My Little Reviews: Shadow Play

[@princessaur]

I think the storybook style opening is supposed to be a callback to the pilot of the series. The first episode opened with a tale of of how Celestia had to use the Elements of Harmony to defeat Nightmare Moon. In the beginning of Shadow Play, we get a similar story, of the OG mane 6 using their elements to defeat the Pony of Shadows. It's pretty awesome, really.

[@heyitsjoeydkawaiipanda7847]

Christina Hunt That's what I'd realised and pointed out when this episode was released, it's good to see someone else noticing!

[@poninefreak3321]

Yep

[@tyrant-den884]

The Pony of Shadows is basically evil Spike.

[@alejandrootero8894]

Toda la razón.

[@shonascott5499]

yeah to a certain degree, both Spike and Stygian (is that how you spell it?) have a lot of similarities that I wished the episode addressed. Hell, it would've fit better if both Starlight and Spike were the ones to question his side of the story. Spike could understand his desire to burst out from the Pillar's shadows and Starlight could've understood his desire to seek revenge against those who hurt him. It would be nice to have Stygian become friends with them and learn from them. but honestly, imagine the Pony Of Shadows coming back and somehow merging with Spike (maybe a last ditch effort to save the mane 7?) and then we get to see the DRAGON of shadows. That would be wicked, plus Evil Spike would be really interesting to view as he is close to the mane 7 and they would refuse to hurt him, with Twilight's magic rendered useless as she couldn't bring herself to hurt her oldest and best friend or use the elements against him! The emotional baggage man...

[@NhBleker]

Tyrant-Den Damn that might actually happen if this entire episode was all just foreshadowing for upcoming events!

[@enderpup9289]

Best part is twilight fan girling over starswirl and glimmer saying "you can save the world with a conversation " at starswirl

[@JubileeBloom]

Unfortunately... the shadowy figure we see in the castle at the end of Castle-Mania can't be that pony of shadows because that pony of shadows was still in limbo at the time. The mystery is still out there...

[@Doomsday-yo7lh]

I personally think it’s Tirek. At this poi t it’s the most likely scenario.

[@JubileeBloom]

So do I. I also think that Celestia's vision wasn't a vision of the future, but rather, the immediate past. Perhaps Tirek had been spying on the Mane six before but took a while to first strike. I think Celestia saw it just after it happened. I've been considering the possibility of a vision realm, similar to the dream realm, but connected to the sun instead of the moon. While dreams are built out of a pony's own memories and emotions, the vision realm can show ponies the memories and emotions of others. It's not a very well-developed theory, but I'm working on it.

[@madamabis3432]

I really want to see an episode where discord and starswirl meet,we find out they know each other and are very bitter,and Fluttershy tries to make them friends.

[@meganinten0078]

Good finale. Resolving the problem peacefully was a good twist in my opinion. I think that season 7 was a good step forward for the series. Starlight really shone in this season. The only question I have is: What will the pillars do in the present Equestria?

[@meganinten0078]

Thanks for the review KP. You rocks! Wow, the thumbnail artist was really impressive. Good work Flutterspartan!!

[@mecronorm2110]

they will be teachers of the new school hoofwards

[@grimlord3181]

I wouldn't call this finale good.

[@michaelmcjunkin1372]

I think this episode could've been better if it were extended. fix the pacing. I actually prefer the movie, other than this episode.

[@williamcrowe2576]

Twilight has made some dumb decisions, yes. But unleashing a creature of darkness just so you can meet your foalhood hero? Well, all I can say is "Smooth move, Exlax!"

[@sandywolfr26]

William Crowe but she didn’t know that bringing the pillars back will also unleash the pony of shadows

[@gracekim1998]

William Crowe well I think all of us fan crazy people can relate to her wanting to meet your hero

[@grimlord3181]

@@sandywolfr26 How didn't she know that?

[@grimlord3181]

@@gracekim1998 At the expense of destroying the world?

[@tomimn2233]

I like it. Things I really love about the finale is actually concerning Starlight: Sunburst seems to still prefer Twilight over Starlight (lol poor girl). When Starlight and Twilight had an argument over whether the whole thing was a good idea, Sunburst came to Twilight's defense all the time. Starlight + Twilight's "Master Student Kamehameha", and Starlight reminding Twilight that she shouldn't let her sense of Hero Worship to cloud her judgement. The episode seems to me, to finally shape the relationship between the two magical ponies. They're mentor / pupil, but also equals. Starlight didn't save the day: she only told Twilight what she already knew. And lastly, Starswirl is still low key salty at Starlight. Not once he even mentioned her name nor acknowledge her (other than that one part right after they rescued Stygian).

[@destroyerblackdragon]

But the pony of shadows didn't even have he same origin that Apple Jack said. So much for continuity.

[@galaxyerror1235]

but that was just a legend, legend can be off sometimes, remember that nightmare moon legend on nightmare night? that wasn't right, but it still had nightmare moon in it, so it was just an off legend about her :3

[@Doomsday-yo7lh]

That was just a legend though. So it’s possible it just got distorted over time. Also, there’s a tie-in comic that revealed that a unicorn named Shadowlock had been erasing information and memories about The Pony of Shadows, which may explain why it became so distorted.

[@destroyerblackdragon]

Every one knows the comics aren't canon.

[@autumbreeze1129]

Pelcogo ... yeah, but she said Granny Smith told her the legend... and we all know how ACCURATE Granny's stories are

[@CalliopePony]

Legends are often passed down orally. When that happens they change over time. It's very common either for one legend to split and diverge into multiple different stories or for elements from different stories to be combined into one new story. This happens all the time in real-world folklore. It's completely believable that over time the legend of Nightmare Moon and the legend of the Pony of Shadows would intersect and details from one would be combined with the other.

[@ellietheawesome5892]

When they said pony of shadows I legit thought Sombra was coming back ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ oh well that’s what I get for getting my hopes up

[@yackachoo7219]

OMG that was one of your best ending gags yet. I absolutely loved it. I am literally crying right tears of laughter right now.

[@emargaux]

The background music is "Shadow of the Day" by Linkin Park. Was that an intended pun?

[@TimeTravelMaster]

10 out of 10 Season finale!!!! I enjoyed this waaaaaaay better then I did the movie.

[@lancer737]

TimeTravelPony Hi time travel pony, I saw you in one of the sw channels XD

[@TimeTravelMaster]

lancer737 Hello. Yes I have to be in order to make sure all times and dimensions stay safe and secure for everyone in the past, present, and future. ;-)

[@chrisbrasel9049]

What's with everyone hating on the film as thought the season finale was pretty good.

[@TimeTravelMaster]

Chris Brasel Because while the movie was just in the okay territory. Whereas the season 7 finale had better pacing, story continuity, character development, new characters, and better climax to the story overall.

[@lancer737]

Chris Brasel I liked the movie a lot but the season 7 final was really epic. They both have things better than the other. Drama was better in season 7 final, action and lore too, drama was perfect in the movie.

[@DuckDecoy13]

And speaking of the movie you might want to review it before season 8 comes out

[@justmonika1912]

That Markplier moment made me happy just now!

[@alvaxerox4357]

You forget something KP season 8 will have continuity from the movie

[@pengufu_2758]

Crap i havent seen it yet :\

[@chrisbrasel9049]

I didn't forget.

[@gracekim1998]

AlvaXerox 435 yeah!😍

[@meganinten0078]

NO SPOILERS!

[@lautiepautie6195]

It's kind of funny that Starswirl doesn't really ask or think: WHO ARE U AND WHY ARE YOU AN ALICORN?! ARE U THE DAUGHTER OF CELESTIA?!

[@ErikButterworth]

Great review, and glad you enjoyed the finale, KP. Now let's see what Season 8 has to offer in a few months. Also, love the ending gag there with Robbie Rotten.

[@cedricgiyo9666]

You also forgot to miss the fact that the Elements of Harmony are not designed to destroy evil but to reform it.

[@Doomsday-yo7lh]

Discord would like to have a word with you.

[@EaglesMan710]

Truth be told, I didn’t really like this finale. I thought the way they introduced the Pillars was rushed and forced. Also, The Pony of Shadows was not all that intimidating, and he was just another “misunderstood” bad guy. I really hate that trope. We’ve already had four (some done better than others), we don’t need ANOTHER one!

[@stirlingno.1296]

Believe me, it's gonna keep happening because...FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC!!! (sighs) Hasbro can't do jacks**t when it comes to villains, with a few exceptions. (I'm still waiting on that Chrysalis, Tirek, Sombra meet-up episode! Come on, Hasbro, stop letting opportunities fly out the window!)

[@EaglesMan710]

History Fan Exactly! I feel like Hasbro missed out on an opportunity with the MLP movie. The Pillars could’ve been their equivalent of The Avengers, and if they had made that movie deal with Paramount sooner, it could’ve turned out well.

[@stirlingno.1296]

Yeah, don't get me wrong, I like the movie as it is, but that, along with the show, needs to stop forcing down the moral of friendship is magic. Remember Moondancer from Season 4? Twilight didn't patch things up with her through some petty dialogue, she had to prove to herself to Moondancer that she was sorry. I feel like the show really could use more gray/neutral characters. You know, a character like Thorax's brother, Pharynx, is a good example of this. Hell, I wouldn't mind a reformed Chrysalis, so long as they make her a neutral character; not fighting for evil, but also not fighting for good. Also, in case she does reform, please give her darker colors like Pharynx.

[@Lin2Waterfall]

the pillars had been introduced in comics that came out well before Shadow Play aired in the states.

[@EaglesMan710]

Lin2Waterfall Well yeah, but unfortunately not everybody reads the comics. Marvel didn’t introduce the Avengers in clips that were only a few minutes long before releasing the 2012 Avengers movie.

[@Edward256]

Yeah, I preferred the Season finale to the movie. And yes, while Hasbro just pushes more content out just for the money, IDW and DHX are two separate entities that seem to just share some kind of script (because of the parallels), but still do their own thing. For me, I was a little torn between Starswirl dying of old age (or battle) and being Discord. Another smaller thought is that yes he vanished back then, but it was due to a time spell and he reappears in today. Guess that theory wasn't too far off from the canon? ;)

[@hawkeye5791]

In a way, Im glad the comics aren't canon. They make good story telling material and alternate universes tho and there still could be a chance my idol will somehow make a return.

[@ToryuMau]

... Yeah... We can all agree that this should have been the movie. >):^/

[@doobie_mouse2083]

This video was amazing. This is absolutely one of your best of the entire series of these you've done. Congratulations. And yeah I kind of agree with you the season 7 finale would have been a better topic for the movie than the actual movie was but what are you going to do?

[@GHOSTclank2]

love how KP put in Linkin Park's Shadow of the day in the background song, perfect fit

[@TailsFan369no2]

This AND The Movie are personal favorites

[@irahays3869]

"Thanks to the MAGIC of exposition...." Laughed my arse off there!

[@SuperHurricane]

Well, from what we know from that animatic for season 8, Twilight's making a school. Maybe the Pillars are going to be teachers since their skills right now are basically over-done for a time of peace? I mean, the world has advanced beyond their job skills, so they might end up taking military positions in Celestia's court.

[@linny9842]

Your thumbnails have be looking better every time. Complements to the artist

[@Amethyst271]

KP I was wondering are you going to do a review like this one for the mlp movie or the equestria girls summer shorts because I would love to see that

[@RedDragonForce2]

@6:25 It's probably more so Starswirl's age and experience. Remember, Twilight's still a teen, if EQG is anything referential. Starswirl is like 60+, so he'd have all the years to harness his full potential while Twilight's still got a long way to go to reach hers.

[@stanleystrycharz2572]

A+ For this season finale!! I loved it and your review. Although I also loved the movie for the new elements it brings to Equestria, Shadow Play felt like a really big and important episode too. I am looking forward to season 8 and the inclusion of Tempest Shadow in it. Also there is talk of a second movie! I hope they do make one and not more Equestria Girls movies. Great work KP and crew! See you in the comments!

[@CandyApples4ever]

Some of us do like Starlight Glimmer. It’s arrogant to assume everyone hates her just cuz you hate her.

[@Kruami]

Yeah, I really loved this episode. Gives me Canterlot Wedding vibe too хд. Who wrote this ep? Need to shake their hand. Season 7 was over all stronger season than a previous one. Looking forward to season 8 premier, sounds epic.

[@MyRkAcc]

Wow didnt even remember that S4 mention of the pony of shadows heheh

[@autumbreeze1129]

3:19 well... we kinda saw A limbo before, back in Mirror Magic, so we were already introduced to it. Wait, did I say back in? That's makes it sound like it happened ages ago and it only happened last year!

[@whitneighhh]

God dang, I haven't watched you for like 2 years 0-0 And this was amazing XD

[@cyberflight3079]

Excuse me, but was the music you used for this video a reference to Linkin Park, I could've sworn I heard the audio from "shadow of the day"

[@BellaPinkSavage]

I feel like this episode should have come sooner cause Holy crap it’s the origins of the elements of harmony and Mabye we could have found out before Starlight just sayin

[@arando689]

4:34 - Seriously, Kim? No comment on that filly with a skull and bones cutie mark from the beginning of "The Fault in Our Cutie Marks"?

[@Lin2Waterfall]

technically this episode is directly tied to the Legends of Magic comics, so those still count as canon, possibly even more canon than any other comic.

[@theeclipticlion7894]

Kinda wished the pony of shadows had pitch's voice now xD would have been cool. Loved that little timbit of a clip!

[@adampolson5059]

Kim you cracked me up with the hunch joke

[@wickedmeadow353]

I..Is that Shadow of the Day by Linkin Park playing in the background? Ha, I see what you did there XD

[@liamwhite3522]

The 'elements of harmony were made by the pillars' thing was subtly referenced in the cold open.

[@pinkpegacorn4283]

i read the journal of the 2 sisters, and it says he was around at the time of the tree of harmony, does that mean its not cannon anymore???

[@bc-ls7579]

Have you done a review on the movie yet?

[@anvical2397]

4:41 applejack...... your a badass

[@shiningstar737]

0:31 I can feel the salt from “the Brony Notion” tears, It’s delicious

[@galelmalem5951]

what id starswirl have wings under his cape? that would explain a lot....

[@notepad7871]

in an earlier season, when Applejack brought up the Pony of Shadows, I thought she was referring to King Sombra.

[@ryoki_PH]

Is limbo like purgatory? Is limbo another name for purgatory?

[@comicbookmoviegamer2122]

It was a great finale and a great two part episode, but it wasn't the best episode of season 7 and it wasn't the best finale for me. The best episode of Season 7 was clearly the Perfect Pear. That episode we finally got see Applejack's parents, we know they are in fact gone, it had a great love song, and that episode moved me to tears. As for the best season finale I going with the Season 4 finale because we got to see Twilight trying figure out what her part is a being a princess, Discord's betrayal and redemption, and a great all out battle between Tirek and Twilight. So overall Shadow Play was great, but it wasn't the best finale and wasn't the best episode of Season 7 at least to me.

[@danielfvelazquez8799]

You finally catched up to season 7 get ready for season 8

[@Baransu6644]

i was actually one of those few people who didn't believe in the "Discord is Starswirl" theory but i am also glad this was finally resolved as well and i can tell you were freaking excite the theory was wrong lol XD

[@arnold20139]

Am I the only one who wished Sombra played the Pony of Shadows? I mean he would have been perfect. Sombra has the power of shadows. And The Pony of Shadows looks like Sombra. I know he got destroyed during the Crystal Pony arc, but the writers could have found a way to bring him back.

[@danielfvelazquez8799]

Nice way to introduce season 8 also there's going to be a season 9 that's generation 5 of my little pony and and another movie

[@gracekim1998]

When was Granny Smith ever accurate with stories?

[@josephdellavecchia7828]

I did like the finale. It should have been over 3 episodes. Also, what legend isn't true? Can we have a Scooby do like episode where it's not some legend and it turns out to be some normal pony with a mask?

[@DuckDecoy13]

I wonder if KP knows that there are two seasons left of MLP after she reviews this episode right

[@Amethyst271]

William Oleniuk what do you mean

[@DuckDecoy13]

What you did't know that season 9 is the final one

[@Amethyst271]

William Oleniuk how do you know that

[@DuckDecoy13]

Go to GreytheGriffon's channel to know, man.

[@kobaltsteel6418]

It hasn't been announced yet (sure it was leaked, but it's NOT an announcement); things can change in two years, you know?

[@FuzzyStripetail]

After Twilight aggressively tackled KP to reacquire the book that KP supposedly stole from Twilight, I wouldn't be surprised if Twilight executed a hostile takeover of KP's channel in advance of Season 8 thereby changing the video content from blue review horse talk to Twilight's reading and exposition series.

[@TanaynanayYT]

Legends of Magic wasn't really retconned, if anything they're the most canon comics now.

[@chaoticcat1951]

Do more bloopers! X3

[@pinkpegacorn4283]

This is the earliest i could see this

[@Johan12041999]

It is amazing, nice work :)

[@buttercupkat]

Starlight Glimmers approach seems like something she would do since she got reformed by a speech. 🗣️📣

[@theprofessionalwizard9846]

How TF did the Pony of Shadows break off of Nightmare Moon's magic if the Pillars had vanished before the Elements of Harmony appeared...? (Granted a thousand years have passed and legends get screwed up in the handing down over generations...) So where DID that dark magic originate??

[@wolfclaw719]

We need some shorts about the pillarmen I mean horses adjusting to modern horse life

[@pinkiepoolgamerbrony2789]

Season 8 is coming

[@monsterjambrony]

Why did I forget so much about this episode?

[@thathuman5477]

"Leave me alone!" ~ KP, 2018

[@mlp2be4ever]

I personally hated these two episodes by story, but it did fill missing info from the original show, and the animation was great.

[@ColtKitProductions]

It sounds like what you like best is the fact Starswirl isn't Discord lol Don't worry. I have a headcanon that completely fixes that problem Xp This Starswirl is just an Echo Discord left behind when he became a god... YOU SEE! I SHALL CLING TO THIS TO MY GRAVE!

[@SailorPhantom]

Definitely one of the better ones of the season. :) Why DID no one listen to Starlight? You did a Treasure Planet review? I don't see it!!

[@Dtianann745]

Relax KP.... you and your team have meme fever... with a dangerous case of bad joke-itis take a break this month. You did good!

[@sonicgen20]

Best two parter ever! But now I feel bad for the comic book fans. R.I.P. IDW comics.

[@BeccaTehBunny]

Bloopers are amazing.

[@PipimiOden]

What do you think of Unikitty?

[@juliacortez5516]

Maybe the pony of shadows from castle mane-ia was a urban legend that was translate from this story🤔, also to all the "starswirl is discord" believers eat your heart out, take that brony notion, is what kim would have said

[@snoopy7c772]

Now hold on a second.....Reflections is not dead. What Sombra come back this next season and getting friendly with Celestia

[@IndiBrony]

Don't think I didn't notice the background music. I recognise that a mile away. Linkin Park: Shadow of the Day Good song choice. Someone did the smarts, here!

[@destroyerblackdragon]

I just realized where was Discord? He's never around when ever the plot needs him.

[@catisyellen9877]

Love the background music.

[@bonbonpony]

00:53 Yup ;> 01:01 And you trust him because he said so? ;> 01:07 Well, Starswirl is not Discord YET ;> But remember he's a time traveller ;) You're not thinking four-dimensionally, Marty ;> Somewhere in the future, Starswirl WILL become Discord, and then he will go back in time to make some chaos ;)

[@j.p.jennings3929]

need to watch the finale again now i'm getting second thoughts

[@homebrewhorus7110]

But whp were the glowing twllow eyes in castle maneia

[@comicbookmoviegamer2122]

I would have gave Shadow Play a 10/10 if at the end of shadow play right after the credits ended all the pillars and Twilight plus all of her friends are sitting down in restaurant somewhere in manehattan eating something vegetable related or they are all in Canterlot eating donuts at Donut Joe's.

[@NoirRaven]

According to sources, MLP will end at nine seasons, only to be replaced with generation five a year after that.

[@TrollPiracy]

>the fun will never end

[@sarafontanini7051]

though we learn not only the pony of shadows PREDATES Nightmare Moon by like, a lot, but its completely unconnected to her so.....yeah... seriously, are they EVER gonna revisit the whole 'nightmare moon was caused by possession" thing?

[@KittyBGaming]

I hated how star swirl acted like a mean pony until the end

[@lgk9589]

i loved this episode but i think it could of been better

[@lym2748]

I still think Twilight's Kingdom is the best finale..

[@rev5432]

I love your videos

[@NoPonySpecial]

This episode had a major continuity error. As Applejack said when Nightmare Moon was banished part of her Darkness was left behind. Although the way this episode is played out the pony of Shadows was banished for before Nightmare Moon. Great continuity there writers.... *facehoof*

[@sarasamaletdin4574]

Or the legend was not right...

[@NoPonySpecial]

Sara Samaletdin while writing this episode, the writers and staff were not allowed to read the comics or look at past episodes for references.

[@Doomsday-yo7lh]

NoPony Special Uh... so? That doesn’t change the fact that it makes sense overall. It’s entirely possible the legend was distorted over time, and Issues 51 - 53 of the comics, which were specifically written as a tie-in to the finale, revealed that Shadowlock had been erasing information about the Pony of Shadows. So I don’t get what everyone is blathering on about.

[@NoPonySpecial]

findingbuglantis they were saying that starts for the bearded vanished over a thousand years ago. At the same time a thousand years ago. Elements of Harmony we're used to Banish Nightmare Moon to the Moon. Before that they use the Elements of Harmony against Discord and King Sombra. The events Starswirl the Bearded and the pillars of Harmony should have taken place about 980 years ago after Nightmare Moon was banished. Which questions how The Elements of Harmony existed and used before they disappeared. That tree would have needed time to grow. Another prospective is that Luna and Celestia kept the existence of the elements a secret from Starswril but still the age of Luna and Celestia vs normal ponies that live shorter lives wouldn't makes since.

[@oida10000]

Well while I never thought that Starswirl was Discord or vice versa Starswirl Frankenstein was a great Fan song.

[@sarasamaletdin4574]

This episode should have had less repetition of dialogue and Pony of Shadows destroying a bit of Manehattan instead but otherwise great episode.

[@zerokura]

Some one give the Spartan pony matching hoove armor. I cant believe rarity did not go all black smith&made him some new hoove armor it felt wrong for him to have one shone.

[@mr.shepherd_1776]

It seems like they dumbed down Twilight just to make Starlight be the hero.

[@sandywolfr26]

Mr. Shepherd that is exactly what they did. So tired of her being forced in episodes.

[@Doomsday-yo7lh]

*Celestia:* NOW SHE KNOWS HOW I FEEL

[@morbidcuriosities4162]

Nah she was just being biased towards her idol, it's in her character god dammit