almost halfway through the episode to get to the conflict. Fortunately, the emotional weight in this episode kept me invested, and enough to give a golden five out of five.

[@jk844100]

Also, yes Rainbow was upset about Cloudsdale not hosting the equestria games but that doesn't mean she couldn't enjoy carrying the flag at the games. Would you be disappointed if you was picked to carry the US flag (I assume you're from the US, sorry if you're not) at the Olympics in Rio; I doubt it.

[@PropheticProse]

I'm holding onto some hope that Scoots will be able to fly. Flutters could barely fly when she was around the Crusaders age, and her level of flying ability wasn't much better than Scootaloo's is right now, so it's possible that she'll be able to do it--just not quite yet. Besides, Sweetie Belle hasn't been shown yet to be able to use much magic, and all we've really seen Apple Bloom do on the farm is help with small tasks and not even try to do any apple bucking just yet; maybe the entire CMC are just late bloomers in more ways than not having earned their cutie marks around the same time as their classmates.

[@BlueStarBrony]

I think the lesson here was very good which was to not be what other people tell you but be who you are. When Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash try to be something they are not they both "fail" but when they go back to being who they are they find a way to succeed. I really liked how Rainbow Dash starts being a really good mentor After she loses the professionalism that Mrs Harsh Whinny told her to be and starts being who she is. It was at first very surprising to see Rainbow Dash actually be a good mentor but eventually I realized it seems to fit her very well. Think Scootaloo's disability is totally not the focus here and there could a different explanation. Given she is still a child her wings might simply be developing at a much slower rate than the other pegasi but will develop at some point. Whether that happens or not is still uncertain since this could be a true disability. But for children developing at different rates, or seeing someone else succeed while they struggle with something can be a common problem that they understand. I'm sure a lot of children ask "Will I ever be able to this?" so in that regard this is a very good lesson since the answer whether they can or not is irrelevant since they can still find ways to be awesome anyway. This is BlueStar and I approve of both of these Messages! lol Finally MLP clearly knows how to write so I don't think they're stupid enough to setup something without paying it off. I was sure the Equestria games were going to be making a appearance the only question is when. It will most likely be during this season but it's possible it may come later.

[@Itslibster]

Ahaha somewhere in this episode, you see a "rose pony" and the doctor (hehe)

[@cimmsidekick]

I loved this episode. I think the staff did a great job of dealing with disabilities, though they did give themselves an out by not stating definitively that Scootaloo will never fly. I was so happy to see Scoot's house too! I hope we get to meet her parents sometime soon...especially since their daughter will be carrying the flag for their town! The one thing I didn't like here is the song. "Hearts as strong as horses" is very similar to a Queen Elizabeth quote "I know I have the body of a weak, feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king." I know that the horses referred to in the song may be of either or both genders, but the resemblance is off putting for me. In that same time period, women of the lower upper class were more likely to have a pony where their brother would have a horse. This was from the belief that a pony was easier to handle and less likely to injure the "feeble" sex (especially when they fell off). Knowing all that, when I heard the CMC proclaim 'We have hearts as strong as horses," instead of something like "We have faith in eachother/We are strong, getting stronger" or similar, I cringed. There's no reason for a child to make this connection, and a small portion of adults will either. Of course, I could flip that meaning while keeping the interpretation...as a nod from the staff to the Brony community, which is the "heart" of the fandom, and we get stronger every season. :)

[@cimmsidekick]

completely different thought- Could Snowflake be Scoot's dad? I thought it was fairly unusual for him to be helping them train in the montage, though it had a great comedic pay off.

[@Benicthehedgehog]

I have to say DRWolf that out of all the CMC episodes, Flight to the Finish was my most favorite of all time cause it gave us what we wanted to see. this episode showed that Scootaloo is like some of the kids or adults like us having something being born with. for Scootaloo its her having very small wings and for us its getting bless with ash burgers, optimisms, and other stuff cause its a part of that we are born with and even though that can sometimes bring a let down in what we want to be it can show us that their is something else we can be that still fits for what we like. so this is by far really good. I just hope Bronycurious sees this episode cause it is close to like his fanfic comic, but with different twists and it being the writers way of showing new deph for Scootaloo.

[@mak-mkxxvi1727]

Ash burgers and optimisms? Please define.

[@Benicthehedgehog]

ShiningArmor well its like this Shining Armor. their is a rare chance that when someone or somepony in your case is born with, and they will get blessed with one or the other with both giving the person or pony a way to function differently from their brain than a normal person or pony. for example, I have ash burgers and I have been doing math easy when I was a kid, but have a hard time understanding Science. and my niece has optisim where she she understands us talking but her brain functions prevent her from talking even though she is starting to talk now only more slowly. basically in a pony case its like a handicap to help find ones true calling or destiny for he or she to get his or her cutie mark even if the pony does function differently and their destiny is different than from what they thought it would be. it is hard to explain it, but that is the closest as I can sum it up of what they both are. sorry

[@mak-mkxxvi1727]

Benicthehedgehog Well, now that I know exactly what you mean, the correct spellings are aspergers and autism.

[@Benicthehedgehog]

ShiningArmor oh yeah, thanks for correcting the spelling and I hope it helped since I have aspergers.

[@sadlobster1]

I know what it's like living with a physical limitation. Namely the kind (albeit small) limits brought onto me by Hydrocephalus. I can't drive, I can't see fully out of my right eye and I can't work with tools. I CAN, however type very fast and well, have a high reading ability and have a talent with writing entertaining stories. While not MLP related, still very good ones

[@BioniclesaurKing4t2]

3:14 Have we ever seen that hill in the backdrop with the house and trees before? Foreshadowing! I'm calling it!

[@RubyGalaxyYT]

The Equestrain games keeps sounding good, I do wonder what kind of twist the writers will give to the the games to make it fit with the ponys. I really enjoyed this episode. It addressed about Scootaloo's possible handicap and it reminded me that not everything can go your way but you can still excel in what you believe, you can still keep going no matter what's wrong with you. I do hope that there will be a episode similar to this in the next season.

[@linkrosewater]

this was a CMC topic i wanted covered a long time too and im glad they handled it so well, though it feels they were on the fence by still making it a 'maybe, maybe not' type of episode by not letting fly or confirming that she indeed cant, but it being a children's show i understand why they couldnt go down that road. now what im looking forward to is an episode about sweetie's magic, applebloom's role on the farm, and them finally getting their cutiemarks, that would be a good one to do, a little jealous arc when one of them gets it and the others have to deal with what it'll mean for their group.

[@Abunai_Gaming]

I never even noticed Derpy in the group shot during Being Popular....

[@westeralex1]

I still wonder what they have planned for the shadow pony trow episode 3 from season 4

[@AerielArt]

I liked it! It probably won't make my top 10 best, but is say it comes pretty close! Damn that teaser at the end though... It was the perfect setup to give Scootaloo her cutie mark, yet she didnt. Maybe it's trying to imply that's its coming soon, just not yet? I sure hope so! That would be great to see. As for the song, it was ok. My feelings are pretty similar to yours: I loved the music in it but the lyrics WERE pretty repetitive... I bet an instrumental of this song would be awesome! So yeah, pretty good episode!

[@ApocalypzePony]

Also, Scoots has a house :3

[@DanteFox]

The song isn't sticking with me as much as some of the past others. However I do feel they got the point across. That no matter what. Do your best. Wile this is good message. It's also lacking. I kept expecting rainbow dash to show up wile she was trying to fly To encourage her.. But they didn't. Like you said. Another ideal place to build on feeling and emotion. But all together I think the one's who have bin unhappy with season four so far will like this one.

[@DizzyBlackUA]

Yeah, finally I have got feeling of real MLP episode after cheesy and overpaced ep3-4. Loved it.

[@MrMarinus18]

one thing that appeared to me was that this is the first time the CMC have done something really impressive completely on their own. They won the competition because of their own hard work and skill.

[@KenichiShimerugi]

Honestly, I thought that it was a very good episode. It was entertaining to me, but not in the traditional sense. It was very delicate with its moral and I feel that the moral is something that we should perhaps put in to children's shows. Of course we should encourage children to reach as high as they can, but they should also be aware of their limitations. As with Rainbow Dash, I believe that she grew in this episode along with the CMC. She learned to curb her enthusiasm, as well as growing into the leader role that she was set up with in Wonderbolt Academy. Overall, this has been my favorite episode of the season so far and it stems from how maturely it treats its audience.

[@TailsFan369no2]

I found my next question for the writers at the next panel thanks to this episode

[@PhilipPetrunak]

Forcing a character to come to terms with their own limitations is much more interesting than seeing them overcome them entirely. Life is tough, you won't win every battle, and some of them you'll never stop fighting. It's a great lesson for children, and including a character who goes through this can really inspire people, specificly children, with disabilities.

[@PonyOverthinker]

I agree with all your points. There are many ways this could have gone down, but the way it all shook out is a great balance. I feel that ultimately the reason they left some freedom for the other writers on the staff. To me, in this context, they pretty much said Scootaloo will never fly.

[@OriginOfDragons]

I loved this episode, and was extremely glad that we finally got something besides a cutie mark heavy episode from the CMCs as a group. I feel this was one of Rainbow Dash's top moments in the series, and that's nice to see. As for Scootaloo, it saddens me that she maybe won't be able to fly, and i do agree it adds more depth to her character and to the characters of Applebloom and Sweetie Bell, knowing and standing up for their friend. All in all, my favourite of season 4 so far. Really looking forward for a Fluttershy episode.

[@GoodMorningButch]

This was actually my favourite episode so far (except for the beginning adventure episodes). Really enjoyed it, and of course, I love it when an episode has a song. I can't wait for the Apples/Pinkie Pie song !

[@matt0044]

2:06 I thought she was referring to representing Ponyville since she is sort of a citizen there.

[@Dark_Tale_2077]

I have a feeling that they did the best they the possibly could dealing with this kind of subject matter and that it will be perhaps one of my favorite episodes of season 4.

[@Ald4r]

New fav episode. I loved the song reprise scene at the end! And yes even though it's fan pandering I really want scoots to fly! Oh and I'm embarest for not noticing the CBC finally standing up to diamond and silver

[@mizzet5493]

In The Cutie Mark Chronicles, Scootaloo flies around in anticipation to hear RB's CM story. Possibly because she's doing this subconciously?

[@Transformersguy1000]

Nice review! I liked the episode. Song was superb!

[@lordjazoijua94]

Excellent review DRWolf. Personally i think this episode is best episode in season 4 so far.

[@EnigmaPrince101]

Whatever happens, happens, Great review, good episode overall, your points were clear, concise, and valid, And the song was really good!!!!

[@DerekPetersonLives]

The song made me wonder if there was a nation of horses not explored yet in the MLP universe. It makes for an interesting meta. I feel the song was a little stretched but when the second appearance came I liked how uplifting it was, it had a grand sound that appeals to me.

[@DizzyBlackUA]

Ancestors maybe? Remember the horse statue in castle-mania.

[@DerekPetersonLives]

I'm also thinking to the windigos, as the look very horse like as well. Season 5 anyone :D

[@teric2]

Those precious few seconds near the end where Scootaloo looked back at her flank, with the camera zooming in on her... the dramatic musical cue... aaaaaaaaaand NO cutie mark. Hasbro, why must you tease us like that? I think they did that on purpose, to give the fleeting hope that *maybe* this was it--maybe one of them was going to get their CM... nothing. *sigh*

[@DRWolf001]

I suspect that they will want to drag this out for a long time yet. But to be fair, that really wasn't the focus of this episode. And what they did focus on was really well done. But putting the episode aside...Just how often are you watching these new episodes Teric?

[@KeeperOfUntoldDreams]

I think one of the things keeping the CMC from getting their Cutie Marks is that their overly worried about what they will look like. It's been made obvious that Apple Bloom has some carpentry skills, but, I recall in "Stare Master" Scootaloo made the slightly scornful remark "Who wants a picture of a Hammer as a Cutie Mark?" Indicating that they're focusing too much on the possible appearance of their future Cutie Marks. That could also mean that they are withholding their true talents because they fear that the Cutie Marks they get won't be as exciting as they would hope for them to be.

[@BlythePennyBicycle21]

I think it's that they don't know about their talents. They're so good at them, that they barely acknowledge it as a talent. If I recall, ponies don't get their cutie mark until they realize that what they're good at is their talent. You're probably wondering why people would watch CMC episodes after that. Well, one to get their cutie marks. But also, it's to see their relationship grow. Feel free to comment.

[@KeeperOfUntoldDreams]

BlythePennyBicycle21 Oh, I get that too, but I just kept thinking, they have made comments over what kind of cutie marks they would/could get and made comments like "That would look terrible/adorable". I just thought that they were partially concerned about what the CMs would like. But, I get that they don't realize their talents.

[@ToughTheWigglytuff]

I guess I am the only one who was a bit disappointed that we don't see Scootaloo's parents despite seeing her house.

[@Goremize]

Dat RD poster

[@Promses2Keep]

Not at all! I too found myself frantically scanning the few seconds we saw her house for evidence of her family.

[@LukieLuke5]

Or was it an Orphanage... Think about it.

[@hypnoticsdraws9537]

I was not aware that "Snowflake" was Bulk Bicep's name before it became official... Interesting. I quite like it, though, for it does give him a much gentler aspect to his character when compared to how buff he is.

[@sangodemonslayer250]

I think the teaching moment was very well done and a big lesson its a big difference between being the best and being your best and to accept yourself and love yourself theh way you are

[@Woodsstories]

I enjoyed this episode, and the message (and the song was pretty catchy). Just you wait though, the soccer parents of America will find some crazy way to twist this whole thing upside down and backwards. They'll probably say that the acknowledgement of Scoots not being able to fly is an insult to kids confined to wheelchairs, or some Crapa-Coala like that (Cough!-Derpy-Cough!-Bullshit).

[@otakutsukonko]

Just thought you should know that the whole Derpy debacle was because iTunes had a problem with her, and told them to change the scene with her before they would put it up... funny enough, the subtitles on the episode still refer to her by name when the audio doesn't. Glad I don't use that or have an idevice!

[@Woodsstories]

otakutsukonko I am aware of the whole iTunes thing, but I also know that some people have such empty lives that they have nothing better to do, than to complain about a harmless children's character. Derpy could have, and should have, been an example ofa positive role model for children growing up with disabilities (although I'm not sure if Strabismus counts as a disability), but people don't bother to look things up I guess(such as the fact that the word 'derp' is not an insult), so Hasbro cut her out of the show. I haven't seen her once during season 4 so far. Love and Tolerate? That seems to be open for debate.

[@Woodsstories]

I understand what you're getting at. The difference is that words like fag, are supposed to put people down, but Derpy is just a word used if someone makes a goofy error. Like overfilling your glass or drooling on your shirt. We what are we so sensitive that we can't acknowledge simple silly good ups? Political correctness is actually a bad thing for the most part (sometimes it has merits). I would rather be referred to as 'slow' than 'minimally exceptional.' And there's nothing wrong with calling handicapped people 'physically defective.' We don't seem to have a problem talking about birth defects. So what's the difference? I have physical challenges. I'd rather be called defective, than most of this other P.C lingo softy language.

[@Woodsstories]

That's very interesting. Problem is that The Hub has the power (as far as I know) to tell Itunes we aren't going to take this. If you don't like it, than we don't have to sell our episodes through your store.

[@Animationlover17]

heart as strong as horses is probably my favorite song from the CMC

[@TheMephox]

I really liked it as well... I just like Babs Seed better. Far catchier tune.

[@Kirby12373]

So, being a handicapped child, I really enjoyed this episode. I will never be able to understand sarcasm, which has made my life a challenge. Especially since all my favorite people and friends use sarcasm in their everyday lives. So, I loved this episode for the personal connection, but there was one thing I really liked about it. Let me explain. As we all know, Rainbow Dash is Scootaloo's EVERYTHING. Scoot wants to be able to do everything her ideals can. She also has poster of other fierce flyers. But then, when she found out age couldn't be like then, make her dream a reality, she was crushed and hated herself. Hold that thought. In the last episode, RD was crushed when she couldn't be like Daring Do. But then she learned to not put her ideals so high on the pedestal that she doesn't even see her own worth. She then saw how much worth she can help. Now, back to Scootaloo. She puts RD so high up on her pedestal that she doesn't see her own worth. Then, we see indirectly how Rainbow Dash took her lesson from the last episode to heart. We see her teaching the same thing to Scootaloo when she needed it. And since Rainbow knew what Scoot was going through, she was able to teach her all the better. Another thing I like about the last two episodes is that they both teach two lessons at once, one big one, one small one. I like how they showed the self worth lesson two ways: Adventure AND Splice of Life. This shows how it can apply to anyone. Also I like how they teach the lesson small way, but in two episodes to teach it fully. Please reply to my comment. I'd love to hear what you think of my analysis skills. I'm about to start a channel called "The MLP Theorem" where I do more stuff like this. Doc, wanna collab?

[@bravotone6637]

this episode stands as my favorite so far, and at this point, I think that the season will end with the Equestrian Games, and the Box of Harmony plot line will possibly stretch from this season and into the next, if there will be a season 5. Just my thoughts on the matter.

[@Sorinhach]

best episode of this season yet

[@girliboi]

i didn't think the flag competition was really all that short.. it just wasn't the focus of the episode.. i mean we already saw the cmc's routine in rehearsals and i'm sure adults fans knew they would win, so there wasn't really any need to show everybody else compete, but i thought it was implied that lots of other ppl had tried out.. there just wasn't time to show all that in 22 minutes..

[@RossPitSharkHunter]

I'm pretty sure kids would get that they would win too.

[@girliboi]

true.. by the time time scootaloo was on her way to the crystal empire i'm sure it was obvious to kids too, but the show was obviously trying to milk some "suspense" for little kids before that, or else they wouldn't have bothered to spend an entire episode on it.

[@RossPitSharkHunter]

girliboi However, there is one hing that gives me the edge in this argument. I have been a kid for the past 14 years. I have talked to kids for the past 14 years. And I am 100% sure that they can be pretty smart in this situation also. Or maybe I just pick all the smarter kids as my friends, I dunno..

[@girliboi]

lol.. then you're the same age as me.. i'm not talking about 14 yolds, i was talking about 5yolds and 6yolds who just watch a show without thinking about writers or knowing all the tropes that older kids have seen a million times.. but the fact that you've decided to dissect that one piece of what i said makes me have serious doubts about just how much of a "genius" you are.

[@RossPitSharkHunter]

girliboi I'm pretty stupid, no doubt about it(though at least Ii capitalize my start's and I's) but I do get pretty sensitive on that topic. Not to mention I just had a rant on that against someone who hates kids. But I still have children friends. And a brother who has been acting like a 5 year old ever since he was 5.

[@renaxakai3]

Even if Scootaloo somehow learns to fly, she shall never fly in my mind. I am also indifferent to the song, but it might grow on me, like all the other songs.

[@royhe3154]

It would have been more powerful for us to see a perfect routine, ending with scootaloo finally earning her cutie mark, at least for me

[@jforgotten2620]

Im OK with how this episode ended(even though scoots no earn cutie mark:( ) but if she did get her cutie mark what would that mean for the cmc

[@BlythePennyBicycle21]

It would make for an interesting dynamic that would test their friendship.

[@nicksylvester5675]

I'm happy with how the episode played out. As for the Equestrian Games I'll probably be more interested when the time comes, but as of right now not as much.

[@levishu991]

the song reminded me of "A strange new world"

[@Promses2Keep]

I would be both disappointed and intrigued if Scootaloo is never able to fly. However, Dash's answer to her exposes the possibility that there ARE other pegasi who can't fly. That would be an astonishingly deep concept and worth exploring: would they still have that passive magic that allows them to walk on clouds? If not, and they can't live in the cloud cities, would they still identify with other pegasi, or does this explain why we see so many pegasi in Ponyville.....WALKING? Are they flightless and without passive magic, which in turn would force them to live among Earth ponies? That adds a further depth to Ponyville and the show, I'm thinking.

[@JacobMKeeneAKADrPepperKing]

When I saw Snips and Snails in the classroom presenting a possibility of doing the flag carrying, I literally said "Yeah right" out loud.

[@Lyoko2516]

I thought that they would've pulled out at the end, but I do like how the CMC won it, too.

[@JacobMKeeneAKADrPepperKing]

Lyoko2516 Right, it wouldn't have been impossible, but extremely unlikely.

[@Lyoko2516]

True.

[@rpcvliz]

I'm sure I'm not the first person to ponder this but I wonder if Fluttershy will also help Scotaloo on her journey. I know she looks up to Rainbow Dash but I think Fluttershy has an opportunity to be an equal role model for her.

[@TheMephox]

I would agree with you there. Especially considering Fluttershy's issues with flight as well. Flying seems to be instinctive for Rainbow Dash and, as someone with some instinctive talent (as I'm sure most people do), it can be really hard to teach something that, to you, is so obvious that you've never really thought about how to explain it to someone else. I am a horrible teacher. Fluttershy, on the other hand, had to struggle to learn to fly and would likely be able to reach out to Scootaloo more easily than Rainbow Dash.

[@TotalFreakZoid]

So, I love this episode. To be honest, before this episode I hated any episode that the CMC was in that were by themselves. They would focus it way too much on the fact they wanted cutie marks and failing in the attempt. This episode was centred more around developing the CMC then trying to force them into a joke that wasn't funny. I hope this is a look into the future episodes with the CMC that they will possibly get their cutie marks and put the joke that they can't "see" them will be put the rest!

[@BlythePennyBicycle21]

But, there were other episodes that didn't focus on getting cutie marks. "Family Appreciation Day" was about helping Applebloom stop Granny Smith from coming to school. "Hearts and Hooves Day", which is underrated, is about the CMC helping Big Mac and Miss Cheerilee getting together. "Ponyville Confidential", which is also underrated, while it is about getting a cutie mark, they focus more on doing a good job instead of "Here's your story. Where's my cutie mark?". In "One Bad Apple", they were trying to avoid Babs' bullying. In "Sleepless in Ponyville", the CMC went on a camping trip, and that episode was about Scootaloo.

[@TotalFreakZoid]

BlythePennyBicycle21 I'm sorry my apologizes, I think you misread my post... either that or I was trying to get the wrong point across... I said I didn't like the CMC because it focused around a unfunny joke; mainly that being the CMC short sightedness blinds them from seeing what they're talented about. I guess I was introduced to the CMC at the wrong time. I watched all of Season 1 before Season 2 where the CMC started to get development. In that season (Season 1) they were mostly shoe horned in humor of that unfunny joke. While yes, there is good episodes before this season (like Sleepless in Ponyville and Ponyville Confidential) which are really good episodes of the CMC, I feel like the times when they're moving towards a Goal was mainly because they wanted their Cutie Marks. I feel this season has not only look at the CMC in a better light, making them a lot more mature and also giving them lessons that make sense for a child to learn. (To be honest, I think they're best episode about learning is Twilight Time... though that episode was still confusing) I think what you thought I was saying was that I hated the CMC before this episode, that's not true, but maybe I could have rephrased it and said that; though there are good episodes with the CMC I feel like those episodes are overshadowed with not so great episodes that could be improved upon and I hope this episode is a step towards that light.

[@BlythePennyBicycle21]

TotalFreakZoid Well, the CMC have definitely been developing. In all their episodes this season, they only mentioned cutie marks for like 5 seconds. The rest of the episode is about their own issues, and how they overcome it. Although with "Flight to the Finish", even though I love the episode, I wish that line about cutie marks was in the first act of the episode.

[@Trueknightofblades]

Something I don't understand... Why was it necessary for them to Travel all the way to the Chrystal Empire to decide who would carry Ponyville's flag? That kind of thing should be done in each town individually, right? The only thing I can think of is that Ms. Harshwhinny just did not want to make the trip to each town more than once, so she made them all come to her. Also, did Scoots Scoot all the way to the Chrystal Empire? Haven't we established that that is a very long distance?

[@amandalynnstieberlilly5300]

I dunno how to explain this...but i can try. Think of it as like voteing. When we vote you have to go to the place with the ballot. I'm guessing it is something similar with ze ponies

[@claytonrios1]

Hi Doctor I have a question. Do you think Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon should have gotten a bigger comeuppance than what was given (which was almost nothing)? I await your response

[@DRWolf001]

As much as I would like to see more depth to DT and SS, I don't think it was all that necessary for us to see them get a comeuppance here. That really wasn't the focus of the episode, and given the amount of time they were given, I'm glad they spent more time developing Scootaloo, the rest of the CMC, and even Rainbow Dash.

[@matt0044]

DRWolf001 I'd like to see a few CMC episodes show some build up to an redemption to DT and SS's characters. Not a 180 in one episode.

[@Goremize]

though totaly wanted to see SP and DT's act for the games

[@koopadude1]

Honestly, I think they should have let the whole Scootaloo not flying thing be more internal and not have it be done because of Diamond Tiara.

[@Doughboy123x]

Pretty much everything you have said in this review, I agree. I think fans overall tend to be too harsh on the Cutie Mark Crusaders. And don't get me wrong, they did have their share of dumb and weak moments. But I have a particular like for them, and I root for them. I think this episode is one of the best for the Crusaders, and another episode focused primarily on Scootaloo. I liked: The continuity of the Equestria Games, the interactions between Harshwhinny and Rainbow Dash, the Crusaders' grown resistance to Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, the song (despite some unusual lyrics), and I liked the more meaty lesson for young children. A friend of mine has said that he would have liked it better if they had taught the lesson more harshly; that they should have just flat out said that Scootaloo will never fly. But I kind of like the way they handled it a little more. This episode passed my expectations! I consider it even better than Castle Mane-ia and Daring Don't, which were both fun to watch, but didn't seem to have my intelligence going on. This episode really tried to take its intended audience a little more seriously. I obviously doubt they will get their cutie marks specifically in flag carrying. But, it's been four seasons! I believe it's time for the crusaders to finally begin achieving what they have desired for so long! Maybe they will discover their 'something special' during the event that doesn't involve flags. Here's hoping! Until then, Great episode! P.S. For being Ed Valentine's first episode on this show, he did an excellent job!

[@matt0044]

The ending gave me SO MANY FEELS!

[@MaedayMisfit]

I really liked the episode and the song reminded me of "ilk make a man outa you"

[@Changeling9000]

I was hoping for a more serious episode.

[@heatherkramer198]

My twoo cents. One I am not upset that they didn't address whether she would ever be able to fly as I assume none of the ponies honestly knows. Second we need an episode at some point that addresses Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon's home lives so we can get some incite into why they are so mean.

[@simsgirlgem]

I'm a little annoyed by the bait and switch at the end where we thought Scoots was gonna get her cutiemark

[@jk844100]

Arrrrg it's the "Equestria" games not "Equestrian". I'm really sorry but I just had to say it. It was really bugging me. Sorry everyone :/

[@trevormorris4825]

hey how do I talk to you

[@princealigorna7468]

Best episode of season 4 so far, by a long shot! I just looked over my notes for my vids and compared it with the others...almost every episode was split about 60/40 in terms of likes and dislikes. This one, there's like 17 things I wrote down in my like column to discuss...and only 3 dislikes! And none of those are really deal-breaking! They're all just minor personal gripes!

[@Ekkostea]

i don't get iy why can't scootaloo fly?

[@Ratone6]

I think this was the best episode of the season so far, or at least a tie. I do not think that Scootoloo will never be able to fly, but will when the time is right. I actually enjoyed the song quite well. DrWolf, what did you think about the cutiemark teaser at the end when they zoomed in? Another thing, are you excited for the games? I do wish however that they would put an episode before this one with another on the mane 6 as the main focus, because RD has gotten way too much screen time for this season so far. Overall this was a well put together episode that nearly had me in tears at a couple parts. Good review, and your video visuals are improving a lot. I love you random clips from the episode.

[@MrMarinus18]

Actually Rainbow Dash's mellow reaction made the situation worse. If she had been very enthusiastic about it Scootaloo would have more faith in the routine and wouldn't have let DT get to her like that.

[@IsiahJacobs]

I don't know about you, but I think this was a good follow-up to last week's episode, at least on Rainbow Dash's part. Just the way Rainbow went from the main role to a support role, you know? There is a nice flow between these episodes.

[@cruton88]

Yet another great analysis! Keep it up!

[@ClubPandaVideos]

Beginning of the episode: Rarity= Style

[@Tijopi11]

I love CMC episodes almost as much as mane6 episodes, but i think the main reason people seem to feel emotions of disinterest or even annoyance at CMC eps is because the plots are predictable- they're almost always connected with the CMC's lack of cutie marks. I really liked THIS episode because it had virtually nothing to do with the CMC being blank flanks. Everyone knows WHAT the CMC's cutiemarks are going to be, the only mysterious part is what their cutiemarks will LOOK like. The next CMC episode i'm hoping at least one of the CMC will get their cutiemarks, but i honestly hope they'll all get their cutiemarks AT THE SAME TIME. It's really cliche, i know, but if they do one in each episode or even one at a time in an episode, it might seem as if theyre singling out one particular pony. or it'll have one pony having a cutiemark and two not having a cutiemark- it just seems somehwat in bad taste to me for some reason.

[@OtakuMan05]

Making it so that Scootaloo will never fly, I believe, won't help her in the long-run... But I did like seeing Dash own up to the promise she made to mentor Scootaloo from "Sleepless in Ponyville". It shows that Dash has come a long way and is learning how to be a responsible and respectable mentor, the kind of "big sister" that Scootaloo needs...

[@Goremize]

well ever since I watched the ep ive bee singing the song so ya I did like it already got it DL'd so I can listen to it all day and theres even remixes out already! That tease at the end with the camera zoom in on scoots flank.... priceless RD face right after pretty much everyone expressions XD Best ep so far

[@maddie9602]

In the past,I have wanted to see a redemption arc for Silverspoon and Diamond Tiara, but I feel that after this episode, Tiara has crossed the line. While Spoon might still have a redemption arc, I feel that Tiara is now beyond redemption. The arc I most want to see with her is for her to do something so terrible that even Silver Spoon will abandon her in disgust, beginning an arc of redemption, while Tiara descends into loneliness, despair, and madness, in a manner reminiscent of Azula's arc in The Last Airbender. I would like to see these two become foils the same way that Zuko and Azula did, with Silver Spoon steadily coming to the side of good, while Tiara drives away everyone she cares about, and is defeated and devastated, before disappearing from the plot entirely, never to be mentioned again.

[@matt0044]

I think Tiara's not totally unsalvageable. She just needs a real wake up moment. A WHAM episode, if you will.

[@uzername71]

A bit too much synopsis peppered in for my taste, but the 80% that was indeed review I found quite satisfactory.

[@TobyandMavisforever]

I am desperate for Scootaloo to fly. I hope she does sometime. But dispite that, I really enjoyed this episode, even though I was hoping for one where Rainbow Dash teaches Scootaloo to fly.

[@RaebNitsirt]

Oh, I guarantee you'll be singing that song for months. For me at least, there seems to be 2 types of songs in this show: 1. Songs that you love right away, but stay the same (Smile) 2. Songs that don't seem so great at first, but over time, drill their way in to your head, where they just get better & better (Giggle at the Ghosties) Just you wait. Hearts as Strong as Horses will be your favorite song in no time. Or maybe not. Yeah, probably not.

[@kymrobinson7727]

@ShyestSorrowfulSpade, I agree completely.

[@lindseys.8693]

Hm him hearts... hm hm hm horses... Oh. Yeah. Flight to the finish. Yeah, I agree with ShyestSorrowfulSpade, I was really hoping this would be the episode where the CMC would get there marks... But awesome overall.

[@PinkiePieIsBestPonyTheFirst]

3:37 Did you mean to call Bulk Biceps, Snowflake?

[@PinkiePieIsBestPonyTheFirst]

***** Oh okay, thanks for telling me

[@Brony22]

***** actually this episode aired before that episode so people just called him snowflake

[@ShyestSorrowfulSpade]

I really, really want to like this episode... But Scootaloo not getting her cutie mark shattered it for me. If they didn't tease it like they did at the end, it probably wouldn't be that much of a problem for me. However, they teased and it makes me really sad because it was the timing for her to get it was so perfect and they ruined it. :c It'd be my favorite CMC episode if it wasn't for that..

[@reifuTD]

Whats worst I feel like they faked us out at the with the camra zooming in on Scootaloo's flank and nothing happens.

[@DanteFox]

reifuTD They are going to make it so that all three get there marks at the same time. If you remember. the main six got there marks at the same time due to rainbow dash

[@reifuTD]

Dante Fox that sounds like bad writing to me. In the main six's case they where at differnt location so them getting thier cutie marks at once didn't seem werid. Heck they didn't even get their cutie mark at the same moment. The Rainboom was more if the insperation that allowed them to find thier cutie marks. In the case of the CMC, The only way I see them getting thier cutie mark at the same time/same episode if that episode was a movie or something.

[@DanteFox]

reifuTD Wile there is some truth to this. It's almost haves to be an event of sorts. They are to the point that if one gets there mark before the others. Then the hole CMC thing become redundant. And sense it has made it to season four. And no new member enlistment. It almost haves to happen in a group. And at this point. I'm putting my money on the equestrian games. Or some kind of youth event.

[@GBD1000]

This is exactly how I felt the first time I watched it, but I got over it after watching it again.

[@TheEverFreeKing]

This is one of the best episode we have ever got from mlp:D

[@rockchick184]

i personally really enjoyed this episode it becoming my favorite cmc episode and even one of my most beloved episodes in the show. I really like the possibility that Scootaloo may never be able to fly it adds a unique element to her character and i would not have been satisfied if she had ended up flying at the end as i feel this is really overdone.I liked to song though it was nothing spectacular and i am exited to see more about the equestria games. Best single episode of season 4 so far :)

[@goodolrainbowpet]

i have come to a theory that might explain how she cant fly... look at the cakes... the two babies are unicorn and pegasis so it is true that crossbreeding between ponies is real... so is it possible that scootaloo is both a pegasis and an earth pony and with being an earth pony she became too heavy for her average size wings to carry her... i think this is possible... but with her wings getting stronger she might be able to get off the ground for a moment but never to actually fly... i dont know if this is true because we never see her parents... but we did see in flight to the finish that she lives in a normal home so we could get a chance to see her parents soon... who knows... this is only my theory but im curious if someone could help support this or disprove my theory... i am very curious to know what people think

[@TheEverFreeKing]

Well look at ponies like snowflake he is huge and his wings are the same size as scootaloo's yet he can still fly sadly it looks like a disability of some kind.

[@ericsparda4991]

This episode did have some good heart though but it was so short lived . Im talking about the scene where scootaloos in her room crying, and when she keeps trying to fly. They should have been longer or atleast some more scenes of scootaloos emotional battle with her possible disablityof not being able to fly. This episode had potential but in my opinion the execution was just not that great.

[@Bownimations01]

Personally, I think that Scoots can't fly despite other unlikely Pegasi doing so because she may not have the magic of flight, or at least enough. It's just an idea ^^'

[@xXDrawingLuverXx]

I think rainbow dash is getting more mature, well when talking with scootaloo

[@eddog6666]

Maybe this episode is a hint to the over arching plot of the season? Blue Star pointed out something. Every season finally got bigger. Season 1 a huge party. Season 2 a rare royal wedding. Season 3 a princess coordination with twilight becoming a princess. That's higher then a royal wedding. So what next? The biggest thing is a hand over the throne. Now who would replace who? Twilight loves the night and is a doer. Luna is the same. So twilight sparkle the ruler of the night. But it's impossible unless Celestia steps down too. Who would be Celestia's replacement if it not twilight? There has been seven Alicorns shown so far. 1 nightmare moon 2 Luna 3 Celestia 4 Candace 5 queen Qryalsis 6 twilight sparkle? Who is the seven? Rarity. Season 1 episode 16 the sonic Rainboom. However in that episode and Twilight's cutie mark story they show the same shot. Celestia raising the sun by bringing it behind her just like rarity did with the sunlight reflecting off her butterfly wings. Rarity cutie mark is gems but look closely. There are only 2 gems that match it perfectly. Rarity cutie mark is a diamond with a circle and lines. And there are three of them. They are mimicking the 3 points of day. Sunrise, noon and sunset. And as said in call of the cutie marks. Some cutie marks may not be as clear as you think. Maybe Rarity is underestimating her skill level which means she could be just as powerful as twilight. This would ruin the elements of harmony. New heroes have to be pick. Choice number 1 the cutie mark crusaders! It's as plain as day!

[@thetwilighthunter1150]

hearts as strong as horses was a good song scootaloo should have a handycape EQUESTIA GAMES!!!!!