"Hearthbreakers" Review

[@animegx45]

I still can't help but love the idea of ponies actually being able to eat rocks. Makes me wonder if Maud ever tried to eat Holder's Boulder.

[@charemchavrutah]

The Pies' financial situation might help explain some of their ways. If the whole point of rock farming is to cultivate gems, much like oyster farming is often meant to grow pearls, then their income would indeed be very small. It would explain why Maud went to university in geology, as that knowledge would come in very handy to make the farm more successful. Also, it would explain the idea of finding gifts instead of always receiving them, because that would mirror the experience of finding a valuable gem: precious and rare.

[@HECKproductions]

i love maude since her episode and i love marble and limestone is kinda interesting too pinkies sisters are among the characters i like most ine the show

[@RosieSievers]

This episode was heartwarming and fantastic in terms of interactions and also we got more world building to the traditions of Hearth’s Warming Eve. Considering this is the second episode written by Nick Confalone who also wrote Party Pooped earlier on in the season, this is definitely his best episode so far. It makes me want to see more episodes with both of their families in future episodes. ^^ Happy Nightmare Night Doctor ^^

[@BeltDragon95]

This is an official holiday special I would see every December.

[@Sparkle5fanboy]

I though it was endearing how Pinkies family celebrated the holiday in their own unique way. Instead of making crochet dolls they Friggin Carve them from stone. They play capture the flag to see who will put the flag on top of holders bolder. And they hide their presents. In short. They're like your friends family who you stay with who celebrate the holiday differently and you are overwhelmed by how they go about things and find it wonderful. That's what this episode made me feel like. Also that Pairing Stone Moment with Granny Smith was just the greatest, i loved it.

[@tenkoasahina3288]

Oooooh I KNEW there was some kind of reference during the first train scene. I was paying attention to the lady, with the coat and suitcase and thought THAT was a reference, and it probably IS, correct me if I'm wrong, but now I recognize the "planes, trains, and automobiles" reference.

[@SuperGodzilla2]

i loved this episode, Marble and Limestone were adorable, and i love Pinkie's interaction with them, great review Doc

[@baffledbrandon6971]

Did anyone else catch that the animators threw in a reference to "Planes, Trains & Automobiles" and "Home Alone?" I thought that was cool. :)

[@barsni4779]

They did gave the opportunity for Trixie to gain money to buy powerful cursed artifact and they have quite a big plot of land for themself. And Pinkie did foung big stash of party goods for her very first party.

[@sleepystarspider5217]

+B'ars NI Good torpedoing of the theory. I actually suspect the Pies have decent reserves of bits, they just choose to lead a frugal lifestyle.

[@TheAvizanski]

+Sleepy Starspider pinkie looks like the type to keep some bits on the side, like in cider squeezy where she had tons of them.

[@Kartoffelkamm]

+Avizanski u might be right about that. i mean, the Pies may not live in glamour and may not have high-tech equipment, but to me it seems like they are based on that type of people who dont commonly use fancy technologies in their life, since its not part of their way of living. i forgot the word for that, but im sure u know what i mean.

[@TheAvizanski]

***** Amish?

[@Kartoffelkamm]

Avizanski ah, right, thats it. thanks. :)

[@SharpWit]

About the release date of this episode, It all goes to Crusaders of the Lost Mark. They've moved second part of season till now to fit it exactly into a anniversary day. It was also the reason why Scare Master was moved later compared to leaked episode names to fit it to halloween. But with the Heartbreakers there is one big problem that not allowing to move this episode to December, and it's called The Cutie Remark". Because there will be no delays between episodes now, the season finale will be released 5'th and 12'th December. So there is just no room for Christmas episode anyway, while it was easy to move Scare Master to be released exactly in Halloween (except itunes). It wasn't just the best way to do it, it was the only way.

[@GeminiGold27lightning]

Did... Pinkie Pie say Marble Pie was only a few MINUTES younger than her? Is she a twin??

[@Nazo-kage]

Thank you! Thank you! When I first watched this episode I was so worried that this was the path they were going to go down that the pie family was actually poor and they didn't let on to the kids and the only way they could justify to the kids but only one or two of them got presence was that they made a game of hiding them and sometimes they just couldn't find them, I was so worried when the Apple Jack is relaying the idea of changing traditions to pinky that it was going to be discovered by them wanting to switch the tradition to just having all the presents together instead of hiding them

[@gc1823]

Just realised. In the season 1 flashback, Lime is a blank flank. We don't know about Maud, but it means that Pinkie got her cutie mark before her older sister. Just so you know, Limestone is the oldest, then Maud, then Pinkie and I think Marble is her twin but slightly younger. Mind Blown. Wait I just remembered in Pinkie pride maud doesn't have her mark. Wow.

[@AJponyAPschannel]

Also, Yes, id rather have lost mark on the 5th than anything else (though it did make for the Halloween epsidoe to premier on Halloween :D Though why didn't they just make this epsidoe 23 or something?

[@gutsmasterson2488]

+The Autistic Pony Maybe they could have just rearranged some episodes and have small episode breaks

[@nemderogatorius]

This episode made me think too. And the more I think about it the more I love it. There is a great message under the surface. I also like the Pie family, especially Limestone Pie. She is just so energetic.

[@Woodsstories]

It makes total sense about the anniversary date, but it doesn't make sense why the Christmas episode came before the Halloween episode. They could have easily moved the Christmas episode to later, like right before the season finale (I'm guessing that the season finale will be some time in December). I don't know. There both good episodes regardless of any goofs in scheduling, so I'd say enjoy them for the fun they gave.

[@jenniferb3898]

That was a nice review. If these traditions were made so that the Pie sisters could have fun despite not being able to buy fancy things for the holiday, than asking if Pinkie likes AJ's traditions more is almost like asking if Pinkie still feels she needs these materialistic things despite all of her parent's attempts to make the holiday fun for them anyway. (Or even if they have the money I still get the feeling that they want their girls to care about more than commercial/materialistic things.) Given that I can see why this was pretty sad to Igneous and Cloudy Quartz. I think they are good parents, that said all the Pie's are pretty awesome ^_^

[@theprofessionalwizard9846]

Suddenly Maud's pet rock makes a lot of sense as well. Boulder would never require the sort of material upkeep of a living, breathing pet!

[@SomniisPMV]

Yet another great review doc! Also a few other people agree with you on the sense of having economical differences being a part of the story, though I'm not sure anypony knows whether or not it was on purpose.

[@raw6668]

There is one giant hole in your theory about where supposed to have a longer break then we have between half seasons. The next episode, Scare Master is a halloween episode, which by your logic was going to played in December if not the end of November. No, what is probably the more likley rason, was there was going to be breaks between episodes similar to the first half but realized it was part of the reason their ratting were dropping, so to make sure they don't lose any more viewers desided to show then every week, even if they were out of order. In fact their raitings are increasing because of it. Heart Breakers, while its weird to have a Christmas one in December, was probably one they could move not worrying too much about consitency (since the episode isn't tie to any other episode or any future one) and being shown before the Season 5 finale.

[@trickdeck5478]

Personally, I would have liked to seen Applejack and Limestone Pie spend some time together. I feel like they would have been able to make a good connection since they both are in charge of their farms as well as knowing the joys and struggles that come from working with one's family.

[@BlueStarBrony]

Good work as always and welcome back! Ahh This is why I do "AfterThought" reviews after watching the episode a few days later. Sometimes you have to watch a episode a few times to truely appreciate it and it's also interesting to hear everypony else's opinion and respond to it. Yes I think the reason why the Pie families are so different is because of their simpler background. In short it all comes down to the culture of these two families. This in itself is something worthy to stop and really think about. I generally don't like this episode since it's difficult watching Applejack make such a obvious mistake but in order to teach this lesson Applejack does have to make that mistake. However it was interesting to see the Pie family and how different they are. Talk about a Contrast! lol I don't know why this episode was realesed now. All I do know is the next episode was definitely made to air on Oct 31! lol BlueStar Out

[@landoninthehood8849]

I had thought of the theory that the Pies not have much money for Harthswarming too.

[@JCBro-yg8vd]

This episode was good largely because of its message, Christmas is never supposed to be about presents and fancy celebrations. The Pie Family isn't bad, but with the exception of Maud Pie, they're largely one note and don't really move on from their default personality.

[@AngelEmfrbl]

Also applejack told apple bloom presents and sweets didn't make the holiday special.... But then she put emphasis on that very thing she said wasn't important.

[@MathewSwift]

Happy Halloween, Dr. Wolf!

[@AJponyAPschannel]

Huh, for some reason, this reminds me of a recess epsidoe where the kids have to play by a rule book of a king who lived in the Great Depression, and as such, they replaced balls with whatever was avaible

[@alfonsord24]

+The Autistic Pony yup, can be comparisons...

[@davidradcliffe955]

I think the writers moved the Christmas episode up to play with the fact Christmas stuff is put up 2 weeks before Halloween

[@Itachi45481]

just when like every year on tv by 11:30 pm today Halloween we will get Christmas commercials

[@LightSpectris]

As a long time pony fan, don't know why the recent episodes aren't that great. And I'm just used to slice of life episodes that I'm not all surprised anymore. There were episodes I loved such as Amending Fences, the Cutie Map, Slice of Life, Crusaders of the Lost Mark and Bloom and Gloom, but the episodes coming out recently don't go in ideas they should go like developing new character interaction such as Pinkie and Rarrity or Fluttershy and Twilight. To be fair a Twishy episode is coming up but still I don't feel as excited as I was three years before.

[@Orthus100]

I think the Pies are fine financially but choose to live simply. They can grow a material that is readily accepted at vendors, gems, and I'm sure you'd have jewelers looking to buy. There's an old comic to this effect but I can't find the link right now. As for the soup, the Pies can eat rocks, so assuming they stick to the farm mostly, might not really grasp that they are unique in that fact. Just think of all the crazy things people eat and take for granted, the really niche stuff like durian.

[@humptydumptygoose]

I assumed they released this one early so it could be on sale by Christmas.

[@CilanSteele]

Huh... I didn't even notice that there wasn't a review yet.

[@nickharrod7450]

I think it was because the halloween one would be on halloween

[@NthDoctorWho]

+Nick Harrod Nah, it's just because Scare Master was 15 in production order, but 21 in air order Not the first time such a goof has happened; it usually happens once per season

[@nathanfleming6871]

Scare Master is coming out today

[@nathanfleming6871]

(officially I mean)

[@randolphcarsten4492]

sooo the Walton's spend Christmas with the Jobe's.

[@domtoblerone2754]

The real thing that hit me the wrong way was that it really should've been both families learning the message not just the apples. The apples were a bit wrong in not respecting there traditions but when AJ tried to bring in her own traditions the pie family seemed to do a lot worse. Then at the end it seemed like the apples were the only ones the learned anything.

[@gsamalot]

I think it was alright man beside we had that leak of the halloween episode so not surprising this happen

[@optimusprime150]

While you do have a point of how the Pie family might look poor I don't believe they are. Because in many ways they are Amish based and I think they choose to live simply rather than lavishly. In the episode where Pinkie threw her first party she was able to get a lot of decorations and supplies and I don't believe she could have gotten all of that for very little money. So I think the Pie family has money but just choose to live a very simple lifestyle and do things in their own way, including the food they prefer.

[@Miestwin]

"Tradition is the tyranny of the dead over the living."

[@Nothin2seehere-e4z]

Well they're starting Christmas very early.

[@renakawaiichan]

I know I definitely got an Amish vibe from the Pie family. It could be less about money and more about living simply. They see the Apple's heartwarming as too frivolous then their own.

[@heathercolthart9822]

Gasp marble and be Mac blushed must ship them now

[@sleepystarspider5217]

There can be a difference between "poor" and "austere". As pointed out, they hired on TG&PT! and paid her a fat stack of bits.

[@ChanningPappe]

I got nothing to add other than I thought Pinkies family being poor was everyone's first thought. Other than that, Great Review and glad you had fun at Nightmare Night!

[@thechatteringclown]

+ChanningPappe no, not really. most people just went with the "they are amish" interpretation i guess. the pies aren't poor, they are just minimalistic; it's just the way the live. there is also no indication in any of the episodes that they are poor. as someone pointed out, the pies were able to hire trixie and pay her enough so that she could buy an acient evil artifact and, considering the size of the bag of bits she gave the vendor, she didn't earn badly. doesn't really speak for a poor family now does it? also back during pinkie's first party, she did have enough money to easily buy a bunch of party stuff and cakes, despite being just a child and probably not having acces to the full family funds. so really, there's nothing that points to the pie's being poor despite fan-interpretation

[@ChanningPappe]

+thechatteringclown I meant one of many first thoughts like that's what came to mind, as well as religion, ethics, and anything else.

[@flairthedark6000]

Marble and big mac. (at least I THINK that was marble Unless I forgot something) I ship it. Ship it like fedex!

[@anonymouslyknown6530]

this episode was about a Rock. They are all about Rocks.

[@SuperHurricane]

One small problem, there's nothing wrong with the finances given their mines are full of rare and exotic gems that could easily pay for a few new cities if the Pies so chose.

[@Dizaster1995]

i actually do have a theory on why a hearthswarming episode is in october rather than december doc... and id actually like to discuss this with you in detail if you wouldn't mind :)

[@rosiemckie300]

Where did applejack get all those decorations I thought there was only presents in the trunk or was it just a pinkie pie

[@GPischke]

What an interesting observation. It certainly has merit. And this was a very fun episode, too.

[@BlackGrayne]

No comment on Pinky having a twin sister?

[@thenoremac2685]

The biggest thing I got from this episode is that Marble is Pinkie's TWIN sister.

[@NthDoctorWho]

Where the heck did AJ get all those decorations though? Was there some store out in the middle of nowhere selling supplies at midnight or something?

[@harmjanberends7856]

+The Doctor that or she couldve borrowd the decorations from pinky? at least i tink

[@selalewow]

Having the "Christmas" episode before the "Halloween" episode does not mean much if you consider this is a land of pastel ponies. Who says that their holidays have follow the same pattern as ours. That said, the disappearing-reappearing winter is a little annoying. Make up your minds about the seasons.

[@SweetCaptain77]

I was there, I met at Nightmare Nights!!

[@daisyhedgehog8854]

What is the reference? I don't get it...😞

[@HyperMoeMan]

MarbleMac. so adorable.

[@SpoopySquid]

I just thought her family was the pony-equivalent of the Amish.

[@akmalsy159]

That's pretty insightful, guess farming rocks really didn't pay all that much. Are there any other episodes you gained new perspectives on after your review of it is already out, DrWolf?

[@alixinthemiddle]

i don't think the Pies are poor per say. a modest lifestyle comes with certain conditions. i don't think they spent money on anything frivolous. i think that's the difference. decoration would definitely be seen as frivolous.

[@TheCatlover192]

I kind of felt like the Pies were being hypocritical. Applejack is in the wrong for forcing traditions onto the Pies but the Pies can do it to the Apples?

[@GAshoneybear]

The reason I don't think they were wrong is the Apples were at the Pies home, so Pie tradition would be followed. If the Pies were at the Apples home and Limestone did what Applejack did, Limestone would be wrong because she wouldn't be trying to learn about Apple traditions.

[@Moonlitwatersofaqua]

I'm glad Maud Pie's humor improved. Her humor was painful in season 4.

[@coolgamerjen7514]

In this case have a subscriber

[@dariuzthemacaroni1308]

reference? what reference?

[@shibumi8]

Huh...never noticed that.....I think you got something there.

[@SquidofBaconator]

I... didn't really care for this episode. It's not a bad episode, mind you; it does have a few good moments, but I just think that this episode is bland. It didn't leave that much of an impression on me, kind of like the other episode about this holiday in Season 2. I can understand if you like it, but I can't really see much for me to come back and watch this episode again.

[@darkflame728]

+SquidofBaconator It doesn't really have to do about the holiday as much as the idea of two very different families coming together despite their differences. It's nice because many people don't like things that go against tradition so this shows that there can be compromises, and you can learn from one another. I wish the world was more like that. :)

[@SquidofBaconator]

darkflame728 I was just mentioning the other episode because my opinion on it and this latest one is pretty much the same. And you did make a good point, which is also why I said in my previous comment that I get it if others like this episode.

[@reflectivevagrant5531]

. I don't think the Pies eat rock soup because they are poor, but rather they **aren't** poor because they eat rock soup. The Amish (the inspiration for the parents of the Pie family) have intrigued me even before joining the fandom. I wouldn't say that I'm an expert on them, goodness no. But I have picked up a tidbit or two: From what I've heard about the Amish, they don't hate technology nor are ignorantly spiteful to those that choose to live differently. In fact the stories I've heard from people that have interacted with them have shown them to be some of the politest folks they've ever met. Likewise, I've personally seen Amish with fully functional automobiles. Nothing fancy, but things that get the job done like you might expect to see in a farm or ranch vehicle. It's not that they are "stuck in the old ways" but rather use what's needed and no more. They live in a *humble* fashion that helps them not be distracted by 'worldly ways.' In some ways their finance can often be more secure than the average American because they *choose* to go without luxuries. Even though at least two of the four children (Pinkie and Lime) have personalities that don't line up with what one might think of the "Terran" Amish that the Pies were designed after, there is still enough similarity elsewhere to draw comparison. I don't think the Pies are necessarily simplistic because of a lack of resources. While their income may not be super large, I'm pretty sure it's stable. I believe they choose to go without and work with what they have because of the stability it provides, not from being poor or to blindly follow tradition.

[@reflectivevagrant5531]

PS: It feels great to not have to wait a day or two after your video's release to comment on it DRwolf! I finally watched it BEFORE your review came out!

[@Sonic_Gamer501]

why didn't you upload this sooner? you usually upload these reviews on the day the episode is aired

[@Kartoffelkamm]

i´ve been waiting for this quite some time, and i gotta ask: why is this so late? i mean, im used to people uploading the latest episode at around 3 am where i live, but i actually thought the reviewer community sort of died out. my brother said u were on vacation, but this was a "2 families during the same holiday in the same location" episode, and u dont go on vacation if something like that comes up.

[@tyrant-den884]

Also keep in mind: Pinkie Pie works three jobs, and lives in a rented room.

[@ShatoraDragondore]

I see AJs actions at the rock farm as vary rude. At the start we see AJ was "ok" with Twilight and Spikes "Modification" to how its traditionally done with them each opening a gift on the eve. But when AJ sees a different culture, because its vary clear the Pies are Amish, and how they have adapted the holiday she HAS to make it "Right" because they Pies are doing it "Wrong". This just paints AJ as a bigoted southern who cant see that there are other religions out there.

[@Soulessnight4]

anyone else ship marble with big mac? XD

[@GlidyBun]

Big Mac has a thing for pinkies sister.

[@thea.g.productions5810]

cheerilee watch out!

[@Thane36425]

+The A.G. Productions Big Mac might have some explaining to do back in Ponyville. It even felt a little chilly between them in my collection while they were watching the show.

[@nickthestick26]

+Thane36425 Hey Cheerilee hasn't exactly made a move in 3 whole seasons. That's her loss lol

[@GlidyBun]

Thane36425 i think big mac has been shipped with preatty much everypony. i think he once got shipped with tirek

[@Thane36425]

TheLoneBrony I don't read that stuff I don't know about that. I meant in the official canon. In some of the comics Big Mac and Cheerilee have been seen together, and given the minimal screen time of the two of them anyway, who knows that has been going on.

[@espo1313]

Macle is awesome

[@TheTimon64]

shoot if any family need to learn the lesson of accepting different traditions it was definitely the maud family. At least the apples TRIED their traditions but as soon as the apples want to show off theirs, its nope f that, you guys are gone!....lol

[@heathercolthart9822]

I'd like to see someone ship silver and drwolf

[@hannahs.w1231]

This episode: Ship Ship ShipShipShip I still ship FlutterMac (Fluttershy+Big Mac) 🐴

[@fiftyclown]

it's already established that the pies are poor.

[@getyourwish2847]

Best review yet

[@HayleyCometra]

All I really want to know is...why couldn't this episode be right after "Tanks for the Memories"?! Seriously. A winter episode that lasted for that one episode, about a dozen episodes of non-winter, then another winter episode that is to be followed by a Halloween episode. I mean, doing this kind of thing once ("Winter Wrap Up" before "Fall Weather Friends"), I'd consider it a mistake; but now that they've done it again... (facepalm) I don't know about your thoughts regarding the 5-year anniversary being the reason why the season gets moved around. If anything, I think the 5-year anniversary would have been a good reason for episode 100 to appear on that specific day, regardless of if that 100th episode would have been Slice of Life, Crusaders of the Lost Mark, or another episode that would make things look more like they've come full circle (like Amending Fences).

[@personalderpman5275]

Well, episodes don't have to be in order. The show isn't like a traditional story with a goal sought out to be accomplished from the very beginning of the series/season.

[@HayleyCometra]

Derpyforever But for a season that has focused more than ever on continuity callbacks and linking episodes together, the timing of this episode feels very awkward (at least to me). We're suddenly in the middle of winter with absolutely no hints of winter coming in the previous episode, especially since we had the coming of winter in "Tanks for Memories" and the absolute confirmation that winter was over with his cameo return in "Do Princesses Dream of Magic Sheep?" (even if it wasn't confirmed beforehand with no snow on the ground and such in previous episodes).

[@forestgrump4723]

+HayleyCometra Consider this... the ponies control the weather. They can make it winter WHENEVER they want. Possibly they bring in snow for a few days around hearths warming to reminisce about the windigos, but hearths warming actually takes place around the time of thanksgiving (canadian style) possible, no?

[@HayleyCometra]

Forest Grump You do bring up a good point about the pegasi controlling the weather. You almost convinced me...until I remembered how, in "Tanks for the Memories", winter (regardless of how long it lasts) requires a great deal of coordinated effort. Pinkie Pie even asked if winter could he hijacked every year, since that would take "WAY less work". So, thank you for the food for thought, but I don't think the ponies would go through the trouble of having winter brought for just a few days, even for the sake of a holiday.

[@Revkor]

no it was just DHX stupidity for when it aired. this could have been after the Scare Master but they just got stupid. Not the first time and not the last either.

[@magicpaul24]

Something I don't understand is that a lot of american bronies actually didn't like this episode! Is this because of the morale which is look like on top of the barre, others say because the pie family was so depressive, and other say because the conflict was resolved too quickly and simply... Personnally I can't agree because, the episode lasted 20 min so you don't have much time but we're talking about families whiches have the same belief, It just the way of doing it which is different. It's not like resolving a politician situation... I reckon , this episode was simply amazing.

[@lexibushnell4459]

As an American Brony, I like this episode. Not one of the greats, but not bad either. It was predictable and sometimes cliche, but still enjoyable. I liked how the Apple Family at least tried to participate in rock family traditions. But then Pie family was rude and sent them away without giving it a chance. Not saying that Applejack was right, but she wasn't trying to be malicious. I would like to have seen the Pie family try Apple traditions and be just as miserable. Biggest pet peeve was that Holder's Boulder was sitting on a very sensitive fault line this entire time and nothing bad happened before. I loved this episode, with a few nitpicky critiques.

[@khfanboy666]

+Willow Moonriser I actually didn't interpret it as the Pies alone sending the apples away. Limestone said that the Apples WANTED to go, and then Granny Smith says they'd better leave to let the pies calm down. So I think Granny Smith is the one that instigated the leaving and Limestone was just happy about it.

[@MrMarinus18]

The episode felt substandard to me. Like they are relying on the fans rather than doing a good job.

[@defender2222]

Maybe someone already mentioned it, but you made a mistake in your analysis. The Pies DO use a real flag. It wasn't a game of 'Find the Flag' it was a game of 'Find the Rock' and the rock happened to be a picture of a rock. But they still use a real flag.

[@pokere621]

I don't ship Mac and the other somepony in this episode

[@coolgamerjen7514]

Marble pie

[@starlingskys2537]

I SHIP IT

[@MVR3IWER]

Why did you kiss my ear?

[@StrikerFX47]

This one was ok,but it's not one of my favorite episodes of season 5

[@Showrunnernet]

5th oh no I'm a hipocrate aren't I snipes69 I'm so sorry

[@BlackFoxMLP]

I wanted to put useless comment somewhere so.... I look like Dr. Wolf in TF2 lel

[@المهرهالجميله]

SH TA VIDEO 😥😥

[@rodrigoquijua]

; )

[@black369ace7]

:P