"The Mane Attraction" Review

[@ultamatepower]

The flowers were a reference to the best night ever the eclairs a reference to mmmystery on the friendship express and the cherries a reference to the last roundup All a reference to Amy Keating Rogers pass episodes and this being her final.

[@rG_Arcturis_Exigent]

Amy Rogers is leaving the cast?

[@RubberyCat]

+ultamatepower () So those were her episodes? Nice! ^_^

[@raymondluxuryacht86]

+Arctic Lancer She announced early in the season that she got a job writing for Disney, and that the four S5 scripts she wrote for MLP would be her last ones. This episode was the last of the four.

[@hyenaedits3460]

+raymondluxuryacht86 I hope she's working at Disney Channel because they need good writers!

[@mardigrasqueen1339]

+Spotted Hyena I wonder what she'll be working on

[@RosieSievers]

Amy Keating Rogers ended her run on MLP on a really high note. She and Lena Hall made the episode heartwarming, entertaining and really connected to me. Lena Hall made a beautiful performance on MLP and I would love to see her return in future stories. And Applejack was truly worthy to her element of honesty as she made her friend realise to be her true self and the song, The Magic Inside really sold it. That song was really beautiful to listen to and it has now become my favourite song out of the entire series with the Smile Song at a close second, 10/10 for this amazing final episode by Amy Keating Rogers ^^ Amy I wish you all the best in future projects and you will always be one of my favourite writers from MLP ^^

[@gutsmasterson2488]

+Rosie Sievers (rigifan32) hold her your ponysona, this episode while has great music is really not that well paced considering how was thrown out of the flow after the second act. this type of story has been done before and it was done better in other places. And MLP already used this plot in A Canterlot Wedding.

[@Robintism]

couldnt agree more

[@JaysPlace20]

+D HAROLD 1) Proofreading. It's your friend. 2) This episode altered the classic formula in the sense that fame hadn't changed Rara's character and morality. She stuck by her moral values in spite of the fame and fortune, and didn't let it go to her head. That's surprisingly rare, and I applaud this episode and Amy for changing tactics like that. 3) A Canterlot Wedding's plot was almost nothing like this. That episode was about Twilight reuniting with her brother and her old babysitter as the two were getting married, but Cadance ended up acting like a bitch (even though it wasn't really Cadance) which put Twilgiht at ends with those who didn't believe her. This episode was about AJ reuniting with a childhood friend who hit it big, but at the same time has to deal with her stuck up jerk of a manager who doesn't abide by any of the same moral values. The only real similarity is the plot point of long estranged friends being reunited with unexpected results. All other details, totally different!

[@gutsmasterson2488]

SimplyJay 1) i'm working on that as a person 2) Then why wasn't it more present, the episode could have sparred two Pinkie torture shots to establish that more clearly. 3) I will now copy from TvTropes how the plot is the same

[@gutsmasterson2488]

the Mane Six put together a big event (a wedding/rock concert); one of the Mane Six (Twilight/Applejack) hears the event is for an absurdly-named celebrity (Princess Mi Amore Cadenza/Countess Coloratura); finds out it's actually an old friend of hers whom she lost touch with (Cadance/Rara); is shocked that said friend is nothing like they were before (Cadance Took a Level in Jerkass/Rara became a reluctant Prima Donna); figures out something sinister is at work ("Cadance" is an evil impostor/Rara's manager is exploiting her); gets shunned for appearing irrational and jealous (Twilight by her brother, friends and mentor/Applejack by Rara herself); proves herself right by publicly outing the villain (bringing out the real Cadance/getting the manager to make a Engineered Public Confession); and grows closer to her old friend than ever before.

[@MikeDragon]

I'd love to see Rara in more episodes in the future. She's such a loveable character!

[@Oban2006]

+Mike Dragon Rara

[@1218Draco]

Hmmmm ... Pop star, nickname "Ra Ra", honest voice but hidden by spectacle and auto-tune ... Countess Coloratura is Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta. RaRa is GaGa

[@anonymouslyknown6530]

+Mike Dragon I would love to see more of Fernando! He is a valuable everyday necessity for ponies. The Pony who invented it is Filthy Rich. And he made a lot of money on them too.

[@gracegeary7815]

Best charter this season (next to starlight)

[@John-bb9kd]

I'd love to see RaRa return for future episodes as well and she might be the character I really like in season 5.

[@Thane36425]

It could be that the middle song was meant to contrast the hype against RaRa's actual talent. She had a surprisingly good singing voice but to have it buried in all that flash and dazzle, and then Autotuned, that was just awful. It may not have been meant as such, but it seemed like a condemnation of the preference for spectacle, be it the big shows and autotune in music or CGI jumping and explosions in movies, over the basics and just plain talent on the part of the performers.

[@leslieespinosa887]

she sounded like lady gaga

[@sarowie]

+Leslie Espinosa look up the older lady gaga songs like "Eh, Eh (Nothing Else I Can Say) " . I was reminded of this song, as the middle song was the lady gaga we now, but there was a lady gaga before she got famous and was actually a very talented singer, that can carry a song without heavy effects and autotune.

[@StrikerFX47]

+Leslie Espinosa I knew I couldn't be only one who saw that.

[@jamesamala7371]

+Thane36425 They should have added an Epilepsy warning

[@LoudToon99]

It's sad to see Amy Keating Rogers go, but at least she went off on a high note. :)

[@TheBrickly]

+Alex Ramirez Pun Intended?

[@LoudToon99]

EclypsetheWyvern No.

[@samjoshwilliams4713]

+Alex Ramirez Amy Keating Rogers is my favourite writer on the show and now she's going to create more lovely and awesome stories and music . I'm going to miss you on MLP: FiM but I wish you the best of luck in your career. All your episodes, except Bridle Gossip and Cutie Pox, get a 5 star rating from me and this episode is no exception. In other word keep being 20% cooler.

[@StellaMagic37]

+Alex Ramirez We'll miss you, Amy!

[@thespeedypatriot6201]

Wait a minute she's leaving!?!

[@Pikatwig16]

I'm gonna miss Amy Keating Rogers, since she was one of the best writers on the show. Who knows, we may see her work on Wander Over Yonder in the near future, but her talent on this show will be missed and the grand farewell to her work is easily the BEST Applejack episode and another contender for the best episode of Season 5... maybe even one for MLP's all time best episode.

[@darksoulsbronysdeadaccount152]

The AJ's triangle thing at the end is what I liked the most. I really don't know why tho. It was so sweet, happy and sad at the same moment. My poor heart... But yeah, overall it was a good episode. The music was awesome, the new character is good (I hope they'll develope her a li'l bit more in the future), it was really entertaining (mostly thanks to Pinkie). I already feel the artworks... Hyped as hell for the finale!

[@darksoulsbronysdeadaccount152]

Haku infinite Yup. Art, art everywhere.

[@Webkinzrox98765]

The fact that RaRa actually REMEMBERED AJ sold the episode for me!

[@GPischke]

I think what helped keep this old story about the humble artist turned super diva due industrial meddling was the fact that it was told from the eyes of her old friend, Applejack. Lena Hall's singing is phenomenal. My favorite song from this was "Equestria, The Land I Love," which I'm almost certain is the national anthem. Amy Keating Rogers went out with a bang with this one. Here's hoping she has the best of luck with her future career.

[@StrategicGamesEtc]

+Graeme Pischke Yes, I do think that that song is their national anthem. I hope that becomes widespread fanon.

[@Soufriere84]

+StrategicGamesEtc - Agreed. Honestly, I think it's a bit better an anthem for Equestria than the Friendship Carol from "Hearth's Warming Eve", which is a fine song on its own, but not for a national anthem.

[@StrategicGamesEtc]

Soufriere Did they ever say that the Friendship carol was a national anthem? I don't recall that and I though that it was just a carol, but I could be misremembering it.

[@Soufriere84]

StrategicGamesEtc They never _said_ it was Equestria's anthem, but the way it was framed made it seem like it.

[@StrategicGamesEtc]

Soufriere hmm. Ok. I'm considering "Equestria Land I Love" to be the National Anthem, then. :)

[@psycojosho]

"Equestria, the Land I Love" was my personal favorite song of this episode, especially the reprise.

[@lightning-bliss]

I'm actually doing a collab on this episode so I can't reveal too much of my orginal thoughts as I don't want to spoil. But I absoluetly LOVED this episode. Once again another tear jerking show...seriously I don't think I've teared up this much in MLP since... well... So I got two or three tears in season 4 right? Well Season 5 just about 80% of the series so far as got me crying on something, and this episode was no exception. I can understand you not liking that "pop" song in the middle of this, I'm assuming it's not really a music genera your into? XD Most of us, well me anyway, liked it for it's aggressive, pop beat. Not to mention the coreography from the stallions in the background was too eye catching to ignore. But unlike this song... the final song from Rara was what really got me crying. Amy Rogers will be missed!!! And I do plan to show a little tribute to her in an art piece at some point! Thanks for the review doc!

[@DRWolf001]

+Lightning Bliss I look forward to your review as well Miss Bliss.

[@GLu-tb1pb]

+Lightning Bliss I agree that this episode was really good.

[@venomousbook]

Humm ra ra ay sounds like a ga ga reference

[@dewott8251]

I saw the Season 5 finale.Reformed Starlight confirmed

[@gracegeary7815]

I can't wait until your review Lightning! (P.S. Your awesome)

[@Cometstarlight]

Rara is freaking adorable, ok? I love her mane and her VA is spectacular. Also, I think we finally got the Equestrian National Anthem in here. I guess now people can sing that in the opening and closing of conventions lol or...the last episodes of mlp, when we finally come to them....I just made myself sad.

[@dragoncat3499]

Thank you so much, Amy Keeting-Rogers for such a great episode. We'll miss you! I hope your next stories are just as great as this one. :)

[@FuzzyStripetail]

My favorite part was when Countess Coloratura completed her transformation back to RaRa by reusing the same veil that had previously masked her face and placed it on her backside as if to signify that her former diva image was literally behind her (plus, now RaRa probably has to wash that veil if she ever wanted to wear it again).

[@BillyTBum]

Just to be clear, I'm 100% certain that the glitzy, over-the top, auto-tuned nightmare in the middle of the epsiode was *supposed* to be bad, and I personally found it hilarious. And I think that moment more than anything represents the episode as a whole: this one could have fallen either way due to the subject material it was handling and could very well have fumbled. Instead, it made me cry. Damn you, Lena Hall. The manager was a jerk and a half, but I personally felt that he needed to be. We didn't need a dynamic or interesting villain for this one because the focus was Rah-Rah and we needed a complete asshat of a real villain to reassure us right off the bat that the villain wasn't going to be her. again, this is another very good example of the sort of setup that could (and likely would) have been fumbled by any other writer on any other show, but MLP knocked it right out of the park. So much good to say about this episode. Beautiful music (bearing in mind that my attitude towards the music on this show rarely rises above "tolerate") that actually fits with this episode, an engaging story and moral, and great performances from all of the mane six - especially Applejack. Seeing Pinkie Pie in a supporting role where she's not pure comic relief for a change is a bit jarring at first, but it actually works and shows us that she actually can do her job without always being "on". All in all just a great episode and a welcome change of pace from the rather "bleh" second half of the season we've had for the most part.

[@MegatronPrime321]

I'm in the majority when I say I adored this episode. Not just for the music but for the fact that Amy Keating Rogers avoided a lot of clichés done with this kind of story before. Does Rara not remember Applejack or pretend to not remember her to keep up her image? No. Did she become pompous and stuck-up about her fame? No. Does she hate interacting with her fans or act egotistical around them? No. Like many, I positively adored the songs here, especially The Magic Inside and Equestria, The Land I Love. Daniel Ingram wrote on his Facebook that the song Spectacle was basically a satire of overproduced modern pop music. And it definitely shows in the song. With all the strobe lights, autotuning, flashing lights, dubstep and pounding bass, it's so over-the-top modern pop, it's practically comical. And fun fact, Svengallop's name and characterisation is a complete reference to Svengali from the novel Trilby, who seduces, dominates and exploits the title character to make her into a famous singer. Nice touch, Amy. I'm sad to see her go, but I wish her the best of luck at Disney.

[@Soufriere84]

Amy Keating Rogers wanted, I guess, to leave MLP in a blaze of glory, and boy did she ever. "The Mane Attraction" is, at least upon 1st watch, fantastic. I'm not one to complain about a standard plot if it's executed well, which it is here. I've read several IRL accounts regarding famous people who want to be nicer but are at the mercy of their managers and entourage. Perhaps the real lesson is that Hollywood people are scum. By the way, I get the feeling that that middle song you didn't like was _supposed_ to not be that great.

[@WitherGirlGaming]

+Soufriere i agree that the second song wasn't supposed to be likeable. I myself enjoyed it, but the rest of the songs were better BY FAR.

[@reflectivevagrant5531]

I suppose this could be called Amy's "swan song". I don't have much to add after that.

[@QueenTwilightSparkle1]

This episode is one of those...GREAT and POWERFUL episodes! Get the reference? Anyway.. Pinkie pie's faces and stress? Understandable and funny! Rara and the song? 10/10 ! Her backstory? One word. Dawww! The manager? Real life business human in a nutshell. Applejack? In character in this episode and apperciated. And i will admit. I cried. And finally amy rogers. Thank you for the work you put into mlp and u end it off with a bang! May your future shine like rainbows! Best wishes!😊

[@liizs2863]

There's so many young people out there (myself included) who have (and probably still do) aspired to become famous singers/musicians, and this episode showed very well what it would be like to be a pop star. And it teaches you to be yourself, and to not let fame change who you are. I think this is a very important message, and not only to those who want to become popular singers, but also to those who don't (everybody and anybody who was a nice person, then their friends changed and they themselves wanted to change just so they'd fit in, often changing themselves in a bad way). "They laugh at me because I'm different, but I laugh at them because they're all the same." that is a wonderful quote and you should think on it and share it with people who you may know who are struggling on making themselves "fit in", which, really they don't need to do. So I liked this episode so much, because I can relate to it so much more than any other episode in the entire series. :-D

[@joinmarch76]

Though I can't help wondering, what's Amy Keating Roger's plans now that she's giving up writing MLP episodes?

[@Soufriere84]

She got hired as a staff writer for Disney.

[@alexandromoreno3562]

+Soufriere Please please Star vs the force of evil or Wander over yonder

[@gracegeary7815]

+Comet Glider wasn't aware of the Disney thing.

[@NthDoctorWho]

I didn't get the second outfit Rara wore (3:41) What was the point of it? That was ditched pretty quickly for the more simple outfit for her orchestral number

[@ImminDragon]

+The Doctor She was preparing to do another show as The Countess but decided to go as herself instead. The point of the outfit is to show that she hadn't been planning to sing the song she ended up doing.

[@NthDoctorWho]

Immindragon Felt rather out of left field for me

[@gracegeary7815]

Did you even see the episode?

[@NthDoctorWho]

Grace TheFace I wouldn't ask if I hadn't

[@eltsoldier]

I'm one for a more modest, yet charming approach to things myself, and "Rara" -- I agree, by the way, adorable nickname -- _perfectly_ sold that last scene with the grand piano onstage. Especially with that simple yet tasteful spotlight instead of all the lasers and visual effects they were using before. That also gives all the other ponies in the audience a chance to contribute by casting their own dim horn-lights, like a field of stars with Rara at its center. Absolutely beautiful! The more down-to-earth image she adopted then -- or returned to, I guess you could say -- meshed perfectly with her already existing desire to connect with her audience, too. That pop idol look she had before really set her apart from all the ponies around her, to an oppressive degree. Yes, this was most definitely a "feel-good" episode, and one I'm sure I'll watch again someday. The character of Rara renewed is an extremely welcome addition to the show. Here's hoping we'll see her again in the future!

[@pancudowny]

Unicorn auto-tuner brought to you by: The pony-artist known as Prince.

[@eck0799]

I ADORE COUNTESS COLORATURA & I ABOVE THE CONTINUITY OF HER APPEARANCE.

[@LoadedEmu97]

This episode didn't do much for me... I did like it to an extent, but I seriously just thought it was above average. You're right about the manager putting me off... The best part of the whole episode was indeed the songs. That's really the only thing along with AJ and RaRa's relationship that kept me liking it. I'll definitely rewatch it for sure, but it just wasn't my thing.

[@BNuts]

This was an excellent last outing for Amy as a writer with _FiM_, in an arc of episodes about being true to oneself. Now I can't wait to see how this will reflect when played against the season finale, and Starlight's reappearance.

[@skyscraperfronterline5701]

Time for the mane attraction, your story must be told!Time for a chain reaction, that never gets old!

[@Sachgo_Rainbow]

Yes! Let's bring Rara and her amazing singing voice back soon!

[@John-bb9kd]

I hope so in season 7. :)

[@landoninthehood8849]

I will miss Amy Keating Rogders. Did she say why she was leaving?

[@Soufriere84]

She got a job as a staff writer for Disney.

[@landoninthehood8849]

:)

[@landoninthehood8849]

Soufriere Wow, that's cool! I will miss her writing though.

[@FizzyK-45]

This was a great episode and can't wait for the finale, Thanks for all of the episodes, Amy. We'll miss you. :') Also i have a question... How does AJ and Rara play the instruments? (Guitar and Piano) I know Octavia plays the cello, but afaik you can play with just one finger and hand. (just like a bass guitar) And Lyra can play her Lyre with magic. But how does a pony plays an instrument without magic? Isn't playing a guitar or a piano use at least multiple "fingers"? Or maybe the instruments in Equestria are setup differently like maybe 1 bar chord per hooves/different chord per piano tuts? I'm confused now. .w.

[@yvetteberner815]

I kept thinking of Lady Gaga all through it, how she can be quite flashy and strange but at heart truly loves her fans. The songs, especially of course the last, were beautiful, and I simply can't stop singing them!

[@ComissarYarrick]

Silver Quill is gonna die from cuteness overload when rewiewing this episode. Again :) ......

[@Fabiorobertsousa]

I found all things in this episode gorgeous, Rara, the story and what I loved most was the music. Can't wait to see Rara coming back for another episode.

[@Psrj-ad]

this episode made me cry at the end. so happy.

[@CheekuP]

I loved this episode! i have gone a bit back and forth on weather the pacing was good or not, but it actually was. And to see how RaRa trusts AJ enough to prove her point is pretty good too. I think it's more than a few good points to this story that hopefully some younger audience will pick up on. Thank you Amy, for bringing us this amazing episode, and many more before it!

[@alexvoicer689]

For some reason I can picture you singing "It’s a spectacle" Dr.Wolf doing your deep voice that would sound really amazing, but that's entirely up to you doc. If you did sing it, I could hear your fans go nuts lol!!

[@RedDragonForce2]

I will definitely miss Amy. Her stories hold a strong presence within the world of Equestria, and beyond. Looking back over her episodes, even the ones that might not have been her best were still really good in their own right and she really did her best to keep the characters we know and love in good lighting!! (See what I did there? LOLZ!!!) But seriously, if this is her final work for the show, we will definitely smile with pride, shed some liquid pride, and show our happy pride in what she has done for us and the Fans of MLP:FiM!!!! Cheers to you Amy, and we look forward to your next work, wherever it may be!!!

[@sadlobster1]

You know what's funny? When I heard her name "Ra-Ra," I immediately thought Lady Gaga was going to voice her. A: because both names sound slightly similar and B: Ra-Ra is the start of one of Gaga's songs. Another thing I noticed in this episode was how the events felt like an episode from another show from my teenage years. The show was called Braceface and the episode was called "The Good Life." The only difference, the pop-star in the Braceface episode was not a childhood friend of the series' heroine. But the scenario was much the same. The overbearing manager keeps the singer from enjoying a normal day of activities they like. Which is pure horse-feathers, if you ask me. Why shouldn't a celebrity do things normally like us, once in a while? Regardless this episode was awesome and a great way for Amy to go out with a bang. 10/10 score for me

[@nutkicker12]

+sadlobster1 its Rara, there is no hyphen

[@sadlobster1]

***** Whoops, sorry

[@BrightIdeaPony]

+sadlobster1 I didn't know anything about this episode going in besides the title, so I actually thought Rara might've been voiced by Lady Gaga, as the character shares many similarities with the real life pop star: She's very theatrical and talented, plays piano, and cares a lot about her fans. I'll have to look more into Lena Hall though, she seems awesome if her voice is anything to go by.

[@sadlobster1]

During the big and flashy pop-song moment. I was covering my ears, groaning with annoyance. Compared to her REAL talent, later in the episode. The whole "Countess" persona the company made for Rara and the auto-tune style music were just...awful. Much like most of modern "popular" music

[@RudyBlackman]

Finally I'm not only one who thought of lady gaga

[@omniviewer2115]

The episode dealt with the age old conundrum of Flash over Substance. Had this been made in the Eighties, Ra-Ra would have had a band reminiscent of KISS rather than an act reminiscent of Lady Gaga. Theatricality is not a bad thing in music (Ra-Ra is played by a Broadway performer, where theatrical music is standard), but when the spectacle overshadows the talent, then it's a problem.

[@jay-js2pb]

The plot of this episode really hit close to home. I had a very similar experience like AJ's and am still trying to get through the problem. Not to mention that I started tearing up and RaRa's song at the end

[@selalewow]

Once again they showed us that an episode does not always need to have the flash and bang of magic or a major conflict to be genuinely entertaining. Although the plot was a bit of a trope, they pulled it off well, and I'll gladly admit to watching it with my daughter on my lap, and wiping a tear away behind her back :)

[@MoteofLobross]

I give this episode major props for making references to Trilby, one of my favorite books from my high school Literature class.

[@JCBro-yg8vd]

A wonderful farewell from Amy Keating Rogers, and I sure hope Disney treats her well. It's a shame Gravity Falls is wrapping up, but there's still Star Wars Rebels, Star v.s. The Forces of Evil, and Wander Over Yander.

[@thepinkiefan4978]

Equestria, The land I love was my second-favorite song in this episode, I even took the time to right down the lyrics and learn to sing it myself! but my most favorite one was The magic inside, it was beautifully done and is unforgettable!

[@SuperGodzilla2]

this was such a beautiful episode, Ra Ra was so amazing, i loved her design and her singing voice... OH MY CELESTA!!!! i hope her songs get one I-Tunes or what ever place where i can buy the songs to support the artist, the was a great review Doc

[@ChaudTheGamer]

I love this episode and if I do a review of it I am going to go off and pummel that manager until he can't move and say "THAT WAS FOR MY RARA!!!"

[@NelsonDemifur]

I already gushed all over Ms. Rogers Twitter page so I doubt I could say more now. As for this episode, I knew it'd be a treat the minute I heard the singing because my jaw dropped in astonishment.

[@MsAdventure14]

Ah, I would love to see her in future episodes, Maybe with a conflict of NOT being so popular anymore because of society standards and how she will still go on even if people don't like her as much anymore

[@lotusgal313]

For the longest time, my favorite episodes were crystal empire part 2 because that's where twilight truly leaned the real meaning of self sacrifice and that there are more important things in life than just her level of studies, and made in manehatten because that was one of the rare moments where rarity and aj, 2 ponies who are as opposite as you can get, work together to show a huge city of ponies that sometimes even the smallest act of kindness can make the biggest difference. Now, after seeing this episode, it's now my number one favorite because that song just touched my heart so deeply, and it shows that you have to be careful not to let a bunch of "bells and whistles" keep you for remembering who you really are and where you come from. and i love how that final number is a shining example on how you don't need all that fancy shmancy nonsense to share a gift with everypony.

[@ondatheworld]

can we just appreciate how this season has had some focus on how the main 6 do have other friends? to me its been a nice touch.

[@crimsonday2759]

This was such an amazing episode on so many levels, the character Ra Ra was beautiful and naturally talented, the story was well paced and the songs were just as beautiful as the pony who sang them, it teaches us to stay true to ourselves and to embrace our natural talents instead of pretending to be something we're not, and I like that, plus, it really gave AJ a chance to shine in this season, all in all, this episode was awesome and I hope to see Ra Ra again in the future, but as herself

[@madisonboone1655]

I LOVED this episode! It really sent a good message of letting your true colors shine, I guess whenever RaRa did that, that's the reason her cutie mark would glow. I was REALLY impressed by Lena Hall's performance, she is an AMAZING and very well talented singer. I definitely hope RaRa makes a reappearance later on in the show. I noticed a minor lesson being taught in this episode as well; it's that just because you may know someone high in the social rankings, doesn't mean you should take advantage of their name. Kind of like the lesson in Princess Spike but a little different. I also liked how Sweetie Belle was able to get up there and sing for everypony along with her friends and RaRa 🤗. That was really cool considering she's got a really good voice too. This episode is definitely in the top 5 and I can't wait to see how this show progresses, what with season 5 being like MLP's Golden Age...

[@booklover4330]

I really loved this episode, Lena Hall did an amazing job with her wonderful singing and acting. (I didn't even know who she was until I watched the episode). It's definitely one of my favorite episodes in season 5, and that's saying something considering how many amazing episodes they have this season.

[@raw6668]

Hey, doc or fellow commentators,do you think the song, "Equestria, the Land I Love" RaRa sung as a filly and the song in the end is Equestria's National Anthem? I assume due to lowering of the flag in the end and it does seem one Equestria would write. What are you thoughts?

[@kestrel4067]

So there have been a lot of great new supporting characters this season, Rara being the newest addition. Which of the new characters this season would you like to see in the future for a callback?

[@violetpony]

Does anyone else feel bad for poor Pinkie Pie? She was basically being abused by RaRa's Manager. But nopony stepped up to that jerky Manager guy! Nopony even TRIED to help her with the requests! I felt so bad for her.

[@Smilley85]

+Violet Pony AJ is seen peeling apples with her. The problem is, an episode is only so long, and Pinkie was just not the focus of it.

[@violetpony]

Smilley MLK That is true. I see what you mean.

[@gracegeary7815]

I could fill a binder with ideas of how to deal with him.

[@Smilley85]

Reminds me of this: doublewbrothers.deviantart.com/art/Demand-574736573

[@violetpony]

Omg! XD This is PERFECT!Smilley MLK

[@BlueStarBrony]

Glad to see you're feeling better! Again good work as always and congratulations on consistently getting this out so fast. The Season 5 finale ending with a bang? Surely you jest? lol JK Hugh I was so terrified you were going to show a spoiler or something...They're everywhere! lol First Thank you very much Amy Keating Rogers for all your hard work on the show! We all appreciate everything you've done on the show and I wish the very best! But we will miss you! At least Disney will have at least one good writer. lol Anyway I'm really glad I don't watch spoilers, Twitter etc since I pretty much did not know this was coming. Well sort of, because someone mentioned on my channel oh the next episode must be the one with Lena Hall in it. Not knowing who that was I didn't really give it much attention. Wow she can SING! Thank you for lending your voice to the show. Honestly I first thought most of this episode was been there done that but you raise some good points that they're not completely throwing the manager under the bus, because yeah managing everything that goes into a show like that is really hard! But despite that I still didn't really enjoy most of the beginning of this episode since I've pretty much seen it already. Although seeing AJ as a filly at summer camp was so adorable. Again Lena Hall can sing! Those kids expressions were perfect! lol I really liked the two end songs especially the last one...It reminds me of why I Defend Equestria! Sniff....It was also such a touching moment for AJ since it brought them both back to their child hood and AJ even rang a triangle at the end. That was so beautiful....I promised myself I wouldn't cry...lol Anyway I'm looking forward to the S5 Finale! I hope I can avoid the spoilers for just one more week! lol Until then this is BlueStar Stay Strong and Pony On! BlueStar Out

[@serafine666]

Pianos and beautiful voices singing with pianos are my favorite combination of things in music. I also had a squee at the orchestra in the background. The end song for this episode had all of my possible squee in a single concentrated atomic-level yay. The show needs to bring Ra-Ra back, and do so as often as possible because all of my possible squee. "I'm Just a Pony" deserves something orchestral and sweeping and gorgeous. Ponyphonic, everyone else who does this kind of thing, you know what to do. Get 'er done, sons. :)

[@frostboy985]

hey DRWolf i think this season 5 talks about the mane 6 old friends, 1st was rainbow dash friend, 2nd Gilda then twilgiht 4 friends but 1, Moondancer and 3rd applejack friend Rara. I feel bad that Amy Keating Rogers is going but i hope she will do great work in the future.

[@aetheres5617]

The last song "I am just a pony" was such a great way to end off the episode. I couldn't stop myself from hearing it over and over again.

[@chessy5038]

When I first read the description for this episode, I was worried that "Rara" was going to be very stuck up, but I was glad she wasn't. I enjoyed how she was still a nice character, even though she had a very different stage presence, and I'm glad they didn't fall into a cliche.

[@reviewreviewer1]

Great review Doctor. I agree this episode was a great way for Rogers to say goodbey. This was such a moving episode.

[@jacksparrowismydaddy]

I loved it, it made me cry. Good Luck Amy.also I also really liked the Sven Galli reference in the manager's name.

[@tehcraftydragon]

When I first read the synopsis for this episode I fully expected it to be some cliche story about AJ's childhood friend having turned into a snob but my goodness, am I glad it didn't go that way. I loved this episode

[@Commander_Tarnum]

From now on, Ra-Ra will always say RADA RADA RADA RADA RADA RADA RADA RADA! Plus a reaction to dubstep: BOO YOU STINK! Either way, it seems that I now say thank you to Amy Keating Rogers for everything that she has done in the last 5 years. That's all.

[@LivingCrusader]

I loved this episode. And wanted to turn the manager into glue, alive.

[@killgora1]

I like how the villain didn't just learn his lesson in the end rather than the predictable ending of him learning the error of his way. It managed to get the moral of the story done without making it completely predictable.

[@cherryberrybeatz5606]

Unicorn auto tuning is best kind of auto tuning

[@zenithsabyss]

What amazed me most about this episode was the compare and contrast between the fluff musical number "Spectacle" and the closing song of "The Magic Inside". It's amazing to me the difference and we barely notice it in our daily lives anymore. We're so caught up in the "glitz and glam" (REALLY WELL ANIMATED, BTW :D) that we lose the essential nature of the person doing the performing. I could easily see the pony version of limewire having a ton of downloads on "Spectacle", but I bet you anything "The Magic Inside" is a song they would actually buy. It was a really good episode all around and I will miss Amy Keating Rogers. MLP wouldn't be the same if she hadn't been a part of it.

[@TheAvizanski]

this episode reminded me of amending fences, it actually felt like applejakcs version of that episode, or griffinstone.

[@johnpyrett4017]

Man this episode was awesome in both visual and audio even during the middle song even though I could barely hear it but awesome none the less.

[@ricardofr200]

Yep, I'm also waiting for remixes of the final song, I'm considering about doing a remix too :) Nice review Doc ^_^

[@TheMuffinMan1894]

For another similar, and great, recent episode about this topic there is "Sadie's Song". Hope I don't thrashed for liking SU too.

[@Pikalovechu]

I really enjoyed the music in this episode. The magic inside being my favorite.

[@88Dolfan]

Time for the main attraction, the story must be told, time for a chain reaction, it never gets old.

[@SilentGlaceon94]

I mentioned this on a Facebook page, but I love how AJ doesn't go nuts when she saw Rara. Instead, she still saw her as a childhood friend. I think that this is a good call on the writers to show kids how to react to seeing a celebrity, because trust me *a lot* of adults haven't learned that lesson...

[@irishhuskie2585]

How was Applejack playing the guitar in the flashback? She's a pony, with hooves! You can't play a guitar with hooves, it just doesn't work!

[@Yubel198]

+ChicagoDomer2596 Mandopony's OC plays guitar and he's not a unicorn, but an earth pony. just some food for thought

[@DarlCron]

Your questioning how a pony, in world of many other multicolored ponies, some with magic and others with wings that can fly, is playing a guitar? I see nothing wrong with that question.

[@Cowboygineer]

+ChicagoDomer2596 If a mutant ninja turtle can get away by playing a one string guitar with three fingers, then a pony can get a free pass by playing a guitar with hooves.

[@Ieatpaste23]

+ChicagoDomer2596 Ask Octavia, she plays the chello without fingers.

[@IrishKyokushin]

We're talking about that has talking pastel coloured ponies. Some of which do magic or fly. One routinely breaks the walls of physics (and the 4th wall) and you're going to call shenanigans on a pony playing a guitar?

[@jamesamala7371]

Also, the 'Equestria I Love' song seems more like an anthem. And as we have never heard the entire Equestrian anthem, I do hope the show staff make it the anthem. This episode gave me chills too, but good ones.

[@Demonya]

The unicorn that did the auto tuning kinda looked like Dr. Frank-n-furter from Rocky Horror.... am I the only one who make that connection?

[@ame.e.]

Not much Rainbow Dash recently. However, the adorable AJ made up for it. It was great to see her with a childhood friend and how she reacted to this genre of music. 9.9/10.

[@SkylanderDragon]

Good to see your feeling well Dr. Wolf. Like you last week I'm on day 1 or day 2 of having a cold. Put the hay in the apple and eat the candle.

[@MistyMizzle]

Witch episode is better? The episode when crusaders got there marks? Or this one?

[@irishhuskie2585]

This one. Crusaders of the Lost Mark wasn't very good, although it did have better music than this episode. Except for "The Spectacle", of course.

[@MistyMizzle]

I have to agree with that.

[@user-uz9xq685gbjdeadff]

Yeah it is a really wonderful episode and I love it. I totally forgot that was Amy last show for MLP. I want to see her work more. I hope that we can see Ra Ra again also with her beautiful voice.

[@TimeTravelMaster]

Thank you Amy we will all miss your talented work on MLP and are grateful how you have shaped it to what it is now today best of wishes to you and God bless! I hope to see more of Rara in the future does anypony else? :)

[@WhiteCresentKnight]

Im glad that the episode didn't automatically put down anyone who genuinely enjoys things like showy performance or exaggerated costume just to teach an authenticity moral

[@omegaelement]

Honestly, this episode was far more amazing that I expected. I am saving my full thoughts for my own video about the episode but I have to say that I absolutely loved it! Pinkie was great, Rara was brilliant, the songs slapped me in the face and demanded my attention (well except for Razzle Dazzle/The Spectacle), and Applejack proved that she could be best mane 6 material.

[@Blyndir]

On the Subject of the manager's character, I noticed he's named after a 19th century literary character who's name became the term for an ill intentioned puppet master.

[@BubblingBrooke]

The pacing was a little weird with how the conflict was resolved, but I enjoyed how it wasn't dwelled on too long.

[@francisreuter6294]

even though i knew what was going to happen in the end since it has been done before with other cartoons but the songs were good and heartfelt to make it a lot better for me

[@alexvoicer689]

I loved this episode, the music blew me away along with the animation it was outstanding....boy I did not liked RaRa's manager one bit there would to many things I would do to him lol. This was a great message, we will truly miss that Amy Keating Rogers she was wonderful and amazing video as ever Dr.Wolf!! :)

[@psycojosho]

Also, I feel that Equestrian anthem is going to pull some weight on our minds in the next season finale.

[@themythologygeek4798]

I have a feeling that season 5 final will go out with a bang. Literally!

[@Mangaka-Knight]

I really enjoyed this episode and its got me thinking about...Spike, but before I get into that, I really enjoyed the songs and the references from all the snacks Pinkie Pie gathered for Ra Ra. You know would have been nice? If they had Discord at the end in the crowd clapping. When I first heard of "The Mane Attraction" for a moment I thought it was Power Ponies related since the Mane-iac used that phrase in the episode. Wouldn't it have made since for Spike to be the one to get Ra Ra for that big event? Not taking nothing from Pinkie, but Spike did go out of his way to get Hoiti Toiti, Photo Finish (I think) and Sapphire Shores (who are famous) to appear and he always did announcements, which Twilight was doing. What I'm getting at is that I feel Spike should have been more involved and being useful than getting in the way and these moments were perfect to make it happen. It just looks like a lot of the roles Spike would do are taken by the Mane 6 in these current seasons.

[@benbaca5743]

This episode was really solid and I have to admit, Rara/Countess Coloratura was a really nice character and seemed like a ponified version of Miley Cyrus and Lady Gaga. As I stated in my review of this episode, the moral was really well done, the songs were amazing, the animation has improved, and Lena Hall had a really amazing singing voice for Coloratura, which leaves me into giving a 9/10. Now, I would like to see more of Rara and it would be quite interesting to see her return to the series sometime soon.

[@TheSecondOpinion11]

Very smart review. And I definitely think Amy Keating Rogers has earned the fond farewell.

[@dashzilla9358]

Despite the cliched Manager, the episode was just amazing. I loved how Rara (not saying her other name because it's a mouthful) was treated in this episode. Her character was great and her performance was great. Though I will be the elephant and say that a filly singing like a full-grown mare was completely odd. But despite that, the episode was great, AJ was at her best and Rara became a new character I want to see come back in future seasons. A side-note, that manager made me hate him more than Bluebloods. If the Blueblood's hatred is still a thing. lol

[@kennethtaffe3135]

Just to say, I am not too familiar with every writer for the show along with not always knowing or remembering which writer(s) wrote which particular episode. But overall, The Mane Attraction was awesome, it's definitely a favorite in my book. To me, this is best episode Amy Keating Rogers had ever written, and went out swinging. It would great to see Rara make a return in future episodes, who knows maybe we will see her in season 6.

[@HeartstopperCo]

"Razzle Dazzle" is actually my new favorite mlp song. Yep. over the last song.

[@peaches2you563]

it makes sense, 4 some of the friends we know in the past might or will b fames in the present, and when we try 2 help them they might see it as us trying 2 stop there stardom