"Not Asking for Trouble" Review

[@SalemRose503]

I think you might actually be missing the moral. When the prince thanked Pinkie at the end and said she finally understood the yaks, what he meant was that they won't ever ASK for help. That doesn't mean they don't need it or appreciate it, only that they're not comfortable imposing or looking weak. And sometimes people are like that too. Sometimes we need to recognize when our friends are uncomfortable and lend a hand without making a scene. Sometimes people ARE too embarrassed to ask for help and need someone to sympathize with how embarrassing it can be to be in need. This is applicable in cases like a popular and well-loved classmate struggling with math and not wanting to face the shame of admitting he isn't smart enough to do it himself, or maybe a single parent being ashamed to admit they need help with their kids. Don't draw attention to their lack of self-sufficiency, don't embarrass them, just give them what they need.

[@carlbloke8797]

SalemRose503 true

[@SalemRose503]

Fan of the Gourmet That's a good point, she didn't know... But honestly, I can't really think of any other way to do it or it wouldn't be a lesson to be learned, it would just seem too linear - kind of like the season 7 Fluttershy episode. She didn't learn anything, and there wasn't much on the line, she was just right all along and took over when she wasn't satisfied and that was it. So if Pinkie had known the Yaks were like this, she would've just helped them and that's that. Or if she didn't know and respected their boundaries, she wouldn't have helped and that would be that. I think her classic excessiveness helped create a scenario in which to teach this moral. But all we can do is speculate... I'm honestly thinking that some of the morals this season were personally chosen by Hasbro staff and were a bit muddled in the writing process.

[@SalemRose503]

Fan of the Gourmet To be honest, I'm not here for the morals - at least not anymore. I've always enjoyed the lore and continuity and watching that build upon itself far more than I've liked the morals (although I do have a weakness for morals pertaining to emotional/mental health and self-esteem). Now that we're 7 seasons in and the lore and continuity are so complex and rich, I personally believe now is the time for them to focus on those aspects more. And to keep the show engaging in a healthy way (especially for children) instead of being just a vapid, colorful waste of time, they should be showing how to practically and effectively put the lessons they've learned to good use. It would still be socially educational, without trying to reinvent the wheel so to speak and resulting in more clunky content.

[@frickthefuckoff]

Fan of the Gourmet Not really. Fluttershy held her opinion and NEVER backed down from it. She blew up on the workers BECAUSE they didn't hold to her specifications. There really was no moral, it actually seemed more like an episode where Fluttershy's previous growth is showcased in one big event related to her. Lackluster as that event might have been.

[@carlbloke8797]

Norspark what exactly made you assume all this was "lackluster"?

[@SobiTheRobot]

My impression was that Rutherford didn't want to _ask_ for help. He knew they needed help, but to _ask_ for it would make them seem weak. And then in the end, he was happy Pinkie had decided to help _without being asked_. Maybe that's the Yak custom, to help without being asked to?

[@ZGuy0fSci]

"To Do what is Needed, Rather than Asking what is Needed," i guess.?

[@adolfodef]

. _"It is easier to ask forgiveness, than permission."_ It was expected for Pinkie to do her best without consulting, even if she was wrong or did it badly [even in the worst case, Yaks would destroy something else as compensation, rather than somepony]. -> Yaks are a noble warrior race, they assume the "noblesse obligue" will come from whoever has it [otherwise, it would be an insult to the name of their friends].

[@ponystuff6154]

Yeah, it was pretty obvious. Rutherford even said, "you understand Yaks, Pink Pony" (not exact words, but close enough).

[@opossumoutlaw7534]

pinkie pie was perfect this episode

[@godofevil9468]

Hell yes

[@WeegeeSlayer123]

Mutton Bash Temmie!

[@gerardorodriguez7500]

Mutton Bash this episode was kinda boring, no offense

[@opossumoutlaw7534]

Gerardo Rodriguez it wasnt very good tbh, but pinkie pie made what would be a bad episode pretty ok

[@metagamer1525]

I enjoyed it but I don't think it's one I will return to

[@dashua1]

As the Prince said a true friend is someone that helps, without being asked. Sure he was prideful and didn't want to ask for help... Do to his own pride or the pride of the Yacks. But, he never once stopped Pinkie from helping. The best way I can explain it is.... Let's say you're being chased by.... Ohhh I don't know a raging bull, while someone you know records you. You're panicking and screaming for help with tears in your eyes. And, they finally stop to help. You'd be happy.... sorta, but you would most likely prefer them helping the moment they see you in trouble, simply because they know you need help..... Does that make sense? Hmm if you're being attacked would you rather ask for help, or just receive help? Which would be more important to you? Which would have the greater impact? Anyway this was a great Pinkie episode. Pink Pony & Yellow Pony are best Pony. Purple Dragon is best dragon, and Blue princess is best Princess.

[@silasruedin9566]

I still wish we had development for foreign races like the yaks, dragons, and griffins where they could teach the ponies something as well; to see the ponies gain new insight and support from other cultures rather than depicting it as all one way through the ponies.

[@EuroMIX2]

Since the ponies are the title characters of the show, it's likely Hasbro enforcing it to ensure it doesn't damage the brand, like how the show has to always show friendship as good and the ultimate resolution even if it might seem forced.

[@heatherkramer3139]

I think the Yaks would have eventually overcome the situation just much later. Think what was at stake was Yak pride though. Actually asking for help would be a sign of weakness and shameful. In many cultures it is shameful to call on others for help. Others giving help freely on the other hand is an entirely different matter as it didn't come at request so it is not an admission of weakness just accepting a freely given gift. notice the Yaks never objected to Pinkie attempting to help when she made personal effort. They hadn't asked her to it was something she took upon herself. They objected to asking others for help. Guessing to the Yaks help is either freely given or not at all. Never actually reqested as that is disrespectful to everyone involved.

[@dragonstar2387]

Thank you! I'm glad somebody noticed that! The way I saw it, Prince Rutherford was happy with Pinkie's method because the Yaks didn't have to ask for help, therefore not sacrificing their pride.

[@cozmicdoodles7167]

That is a very good theory! And it makes a lot of sense with what we've seen of these guys.

[@Beyondthe5thPanel]

Not to mention she did the same sort of thing in Griffonstone when attempting to reach Gilda.

[@BuizelCream]

Maybe someday in a new episode, the Yaks will have to learn the importance of humility, helping them to see that taking the initiative to help is not about pointing their own flaws, but an attitude that builds them up.

[@Shadowghost36]

I saw the same thing. Every time Dr. Wolf said that the Prince didn't want help, I just kept thinking "No, he's says he won't ASK for help." Pinkie helped a lot while she was there, but no one asked her too. I can't help but wonder if there's a second moral in here about giving help freely instead of waiting for someone to ask for it.

[@skumpkin5191]

I always assumed the message was; if you see a problem that needs to be fixed, help, take action, don't wait for someone to ask you. You can't always wait for someone to give you permission for help. I deal with this a lot. I come to stay with my grandmother on occasions and she is very stubborn and strong, and refuses to ask me for anything, even when she clearly needs it. When I help, she is very grateful, but she doesn't thank me or anything. But I can tell she appreciates the help. From this I learned that there are things that people like help with, and you should help even if they don't ask, or don't like to ask for help. I know too many people who don't ask for anything but need it. Gas money, chores done, things cleaned. It's basic humanity to help out, but it's great kindness to do so without reward, and without being asked. But I did like your conclusion to the episode. It can be taken many ways, and that constitutes a good episode to me!

[@sharingheart13]

I have a problem with this as it's something I see as well. Others don't ask for help, and if I don't help, I'm a horrible person for not helping, but if I do help, I'm either insulting others because they feel perfectly capable of doing it on their own or I'm scolded because I should let others fend for themselves and not rely on someone else to help them. My solution, psychological warfare...I guess...

[@skumpkin5191]

I just use basic human understanding. Like, if I'm at someone's house and they offer me dinner, I say "yes thank you" and help with dishes. If they say no, I stop, but not before asking if they are sure, and saying "It's no trouble". Any other person like this (as it's normally friends and family of mine that act this way) I will already know them and will work to help them. Stay safe and stick to doing it with friends I would guess if you'd rather not offend, and read in on ques and body language and work from there.

[@sharingheart13]

From the way you make it sound, I'm thinking that I've just been unlucky and have had to deal with people who are indecisive. Especially with my family. I've gotten "why are you just standing there and not helping me with the dishes" as many times as I've been pushed aside when trying to do the dishes because they don't want me to do it. I've gotten "why aren't you helping me put away the groceries" as many times as I've gotten "don't touch the groceries, I want to put them away in a specific order." I guess families are supposed to be nutty in one way or another. Thinking about it, the solution could simply be to offer to help. If I offer help, the person can either decline or accept without me intruding. It's kinder than not helping at all, and less offensive than trying to help someone who doesn't want help. Which is where the biggest flaw of this episode comes in, since the episode treated "offering help" and "waiting for someone to ask for help" as if they were the same thing.

[@skumpkin5191]

C5's Non-Elemental Harmony The biggest thing is to know the person. The people I mention in both comments are the same, my grandmother and a friend of mine, both do not like asking for help and I know this. When I see them needing help, I offer it, sometimes secretly (my friend was running low on gas and I offered to pay to fill the tank, but she said that would be too much money from me although I was loaded with cash. I offered to buy her snacks and a drink and she said okay, and while she got those things I payed for a full tank at the register). Now she was surprised when she read the marker on the pump, but she thanked me, saying that she appreciated it and that times had been hard but that would be too much to ask of anybody, and I spared her pride and my sanity by doing so. But I would not do this for everybody. It's sort of like working on a car in a body shop. If you see a dent km the car that wasn't marked for you to fix, you could do one of two things; leave the dent alone and fix what you were supposed to, or fix the dent free of charge, it's small and just needs some sanding bondo and paint, things you would need to do anyway. Now unless you know for sure that this client would want you to do this, it's best you either ask or leave it alone. (There are technical reasons for this but I'm not going to do that because we'd be here all day if I tried to explain the legality of collision repair work). If you aren't sure, it's good to ask, if they say no, and you know then well enough to know they're too proud, just offer help in a way that won't hurt their pride, especially if they're obviously in need of help. While I agree the way it was presented here was less than amazing and I think Apple Buck Season did it better, I think it's got a good idea of what it's trying to say.

[@sharingheart13]

Thanks for your responses. I can definitely see where I can be more helpful. Looking back, I guessed I have been conditioned to be afraid of helping others, but now that I see it, I can definitely fix that. Actually, I just realized that this conversation has been far more helpful that I first realized. See, I'm studying to be a nurse, and as a rule in nursing, the patients have to do everything on their own as long as it is within their ability to do so. That means if they can do something but don't want to, I'm not supposed to do it for them, and if they do want to do something that they can't, I can't let their pride stop me from doing what needs to be done. So, the whole scenario of analyzing people and situations in order to help as much as possible is something I'll have to do constantly for a living. I just love seeing other people's point of view. You never know what you can learn.

[@zimmerwald1915]

3:00 No. Just like the last Yak episode, she was listening to what he was actually saying rather than to the words coming out of his mouth. The Yak way, apparently, is to accept help but not to ask for it.

[@metagamer1525]

The prince said yaks don't ASK for help. They believe real friends will help without needing to be asked

[@sarasamaletdin4574]

There should have been some culture being mentioned as a cause with some story about being used in the past. Now it came of as really convincer sudden solution out of nowhere.

[@frickthefuckoff]

Sara Samaletdin I thought the same, but then I remembered Pinkie just helping them by making 'snow Jake's without even telling them, and they were okay with that. I might be reading more into it than I should, but it's what I interpreted.

[@MasterweaverX]

Yeah, I agree with many other commenters: I don't think the prince ever explicitly said "I Do Not Want Help." He pretty clearly said "Yaks do not ask for help," which is similar and, to some ears, identical, but not the same.

[@Nazo-kage]

I've noticed that the episodes this season have a lot more subtleties and nuances to their stories lately, and they tend to need a deep review and Analysis like dr.Wolf just gave, a lot of reviewers I watch give a great insight to that things you might overlook, and can turn a so-so or bad episode around into one of the greats.

[@codybailey3367]

I really enjoyed this episode, and this is definitely the best way Pinkie has been used this season. It felt like the message was supposed to be that a real friend helps without needing to be asked.

[@ZGuy0fSci]

or at times, knows when or if to do so even if asked _not_ to, eh.

[@jld12er30]

thats what i got too notice the prince said we do not ask for help not we dont need help that why he said to pinkie that she understands the yaks at the end because she helped them without them asking for it

[@Dethneko]

Which would be a great message except she offered to go get TwiCo without them asking at the beginning and he said, "No," so why is she being praised for just that at the end because she did it while they were asleep and didn't catch them in the act? Can't even say it was because he needed to look strong in front of his people, because he pretty much let them know it happened at the end anyways, so what was the point?

[@elderscrollsswimmer4833]

Well saying 'yes' would be interpreted as the yaks asking for help from the yak pov. They are more like... less talk, more doing.

[@jld12er30]

as big mac would say "eyup"

[@TrollPiracy]

Good friends dont ask if a friend needs help, they just help.

[@dracodarastrix4175]

What I think was that the yak king couldn't ask for help because it's not way of his people. But there is a difference between accepting help and asking for help. The 1st the could the later in his culture he couldn't ^^

[@ponystuff6154]

Yeah, that is why Rutherford said that Pinkie understood the Yaks after she helped them. ^^

[@KitsuneCookies]

I think the Prince always wanted help, but their ways are that Yaks don't ASK for help or admit when they need it. Asking is the what makes them weak. Yaks give others help without being asked, and they like the same in return. The message is really confusing, but I assumed it was something like "When your mom comes home with the groceries, go help her, don't wait for her to ask you" sort of thing.... obviously on a larger scale though :P

[@cozmicdoodles7167]

I really like your theory at the end there. Also, i'm glad we can all agree that Pinkie was on point in this episode. it's now one of my favorites of this season simply because of how much I loved her in this episode. She was just so darn adorable! And I agree with Heather Kramer about how the Yaks might only accept help when it's offered not asked. Which is why the Prince rejected Pinkie's suggestion to ask the other ponies for help, yet was ok with the ponies helping at the end, since he didn't have to ask them, therefore not having to sacrifice his culture's pride. Also, I personally am not going to try to look too much into the moral here because not every episode needs a moral (yeah I know this is MLP and that's sort of their gig but still. This one just didn't feel like there was one or needed to be one.)

[@fatumwolf]

you missed the many times they said ASKING for help. he wanted to show how strong his people are. and in the end pinky helped them even though they didn't ask for it but still REALLY NEEDED it.

[@ponystuff6154]

I know right? I have no idea how he missed that. It has been the best moral in show so far.

[@Tonyten39]

I LOVED Pinkie Pie in this episode!!!

[@labadf]

I agree with you on the intentions of the writers. Notice when the prince tells Pinkie that she understood the yaks, and the tone he used when asking if the balloon had departed. I believe he meant that to inquire subtly if Pinkie had gone as he expected, probably to seek help, but without letting the others know he was worried. I enjoyed the episode, quite unexpectedly since I hadn't liked the yaks before. and Pinkie really shone this time for me, on everything. And Gummy was awesome too!

[@KrazyStargazer]

The Yaks remind me of a Viking like culture. Pinkie was in rare form here. She was funny but serious. I love the idea of her being an ambassador...like that will some how come into play later

[@xfirexheartx8885]

Basically "don't ask to help a friend, just help them, 'cause that's what friends do, they help each other and don't need to ask" This is what a true friendship is, knowing what's best, and doing what's best

[@sharingheart13]

The only problem with that is that if someone needs help, but refuse to ask for it, it sends the message that they are okay and actually don't need help, which would cause their friends to not help. Communication is the base of any relationship after all.

[@xfirexheartx8885]

I agree, friendship is very situational >~

[@brookerickettson4950]

Culture differences: Ponies readily ask for help, give help, and ask if help is needed, and offer help. Yacks don't ask, but help without asking. Nonverbal vs verbal communication. Also theories the stomping could have developed as a way to prevent huge avalanches, much like The ruler's yelling. Reason may have been forgotten over time(non verbal again) add to that a extra heavy snowfall, and you get an extra big avalanche. We do similar, but w TNT. Cause small avalanches, to prevent huge ones!

[@AlexanderTP90]

I think the reason it might have seemed muddled was because this was taking a step past acquaintance level friendships. When you don't know someone very well it's rude to inject yourself into their lives for any reason. This to me, as stated, is a higher form of friendship; when you know someone better than an acquaintance, and the higher up the proverbial friendship ladder you go you start doing things you wouldn't normally do. When you profess to like someone, or even love them (when you are familiar with them to a level of knowing what they like and don't like), and you sit back and allow them to suffer that shows a lack of real compassion on your part. Again, it's a fine line. You have to be sure that the feeling of true friendship is mutual and the Yaks are a hard bunch to read. Regardless, I also agree with your points and hope that's the message they were trying to convey.

[@bramblechaser162]

Here's what I got from this episode. Sometimes we need help especially when we don't want it. It wasn't the fact that pinkie helped the prince when he didn't want it. I felt it was more about the prince realizing that he did indeed need help. I mean how many times do we find ourselves needing help but to stubborn or afraid to ask. Okay, now let's take it a step further and say we really do need help but we can't see that we do. For a real life, extreme example, think of someone with a drinking problem. Sometimes they truly can't see the problem when everyone else can. Or maybe someone who is hurting themselves but don't think it's a big deal. Most everyone will tell you it is a huge deal. The people who love this person must intervene before something really bad happens even if that person wants nothing to do with it.

[@RedDragonForce2]

Honestly, Prince Yak gave me a curve ball at first when he accepted Pinkie's actions, but... I think the message, underneath the message we got was a form of respecting Pride as much as Traditions. Yaks have had a tradition of not asking for help, in addition to it already being a matter of pride. Ponies, in the same way, have always had the tradition of helping other Ponies, even when said Ponies truly believe they do not need help when they actually do, and the Pride of the Ponies is that working together, the problem is solved (faster in any case) and it shows that Friendship really is Magic. The Mane Six had to help, without forcing the Yaks to swallow their pride or change their tradition. The Yak Prince, upon seeing what the Ponies have done, given what Pinkie had said many times to him, allowed him to understand the Pride of the Ponies in addition to their tradition of giving help. He understood this and told Pinkie as such. He understood the Ponies as much as Pinkie understood the Yaks. Tradition and Pride are tied together in this episode, and we have to take a step back think about that fact to truly understand the full message we have as a Friendship Lesson.

[@Christina-rm2ky]

I interpreted it much differently. I was able to really relate to both sides of this story. I struggled a lot with self destructive behavior and never wanted anyone to help. I would cover up and make excuses even though I knew I was hurting myself and the people around me. In the end I ended up pretty close to death and it was the intervention of my friends against my will that saved my life. Similar to how Pinkie intervened, but only after giving the yaks a chance to change on their own - stepping in when they didn't and it was noticeably hurting people. On the other hand (or hoof) I've had friends caught up in equally destructive behaviors. Self harm, eating disorders, and the like. I had to watch them struggle and hurt themselves and people around them, and have been in a position where I had to choose to either let them keep on in a bad direction or get them the help they needed but didn't want. The episode seemed to me to be a metaphor for the aforementioned type of situation and showing that sometimes you have to go against your friend's wishes to help them best - even if it means they might be upset. And granted I agree that the conclusion seemed a bit rushed but that line by the Yak Prince "you helped when we didn't ask, you do get yaks" really resonated with me. It's the kind of gratitude an addict would have after being released from rehab. "You helped me even when I pushed you away and hurt you, you really do care." But maybe I'm reading too deep into it. Any thoughts @DRWolf001 ?

[@WyrdFayth]

While I feel this episode desperately needed some sort of mention, even off-hand, about the difference between _asking_ for help and _accepting_ help that was offered, or else something to more clearly indicate the Prince realized he made a mistake, I do like what I felt it was _trying_ to do in some ways. That is, Pinkie figuring out a way to help while still respecting the Yaks' culture. "No pony stuff" and "the Yaks are very proud" and trying to help without upsetting them was good, even if... yeah, definitely potentially much worse in other situations. Trying to help someone in the wrong way can very much endanger them. But, again, yeah, for what I felt was the aim it was nice. I also do like the light this casts back in retrospect. The first Yak episode left a bad taste in my mouth because it was very clear at least to me what the writers were TRYING to do: Despite good intentions, the ponies were unintentionally making a mockery of Yak traditions because they lacked the cultural context to understand the finer points and that upset the Yaks. Eventually realizing that showing their own culture was better than badly mimicking the Yaks' was a good thing. However, that got muddled severely if not outright lost with how violent the Yaks got about it. Their anger was fully justified from the right perspective, yet the ways they displayed it made them come off as obnoxious bullies intolerant to even minor discomforts, and that was... ih. But _now,_ with the context of this and how fiercely routine their culture is and especially that the same sort of violence is incorporated into one of their most positive holidays and "stomping relaxes Yaks!", it helps to show that their wrecking stuff in Ponyville was very different to them than the ponies took it. To Yaks, that's normal behavior and helped them calm down, even though to ponies it's jarring and extreme and terrifying. It's still something they should learn to tone way down if they come to pony lands in the future for stuff, respecting their hosts and all, but they didn't really have any way of knowing that on first contact and it just makes me feel a lot better about it. Another way it aids the greater story is that it showed the difference between the ponies mimicking Yak culture without context and Pinkie being _invited_ to participate in it. (We just... won't talk about the fact she kind of invited herself. xD; Once she was there the Prince seemed eager to have her so... you lucked out this time Pinkie, lol.) The prior was upsetting, but the latter was okay. I do... very much feel that was subtle to a point of probably being easily missed, which is unfortunate. But, again, I can appreciate what I feel was likely the intent of it. All in all, this episode was a lot more enjoyable than I expected it to be, and while it definitely had some issues and did get very muddled, I not only liked it for the most part but can appreciate the Yaks' first appearance more because of it.

[@EdgardoJCruz-dk5kv]

I think you missed a key part that leads to the morale that was said during Prince Ruthorford's story. About how he got stuck in hole during a cold winter when he was young. No matter how hard he cried for help, no one came. So he had to depend in his own merits to get through his situation. He later escaped and met up with his family, but the moment stuck with him. As he says in the episode" I would make sure Yaks never forget." He KNEW it was a dire situation, but as a leader of hus natiin he had a duty to keep up the overall morale going, until the optimal solution came. In short he was stalling, biding for time until help came, but he also did want to cause panic which why he was so cross with Pinkie for bringing up the negatives constantly and not getting the clue he was trying to subtlely tell her to begin with. He wanted to have help from nearby civilization, but he did not want to be obvious about it and put a damper on their nation's prideful ways. After all this incident took place during a cultural celebration where they are suspose to be happy and carefree. He did not intend to make things worse by bringing up the bad stuff they are going thriugh, but focus on the good, ( at least until Pinkie finally though not really got a clue what he was trying to tell her. THAT is why he made a big scene that finally caused her to leave, and he was glad she actually went to get aid. Pinkie Pie is a pony aside from just having innate intuition from Pinkie Sense and doing things to bring a smiles on faces, but she has a consistant problem with reading emotions and tact. Unless its REALLY obvious to her or she has personally known them for years,( or are family), or actually did her Party Cave research, she will not notice and will react for what normally works. We have seen this in Party of One, Filli Vanilli, Friend In Deed, Apple Family, (road trip), Rock Solid Friendship, and Pinkie's Pride. She usually starts being denial for a good while, but given the chance tends to jump to conclusions and overreact if things do not fit her established quota or know how and will make hasty or even desperate attempts to mitigate or FIX such issues. Rutherford was merely playing damage cobtrol while putting a brave face, while hoping Pinkie of all ponies will get help while he kept things stable as he could until then. This was even referenced when during Pinkie's recounting of the events, the other Mane 5 akready realized the real issue and solution needed with Twilught about to comment as such, but Appljack having known Pinkie's antics and thought process stopped her so Pinkie herself can realize it fully.

[@EdgardoJCruz-dk5kv]

Regardless nice video as usual Dr. Wolf.

[@JonnySelProductions]

Not sure if anyone else has found out about this yet, but one word came to me when it got to the ending. The word is: Initiative. What I saw here in the end was Pinkie Pie showing and demonstrating initiative for the Yaks even though they (or Prince Rutherford specifically) didn't want the help because of their fear of being seen as weak to accept help from a foreigner like Pinkie Pie.

[@quxxnfan613]

I saw the Prince's actions in the end fits him because I saw it as him being stubborn and knows that he needs the help he just won't ask for it so when Pinkie did help him it was a sign of respect because he didn't have to feel weak and ask for it. So it was clear from my point of view - I guess it's because I have a dad exactly like that and in some cultures asking for help is just weak to them

[@Freshalta]

I felt like this was dealing with someone who has hit o hard times and how difficult it is to admit you can't take care of it -specifically homelessness. there's such a shame and stigma attached to these situations that when society itself is putting pressures on you not to admit you're weak, sometimes the only way a friend can help is anonymously to save their friends social standing.

[@Richforce1]

The prince's problem wasn't accepting help but asking for it. He was sticking with tradition and was glad that Pinkie had, inadvertently, come to understand that the Yak way was to not ask for help but accept it when given and conversely if someone needs help you don't wait to be asked you just do it.

[@Rattysauce]

I feel more like this is helping a village that just underwent a major natural disaster without asking. Pinkie couldn't sit and watch them without food and shelter so she went and did something about it. The yaks were deprived of the basics you would need for living and would have been without for an extended amount of time if not for the help of the ponies. She did actually limit the help that they got as well, probably to something acceptable for the yaks in all honesty. She gave them the help they needed and nothing more. The problem is, with how this episode is written, it definitely came across as "help without asking, regardless of circumstance" rather than "help without asking for extreme circumstances."

[@Zodia195]

This episode showed the Pinky Pie I loved. It reminded me of how she was in that map episode The Lost Treasure of Griffenstone (sp?) in S5 (which is still my favorite map episode, yeah I liked it better than A Royal Problem). I honestly had no issues with this episode either.

[@spyritwilling2221]

I can relate to this episode, i have a good friend who is even more stuborn than the yaks, and he two will never ask for help but he is very greatfull when people help him witheout him asking for it, it is just the way he is

[@akanesaotome5924]

I think that white wolf don't undarstand yaks

[@dragonmasterknight7]

Honestly I liked the episode. It put Pinkie in a great position where here talents best fit. She was being given a chance to experience a cultural celebration as an outsider. And a party without Pinkie isn't a party at all. No matter how simple it may be. It was really cool that we got to see a rare glimpse at another culture outside of pony culture. Something we haven't seen since the dragon episode in season six and the Lost Treasure of Griffonstone in season 5. I think the conflict had more to do with Rutherfords pride as a leader. He was put in a position as a strong and fearless leader. That means keeping up a strong front before his people. To him asking for help would be a show of weakness and that would make the Yaks lose faith in him as a leader. At the same time I think he knew the situation was worse than the Yaks could handle. Throughout the whole ordeal he might have been very subtly dropping hints to Pinkie that yes he needed help but he couldn't ask for it. To do so would destroy his image and ruin his credibility as a dependable leader. At the same time Pinkie was showing amazing restraint and patience in favor of just trying to push the Yaks into asking. In the end though I think they both learned a valuable lesson in doing what must be done even if the other doesn't want it to be done. Pinkie achieved her superficial duty as friendship ambassador as well showed she understood how Yaks live. All in all I think it's the best of the Pinkie episodes this season. Even if the conflict did get a bit annoying. I give this episode a solid 9 / 10. -Culture Shock

[@Dairo512]

2:00 It is explained in the show that this happens every time they have this festival. Every time. And then they apparently just react to it the way they were doing with Pinkie there.

[@sharingheart13]

What I got from this episode was that, according to Yak culture, Yaks are perfectly okay with receiving help, just not okay with asking for help. I think the moral was that you shouldn't wait for others to ask for help, and that helping others when they need it means more than helping others when they ask for it. I got this from the Prince saying "Pink Pony help Yaks without Yaks asking". That means he was grateful for both the help and for not having to ask for help. And him saying "Means Pink Pony understand Yaks" means that this behavior is part of their culture. That being said, once again, I think the moral was delivered horribly. When it comes to lessons in season 7, I can't tell if they are trying too hard or if they just stopped trying. Also...huh...Setting high standards of perfection, expecting help yet refusing to ask for it...I think my family is secretly from Yakyakistan.

[@GSandSDS]

I cannot say that I like the episode. First of all the yaks where shown as far too primitive for my taste (when they are angry they stomp, when they are happy they stomp - they do not make their own music - their houses are breakin apart etc.). And yes, maybe the moral was intended to be that sometimes a friend helps without being asked to, but in this case it turned into a scenario where Pinky "helps" against the explicit wish of prince Rutherford. Such things can easily turn into it's own "friendship problem". Together with the fact that the prince has shown no signs that he learned something from it, makes it a very questionable moral.

[@blueteller]

The Yaks didn't NOT want help. They refused to ASK for help. There is a huge difference. It's not just avoiding asking for support out of pride; considering how selfish Griffins and Dragons are, I imagine asking for help from any race other than ponies could have had grave cost and consequences for the Yaks. Not only would they reveal how vulnerable they are, but they also would be in great debt. Ponies offered help without strings attached.

[@blaa6]

Not as bad as their introduction at least.

[@MxPokirby]

It wasn't bad.

[@blaa6]

More average than anything. Plus that Party Cave was fun.

[@chimera385]

Was there no new episodes this week in Canada?

[@taddad2641]

Honestly i think that very much might be the case doc. He wanted to put on a good show and not look weak.... Hell i think this is him trying toe emulate pinkie pie even. He would remember how much effort she put into showing pony ways, so he tried to show the same. And let's face it, the show seems to be growing more and more complex in this regard. Visual storytelling and subtlety is more and more common. Still not exactly Steven universe levels of complex character development but we see more and more to it. From kites being hidden in the background to emphasize a hobby for starlight to celestia changing the primary ingredient of her pancakes to pineapples in the hopes of coaxing luna to enjoy them.

[@Exceltiaawesome]

The end of this episode was what I had the biggest problem with... It was another huge spit in the face to Earth Ponies, which they have been doing more of lately. Twilight easily sped up the growth of the crops, and the snow was cleared mainly by unicorn magic. Meanwhile, in the "Hearth's Warming Eve" episode, it was made clear by Spike's narration that Earth Ponies are the only ponies who can grow crops, which was great because it proved that Earth Ponies had a vital role to play and their own special magic that makes them just as useful as unicorns and pegasi, and in "Twilight's Kingdom" Princess Celestia confirms this by saying that without Earth Pony magic, they can't tend the farm land or grow crops. However, in "Honest Apple", Strawberry Sunrise (a pegasus) grew strawberries, and in "Flutter Brutter", Fluttershy's mother (another pegasus) grew flowers, and now Twilight's unicorn magic can speed up the growth of plants. While this could simply mean that Earth Ponies naturally have "super strength" and physical ability that makes them more able to do physical farm labour, or they all have an innate talent to speed up the growth of plants that pegasi and unicorns don't have, this also means that their natural abilities can be learnt by other pony kinds if they study enough magical spells or do weightlifting/body building like Bulk Biceps (a pegasus), and through such methods can easily overpower Earth Ponies even when farming (such as when the mane 6 helped Applejack clear trees in Applebuck Season, Fluttershy could jump inside the trees and shake out the apples, and Twilight could lift all the apples off several trees at once with her magic without breaking a sweat). And while Pegasi have cloudsdale and the wonderbolts as pegasus-only spaces, and unicorns have Princess Celestia's school for gifted unicorns, Earth Ponies have no such thing. There are no Earth pony-only spaces. The show makes it clear that Earth Ponies can easily be replaced. Unicorns can overtake pegasi with a spell (granting them temporary wings or an ability to stand on and/or manipulate clouds, and even "normal" unicorns like Rarity have been seen to be able to move clouds around with telekinesis) and earth ponies with a different spell, meaning they could take on any role with enough magical ability, pegasi are vital because they can control weather... earth ponies don't have any of that. They had farming and strength, but both pegasi and unicorns can have that too. If earth ponies died out, nothing would go wrong in Equestria. Lauren faust saying that Earth Pony magic "makes them "just as necessary" as and "perhaps more important" than the other ponies" is a load of crap. It could have gone somewhere, Earth Ponies could have been really cool. But the writers decided that Earth Ponies should remain pretty much useless compared to pegasi and unicorns, and it kinda ticks me off. I've been waiting for ages to see an episode that finally acknowledges Earth Pony magic (as they have been shown to have magic) as something useful and irreplaceable, just like when Unicorn and Pegasus magic are given individual race-centric episodes focused on flying or spells. But even after 6-7 long years, all they have done is made earth ponies seem more and more useless every episode while fans sit and speculate about what earth pony magic is (like earth bending or plant bending). It's not even that difficult to write that in now and say "oh we don't usually use our magic cos we don't see much point" or whatever. It would at least be less lazy than just making them more redundant as seasons go on. That's my 2 cents. Writers, please do something. I may be overreacting over a children's cartoon, but this seems to me like injustice.

[@JAD-nb1io]

season 8 of mlp confirmed on equestria daily

[@thornangel16]

If I had to guess on why the avalanche was such a big deal and why the Yaks never had to deal with snow that deep might have something to do with the events in The Crystalling. Yakyakistan isn't that far away from the Crystal Empire, and that huge snowstorm could've affected more places than just the empire.

[@Midnight3Wonder]

Hey, DRWolf. I actually noticed something that's kinda puzzling to me that you seem to have neglected in this video or simply didn't notice yourself. At one point in the episode, the Yak Prince (sorry, but his name is so hard for me to remember) expressed a strong disliking for magic. Not just in regards to helping his village, however. It truly seemed like he had a strong hatred for magic in general. Maybe I just read into that a bit too much when the scene came up, but it's something that really stuck out to me. I'm not sure if anyone else noticed. Do you have any thoughts on the Yak Prince's disliking for magic, DRWolf?

[@luminous2585]

Morally speaking, this episode was a tightrope walk. This is unusual since most MLP episodes are pretty straightforward with their moral. 1. You should respect others' culture. 2. You shouldn't fight someone's stubbornness with stubbornness. 3. Sometimes you just have to do what you feel is right, even if there's a possibility you're wrong. 4. Sometimes you have to step over your own pride and just accept help. For what it is, I think I could've only appreciated this episode more if there was more trickery involved. Sun Tzu comes to mind: water takes the path of least resistance, but has enough force to carve rocks. Or something like that.

[@adolfodef]

Thanks. Now I am imagining Pinkie sitting in a Budda/Zen position meditating on a rock while a constant, yet slow stream of snow falls around her...

[@rainbowshinelove1208]

Well in all honesty, I thought that the Yaks were just following in a leader who didn't want to ask for help, believing that he himself could make it better for his kingdom. The prince really did have his reason though, feeling it was a sign of weakness to ask for help. When pinkie gave him the help that he needed, but could not ask for due to pride, he felt a sense of relief because he no longer had to fear for his kingdom, and pretend like he knew what to do in such a dire situation. Perhaps he was trying to make it work until he himself could figure out a way to clear the snow? I think it's possible.

[@tazthewonderful3919]

Sorry DrWolf, but you kinda missed the point on this one. It was subtle, and pretty much only one line, but it was there. In the scene where Rutherford thanks Pinkie, if you listen closely, he thanks her because she finally helped /without/ asking if he needed the help first. She helped him without asking, thus eliminating any show of weakness on the yaks part by having to /admit/ to needing help. Did they need help? Yes. Does a friend demean another (stubborn) friend's pride by asking if they need help, when it is obvious that they do, or do they just go ahead and help anyway? That was the quandary here. I have to help elderly people on occasion with things they would insist they didn't need help with, or didn't want to be a bother with me helping them. I've learned sometimes it's better for me just not to ask at all and do it anyway, or it would never get done. Yaks would help a friend in need without asking first. Therefore, Pinkie is a yak...or something like that.

[@GreebleClown]

I took the ending as him saying "I am glad you understood my subtle hints that I really did want your help, when I could not afford to outright ask and look like a weak leader." and he's just really bad at hinting at what he really wants.

[@NoLifeGamer1080]

The yaks are EXACTLY like my mother when it comes to help. If you offer to help the answer is no without saying "no" and if you help anyway you'll get a "thanks for helping" at the end, if you don't help it's "why did you help me?" Come to think of it, the majority of my mom's side of the family is like that.

[@liladuvendack9931]

Original_NoLifeGamer your moms side of the family are secretly the yaks

[@speedshoes29]

The thought at 4:27 is what made me confused with the moral as well considering I watch My Hero Academia and it does the psychology which did it much better in my opinion. Bakugo did not want Izuku's help mainly because his powers have corrupted his mindset.

[@Amethyst271]

Why was the discord episode not published today and the apple jack one

[@davidweiss2407]

This episode was funny with Pinkie's usual charm, but the way the prince acts so stubbornly and prideful when they are clearly in a tough situation seems to prove more that he isn't a good leader. That they didn't have any type of plan to dig out their village seems very unusual since they live there. Thinking back to the episode, The Crystaling, wouldn't they have likely been hit by that storm as well since they are practically neighbors to the Crystal Empire? Another thing is that if Pinkie Pie hadn't been there does that mean that there wouldn't have been anyone to come help them and that they'd endure this till the snow melted no matter how long it would take? It makes me wonder how they have been surviving all this time unless they've been very lucky and very durable. When the prince was telling that story to Pinkie I thought it might have given us some more insight into his character that because he was forced to endure such harshness as a child all alone it's what made him so stubborn and prideful now, but when Pinkie pointed out the holes in his story it only makes him look even worse as a leader who'd allow all the Yaks to starve and freeze. Kind of dark when you think about it. As a side note, since the Yaks are pretty much a reference to the Mongolian Huns, I wonder if the whole avalanche thing is supposed to be a reference to the movie, Mulan.

[@Eoshock1]

7:00 the Element of Laughter stood out

[@MLPSilverQuill]

I call for a coup against Rutherford. This doesn't strike me as a cultural difference but the incompetence of a leader who is doing his own charges harm. It's the Prince's own fable that troubles me. Even without taking Pinkie's very valid questions into account (Pinkie Pie for best reviewer, by-the-by) it's the theme that stands out. Rutherford seems to view giving or asking for help as weakness, though he's perfectly willing to accept it so long as it benefits his image. It'd be one thing if the Yak philosophy was to help without asking. They could be a very positive force in such a case. But as it stands they seem to view charity as weakness, and Rutherford reinforces that view. I think that without him, more open-minded yaks could affect a positive change.

[@Skollshorties]

When Pinkie asked about how he was stuck in a hole filled with snow for a long winter and he seemed easily offended by asking such a question I had it running through my head that possibly someone or somepony assisted in getting him out of there. But that's just an assumption or a theory. Perhaps he really was stuck down there for a full winter.

[@godofevil9468]

I did find that your theory in my second viewing makes SO much sense!!! Anyway for me it was a good episode B- thank you SO much for the review Doc until our next appointment! -G.O.E

[@RosieSievers]

I enjoyed this episode than I thought I would especially the Yaks were better this time around ^^ 9/10

[@JCBro-yg8vd]

It's a tough call really, I think the moral kind of gets muddled, and unfortunately in today's world we have a lot of people like this who still won't admit they're wrong and need help, even as they are directly facing the consequences everyday. I feel like there's a reason why there's the saying "You can't help someone who can't help themselves.". If someone is too prideful to admit they need help and won't accept it, then as much as it seem wrong I feel like it's best to respect their wishes, though in my case I'd warn them "Don't come crying to me when it doesn't work out."

[@Inspectornills]

It seems to me that it's all about respect. Rutherford probably did want that help, but if he asked, it would make him seem weak in front of his village and would have been an afront to all that they stood for as a community that are strong and can make things work in the harshest of conditions: total masters of their element. It's all about tradition, and even if the yaks don't like it, tradition dictates that they remain strong. Doing things behind their back may seem like a dick move, but if their plight was fixed without them having to ask for it, none of their traditions were being broken, so it's all good. In fact, Pinkie made the extra effort to be sneaky because it would have made a terrible scene if they just showed up and announced their intentions. I think it would have helped the moral if Pinkie did say what she learned about respect, instead of just leaving it at just that.

[@Cherryblossom-ink]

when I watched this i saw little hints that he really wants help he just didn't want to feel week but the fact that at the end he excited that he really needed the help and was greatly appreciated if his friend not rubing it in at how wrong he was and helping him out in a way that was Suttle and made him look good then bad even though he was being very stubborn and I think helping others in that way can work out in a positive or negative way but I loved that it turned out great

[@smilesforadoller]

I just thought the prince was happy that he was helped but never had to ask for it

[@christianmancino1672]

Right before the avalanche, Prince Rutherford said that they needed to stomp harder because they were extra happy (likely because they were entertaining Pinkie), so I think the avalanche was just caused by them celebrating more than they usually did. The moral confused me at first. The message was that, in yak culture, they expect true friends to know when to help instead of being asked (I hear that's true of places like India). I was a little disappointed that the episode didn't deliver a message on what to do when a friend genuinely doesn't want you to help them with some form of self-destructive behavior. It feels like this episode just accidentally teased us with one moral when they really were preparing for a different one--not switching gears at the last moment, because the hints to the real moral are there, just unintentional red herrings pointing to a different path.

[@eugescarab]

i thought it was a lesson of how in other cultures, typical trades can create complicated situations, like here were for the Yaks is bad seen to ask for help to others (because their interpreted it as a sign of submission) but it's more than okay to help anyways.

[@steveeng1533]

Those yaks reminds me of the Klingons.

[@z-bladegracin6660]

The best thing about this episode for me was Pinkie Pie. She was really good in this one. The yaks were also better in this one. The thing that I didn't really like in this episode was the ending. It felt a bit...underwhelming to me. Now, I'm not saying that this episode was bad. It certainly wasn't with Pinkie Pie and the yaks' character portrayals. I just think that it turned out to be more of an "okay" episode, for me at least.

[@petercharleskrug]

Damn, looks like we've got another mid-season hiatus on our hands. (We still as of right now haven't gotten any word on when episode twelve of the current season will air.) I hope they start releasing new episodes soon. I want them to finish with season seven before the movie comes out.

[@ianbrennan9635]

A very interesting look on the moral, Doc. It made me think about things I little more. This wasn't my favorite episode this season, but it's far from being anything bad.

[@AidanRatnage]

I thought the moral was that if someone *really* needs help, even if they are so prideful and stubborn that they are opposed to it, you should help them. This doesn't quite fit though because the first time Pinkie offered to bring help from Ponyville the Prince hadn't asked for it and shut her down instantly.

[@AeroRanger100]

My thoughts are much of the same as Dr. Wolf's. While Pinkie was the strong point in this episode, just being herself, there were some pretty heavy flaws here. It's sad for me to say this, but I think Season 7 has hit its first bump in the road. For one thing, we've seen this plot of dealing with stubbornness and pride before. All the way back in Season 1 with "Applebuck Season." Prince Rutherford did the exact same thing as AJ, only it wasn't as extreme, and it was doing more harm to those around him than to himself as well. The climax in Applebuck Season made sense, and the moral came out naturally, with all the rest of the Mane 6 helping out. Here, in "Not Asking for Trouble," the Mane 6 helps again in pretty much the exact same way they helped AJ, only the moral was very quickly and clumsily executed last minute. What I got out of it was, if you ask a stubborn person if they need help, they won't accept it. Sometimes you just have to give the help without the person knowing it. Honestly, this episode would've been far stronger if the plot wasn't completely recycled, or if the moral was given in a more clever way. Dr. Wolf makes a case that it might have been given in a clever way, but I just don't see it. To me, the positive reaction from Prince Rutherford came completely out of nowhere and seemed to go against his personality presented throughout the episode. I was actually expecting him to fully rage on Pinkie. Also, I didn't get why this episode had to exist. I mean, the only reason we're watching this episode is because Pinkie randomly gets this overwhelming desire to go to Yakyakistan...and that's it. Was Pinkie really that impressed by the yaks when they first appeared in Ponyville? Was she looking for new ways to party and have fun? Possibly...but that's stretching it. Honestly, I didn't see any point in this episode being made. The premise was forced to say the least. Pinkie Pie made this episode watchable, though. If there's any reason to watch this episode at all, it's because of her. She's still her zany, funny self, yet she does show much progression in her character, as Dr. Wolf pointed out. I especially loved how the show staff remembered her ability to morph her mane into a drill. That was a nice little tidbit. And the fourth wall joke at the very end was chuckle-worthy. Much like how Starlight was perfect for "A Royal Problem," Pinkie was the only Mane 6 pony to make this episode work. Had any other pony starred in this, "Not Asking for Trouble" would've bombed real fast. Overall, this episode is a mixed bag. The plot was recycled and not very interesting, the moral was poorly delivered, and it just didn't need to exist in the first place. If there's any reason to watch it, it's to see Pinkie Pie being Pinkie Pie. Other than that, I sadly would give this episode a skip.

[@Dethneko]

Best I can figure by, "pink pony finally get yaks," is that they're prideful and stubborn, just like she was in her determination to help them no matter what. Not sure what kind of lesson is supposed to come from that, so perhaps this is a rare episode that doesn't actually have a moral, like some of the season premiers and finales. Breaking away from the formula of morals would let them tell more stories with the same characters without having to give them the idiot ball for the sake of reteaching the same morals over and over again.

[@Amethyst271]

How come you did not review the mirror magic episode and episode 12 is out yah

[@Cherryblossom-ink]

but do understand tbe personality of the yak king wanting to always look tuff and proud but i hope they soften him up a little as they move forward with this season

[@lordelliott42]

I still don't get what the moral is supposed to be. Help people by doing what you think is right, even if the person you're helping disagrees? So, if I think a vegetarian family isn't giving their children enough nutrition, I should covertly feed their kids steaks? Even if that would violate the practices of their religion, perhaps? o_O In America, people rounded up native american children of some tribes and forced them to learn only English language and manners, completely destroying their culture, because they thought that would be better for them. Is that what this episode wants me to do? Of course not, but I still don't get their message.

[@liladuvendack9931]

lordelliott42 I think it's a good friend will help you without you needing to ask for it

[@joeyaderman5284]

actually your texample does'nt fit cus there are plants with protein, and all vegans whos religion makes them so know this! (im no vegan, but i know this from a health class) but i do get what you're saying! however it should be noted that almost any moral can become hurttfu if taken to extremes, such as you took this one! i think what the moral truly is here is "if someone you know truly needs help, but will not ask for it, help them anyways" like taking your alchoholic freind to AA or taking your suicidal freind to a mental hospital!

[@lordelliott42]

Joey Aderman I suppose you're right. It just doesn't resonate with me. If I tell someone not to meddle or that I don't need their help, I expect them not to. Although I would in the extreme cases you mentioned. Maybe if Pinkie mentioned that the children were hurting to the prince and said she was going to help, it would have worked better for me. If he still refused help, then I'd support her going behind his back like she did. I know there are vegetarian foods with protein, but not everyone does, so someone could make that mistake, which was the point of that example, because what someone _thinks_ is right could turn out to be wrong because they don't have all the facts, just like we're never told why the yaks won't ask for help. Was it a cultural thing or just one's stubborn, foolish pride?

[@joeyaderman5284]

+lordelliot42 well about the vegtable thing, trust me you do your research before going vegan (i have a vegan sister and vegan freinds so i know that works) and i agree what someone thinks is wrong could be a problem, but i dont think their reasons for not accepting help matter when the childeren are starving. (btw i call regular vegetarions vegans too (though my sisters ALL THE WAY) just fyi)

[@joeyaderman5284]

+lordelliot42 also if this lesson aint your cup of tea, fair enough differing opinions are why we have diverse media!

[@missedthebandwagon976]

I did enjoy Pinkie in this episode, she was great. But I'm still not a fan of the Yaks, and I actually like them less. Or rather, I like Prince Rutherford less. You made a good point, and I can see his point of view on why he made his decisions to pretend everything was fine. But only if this was like a one time thing, but I got the vibe that his people are scared of him, or at least scared to disagree with him. And not just this one time, it must happen often enough that even the Yak children don't think he's a good leader but they know better than to speak up about being cold and hungry. And when he told his story of why Yaks don't ask for help, about him being stuck in a hole, Pinkie brought up a lot of holes(Pun intended.) in his story, so what we can gather is he is at least exaggerating and at worst straight up lying to his people to make them think he's right and that if they disagree with him and ask for help then they are weak and not a true Yakistanian. And that kinda "Leadership" makes me sick! Ruling by fear? Everyone must be as strong as the leader? It reminds me of Starlight's equal town!

[@Werezilla]

The impression I got was that Rutherford was proud of Pinkie for going against his back and fixing Yakyakistian. She was being like a yak in this circumstance: stubbornly sticking to something she believed was perfect.

[@ChaosServant-ll7pr]

Wow, the Doctor gave some good analysis in this video. ...eh, I don't care. Honestly, Pinkie was great in this episode and it only showed that the writers can still use the characters we've all come to know and love well. Again, if I were making one of the future two parters, I would have it be a story where the mane 6 and the secondary characters join together to take down a threat. I'd make sure everyone was at there best and boom, we'd have a great episode. Because come on, that's the best direction you can go in the future.

[@Orrenn]

Yaks prideful! Yaks not ask Ponies for help! ...Not mean Yaks not accept help. Yaks just too prideful to ask... That's how I took it anyway. Prince Rutheford's line about 'Pink Pony' truly understanding Yaks at the end feels like it fits well with that line of thinking. There's a cultural stigma against asking for help, but if the help is given without asking there's not a problem. I'm not sure that works well for a moral, but I don't think it needs to either. At least in this one very narrow instance, it works well, and that's what counts.

[@jehovaservant_591]

I feel the moral was to understand some people need and want help, even if they won't ask for it. And to be sensitive to that.

[@HighlightCat]

Re-YAK-ted 0:42 Awesome pun, Wolf!

[@alcian91]

Please give this episode a rewatch DrWolf. You give some interesting insight on what could have been behind Prince Rutherfords actions and decisions and what may haven't been told here about the luxury the Yaks are giving to Pinkie. But it seems you've missed a bit. For example: "Yaks fine! Snow fall from mountains all the time. Every Yikslurbertfest." - so this clearly wasn't the first avalanche they caused. It maybe was the biggest: "But snow worst than Yak ever seen." but not the first. And on another point, this was brought up several times in the comments, it wasn't that the Yaks didn't want any help, they were just too proud to ask for help. "Pink Pony help Yaks without Yaks asking, means Pink Pony understands Yaks!" I think this phrase is anough to understands that this was more a misunderstanding from Pinkie Pie and not so much a mistake from Rutherford.

[@lpsjewel324]

Am I the only one who was wondering where did they get those horns for Pinkie?

[@NthDoctorWho]

First good Pinkie episode in a long while and the Yaks weren't agonizing to watch Fourth good episode of this season

[@demonicseries]

This episode is actually enjoyable if you dont look at it as a whole, but as appreciating each small little part and joke. This is just supposed to be a fun little episode to be enjoyed at a surface level, and not to be analyzed too much.

[@Tonyten39]

"There's more to this episode than Pinkie Pie" (yes, it was a joke/pun) My other version was "There's more to this episode than means the Pie."

[@dashzilla9358]

Aside from Pinkie being the good parts of the episode, I wasn't too thrilled with the episode because I wasn't too big of a fan with the Yaks the first time they appeared. And seeing them again and how the yak prince was being stubborn made me think of the one episode in season one where Applejack was being stubborn. I felt like I was kind of watching a repeat of that episode minus the moral in the end.

[@TomKayito]

The ending was very muddled, and the messages are confusing, it's a fairly poor episode in terms of messages. That being said, my own brother is exactly like the yaks in so many ways it's disturbing, so I weirdly relate to Pinkie more than the episode likely intended possible. The difference in my situation is confessing to helping or if he figures it out and he'd smash your efforts somehow to bring it right back to square one, or if he never realizes it, he'd just act like the yaks originally did "Hah, we rode out the snow! We are the best!" There's no moral to be learned with someone like that, and I agree the end should've been Pinkie admitting it instead, "Your approach was hurting the other yaks, the young ones especially, I had to do something." ready to accept consequences from another culture, and the prince thanking her then, maybe with a line about not realizing just how bad his decision was. That would've been a much stronger lesson. It could've shown cultural sensitivity on Pinkie's side learned, and that the Yaks learned something too.

[@gn33101]

Hi Doctor Wolf, I always enjoy your reviews. In this case perhaps you are over-thinking the message? What if it’s a case of ‘true friends help without being asked’? Prince Rutherford refused to ask for help because to do so would put the Yaks in debt or perhaps it’s shameful? Pinkie then helped the Yaks without being asked. Rutherford was not angry because ponies helping without being asked is a sign of true friendship. Just a thought.

[@WeegeeSlayer123]

At least we get that world building I've been asking for.

[@Tall_Order]

They need to build a taller wall to keep the snow out.

[@taddad2641]

Thhough let's alos face it, often times hardships come and governing forces just.... ruin things more. Be it pride or sheer stupidity, they do. Problem is we somehow can't just go and help another nation because we have the exact same issue of pride, stupidity, and greedd.

[@leonasnake]

I really do enjoy this episode lol, the yaks are cool and Rutherford accepted that he was wrong with grace and it's nice to see that he's more than "YAK RIGHT"

[@sidneywestcomb6804]

my take which has been surprisingly different from doctor wolfs was that some poeple take offense at be asked to have them get help?and that sometimes it's better to do it without asking...not sure if that was clear or not....

[@Godiswithus3]

The stomping was very intriguing in my humble opinion

[@thatguy2756]

I was thinking that the yak guy was trying to impress Pinkie while still trying to retain his peoples respect the whole time as even after the avalanche he was like look at all these comfy snow beds and look this pony says she likes snow food so guess what, we love it as well and have it all the time and the episode made it a point to have the yaks cheer when they thought the prince was right in his choice to wait it out so yeah i was like, i see what the prince is trying to do here

[@luluzin5022]

Many people in real life have the exact same mindset as the Prince. They do realise how much trouble they're in, and even though they secretly want to receive help from others, their pride keeps them from asking for it. So they just pretend everything is ok and hope someone will notice it's not. It's evident that the Prince was doing exactly that when he says that, by helping regardless of his wishes, Pinkie understands the Yaks. The moral of the episode is that people who refuse help are not always honest with their feelings, so instead of pushing them to confess something they're not comfortable about, you should just go ahead and do what's best for them. Having dealt with friends who act like that, I related to the conflict of this episode.

[@maplemayhem1988]

I really like the yaks because I can relate to their stubbornness issue and I like characters who cause pointless destruction