Twilight Sparkle in "Bridle Gossip" sums up the audience reaction of 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic' best, "never judge a book by its cover". That's what people understandably did before the show even aired, and still do sadly before giving it a chance. One would think before doing so that it would be a shallow, cutesy show with a limited audience, but many including myself (who watches film and television of all genres and decades) have found it to be so much more than that.
"Bridle Gossip" epitomises all of this and is what 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic' is all about. While not quite one of the very best episodes of the show overall (though a million lightyears away from being one of the worst), "Bridle Gossip" is one of its funniest in my mind, certainly at least of the earlier seasons. Also think that it is among the better Season 1, and there are a lot of great episodes in Season 1, episodes and its funniest. Or at least towards the top half of the season, but up to this very early stage of the show, no other episode quite made me smile or laugh as much as this.
It is back to focusing on all the characters, after the more intimate and simpler "Look Before You Sleep" (liked that episode just to say personally and that it was a change of pace), which was great. It was also great to see more of Spike, don't think the season did enough with him early on, and to see him being funny. The exchange discussing the effects of the Poison Joke plant was hilarious, those names he utters haha.
Once again, there are no issues with the animation and have always felt that 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic' is one of the better uses of Flash animation. It was well done when the show first started and got better and better all the time. The bright colours, meticulously detailed and often elegant backgrounds and adorable but never too cute character designs still appeals. The music has presence but never over-bears what is going on. Personally don't have a problem with the theme song, am aware some find it take it or leave it. Do think though that the Evil Enchantress song is much more memorable, thanks to Fluuterguy's ingeniously funny lyrics.
Absolutely loved the humour here, not just that aforementioned exchange or the song, but most of the humour actually came from all the different ailments for the ponies. Which were truly inspired. Fluttershy's is one of the show's funniest and for me the funniest moment of the first season, am not being facetious. There's even the often imitated reference to 'Apocalypse Now'. It's not all about entertainment value, the show was always good at morals and messages and how it delivered them. They were always important and relevant morals and messages, and ones that are good to teach younger audiences early, furthermore they were delivered sincerely and without beating people around the head. The one here concerning prejudice is one of the show's most relevant and important and sums up how people react to the show. There's even a little horror vibe in parts.
Have also always loved the chemistry between the characters, more than apparent in "Bridle Gossip", and that it honours the theme of friendship without simplifying. Yet, there is more to their chemistry than just friendship, dealing with complex issues in relationships in a way that's relatable. Other episodes do that much more, but this was just me briefly summing up one of the reasons as to why the show strikes a chord with me and appeals to others too. The characters have far more to them than what they seem in looks, don't let their cute character designs fool you as they are interesting characters with distinct personalities. The voice acting is on point after being occasionally ever so slightly off in "Look Before You Sleep".
Do think that though that much more could have been done with Zecora. A character that did have great potential and loved the concept for her, but the episode could have developed her more.
Concluding, hugely entertaining and wonderfully done episode. 9/10
"Bridle Gossip" epitomises all of this and is what 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic' is all about. While not quite one of the very best episodes of the show overall (though a million lightyears away from being one of the worst), "Bridle Gossip" is one of its funniest in my mind, certainly at least of the earlier seasons. Also think that it is among the better Season 1, and there are a lot of great episodes in Season 1, episodes and its funniest. Or at least towards the top half of the season, but up to this very early stage of the show, no other episode quite made me smile or laugh as much as this.
It is back to focusing on all the characters, after the more intimate and simpler "Look Before You Sleep" (liked that episode just to say personally and that it was a change of pace), which was great. It was also great to see more of Spike, don't think the season did enough with him early on, and to see him being funny. The exchange discussing the effects of the Poison Joke plant was hilarious, those names he utters haha.
Once again, there are no issues with the animation and have always felt that 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic' is one of the better uses of Flash animation. It was well done when the show first started and got better and better all the time. The bright colours, meticulously detailed and often elegant backgrounds and adorable but never too cute character designs still appeals. The music has presence but never over-bears what is going on. Personally don't have a problem with the theme song, am aware some find it take it or leave it. Do think though that the Evil Enchantress song is much more memorable, thanks to Fluuterguy's ingeniously funny lyrics.
Absolutely loved the humour here, not just that aforementioned exchange or the song, but most of the humour actually came from all the different ailments for the ponies. Which were truly inspired. Fluttershy's is one of the show's funniest and for me the funniest moment of the first season, am not being facetious. There's even the often imitated reference to 'Apocalypse Now'. It's not all about entertainment value, the show was always good at morals and messages and how it delivered them. They were always important and relevant morals and messages, and ones that are good to teach younger audiences early, furthermore they were delivered sincerely and without beating people around the head. The one here concerning prejudice is one of the show's most relevant and important and sums up how people react to the show. There's even a little horror vibe in parts.
Have also always loved the chemistry between the characters, more than apparent in "Bridle Gossip", and that it honours the theme of friendship without simplifying. Yet, there is more to their chemistry than just friendship, dealing with complex issues in relationships in a way that's relatable. Other episodes do that much more, but this was just me briefly summing up one of the reasons as to why the show strikes a chord with me and appeals to others too. The characters have far more to them than what they seem in looks, don't let their cute character designs fool you as they are interesting characters with distinct personalities. The voice acting is on point after being occasionally ever so slightly off in "Look Before You Sleep".
Do think that though that much more could have been done with Zecora. A character that did have great potential and loved the concept for her, but the episode could have developed her more.
Concluding, hugely entertaining and wonderfully done episode. 9/10
