After being so let down by "Over a Barrel", which actually started off well but went downhill fast, there was the real hope that "A Bird in the Hoof" would be much better. Deep down, part of me did have a strong inkling it would be because it would take a lot for a following episode to be worse and also trusted fans said it was a big improvement. There was still apprehension though, as while we are usually in complete agreement there have been differences in opinion over individual episodes.
Watching "A Bird in the Hoof" with mixed expectations, am very happy to say that this is another case of being in complete agreement of opinion between trusted fans and me. It is a big improvement but that wouldn't have been too hard in retrospect, with the premise alone being much more appealing. It is not a flawless episode and it is a long way from being a 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic' high point, it is not even among the best episodes of Season 1. It is very enjoyable and well done though.
Starting with the good things, which are many, have yet to find any faults with the animation. Still don't here, it is vibrantly coloured, smoothly drawn and elegantly detailed animation. The music, right from the infectious (though it is a bit take or leave for some) theme song, fits well and has presence without being intrusive. The writing balances humour and drama very effectively, the comedy is (mostly) funny and the drama is well-meaning and never sentimental. Twilight and Fluttershy have great chemistry here and really liked Fluttershy's character writing here, she is likeable and her good intentions are admirable. She and Filomena, a nice supporting character, are great together, and there is a hand-to-the-mouth moment when we first see what Filomena really is.
Fluttershy is also rootable, she has to go through a lot and enough of it amuses and doesn't get mean-spirited. My favourite scene of the whole episode though was the brunch, just loved the ponies' interaction and their actions and reactions to each others', particularly Pinkie Pie's, though Celestia's prank was an episode highlight as well. The moral is much better this time, it's not confused or preachy and it is not introduced at an inappropriate time. The voice acting is great, especially from Andrea Libman with the most to do.
Having said that, although enough of it is amusing not all of it works. There are moments of gross-out humour that is not very funny and rather juvenile. A type of humour not really fitting at all within the episode or the show even, and coming over as out of place instead in a show that is surprisingly very mature.
Did feel too that while the reveal of what Filomena really is was clever and leaves one shocked at first, the way it's introduced disturbs a bit somewhat in a way that was unlike the show at this point. That's a nit-pick though.
On the whole though, very enjoyable. 8/10
Watching "A Bird in the Hoof" with mixed expectations, am very happy to say that this is another case of being in complete agreement of opinion between trusted fans and me. It is a big improvement but that wouldn't have been too hard in retrospect, with the premise alone being much more appealing. It is not a flawless episode and it is a long way from being a 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic' high point, it is not even among the best episodes of Season 1. It is very enjoyable and well done though.
Starting with the good things, which are many, have yet to find any faults with the animation. Still don't here, it is vibrantly coloured, smoothly drawn and elegantly detailed animation. The music, right from the infectious (though it is a bit take or leave for some) theme song, fits well and has presence without being intrusive. The writing balances humour and drama very effectively, the comedy is (mostly) funny and the drama is well-meaning and never sentimental. Twilight and Fluttershy have great chemistry here and really liked Fluttershy's character writing here, she is likeable and her good intentions are admirable. She and Filomena, a nice supporting character, are great together, and there is a hand-to-the-mouth moment when we first see what Filomena really is.
Fluttershy is also rootable, she has to go through a lot and enough of it amuses and doesn't get mean-spirited. My favourite scene of the whole episode though was the brunch, just loved the ponies' interaction and their actions and reactions to each others', particularly Pinkie Pie's, though Celestia's prank was an episode highlight as well. The moral is much better this time, it's not confused or preachy and it is not introduced at an inappropriate time. The voice acting is great, especially from Andrea Libman with the most to do.
Having said that, although enough of it is amusing not all of it works. There are moments of gross-out humour that is not very funny and rather juvenile. A type of humour not really fitting at all within the episode or the show even, and coming over as out of place instead in a show that is surprisingly very mature.
Did feel too that while the reveal of what Filomena really is was clever and leaves one shocked at first, the way it's introduced disturbs a bit somewhat in a way that was unlike the show at this point. That's a nit-pick though.
On the whole though, very enjoyable. 8/10
