Really love the first part of Season 4's finale "Twilight's Kingdom". It is to me the best of 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic's' season finales and a strong contender for the show's best two parter overall, in a show that has an impressive in general track record when it comes to its two parters. Apart from one small aspect, pretty much everything about the two parter works and makes for one of the season's (solid but not quite outstanding) high-point.
Part 2 of "Twilight's Kingdom" is even better than the first. It has all of the brilliant things of Part 1, which essentially sets them up (and did so brilliantly) and builds upon them. While also having an even better narrative in terms of emotional punch and what goes on. Love Part 1 of "Twilight's Kingdom", love Part 2 even more as it felt like there was more to it and like the conflicts and character writing were advancing rather than standing still or going backwards.
Admittedly there are the not so great and at points rather ugly rainbow designs, but the good things are so many and so brilliant executed in a way not seen as strongly as with the previous two parters that a big part of me was willing to let that go. The rest of the animation is fine, the vibrancy of the colours is still intact, as is the vivid atmosphere and the meticulously detailed backgrounds. The character designs became more polished with each season and one can see the growth here. The music is dynamic with the action and has an infectious groove and atmosphere.
In my view the writing is some of the best of the season. Not just because it is well written, even in any re-capping it doesn't get bogged down too much by exposition or over-explanation, but also because of its emotional complexity. There is some heart-pounding and tense conflict (betrayal was seldom this wrenching the gut in the way it is here in this two parter). As well as emotional moments that really tug at the heart-strings, that were even stronger here in Part 2, and Discord brings some great comic timing that balances beautifully.
Likewise, the story is tense, poignant and a lot of fun. It is even more eventful than the first part, constantly moving forward and always arresting. One may worry that with more than one conflict going on that the episode could risk being over-stuffed and muddled but it was neither. The ending is the finest example of the episode's heart-pounding and heart tugging. All the characters are true to character and interest in their own way. Twilight is regal and relatable and Discord never stops being a joy. Tirek is one of the show's better villains in my view, he's got a genuinely sinister vibe, motivations aren't confused and it feels like things are at stake. He is not one of the missed opportunity villains like King Sombra was.
Cannot fault the voice acting, Andrea Libman is truly heartfelt and John DeLancie is formidable and hilarious. Mark Acheson is suitably sinister as Tirek. Tara Strong also gives emotive voice acting.
Summing up, wonderful conclusion to a solid fourth season. 10/10
Part 2 of "Twilight's Kingdom" is even better than the first. It has all of the brilliant things of Part 1, which essentially sets them up (and did so brilliantly) and builds upon them. While also having an even better narrative in terms of emotional punch and what goes on. Love Part 1 of "Twilight's Kingdom", love Part 2 even more as it felt like there was more to it and like the conflicts and character writing were advancing rather than standing still or going backwards.
Admittedly there are the not so great and at points rather ugly rainbow designs, but the good things are so many and so brilliant executed in a way not seen as strongly as with the previous two parters that a big part of me was willing to let that go. The rest of the animation is fine, the vibrancy of the colours is still intact, as is the vivid atmosphere and the meticulously detailed backgrounds. The character designs became more polished with each season and one can see the growth here. The music is dynamic with the action and has an infectious groove and atmosphere.
In my view the writing is some of the best of the season. Not just because it is well written, even in any re-capping it doesn't get bogged down too much by exposition or over-explanation, but also because of its emotional complexity. There is some heart-pounding and tense conflict (betrayal was seldom this wrenching the gut in the way it is here in this two parter). As well as emotional moments that really tug at the heart-strings, that were even stronger here in Part 2, and Discord brings some great comic timing that balances beautifully.
Likewise, the story is tense, poignant and a lot of fun. It is even more eventful than the first part, constantly moving forward and always arresting. One may worry that with more than one conflict going on that the episode could risk being over-stuffed and muddled but it was neither. The ending is the finest example of the episode's heart-pounding and heart tugging. All the characters are true to character and interest in their own way. Twilight is regal and relatable and Discord never stops being a joy. Tirek is one of the show's better villains in my view, he's got a genuinely sinister vibe, motivations aren't confused and it feels like things are at stake. He is not one of the missed opportunity villains like King Sombra was.
Cannot fault the voice acting, Andrea Libman is truly heartfelt and John DeLancie is formidable and hilarious. Mark Acheson is suitably sinister as Tirek. Tara Strong also gives emotive voice acting.
Summing up, wonderful conclusion to a solid fourth season. 10/10