For Whom The Sweetie Belle Toils Review

[@cuteskeleton9381]

I think it's awesome that Luna helps young fillies with their problems. It probably gives her a better sense of purpose when she feels jealous over Celestia's attention.

[@MagicMan1_1_1]

The moral I took away from this episode was a very important one: unchecked anger and jealously can lead a person to doing things they will regret. Of course, it's a bit hard to directly compare Rarity and Sweetie Belle to Celestia and Luna when you contrast the scale and grandeur of their arcs, but it does work as a more mundane analogy.

[@TheMephox]

What if, instead of showing Sweetie Belle a vision of the future or a sharing of visions, the whole sequence of running through the stars was actually running through a sort of world of dreams - we saw the Dolphins in the dream sequence, then learn later on that Sapphire Shores loves dolphins. I don't think this was a coincidence and actually was a clever way of showing that this was a different dreamer's dreamscape only after we learned another piece of information (Sapphire's love of dolphins.) The detour with the dolphins was simply a brief side-track through Sapphire Shore's dreamscape. I think it's strongly hinted that this is the case when Sweetie Belle appears to exit her dream and enters an ethereal plane to follow Luna, who can (presumably) move between dreams. The dream they run into at the end is neither Sweetie Belle's nor Sapphire's dream, but Rarity's nightmare of what will happen if the showing of the headdress does not go off the way that she planned it. Then, when Sweetie Belle has the nightmare, it is not her nightmare that she's experiencing, but her sister's.

[@GirlPainting]

the laughing rarity cloud reminds me of nightmare rarity from the comics

[@pep-cpugwilkins53]

I love the ending when sweetie said the costums were the best part of her play. That ending was just too good

[@TS2dethmonkey]

The "seeing into the future" will hopefully be awesome to explore. Mind this can be difficult due to, well, plot issues. Also it is great to see more on Sweetie.

[@Chris-jx4ij]

Luna sees the future. Interesting idea. Here I was thinking that it was just a possibility, or an extreme projection, using Sweetie Belle's, Rarity's, and perhaps even Saphire Shores' dreams/memories. It would fit into many speculations about dreams, and their ability to provide a window into the future as well as the subconscious. DRWolf001 What do you think of a possible insecurity episode for Apple Bloom seeing as the other CMC have already experienced theirs now. What do you think Apple Bloom will have a problem with, and how do you think Luna could help her.

[@RedCordPlayer]

I just loved this episode!! Everything seemed well paced, the characters were characterized perfectly with some exceptions, and the conflict was very relate-able.

[@Benicthehedgehog]

what did you think of Sweetie Bell's deeper deph as a character Redcord? you know, with how she was in the episode since she is the main focus. and did the episode ever give you a vibe of it feeling like A Christmas Carol with it taking away the Christmas in it and replacing an old man or pony in that case with a cute little pony like Sweetie Bell.

[@RedCordPlayer]

Her character felt really developed and relate-able. and yea I got the feeling of a Christmas Carol after that scene

[@pinkityshy6247]

Redcord CHN I'm glad you got that connection too, other than just your impression of the mechanics that surround the episode to make the presentation nice and cushy for the audience to interact with.

[@tsunsu]

I'm actully impressed the layout of this epsod sweetybell's role in this one is beliveable. To compare them to the royal sisters is even better it a back track in it own way for season 1 it was really well done.

[@AlienWarhead]

I think its possible that Luna is just guessing or predicting the future and not actually seeing the future.

[@JCArules13]

Also, I don't think she could actually see the future as much as predict it and show what the worst case scenario would be. I have a feeling Rarity wouldn't actually stop designing dresses forever like the dream showed, but would freak out for awhile.

[@JCArules13]

Luna couldn't see the future I mean.

[@Emptybee]

That was my reading of it too. But now I wonder - prophecy _has_ often been associated with dreams in myth and folklore.

[@JCArules13]

Very true, maybe they'll show an example of her doing that later. I just doubt it was what this was meant to be.

[@finnanima2413]

I keep thinking back to Star Wars; the Cutie Map finding imbalance like the Force; having Cutie Marks removed be rejection of destiny; maybe Luna was showing and saw possible futures without sufficient detail?

[@cannedcream]

I don't think that Luna was really seeing into, or showing Sweetie the future, but rather; just an amplified example of what could become of Rarity if Sweetie does not curb her selfish actions. After all, if we're really hitting in the Christmas Carol theme, even Scrooge is unsure if what he is being shown is the definite future, or just a possibility. And I think that is what Luna was showing her: a possibility. Anyway, as for the episode itself, I empathized with Sweetie so much here. Heck, I envy the person who can't. I think nearly everyone knows what it's like to really put your entire soul into a project only have no one care. That's... crushing. When you do your very best and you receive nothing for it. And it's just as hurtful even when you are doing a project or piece entirely for yourself, feedback is still a wonderful thing. No matter whether what you make is for yourself or for another, what Sweetie went through was an ego-shattering event. It was a wonderful episode. And other than your ideas on the Luna's abilities to see into the future, I really could not agree more.

[@Kraigon42]

Personally, I am more of the mind that Luna is simply a good psychologist. She has, after all, been helping ponies with their nightmares for who knows how long. It's also obvious that she can manipulate dreams, so I posit that she simply showed Sweetie Belle a vision which she knew would bring a specific response (i.e. regret and repentance). Perhaps a kind of vision Luna would have appreciated being given when *she* was feeling jealous of *her* sister? Food for thought... I'm glad I wasn't just imagining things when I noticed the Christmas Carol reference. It really works in the episode's favor, though; being as subtle as it is and serving to provide an emotional backdrop for actions both before and after the dream sequence.

[@lordelliott42]

I thought the "future" part of the dream was just an extrapolation on Luna's part, based off her knowledge of both Rarity and Sapphire Shores. I believe Luna knows enough of the memories and personalities of the two ponies to *predict* the future, which is quite distinct from *foreseeing* it. I explain why I believe such hereafter. I'd have to watch again to be sure, but I think it's inferred in the beginning that Luna somehow knows already that Sweetie Belle sabotaged the headdress, a fact not apparent in the dream at that point. Therefore, I postulate that Luna has access to not only ponies dreams but their whole minds. Further evidence of this conclusion is the "present" Rarity talking in her mirror (assuming Luna didn't make that up). I think that was Rarity's actual memory from earlier that day. The presence of dolphins in the dreams was wholly unnecessary for Luna to make her point to Sweetie Belle. They therefore were clearly a message from the writers that Luna has access to Sapphire Shores dreams as well, if not her mind also. So saying, I must refute your idea of this episode as evidence for the origin of the prophesy, though Luna could certainly still be an oracle as well. It would be interesting if she was. Even more interesting than some yet unseen being, but I fear the writers or someone else with sway would think that too complex for the intended audience.

[@DJchilcott]

I loved everything about this episode, but if I had to choose favourite parts, well, Raritiy's breakdowns are always a delight to behold. I know that sounds horrible, she is my favourite pony after all, but Tabitha St Germain just does such a good job with them, and this is no exception. The comparisons between Sweetie and Rarity and Luna and Celestia were spot on. Also, regarding the idea of Luna being able to see into the future, it's always been my personal headcanon that the obstacles Nightmare Moon put forth to try to hinder and defeat the Mane 6 were, in fact, tests from the small piece of Luna deep within the Nightmare to strengthen those who would oppose her. This idea was strengthened when we see how Discord deals with the elements compared to Nightmare Moon. Nightmare Moon's obstacles are defeated by embracing the element in question; Discord, on the other hand/hoof/eagle-claw/etc used the Elements against their bearers. The idea of Luna being able to see into the future makes this idea even more intriguing. That being said, I think it's also entirely possible that Luna cannot really see into the future, but rather simply put forth a prediction of likely events based on past and current trends.

[@fiftyclown]

I really did enjoy the episode, the short "dream" sequences were so beautiful; the music deserves all the credit that it's due for.

[@2508bona]

Home run! Loved it. I agree that Luna's apparent ability to show the future opens up all kinds of possibilities (or cans of worms if you prefer).

[@WyvernYT]

Her demonstrated ability to see the past is wormy enough. If, at best, we speculate that she's dipping into Sweetie Belle's memories and elaborating a plausible fiction about what Sweetie didn't see, that still leaves her hopping from mind to mind in the night, watching the dreams and pasts of her mortal subjects. Being able to see the future is hardly necessary!

[@ASHERUISE]

Nth in the "Luna probably cannot see into the future" party. For one thing, only Sapphire Shores would have been there when Rarity unboxed the headdress, not her entire posse. It was just one plausible outcome. I don't think she knows everything that ever happened in the past either, but can use magic to reveal individual events while in a dream.

[@telaros1802]

That was amazing. Loved the Luna foreseeing her own future but not knowing or knowing that she can't change her own destiny. Whether she created the prophecy or shared it with her sister, or they had help from Starswirl to help create a way to unseal herself at just the right time in history to save a future that would be all but lost if Luna somehow avoided becoming Nightmare Moon. OH MY GAWD THE STORY POTENTIAL IN THIS. I didn't even put that much thought into Luna's ability to manipulate or see time as she controls the stars/night who knows. Likely has a more finely tuned ability that Celestia can only get hints at to make sure she stuck to helping to find a way to save her sister who she didn't know had a plan that she didn't let Celestia in on. BRILLIANT, DR. WOLF! Mr. Polsky. I never got the hate for the guy. But he has been standing out this season and he had a nice one last season too. Either way, this was a fantastic episode and glad it didn't turn out as boring as I feared it could of ended up being. Great video, Dr Wolf. Keep up the great work!

[@tchbd180]

Oh wow, I didn't even recognize such an obvious Christmas Carol Reference

[@StrikerFX47]

Neither did I. I really enjoyed seeing Luna in the episode. I hope we see her in more episodes to come.

[@EmeralBookwise]

I don't think Luna can actually see into the REAL future. The vision of the future she shows Sweetie is more so I think just an expression of Sweetie's, own guilt and worst fears after sabotaging the headdress. Otherwise I agree that this was another great Polsky episode... wait, this was a Polsky episode!? So was Twilight Time, as I recall. What madness is this; since when did he actually become a good writer?

[@EmeralBookwise]

Feeling Pinkie Keen - Over a Barrel - Too Many Pinkie Pies - Keep Calm and Flutter On - Games Ponies Play - Daring Don't - Rarity Takes Manehattan... he just doesn't really have the strongest track record. The best that can be said about any of those episodes is that they are mediocre, with quite a few of them having been the center of controversy. It's not that I hate all his work, Feeling Pinkie Keen is a personal favorite, but I know there are a lot of fans that hate that episode with a passion. That's kind of the thing, Polsky's contributions to MLP have until recently, pretty much always been very divisive, probably more so than any other writer on the show (save perhaps Merriweather Williams, but at least she's got more decidedly good episodes to her name).

[@EmeralBookwise]

Seriously? OaB, is quite possibly the single most controversial episode the show has ever had. It might have been written with the best of intentions, even managed to get in some good world building, but the way it trivialized a very real historical tragedy was for a lot of people outright insulting. The people who praised RTM were mostly just enamored with Coco, or distracted by Rarity supposedly finally showing her element, and completely missing the point that it was the crudest and most superficial display that was almost entirely out of character. Don't even get me started on KC&FO, which was by far the most ill-conceived episode ever, for turning the series best and most dangerous villain into leashed lapdog. Though to be fair, I don't really blame Polsky for that as the episode was mostly as well written as it could have been under the circumstance, but still, their had to be better ways to create a viable recurring role for John de Lancie that didn't involve breaking the show's previously established lore.

[@EmeralBookwise]

Fair enough, everyone is ALWAYS entitled to their own opinions. If you ever decide to do even a little research though, I think you'd find that I'm not even close to the only person that doesn't really care for Polsky's style. Heck, I'm arguably more of a moderate in that regard, as there are plenty of other folks who are downright venomous in their opinions on him.

[@noob_jr_2sjrkc]

I wouldn't say Luna can see into the future, just that she made a reasonable guess on how the situation would play out since she knows the subjects involved. She _may_ have even exaggerated things for dramatic effect, and that would allow for pretty interesting headcanons too. I'm more curious about how she could see into the past from back when she was stuck in the moon. I can only assume she dug up Rarity's memories, or made an educated guess _based on her previous experiences with Celestia_. That second option seems pretty deep. My favorite moment was the last line, "To be honest, the dresses were the best part". That was such a sweet way to summarize their mutual understanding. I love it when episodes have a good closing statement. This is my favorite Polsky episode now.

[@DarknessIsTheTruth]

Those Christmas Carol references went completely over my head.

[@sonicgen20]

For me this is the fourth time this season Dave Polsky has really impressed me. Yep, Daring Don't, Rarity takes Manehattan, Twilight Time, and For whom the Sweetiebelle toils, every one of these are some of my favorite episodes this season. It's really hard to believe that this was a writer that alot others seem to consider a bad writer, and now he's one of the staff's best writers, bravo Dave, bravo!

[@NeroTheDarklord]

Oh and, question 3: My mind is completely blown by the sheer possibility that Luna pretty much foresaw her own future and destiny, at least up to a certain point. Perhaps in a time where she was still shifting between her good self and her nightmare moon self, she created this prophecy in hope to be rescued one day from her uncontroled rage. Question 4: My favorite moments in MLP in general are the moments a character goes crazy. Seeing Rarity turning into a complete mental case, even if it was just in a dream sequence, was priceless to me. For a short moment, the border between MLP and the Lil' Miss Rarity blog blurred there.

[@cryofpaine]

Head canon accepted. I love the idea that it was Luna that predicted Nightmare Moon's return. I think this was absolutely in character for Sweetie Belle. She's a lot like her sister, and having her work overshadowed the way it was would easily have driven her over the edge to act without thinking. Pulling a simple stitch doesn't seem like anything at all, and she probably figured that Rarity would simply be embarrassed, not understanding the business implications that could have, since she's still just a kid. Anytime we see more of Luna, it's a good thing in my book. But I think they need to be careful using her like this. We're striding dangerously close to "deus ex machina" territory here. And having the moral served up on a silver platter in their dreams can feel cheap, instead of having the character learn it on their own. It worked well here, as the similarities between Luna's and Celestia's relationship, and Sweetie Belle's and Rarity's, makes Luna a great choice to deliver the lesson. But I can see it turning out much worse in other circumstances.

[@seirsbr8756]

A little food for thought. There is also actually a third literary reference in this ep. Hemingway's title 'For Whom the Bell Tolls' is itself a reference to 17th century poet John Donne. The quote he's referencing goes: "Any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankind; And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee." This episode prompted me to look that quote back up again and before now I never thought about it but it is also a perfect link to part of the idea of A Christmas Carol and some of the problems faced by Sweetie Belle here. I know the title of Hemingway's novel is probably the first reference that the title brings to mind but perhaps there is an even deeper idea running throughout that choice in titles. The idea that the harm does to another not only diminishes them but all all of mankind and then by extension yourself.

[@Heather-ju1ht]

I LOVED this episode, I had already read the synopsis before it came out and thought it would be a lesson for each sister, I figured Rarity would unintentionally gain the spotlight but would revel in it, this episode surprised me and made me more appreciate her character and make it easier to defend her. I've always loved that fashionista but sometimes its hard explain to others what I appreciate since she can be a tad self centered, its nice to see that generous and sisterly side of her they've been bringing out more this season.

[@FillyFarm]

Another Polsky episode? Well, this guy surely has come with some interesting episode ideas ^^ I really liked how you started talking about Luna's relationship with her sister... your thoughts were really, reallyyyy interesting, I wanted to hear more of it! xD

[@mastrRbullock]

I loved Sweetie belle in this, seeing more Luna is always great, liked the Christmas Carol references, and good episode overall . Cool idea of Luna making Nightmare moon prophecy.

[@TheAdam1995]

Here are my favorite episodes of the season so far: 5. Flight to the Finish 4. For Whom the Sweetie Belle Toils 3. Princess Twilight Sparkle 2. Maud Pie 1. Pinkie Pride And now my least favorites: 5. Umm... IDK. 4. Filli Vanilli 3. Power Ponies 2. Somepony to Watch Over Me 1. Rainbow Falls

[@biosonic100]

Yes, but like in Dickens' novel, Luna did not show the future itself, but a what-if if Sweetie did not fix what she had done.

[@EnigmaPrince101]

This was a fun episode to see, but I didnt really raise all of those questions, nor make any episodic head-cannons. I just simply enjoyed it for what it was. The dream sequences, Luna being Luna, Cmc taking the spotlight..........Just everything was fun and creative. This episode gets a 7/10 from me, and great points Dr.Wolf

[@SleepingSilentBelle]

I'm not certain that Luna is able to see into the future. She might just be fairly clever with her use of dream manipulation. I think that it's really just Luna being pretty good at predicting the outcomes and crafting a purposeful dream for Sweetie. More like, "this is what could happen", rather than, "this will happen". Aside from that little nitpick, I agree with just about everything else you said. I absolutely adored this episode and I do think it's my #1 favourite episode of the series. Well-paced, humorous, and with a greatly relatable moral that didn't need to be spelled out in a diary entry at the end. We even got Sweetie using a bit of magic as a continuation from Twilight Time, and we got to see a bit more of the mechanics of the dream realm. With the way Sweetie acted at the beginning, after their performance, and her friends wonder if she got a cutie mark, I love that Sweetie just looked right past that comment. Because she wasn't just doing this for a cutie mark, she was legitimately trying her best, and hoping that it was enough to get a positive reaction from others. She's showing the beginnings of being an artist--of creating something worthwhile and hoping that at least one person will find it beautiful. I just loved it. Thanks for the video, Dr. Wolf.

[@rede513]

Dave Polski is becoming the shows best writer. He was always good for comedy but his story and drama keep improving. Hope he keeps it up into season 5. If MA Larson comes back, AKR and some of the new writers stays on with Polski's continual improvements season 5 should be fantastic.

[@stormchaser4249]

Another episode to add in my favorites. This is pretty much Sisterhoof Social, but in reverse with Rarity and Sweetie Belle. As I said in your review of Somepony to Watch Over Me, I really like these siblings episodes and this was fantastic. Now we need a episode with just Celestia and Luna. Speaking of Luna, if Luna can see into the future, did she see herself turn into Nightmare Moon and why didn't she tell Celestia about it?

[@thunderflare59]

"Maybe Luna made that prophecy." You just blew my mind.

[@VaanG0v]

If Celestia is a dictator, then Luna is her head of secret police, peering into the minds of the public at night, finding the trouble makers. Then scaring them into submission with terrible made up prophecies of the future.

[@soliton4]

they are preparing our kids for the upcoming police state ;p

[@VaanG0v]

sol Dude be careful, the government reads all youtube comments!

[@rhymebeat1142]

I was a part of the crowd that thought Luna's vision was a projection rather than a prediction, but your headcanon about Luna and Nightmare Moon makes so much sense I'm adopting it. It's not like this is the first time MLP delved into the idea of Destiny.

[@JCArules13]

"For whom the bell tolls" is actually from the poem Meditation 17 by John Dunn. It's before Ernest Hemingway, and I just wanted to point that out.

[@CrittersRule247]

It's even funnier because I just picked up the latest issue of the comics today and I think it was better then the actual episode, and it even shared some of the same themes with Luna.

[@852kronos]

I think we should just get a luna celestia episode already, maybe twilight too but with none of the other main 6 in it

[@HECKproductions]

as soon as i read the title the first time it automatically became my second most loved episode because of the wordplay on one of my absolute favorites of songs and a story i really like aside from that the episode itself was pretty cool too and i liked seeing luna visiting another cmc in her dreams i wonder if apple bloom with get into the same situation one time and before that i thought sweetie couldnt get any more adorable but her five year old version... i died... seven times... so cute...

[@Lazy034]

It was good to see the CMC improve their zip-line skills from when they first tried it.

[@Shaunro200]

Maybe Luna couldn't control when she see's into the future over a 1000 years ago or she would have seen her defeat coming so maybe over time after she was turned back to good she started training her powers until she managed to gain full control

[@GreycatRademenes]

Interesting thought about Luna being able to see into the future. This actually reminds me a quote from I believe Aesop (correct me if I'm wrong) which states "Future is build of dreams". I don't really think Luna is able to see into the future in the most common sense of the phrase, however she's able to connect to a dream. She couldn't have known about Sweetie's past in conventional way, especially since she knew more than Sweetie herself. I'd say she seems to be able to travel ones memories and isn't bound to follow the owner of those memories and explore them. As for seing into the future, from the way that was presented she was able to present a vision of possible future based on Sweeties knowlage and emotions leading to the "WORSE POSSIBLE THING" comming out. So I'm willing to say that Luna doesn't so much see the future as she's able to predict possible outcomes. Which actually made sense that she didn't know she'd became Nightmare Moon, or she believed she could avoid it. There are many possibilities, that's why I prefer the term theory to headcanon >^^

[@spideyviewer327]

I love how Luna has the ability to make dreams negative colored.

[@Emper0rH0rde]

Rarity's breakdown in the dream sequence was freeeeeeeaky.

[@WyvernYT]

It was nice getting confirmation that Scootaloo's experience was really Princess Luna giving her advice, rather than being just a dream. But after thinking it over some implications start growing on me... Notice that Luna didn't just drop in on Sweetie Belle's dream, she knew what had happened in Ponyville earlier in the day - and apparently at a party years before, when she was still on the moon. She also passed along a hint about dolphins from Sapphire's dreams, so she brings knowledge back into the waking world. It makes me suspect that Equestria's government is more solid than the dozens-strong army of stallions with spears would suggest. Could an enemy avoid her by sleeping during the daytime? Can anyone keep a secret from Luna, if she wants to find out? Even if she can't really see the future, the implications for abuse of this power make the "Tyrant Celestia" meme look minor. Maybe everyone has been looking at the wrong sister all along!

[@justincarawan-carawanco.pu1639]

I liked the Christmas Carol angle, they did. :D

[@thechatteringclown]

I'm sorry but where does it say that luna can see in the future? sure she shows sweetie bell "the future", but that is only a dream sequenze based on the observation on the presence and the logical conclusions drawn from that. personally, i don't really think that it is an actual look into the future, but only a manefestion of the fears of the character, sweetie bell in this case. i could be wrong, but it seems much more plausible than anything else.

[@LostInNumbers]

Agreed. This was most likely not the actual future but rather a very accurate prediction.

[@Vardanix2468]

LostInNumbers well,she knew exactly what happened in the past,but,who knows?

[@thechatteringclown]

daniel vasile well yeah, but luna can see dreams, which at least in real live are a way for humans to process and to comprehend the stuff we experience during the day. and since ponies are based on humans it wouldn't be unreasonable to think that it works similair for them, so it's possible that luna saw what happened during one of rarity's dreams...

[@eddog6666]

I just remember something about earlier episode back in season 1! the Cutie Mark Chronicles! Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Twilight's manes were a little lighter! pinkie's mane was darker. that Filly in the dream flashback is Diamond! in the past Diamond and Sweetie bell were friends! I wonder what happened? everytime they are shown together Applebloom argues with Silver spoon and Scootaloo doesn't do anything. and Sweetie bell is 95% the first one to argue against Diamond! could it be a misunderstanding? all of the lessons with Sweetie bell were the effects after a simple misunderstanding! Now this is a big surprise! their fight might be over nothing but it cause them to meet better friends. and look at that the word Friends appears again.

[@JacobMKeeneAKADrPepperKing]

When I first read the synopsis for the episode I thought "that doesn't really sound like Sweetie Belle," did you think something similar or what?

[@Juria316]

Quite an intriguing headcannon going on here. Personally, I really enjoyed this episode, and I thought that Sweetie Belle's reaction was very genuine and sincere, and I thought the parallels between her and Luna were very surprising, considering that I hadn't really put much thought into it until this episode, and fit together nicely. Although I don't think Luna could completely see into the future, but rather she can project a possible outcome of what the future may be like based upon the decisions a pony makes, if said pony stays on the path they are currently taking. This is why I would love to see a Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon similar to this one.

[@DeathGodRiku]

I love the fact that this whole "seeing into the future" thing is actually brought up AGAIN in the season finale. Celestia foresees the return of Tirek, but passes it off as a nightmare. However, Luna tells her that they both know it was no nightmare and that Tirek is returning. I completely LOVE this episode as Luna is my favorite pony. I can't exactly say why I love Luna so much since I've never had a problem connecting with my older brothers nor have I had trouble gaining the spot light when it came to by my turn. In fact, my oldest brother actually sort of influenced my love for theater and I can't help but think that maybe this is how I connect to Luna. She obviously wanted to aspire to be like Celestia. She wanted to be loved by her subjects much like they did with Celestia. However, unlike Luna, I never got jealous of the times my brother took the spotlight and I've always been proud of him.

[@KrazyKirby15]

This has to be one of my favorite episodes and lessons because you get Luna giving the lesson to Sweetie bell. Now ever since the first episode of Luna/Nightmare moons appearance and the conflict, Luna has been my favorite pony because she reminds me of me. Celestia would be my older sister who gets straight As and is talented while I'm not. Giving this conflict to Sweetie and Rarity is brilliant!! It gives me more advice on being the youngest sister.

[@toriaem]

Now I'm not ashamed to say... DAVE POLSKY IS ONE OF MY FAVOURITE WRITERS!

[@0deadx21]

DON'T COUNT ON MORE FUTURE-SEEING EPISODES. The vision was more likely a trick. Also we never learned anything new about the alicorn sisters. They'll never get more development than the one we've already seen.

[@RpGfreak901]

Another funny moment (at least to me), is when Sweetie Belle meets Luna a second time and thinks that's she's still dreaming and Luna says in a deadpan voice that it's real. "Oh, good! This is just a dream!" "Actually, no. This is real."

[@cofagrigusfan24]

i like that sweetie belle has used her magic (to open and close the box) but still she used her magic

[@EllieShackleton]

Personally, this is one of my favourites. I love seeing rarity and sweetie belle's relationship grow as it has. On a side note, it is a more personal episode for me as I see a lot of what me and my older brother struggle with. I think he outshines me, he thinks I outshine him. It was really interesting to see the moral and I liked it overall.

[@b300mussolini]

with all the family episode floating about i would really like to see the writers tackle some family relationships outside of sister/sister ones. i feel that they have done a great job breaking the mold when it comes to those kinds of episode and as a big brother to a little sister and brother i would like see them take on a older brother story that did not devolve into the overdone over-caring/over-protective big brother type story.

[@heatherkramer3139]

Not sure of Luna seeing the future as much as creating a vision for Sweetie Belle. What is interesting is Luna knowing details of what happened in the past and the expanded knowledge that she is constantly monitoring dreams of seemingly everyone. If she wasn't good this could be rather sinister and shows how quickly she could have come to dominate as Nightmare Moon.

[@inakamoto]

I loved this episode, it was definitely a lot of fun. I didn't take that future sequence too much as Luna being able to see into the future, but more Luna trying to scare Sweetie Belle straight (also, I caught the Christmas Carol connection, too), but if future sight is one of her abilities, it would help explain a few things. All in all, very enjoyable episode, with a great moral, and a conflict that was handled expertly, in my opinion.

[@jrrollins84]

Maybe Luna saw that Celestia holding both the sun & moon, and thought that see was going to take her job in the future without know why she was doing it.

[@barrettfenwick8028]

I just thought it was hilarious how Sweetie is developing Rarity's habit of talking to inanimate objects or nothing when she's stressed or angry. "because all she's going to care about, IS THAT RED RIBBON!!!" :)

[@SirGabe3]

Luna predicting her own return? HEADSPLOSION!!!!

[@sirfret2704]

It didn't cross my mind that Luna wrote the prophecy herself, but what I did notice, is that in Sweetie Belle's dream she was walking on a path of stars. Maybe that's what the prophecy meant when it says 'The stars will aid her escape'? I dunno, but this episode was amazing.

[@LoreleiStockhausen]

The title was actually a reference to John Donne's sermon, whom Hemmingway referenced for his title too.

[@zackblack1923]

Dr. Wolf is right about these Sibling episodes. They're coming out like crazy... kinda making each week more of a bummer for me. Being a foster child 'lone' for all my life, sibling companionship is something I've always longed a taste for. Makes me feel weird watching it in media or reading it in books.

[@TheBlueSunil]

This episode was amazing and totally rocked!!! The visuals were astounding!!vThis is my new favorite ep of season 4!!!

[@lilymiller7284]

I think I makes the sisters grow together along with the characters. It also proves rarity is awesome under pressure at times.

[@pinkityshy6247]

You know, during the dream sequence after Princess Luna showed Sweetie Belle the future, at the part where dolphins come in... I only realized the relevance of sewing a dolphin on Sapphire Shores' headdress because they were both traveling through Sapphire Shores' dream, and that's how Princess Luna knew Sapphire Shores' lucky animal that swims around in her dreams. And yes Dr. Wolf, I agree that Applebloom may as well get a visit from Princess Luna, but there are not many more chances left in season 4 for her to get any. Perhaps season 5 we will see an interaction.

[@LidzGaming]

Where do I find this episode on youtube?

[@TheAdamant94]

I interpreted it more as Luna manipulating the dream to show sweetie belle what she thinks the consequences would be, not actually showing her the future. I kind of think it is a bit of a stretch to say she can see the future, but then again it is as you say the most viable explanation for the otherwise inexplicable prophecy.

[@dreamersofdays]

That's one of the questions I had if Luna can actually see into the future or was Luna exaggerating to what could have happened to Rarity

[@thewolfofwallstreet627]

That's an interesting theory about connecting her abilities to see into the future with the nightmare moon prophecy being foretold years prior to her inevitable return. The only problem with this is if she knew that someday that she'd betray her own sister, why didn't she bother taking steps to prevent it from happening to begin with? This makes me think that there was other outside source influencing her decision to become nightmare moon, which would explain a lot.

[@MDWolfe-ks5fu]

Ha, Ha, Ha. Yes, I really love this episode. With couple of weeks of underwhelming episodes, this one is a great episode. Believable conflicted with some bits and a surreal dream sequences. I can't help it but watching the dream sequence over and over. They putted some creative effort to make Sweetie Belle's dream as surreal as possible, melting trophy, falling through the water then landed in a room, sliding on Rarity's mane and into her wailing mouth and having a nightmarish visions of her sisters future. I had my four year old nephew watching this episode, although he doesn't pay attention to the first and third part. But his eyes are on the dream sequence then as soon it was over he just said, "bad dream." Oh yeah. Yes, you can tell I like the dark stuff in the kids shows like Disney movies and Don Bluth's movie in the eighties. Now about this new headcanon, maybe you should make a video about it as a follow-up to your cross over video with KP about Celestia and Luna. I perhaps may write a fanfic about this. This going to be more interesting.

[@cruton88]

I dont think Luna and Celestia can see into their own futures, i think that they can only see into others, thus if they could see into their own futures then there would never be any conflict within the show. The royal sisters would have had plans to deal with them.

[@grunboy6172]

Did not notice the Christmas carol reference good catch doc.

[@darkmythclapper1718]

If Luna can see the future but I think only in ponies dreams she can do that and help them out to find what they need. But I'm hoping for another more epic luna tale but this was pretty funny all the same if u agree

[@Shearper2]

i loved this episode just because it featured my favourite pony not to mention princess. Princess Luna is best Princess. I also loved the world building they are doing around the royal sisters too.

[@TreClaire]

I don't think Lunas ability to see into the future was intentionally put in to help with the Nightmare Moon arch, I really think it was nothing more than a Christmas Carol reference but it certianly is GREAT for headcanons!

[@AzureExia]

sweetie is a child thus she is immature she's allowed to act the way she did in this episode. i believe she is very much in character.

[@frederickthesquirrel]

If guessing that Saphire Shores would be disappointed and Rarity would have a breakdown counts as seeing the future, then I'm a prophet too.

[@avalasialove]

I was a little wary of this episode at first. But, Dave Polsky managed to surprise me. I think that both Sweetie Belle and Rarity learned a lesson. I think that Rarity realized that she might have been accidentally putting too much pressure on her sister. Overall, I loved this episode!

[@plucas1]

I don't think DrWolf is gong far enough with the seeing into the future thing. Forget about the prophecy. The big question is, why is Luna spending so much time and effort helping these rather mundane fillies with such seeming minor problems? Does Luna foresee something in the future where these three play a huge role, and could she be trying to prepare them for it? I think Faust mentioned in some tweet or another that Celestia can also see into the future, but only in a very limited fashion. She can occasionally catch a glimpse of things to come, but may not know the context of the brief vision she sees. It may have been Celestia herself who wrote the Nightmare Moon prophecy, and it may be why she was content in only encouraging Twilight to make some friends in context of that--she foresaw Twilight's friendships as being important, but wasn't sure how that would work out exactly.

[@kehvedna7946]

I would like to see this tweet.

[@DanteFox]

I don't think it was so much seeing in the future. But more of a prediction. The fact that Luna can dream walk. And that this happens. I could see them doing an episode Of Luna going from one of the main six to the other.

[@WyvernYT]

Yes, this was my first thought. Scootaloo had a dream, but she could have dreamed anything; this is confirmation that Luna really is visiting ponies in their dreams. I have enough to say on this that I think I'll post a top-level comment.

[@DanteFox]

WyvernYT well I think it's on a dream by dream basis.

[@Kayclau]

I loved this episode, I didn't imagined that they could actually make this good as that. I always knew that the relationship between Sweetie Belle and Rarity is not the best and it has been growing since the begining of the series, and usually it was Rarity's fault what start the problem between them, but this time it was Sweetie Belle's. And I think is right to her to have this kind of issues. She wants to be just like her sister and when she tried by her own and couldn't do it well, she asked Rarity for help, but with that help Sweetie felt that what she did is not longer on the dresses. Rarity came with dresses that she did, not Sweetie, and when everypony only loved the dresses she felt that Rarity stoled the spotlight, again. That's something normal for a child like Sweetie Belle and I loved it.

[@DarknessIsTheTruth]

You'll have to wait until NEXT season for Luna to visit Applebloom, Doc. XP

[@ToeIn2194]

I thought this episode was fantastic and I think everybody was completely in character. I think this episode showed us that Rarity and Sweetie Belle have some of the same desires and personality. They both seem to want to get attention and can get overly emotional and not see the big picture. Luna's ability to show Sweetie Belle past and future moments reminded of of the spell Twilight drank in the opening 2 parter. I don't see that as a bad thing either and frankly I didn't see much of a problem with Twilight using the spell/potion anyway. Judging from what Zecora said about the spell/potion it could be that seeing past and future events is a power that is unique to Alicorns. I would love to see more spells and abilities that Alicorns can do that other ponies can't. I also noticed the nice touch of Sweetie Belle only being able to see the events but cannot interact with them as her present self, preventing a time paradox type situation. About your Luna being able to see her own future idea, I don't think Luna can see her future. A lot of times with these kinds of powers in movies and TV the characters can see other peoples lives/thoughts but not their own. It is a bit of a metaphor with how people are often blind to their own behavior etc. Even if Luna could see some of her future I doubt she would have been able to put it in perspective back then when she was alone on the moon. I also think any extra drama in the future dream/vision sequence is a mixture of Luna's power and Sweetie Belle's own emotionality. I see a lot of people complaining on the episode upload about the drama level but I do not think it is an issue people should get worked up over. I loved how they remembered Sweetie can do magic and I loved seeing Scootaloo try to fly and fail yet again since I want her to remain a physically disabled character. It makes Scootaloo more interesting. I related to Sweetie Belle and her behavior too from past experience and I think a lot of younger viewers will. Spike's voice also sounded normal here unlike in Twilight Time.

[@TailsFan369no2]

I hope the editing returns to how it was 2 weeks ago

[@WhitefoxUC]

Doc, I agree with the points you brought up. It makes for a very interesting and strong narrative. And of course, I loved this episode as well.

[@missedthebandwagon976]

I've never been a huge fan of Sweetie Belle, but I can see the good parts in this episode, and as the youngest of 5 children, I always tried to copy my older brothers talent for drawing and was disappointed when it wasn't as good as theirs. I had never related Luna to Sweetie Belle either and it was fun to watch and I like seeing Luna interact with her subjects.

[@missedthebandwagon976]

I have to disagree past self. I can remember wanting my art to be as good as my brothers, however it wasn't long before I discovered anime, Pokemon being the big influence for me. From there I tried copying a lot of animes art and got much better at it. My brother stuck to cartoon art while I fallowed the path of Japanimation. Now my goal is to be a manga writer if I can and if I can't I still plan to make comics even if I can't work for the company I admire so much.

[@thunderflare59]

The HUB just included "Sister Sister" in it's regular lineup. That might have something to do with it.

[@NekoMaogura]

Although my heart was being wrenched when she did it, I totally understand sweetie's actions and think it wasn't out of character for sweetie and for a child character in general. I'm so glad that sweetie got the chance to fix the head dress otherwise I wouldn't be able to forgive her.

[@fightingdreamers77]

My head cannon for why the sisters Luna and Celesita are orphans should still be intact with this new information. It might even help fill some plot holes in it as well, hears hoping.

[@blakenelson4158]

I think Luna was building possible futures based on her vast knowledge gained from the dream realm! after all she can walk into anypony's dream and just perhaps has a vast store house of knowledge of their dreams hopes and fears. Come to think of it that could well be the really scary part of Luna.

[@NeroTheDarklord]

Question 1: Yes, I think sweeties actions and character match. In fact, I think it would fit for every character that is yet not fully grown up. We all had a moment like that, where we were so angry at another person that in our desire to achieve revenge, we completely overshoot it. Be it just in what you think up in your head or actually do. Question 2: I absolutely think the fact that Luna taught this lesson revealed a lot. This is the second time she appears as a dream-walker to teach a moral related to her own mistakes. I get the feeling Luna is still very, very sorry for how she lashed out in the past so much that she went down in equestria's history as maybe the biggest demon there ever was. She really learned from her mistakes and wants to prevent her subjects, even in the earliest of ages, to follow her footsteps.

[@brentramsten249]

she can see the future... or maybe shes just an educated guesser. (its not like she has an inside look into both of the personalities and insecurities of sapphire shores and rarity). there are many signs, most from the comics, that luna did not have the ability to see dreams before becoming nightmare moon (which I guess would make sense because of the whole nightmare in her title). If luna function similarly before she turned evil as she does now you can bet your sweet wolven behind that there would have been some very uncomfortable conversations between parents and kids during the nightmare night celebration. seeing your kids take part in celebrating the bad image of the person who helped you get over your night terrors does not a calming conversation make.