MLP S7 Episode 4: Rock Solid Friendship Review

Short Version: It had Maud in it. 12/10

Long version:

-I’ve been a fan of Maud’s appearances on the show so far. The episodes that have her in focus have usually been very sweet and deliver some rock-solid (heh heh heh) entries for Pinkie Pie-focused episodes/lessons. However, going into this one, I’m beginning to fear that these kind of episodes can begin to get same-y. All of them up until now, including this one, have been about Pinkie driving herself crazy to make sure that Maud is happy, only to realize that she’s making things more complicated than she should (a bit oversimplified, I know, but more on that later). So, when it comes to setting them apart from each other, and determining whether they’re different/good enough to be worthwhile, the devil is in the details. For a change, this episode narrows down the focus of the cast to Pinkie and Maud. While Starlight is present, the story hinges on their bond and whether Pinkie can convince Maud to stay.

-Even as a big Pinkie fan, I have to admit that her antics walk a fine line between being charming and obnoxious. At the same time, I recognize that, much like her BFFs, the attributes about her that make her special and likeable are linked to some of her less appealing qualities, such as her pride, emotional fragility, and a (unintentional) disregard of other’s outlook on a given situation, as demonstrated here by how she was too focused on what she was doing to notice that Maud and Starlight didn’t need any help to get along. If she goes the extra mile to make sure the special ponies in her life are happy, she does it all out of love, but she can often overstep how much of her output is needed. Also, it’s evident that she derives personal happiness from the happiness of the ponies she loves. If she feels they’re not happy, she’s not happy either. She’s a case to be made for how there’s such a thing as caring too much. Still, even if she took things too far, I don’t blame her for thinking Maud would need help, knowing how some can be put-off by her demeanor. Also, it’s not a bad thing at all that she wants her sister to be happy, and she never comes across like she’s trying to get Maud to stay in Ponyville because of selfish underlying reasons. Well, at least not entirely. In the end, I feel I can really empathize with someone who fears that she can screw up a relationship and can often over-compensate to try and make things right/better.

-Episodes featuring Maud have typically had her show up to do her usual shtick for the majority of the runtime, keeping her role very passive until we get towards the end and she plays into the lesson the episode delivers. This time around, we get a new angle to her that shows off a little bit more of her personality and even the way she sees herself hidden away under her general stoicism. She clearly loves Pinkie, as she has said many times before, but you can tell that she’s stuck between sparing her feelings about how hard she’s trying to make sure she’s happy and telling her that she feels she’s not able to make a proper connection with Starlight, despite also clearly liking her. Several conversations she has with Pinkie and Starlight heavily suggest that she’s aware that it’s hard for her to connect with other ponies, which is why she comes to value Starlight so much, and it even ties to her fondness for rocks. Initially, I felt like taking issue with the idea that Maud is looking for a friend when she already has the rest of the Mane 6, though I feel the scene with Rarity is a reminder that the girls still don’t quite “get” Maud, which is what she’s looking for. Still, I gotta ask: what about Apple Bloom? She got along with her swimmingly in “Hearthbreakers”. Regardless, this episode is making me step away from my long-standing belief that Maud works better in limited doses. If we can get more of this from her in future appearances, Maud episodes will keep staying fresh.

-Starlight and Maud are a match made in socially-awkward heaven. Really liked how genuine their bonding felt. I kinda want to see Starlight spend more time with Maud than with Trixie.

-Pinkie’s Maud impression! So many talented impersonators in the main cast.

-Derpy got a free pizza. How lucky!

-“Stay away from my girlfriend!” –Bon Bon, probably.

-One thing I always look forward to in any Pinkie Pie episode: a plethora of epic faces, animation and gags. This episode has ‘em.

-“You’re my best sister friend forever.” Man, Maud is simply the best a getting a big “D’awwwwww” out of me.

-I guess now we know why Maud was so critical of Discord’s stand-up comedy a couple seasons ago.

-…Maudelina? Daisy?!?

-“Dr. Pie” has a nice ring to it.

-I like Maud and all, but perhaps it’s time to let someone else from the Pie family hang out with the girls from time to time.

-I see Starlight has adopted the “Flash Sentry” method of meeting new people.

-“Amazing bonding activities”. That is all.