"The Cart Before The Ponies" Review

[@SawtoothWaves]

A few things. First of all, I agree with you totally on the critique of the song. The lyrics seldom stand out in any mlp songs. I've come to expect it. While working on their carts, Rarity and Rainbow Dash acted unnaturally stubborn, but I think Apple Jack was perfectly in character. I like how she sticks to what she knows, even when it doesn't make sense. I've grown to love AJ, especially with the her day off episode. We saw who we can presume to be Snip's father, which breaks my head canon that his father was actually Claud the Puppeteer from s4. Congrats on 70K btw!

[@madrose5269]

hi notion, how have you been? ive missed seeing your vids, but im patiently waiting for the next one lol. i know you have a life and other responsibilities that require your attention. so i dont want you to feel forced to putting out another vid for views. i'd say take your time and go easy on yourself :) anyway, hope you are doing ok, make sure you eat lol, and uh, God bless you bro! (speaking of bros) bro-hoof! XD

[@madrose5269]

by vids i meant the next ep review or something lol 😅

[@GPischke]

Also, there was the fact that Cheerilee was teaching the kids about physics and kinetic energy and all that other stuff. That's some high school level stuff right there. Or middle school, since that's when I started learning about it.

[@Warrior1nfinite]

wait until its in high school, thats when the real fun begins

[@7Seraphem7]

It is an important lesson for ponies... so they can start learning all the ways ponies are able to tell the laws of physics to sit down and shut up. Plus, that was about the age I started learning it, and that's often the way it's done is with cart races like that. Granted for our school it was building tiny model karts and racing them in the gym, not full on riding carts. I built mine out of Legos.

[@heatherkramer3139]

Well, Ponyville society doesn't seem to follow 1st world educational systems. Seems to be a standard education given up to a mid teen age followred by an apprenticeship for most students and possible higher education for the more talented students.

[@7Seraphem7]

Heather Kramer THIS! Seriously, how do people keep claiming "high School" makes the smallest bit of sense? General, basic level education in things like math, science, history etc... till they are, as said about mid teen. Your basic Primary/Elementary school level. After that, everypony knows what they want to do with their life. (with a few small exceptions) so going right into pursuing that on their own makes the most sense. Not another 4 years of the same one size fits all prison.

[@fredricknoe3114]

My hard cannon is that their the pony equivalent of 12ish

[@GPischke]

Did you notice the pony who was helping Snips with his cart? He had a barber shop spiral for a cutie mark, so he was probably either Snips' dad or his older brother, or for all we know, it could've been his cousin.

[@RosieSievers]

I liked this episode, not one of my favourites this season but it was still a great episode, I prefer this CMC episode to On Your Marks cause I liked the way they were mature in their ways to get Rainbow, Applejack and Rarity to listen to them and they actually told them that it was hard for them to speak up and Rainbow, AJ and Rarity ended up learning that they should listen to them instead of stealing the spotlight and the project ideas from them, so that was a great way to learn the lesson from each other and Cheerliee in a cheerleading costume was adorable and Rarity beaten by Derpy was hilarious I give it an 8.5/10 ^^

[@hawkeye5791]

I can agree here, but like Wolf said about the story, it was a bit too predictable. It seemed like one of those classic "Greed clouds the mind" stories that we've seen time and time again from different shows. But overall it was enjoyable and on a scale of 1-10, I'd place it as a 7.

[@e1iteyoshi998]

I'd agree with the 8.5/10 rating. Also, you know a KZbinr who goes by the name of KingSpartax37 who has done several mash up of MLP music with Mario Kart tracks.

[@booklover4330]

Yeah I definitely like it better then On Your Marks. XD.

[@sixistires7963]

I think you meant Rainbow, Applejack and Rarity and not Rainbow, Applejack and Rainbow.

[@nathankuhlman950]

Absolutely agreed!

[@realJoeMavro]

If they had focused soley on the entertainment of the race itself instead of making this episode another "I'll help you but we're gonna do this my way" story, I think it would have been a whole lot better. To be honest, the only thing I liked was how cute Cheerilie looked in her cheerleader outfit (hopefully rule 34 fans won't go too nuts with that concept).

[@alengm]

hehe. The skirt doesn't cover the butt at all.

[@jaqwon14]

Inb4 she gets rule34 so hard

[@silasruedin9566]

I liked the episode as is, but you're right, it wouldn't of hurt if this episode had played out more like "Slice of Life" with the focus being on the central event whilst randomly cutting to several competitors without a specific lesson in mind. Just a fun random episode of each pony doing his or her thing for a unifying event.

[@dracu9833]

"hopefully rule 34 fans won't go too nuts with that concept". heh. you really think that? that's adorable.

[@coltbolt6193]

Rule 34 means that everything has porn; no exceptions

[@shibumi8]

I'm calling it now. He's her little brother. His cutie mark compliments hers, she's bubbles and he's popped bubbles.

[@1218Draco]

Hasbro designed the show, Hot Wheels designed the track.

[@neonflygon2195]

Ah yes, the Criss Cross Crash track. It'll probably scratch, dent, or otherwise break the cars you pit against each other, but at least it's a few seconds of destructive fun.😉

[@michael.5706]

oh you got a wife "so what does your husband like to do on his free time?" "he likes mlp and reviewing" "oh? with his daughters" "nope by himself" "what?"

[@GloriaNeuMusa10x]

I agree with everything you said. The one thing that really annoyed me, though, is the way Applejack, Rainbow, and Rarity were acting. Rarity already learned that she should compromise with Sweetie Belle, and the one who taught her that lesson was Applejack. So, already, the fact that those two would not compromise with Sweetie Bell or Applebloom, on the carts that Sweetie Bell and Applebloom should have had every say on, goes against their characters. Not to mention, Rainbow Dash already learned, at least twice, that winning should not come at the cost of other ponies. And, considering the CMC kept trying to tell them how they wanted their carts built, there is no way they were oblivious to how the CMC felt. This episode was not the worst, but it was not that great, either. Especially when it came in a season where the writers are taking risks and pushing their creativity, while still keeping true to the core elements of the show.

[@CiphiorSnake89]

it reminded me of the old cartoon network show Wackey Races

[@brittical-hit]

There goes hasbro with some obscure references, again!

[@GonLizio9]

finaly! someone that saw it too :D

[@RubberyCat]

It may or may not be a reference ... although Rarity's steering device do hints towards it being a reference.

[@shadowwriter4538]

That's what was going through my mind when watching this episode

[@reecedignan8365]

I remember that show, it was one of my favourites when I was younger

[@matthewpalumbo3934]

The message I took away was "Don't live vicariously through your kids". It truly, to me, seemed this episode was geared more towards older viewers. Especially since it is not uncommon for a mom, dad, or relative to feel a sense of "Reliving their childhood" when given an opportunity like Rarity, Applejack, and Dashie were presented with.The part where Sweetie Belle mentioned "It's hard talking to grown-ups" really made me feel strongly that this episode was meant as a reminder to those involved with younger children that they shouldn't try to live through said children. Kids need room to learn while feeling their ideas are valued. To not allow this can certainly negatively impact their growth both intellectually and creatively.

[@TreClaire]

I really appreciate that the episode didn't end with the awards being handed out, that's a nice surprise. Usually episodes like this end with our main characters OF COURSE winning or them losing and being like ~well at least we had fun~ or something. I like that it just left that open. It was a nice change of pace.

[@Mint-Lynx]

5:40 Holy crap I was thinking the same thing! That's the kinda track you'd make for the game Wreckfest, not a soapbox derby.

[@supergamerxda.k.azabuza4031]

Hm, I was curious about that pegasus the one who's with Derpy too

[@gravy1333]

This episode reminded me of the good times as a Cub Scout building pinewood derby cars and seeing the cart that was just a block of wood like one scout would always do. I also agree the background had more interesting things and that is was predicable.

[@toomuchinvigilation2419]

This episode was pretty good for me. I interpret the story more like this: parents/caretakers try to fulfil their own dreams and ambitions by transplanting them to their children/siblings. Also, it might be a presentation of adults' perception as being far superior and more knowledgable in comparison to younger people/ponies, which is not true in many cases. I think this episode has a great moral and I like the song very much. BTW: DRWolf, you have the weirdest jaw (jaw angle) I have ever seen in my life.

[@Fairyslash]

Not mentioning the fact that Scootaloo was making a chicken-based cart? I thought that was cool.

[@booklover4330]

But really, the stupid chicken jokes have gotten stale, enough with them writers!

[@7Seraphem7]

Well that's what I thought, but the final bit definitely looked more like it was supposed to be a phoenix.

[@Fairyslash]

Book Lover Hmm, weird, I can't remember the last time there was a Scootaloo-Chicken joke in the show besides this episode. Can you name an episode?

[@booklover4330]

***** There definitely has been Scootaloo chicken jokes in the show, can't remember which episode(s) but yeah.

[@PuppyBeBad]

+Book Lover No I can't think of any either. Well outside of Double Rainboom that is but that wasn't actually a real episode and even then they only made one reference to it. "Scootaloo is a chicken" is a pure fan favorite meme. The writers just acknowledged it in this one episode.

[@UnnamedHero0922]

This episode reminded me of the time when I was in the Boy Scouts and we had the woodblock races. This a fun episode for me and the message was very strong.

[@Tall_Order]

During this episode's song, for some reason I was thinking of old cartoons like speed buggy, wacky races, and speed racer. I expected Dick Dastardly and Muttly to show up to make everyone crash "I'll make those blasted ponies lose! Nyuh-ah-ah! [abuses dog]".

[@WeegeeSlayer123]

I kinda found the episode pretty entertaining, and I hope you have a good reunion DRWolf

[@SevenEllen]

I think that the little pony with Derpy is her little brother. His colour-scheme matches, and his cutie mark - a burst bubble - point in that direction. That's what I take from it any way. I'd love to hear fan suggestions for his name! ^_^

[@finnanima2413]

6:26 they also created a huge continuity error. In that shot, those bridges are clearly perpendicular to the race field, right after everyone crossed over it during the song (i.e. during the race)!

[@alengm]

About designing a video game about this pony derby... Would it be super similar to mario kart or have other features like some way to design carts which would affect speed and "stability"?

[@cragl3yman343]

There is a second moral with this episode I think you missed as well Dr. Wolf mainly because it's the fact that people don't listen to youth even though adults are made to be the more knowledgeable they're not always right they don't actually make the right decision.

[@links5957]

Mario Kart, it LOOKS LIKE Hanna Barbera's WACKY RACES

[@madisonboone1655]

That Pegasus with Derpy could be her brother...

[@mhiac3516]

When I first started watching the episode, I thought the Cmc would; like in that one episode where scootaloo choose to sing, apple bloom to dance and sweetie bell to design, again choose stuff they didn't fit into and that's how it started out. So I was surprised when I realized it was based on the older three focusing on their wants. Even then, however, I thought it was gonna be about the Cmc learning to be careful and not just choosing their friends/siblings to help and instead choosing the ones better suited. I have to admit I would've preferred that and it caught me off guard seeing the older three learn a lesson instead. Not sure how I feel about that.

[@cmm07r]

I may have to watch this episode again because if it wasn't for the in-box viewing at 0:38 I would have totally missed the Speed Racer reference.

[@fireline4765]

The opening quite literally stirred up bad memories from high school. Physics in elementary? Even for making carts, it's a little extreme. Everything else you talked about though was pretty spot on.

[@DaWillstanator]

While definitely not terrible, this episode as a whole was just bland and predictable. I agree with Doc when I found myself more interested in the stuff going on in the background, especially Derpy. There were too many times where I was face palming and going "REALLY?!" through most of it. I do like the moral enough but I feel both sides were at fault. The CMC didn't speak up very well til the last minute, and the older ponies took a big step backwards in their characters. Heck all of this conflict could've been avoided had Cheerileee done her job and monitor everything as it happened instead of waiting til the last minute. This felt like it should've been a Season 1 episode more than anything. They had a really good thing going with the CMC wanting to try something different then what we would've expected, but as soon as their sisters entered it went all downhill from there. Song felt forced too. Overall, not awful but not too memorable either. Skippable at the very least.

[@fifinostalgia]

Looks like Dinky has a brother.

[@TheRealNekora]

Or they are not related at all.

[@juldansol]

Looks like you need to stop living in 2012

[@eifiekatx4478]

+Tim Eklund Műntzing oh yes, because Derpy is going to work with some random colt who she doesn't know and isn't related to

[@TheRealNekora]

+Whitechest Kitty I just said that they don have to be related. For all we know she was just a close friend to the family that took there place becuse they could not do it.

[@iloveowls90]

like scootaloo and rainbow dash but i think the male pegasus is a ore likely relative then dinky is but i know its possible thanks to the cake twins

[@unknownnamer330]

I like how Scootaloo's race car didn't turn into that of a chicken- but more of a phoenix! Perhaps some sort of symbolism for Scootaloo? As a person who once did a boat regatta for school, I found this episode quite humorous. Especially when my dad who works on projects like this tried to help my group a bit too much for my comfort. Though of course I appreciate it.

[@Arindam1262]

I immediately thought of Pinewood Derbies from scouts. I've seen this exact thing play out once or twice. And Derpy and co's cart being just a block with a driver's seat carved out really made me laugh, because I did that a time or two myself, rather than go through the trouble of carving a whittling myself a real car.

[@jkseraphim4]

I noticed in the background too that Diamond Tiara didn't have her parents in the cart. I think it was a servant/butler. Could it be that her parents we're too busy to help but bought it for her, it could work as a fanfic idea.

[@kenshisou]

Urgh, this could have been a lot better. Switch the pairings like this. Scoolatoo/Rarity, Apple Bloom/Rainbow Dash, and Sweetie Belle/Applejack, Focus on the race and boom! You've got some good interaction between characters who don't regularly interact.

[@SuperWorldJumper]

Easiest solution in the world...Switch Sisters! Honestly it's staring them right in the face! That's why Cheerily said to choose your older pony wisely!

[@drathick9390]

I've already got a good fanfiction being pieced together about Derpy and that younger Pegasus. My idea is that he is Derpys nephew since we haven't seen him before. I'm still working on how he gets into the race instead of Ditzy and i'm still thinking of a name for him. I'm open for any suggestions if your interested?

[@DennisBillington]

If this WERE anything like Mario Kart, then wouldn't they be able to race along walls or ceilings using antigravity or glide through the air with gliders or even be able to race under water? Secondly, Item boxes and coins would have been scattered throughout the circuit. Would any of them be a match for the spiny shell without the super horn? What about balloon battles?

[@gadman85]

I actually thought their behavior worked for the conflict. I have actually seen that kind of thing happen before. I was in cub scouts when I was growing up and we had what was called pinewood derby. We would make little pinewood derby cars and then have them race down a sloping track. There were plenty of adults who were usually supportive when it came to most things in cub scouts, but when it came to making the derby cars for the race they would take over the project completely. Their son would just watch and maybe paint a little bit and that would be all the work they did on the car. It was supposed to be something the kids did alone pretty much. These were adults who usually would sit back and offer some advice and help a little when needed all of the rest of the time. Everyone knew the dads were the ones who made the cars for some of the kids, but the people in charge never really cared too much about it at the pack/school level.

[@SciRei7H3dEG3NeR4T3]

I'm with you Doc, on the Derpy part, who is that colt? XD He looks so cute, and I wanna see him in the episodes more, I just hope he's not a throw away character. But I loved the concept of the episode, it was just a bit more cringe like... And that intersection... even Mario Kart has a better reason to make intersections in the tracks XD

[@TheUntamedNetwork]

The overlaps are only staple in a few types of extreme derby. The inclusion of it is a filly-colt derby race is ridiculous and just trying to force conflict from the crash.

[@ardawen]

It felt like a season 1 or 2 episode, with a season 1 or 2 conflict. A conflict were we expect all the 6 ponies (AJ, Rarity and Dashie for not listening and being too focused on their own desires and the CMC for not speaking out that much or finding a different good resolution to solve the conflict (for example switch partners)) to have bee grown and improved past .

[@IHD316Rules]

hey Doc what name could the fandom name the little colt who with Derpy? i was thinking for the name for that little colt will be Dizzy Whooves

[@tenofprime]

One background element I liked was the stuff with DT, in the class we see her talking with Sweetiebelle in class and her racing partner was the family butler. Also Cheerilee as a cheerleader is an amusing image somehow, as for the episode itself I agree with it being an ok episode, not one am likely to revisit much but a fun watch that does what it needs to do.

[@clineluken3650]

The thing with the race track is, it's actually a real life reference. The track is made in the clover shaped riding pattern from barrel racing and equestrian sport. Just wanted to put that out there, as my riding instructor was having me ride the very same pattern a few weeks ago

[@DarkTouchedHeart]

I liked the episode but I had to back it up a bit when I saw that Snips may have what looks like an older brother or a father?

[@BronyNumber4096]

Well, there is that bit near the end where they remake the Karts, and both members of each team get what they want: Skuutz' Phoenix Kart is both creative AND fast; Applebloom's wood grain racer is both fast AND traditional; Sweetie's Kart is traditional, and is pretty darn stylish as well.

[@GuitarLover513]

Wow! Dr. Wolf your real face looks like your character. Kind, bright, understanding, smart, and sweet! ; ) I hope you can show your real face more often in the future but still use your characters' face as well. Keep calm and act on : ) ; ) : D

[@DRWolf001]

Thank you kindly for the encouraging words Brandy.

[@GuitarLover513]

No problem Dr. Wolf it's my pleasure to smile for friends ; )

[@jadedshard9650]

is that a security camera behind you?

[@CumstainedBedsheets]

I'm thinking maybe more stories where the plot involves where the main characters might interact more with particular background characters such as Derpy, DJ PON-3, Octavia, Dr Whooves, Lyra and Bon Bon etc. Maybe that might spice things up.

[@TheTravelerww]

by the looks of that track it looks like it was designed in such a way that it: shows of the town, pads the run time of the race and makes it so that the fastest and slowest cart could crash into each other and take out all the other carts. I can see the "In universe" reason behind the first two points you want to show of the town and a longer race means more fun but if you know that it risks a crash why not just do laps of a "street circuit" style course.

[@theslackerengineer9351]

6:26 The explination If it was a linear race (all racers at one loop at a time) I can see how the race track would make sense, it's just maximizing the area available for the race, but using each track as a individual road, I got no clue what to tell you :/

[@crowquill6791]

The story remind me a bit on a quote of Ephraim Kishon: "Tradition is the method, which wants to prevent, that children surpass her parents.". It would have been more intersesting, if the cmcs had teamed up with the older pony who had the same goals, like Scootaloo with Rarity for example, and had some conflicts in the execution of their plans. And to see who Rarity have a discussion with Scootaloo on the design of the cart, would show a bit of her teaching skills.

[@lightning-bliss]

This was defiently not one of my favorite episodes... It wasn't very engaging, it was predictable and rather boring plot wise. But the gokart thing defiently gave me ideas for artwork that I already put up ^^

[@crims0nmelody]

I agree, the backgrounds and facial expressions are very funny in this episode. It's been like that through a lot of season 6; however, they do overshadow the story in this case.

[@Wilahelm2]

I really liked this episode but I think that is more to have gone through something similar when I was a kid with my dad. He played a lot of sports when he was younger and wanted me to do the same. I wanted to spend my weekends reading, playing video games, or hanging out with friends. I ended up forced on a soccer team and was miserable the whole time. After I got hurt at a game we talked about it and he realized this wasn't working and stopped trying to force me into things he was more interested in doing then I was. So given all that I really connected with the CMC's this episode.

[@Warrior1nfinite]

Carts? pleeease! we have horsepower for that

[@sethcarlow8363]

the road has the twist and turns in the ep. enjoy your Family.

[@williamcrowe2576]

The only situation I can compare this episode with is the stock family sitcom episode where the father "helps" his kid with a school science project by making the darn thing for him.

[@animegx45]

I would love a Pony Racing game. Pinkie could drive a vehiclized party cannon.

[@BaldurPrime]

nice video, thanks for all, you are great keep make more, just 1 question what do you think about the KimPosible case?

[@yondaime500]

There was actually a fan project to ponify Mario Kart, but the developers dropped it long ago. It was called Ponykart and you can find plenty of videos of it on KZbin. Who knows, maybe after the episode someone might pick up the slack and finish the game.

[@ventusnoctis284]

I didn't think about video game races at all during this episode. Having competed in several pine wood derbies, I couldn't help but see that comparison and that seems like what they were going for. The name is even there! Apple wood derby!

[@HamiltonIsLife]

I was suprised. I thought they were gonna secretly switch carts and be rebellious

[@barkbitstaketwo]

Wolf face!! Also, DINKY HAS A LITTLE BROTHER!!- maybe. The race had to be re-run because the fire martial showed up and went "WHAT'S WITH THIS RACE TRACK?!!"

[@tippy468]

Spot on review and analysis, Doc! Pretty much agreed on every point you made, especially on how AJ, Rarity, and Rainbow so easily forgot their place as older role models for their sisters. Those three of the mane 6 been through so much and matured over the years, you'd think they would know better than to act the way they did. Unless perhaps the point was to emphasize the fact that the CMC are growing up too and will sometimes be in situations when the adults act less mature. While the featured song might not be super memorable to me, I thought it was pretty cool to have a song including mane 6 characters with the cmc trio.

[@Worgen33]

You have an improbable jawline. I think the episode would have been better if instead of the CMC going for the ponies they were related too, they went for the ones that could help them win the way they wanted too. So it became more about the cmc "abandoning" family.

[@amberdawn868]

I would have preferred that sort of conflict, as well.

[@entertainment4kids1]

I have never seen the colt in the background before?

[@mewtwotwo2222]

the other moral of the episode is really good just because a person is an adult or just older doesnt mean the are right and you should listen to them always

[@ShallieDragon]

As I see it, the behavior of Rarity, AJ, and Rainbow make sense in the context of the series, and what they presented in the episode. All three of them were blinded by an ulterior motivation. Rainbow was blinded by nostalgia and a desire to relive glory days, Rarity, by revenge for a slight against her design, and Applejack, by a desire to uphold tradition (something she's done before in the series). I think it was ultimately a problem of execution, rather than planning. The interactions could have been handled differently, and this story would have made more sense.

[@nbae1106]

I think the moral was very relatable. I'm a kid so whenever I try to tell any other kid NO, they say that, oh your opinion means nothing to me because you're not in charge, you're not an adult, and you're not older than me (which is really on crack by the way). So seeing the kids confront the adults and say "you're not always right" was something that really touched me. Because the fact is adults aren't perfect either and I'm so glad that MLP addressed this topic. Because everyone's opinion matters just like how the CMC's opinion mattered. I'll admit it, this was the THIRD mlp episode too tug at my heart strings (the other two being, Amending Fences, and No Second Prances).

[@SuperHurricane]

Oh wait, now I recall the main thing that bugged me about this episode. Namely, there should be massive dimensional rips in the sky from Midnight Sparkle's 'hunger for knowledge' during the race, in which stuff should be falling down. But the sky was completely normal...so was what happened in the movie like a one way mirror in which the humans could see Ponyville but not the other way around?

[@barrytone7181]

I can't help but notice that you have a perfectly geometrical facial structure. That's a sincere compliment.

[@TemujinReads]

All I could think while watching the episode was, "Yep, this is pretty much the Pinewood Derby in a nutshell." For those not in the know, Pinewood Derby is a Boy Scout event in which the boys, with their parents' help, carve a race car out of a small block of wood, then race it down a track. Just like in the episode, there are awards for speed and creativity. Also just like in the episode, most of the work is usually done by the parents, especially when they're building a car for speed. That racetrack, though. Who designed that thing!?

[@BillErak]

The best part of the episode is the lesson

[@brambleshadow4]

While it is genuinely a terrible idea to have a racetrack intersect itself, I can find a few reasons why that particular design might have been chosen. If you want to have a loopable track (one that starts and ends in the same place) that doesn't intersect itself, you can only make the track so long. Given a cirlce with radius r, the track's perimeter can only be around 6.28r . However, by having the track in the shape of a rose petal, the length of the track is 9.69r (had do to some calculus to get this number, hopefully I did it correctly). So you get a track that's a little over 50% longer by making it intersect itself four times. You could also get a longer track by making it really windy, but then it probably would be too difficult to turn.

[@percy4826]

One thing in the episode that really really made me upset was the AJ treated her little sister. she basically said unless you're going to follow traditions you are not an apple which contradicts what she had said in earlier episodes about her being an apple no matter what. granted this had to do with her cutie mark But it gives off the impression that unless you're going to be a traditional Apple then you're not an apple at all. that just makes the Apple family's bond a little more frail in my eyes. I really think that they could have portrayed it better and it feels like they just did this to make AJ look like a real witch. the song was cute though and I appreciated it.

[@isenlyn-thefrenchybrony2970]

Something fun, the openning in the classroom seem to be the same that in "call of the cutie", the first CMC episode. I'm not sure, but I think the CMC are at the same place the recolored CMC were in "call of the cutie". Also, what made me laugh the most is that at one moment of the episode, two stallions side by side watching the race have the exact cutie mark. Lazy animators. XD you can see them at 7:31. Next to Raindrops ! Hi best pony how're you doing ? ......hem, sorry. :)

[@tyleradam4836]

Reminds me of the Hot Wheels Crisscross Crash Track set. Who had that as a kid?

[@thelightningbrony4745]

When you really think about it. The carts the cmc uses in the end makes a lot of sense. Apple Bloom being fast and impatient like in Cutie Pox. Sweetie Belle always being the calm and slow crusader always thinking things over to make sure its safe. But Scootaloo's reasons are a bit more deep. I really needed to think hard to why she would choose Creativity. But then I though, Scootaloo is a pegasus who can't fly. Not only makes it her unique to other pegasi but also makes her have to think a much more unique and different way in terms of other pegasi. I really think she took Rainbow's line from Flight to the Finish: "Maybe you will fly one day, or maybe you wont. You're all kinds of awesome anyways!" And used it to think about herself as unique and try to be more creative instead of thinking herself as not being special. So in the end, Apple Bloom choosing to be fast, Sweetie Belle choosing to be slow and traditional and Scootaloo choosing to be creative does make a lot of sense with their characters :D

[@Belunar]

I noticed none of them thought to change up who they teamed up with. Sweetie Bell with Applejack for traditional, Scootaloo with Rarity for creative, and Apple Bloom and Rainbow Dash for speed would have all three wining the way they wanted to win. There was nothing mentioned that the adult had to be related, so they could have easily done so.

[@JCBro-yg8vd]

You pretty much summed up my thoughts on this episode, Doc. It's not bad, it's just really predictable and I was really hoping there'd be more to it then what we got.

[@fraya1022]

I've must not have watched enough TV because I don't recall ever seeing then moral done before. The secondary one actually learned by the CMC about older ponies (people) not always knowing what's best. It was entertaining to see such a moral and I'm assuming the younger viewers will feel the same way. It wasn't as predictable for me. I still didn't like the song, though.

[@wptaimuty]

I actually agreed with everything you said doctor. I was thinking the same things as I watched the episode. I actually even stopped the episode and rewinded it to see the filly with Derpy. I also felt the mane 6 (or 3) were forced to fit the conflict.

[@candicefaithv]

Also, with the whole "physics" thing opening the episode, I actually thought they were all going to bombard Twilight for help. I thought Cheerilee said making carts was going to require physics, and since the CMC are close to twilight, I thought she was going to be their first delegate. And when they began the episode with "physics", I was expecting it to play meaning and be brought back into the story at some point. But when they never brought it up again, the whole beginning just felt like dead-air, and that the dialogue was only filling in time to introduce the derby thing I suppose? I don't like feeling so hollow ;-;

[@samske5]

Well I think I can explain about the track (this is just a stab in the dark mostly) Cheerilee did say in the beginning of the episode that they're going to be learning about phisics when she introduced the cart racing to them. So I think the track was made that way not just for the plot, but possibly for the learning experience. For example the three winning categories, traditional, fastest, and creative. all three of this things had a part to play, if you want to make a cart that's old fashioned make sure that it's fast enough to get out of the way from a speeding object or just stop the cart all together. And if you believe speed is key be aware of the limitations the cart will have because whether brakes or no brake you will lose to phisics, and as for being creative with your cart there is no exception for functionality. Raritys cart gave no way for the other racers to get around her, not only was that cheating, but a very big traffic hazard.

[@TheMistyPhantom]

A very hit and miss episode. I could see the "I'm making this all about me" plot line from Rainbow Dash's excitement. It was very predictable and I find myself indifferent to it. The song was okay, and the message was fine, but someone, you even, could name a show that's done this lesson a whole lot better. By the way, I imagine that colt being, if not her son, maybe a little brother or nephew. Just think about it for a second, how much character they could add to Derpy if he was a nephew or a son. Fanfic writers could entertain themselves with that concept for days. Your thoughts, Dr. Wolf?

[@UrbanStreets]

5:49 - 5:59 Umm.... I guess the intersection of the race track was a... "Hot Wheels" reference?

[@ZecoaTheDiesel]

I didn't think about Mario Kart while watching the episode, but I did get a mix between Speed Racer and Wacky Races while watching the race.

[@IamMeHere2See]

I just now noticed--that colt with Derpy has a popping bubble for a cutie mark!

[@Sonic_Gamer501]

While Dr. Wolf is at his wife's family reunion, CartoonZ is breaking into his channel.

[@sherlyam]

Yeah I was a little confused on the track as well.... And to add on, that's not what the roads of Ponyville look like! Right?

[@ChariMahariel]

Dunno. I liked it enough. Older main 3 seemed a little too pushy, but also in a way I can believe that - with Rarity's obsessiveness and RD's want to replay her childhood victory and AJ's traditionalism. It's a nice lesson about how adults sometimes push their own goals and insecurities on their kids/siblings/etc and try to succeed through them. Suuuch a common problem tbh. And song... I honestly loved it. Keep replaying all the time. Who cares if the lyrics are as simple as it can get? Sometimes all you need is a good dance rhythm that makes you want to move your body and smile. Not everything has to be Super Deep Emotional and Meaningful. Silly fun is okay

[@mandragoradravgis]

I enjoyed finally seeing a design for Snips' dad. Though it's a little odd that Snails didn't build an actual racer.

[@Godzillawolf1]

The background stuff did have another fun thing most people seem to miss: Diamond Tiara showing her butler actual kindness. She helped him build her cart rather than forcing him to build it FOR her, she checked on him when the crash happened. I liked that.

[@HendrikdeBeer]

Wow. What a profound development! Thanks for noticing that!

[@scorch2155]

I actually hadn't even thought of Mario Kart when I saw this race. I was reminded of the old cartoon Wacky Races. which makes me feel very old when the cartoon was around before I was born. as for a pony race game? I would totally play that as it would be a rather fun game if done right. even more so of you could customize things a bit in it or make your own character but just a standard "pick your character/cart" would be entertaining.

[@Orthus100]

We had some very Mario Kart music going on with Wacky Races designs. As for the game, there was one in the works years ago now, pretty sure it got C&Ded.

[@fredricknoe3114]

0:02 oh my gosh what is that hideous monster!!!! Plz reply

[@TorridPrime217]

I'm going to say that the grey colt is sort of a 'Big Brothers, Big Sisters' thing where Derpy has a designated 'little brother' she on occasion cares for. Dinky is most likely her adopted daughter -whom given Derpy's job as a mailmare is often seen with other mares because they're foalsitting her, and it was likely the same compassion of probably first seeing Dinky in an orphanage that compelled her to later be the colt's designated 'Big Sister'. As to why Derps is carting with the colt instead of Dinky; well, we've already seen Derpy championing the Derby in her fillyhood, so she's obviously enthusiastic about doing it again, but Dinky likely just had no interest in it. Meanwhile the grey colt did in fact and so serves as a bonding moment between him and the Derp [the fact that we've never seen them together before suggests their together-time has been only fairly recent and not gone over so well, likely they weren't bonding the way Derpy thought they could. But the Derby is what strengthens their bond, regardless of the outcome] I just summarized someone's entire future FiMfiction in just three paragraphs.

[@drow_Lilith9940]

For me this remembered more about my childhood love wacky races over mario kart

[@flapwing8784]

I have to agree with DRWolf001, it was an OK category episode. Also loved how many scenes with Derpy were in this episode :D In my opinion it would be much more interesting if the CMC would "switch" with their standard pics for their partner to help out. For example, some time before the race, the CMC would remember what Cheerilie advised them on previous day to "Choose wisely" on who they pick, so Scootaloo would go to Rarity, Applebloom to RD and SweetyBell to AJ, and finish of the carts. This would made the episode less "predictable" and also could build some new relationships :) Also I have to agree with darklurer64, it was cute that they put Cheerilie in a cheerleader suit :P