Most of the previous Season 1 episodes, of one of recent years' best and most addictive animated shows, to me are pretty good to brilliant, with a few average but still watchable disapppointments along the way. Of the previous 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic' Season 1 episodes, the only one to do little for me (the only below average one) was "Over a Barrel", which actually started off well but fell apart badly quite quickly and that was a real shame.
"The Cutie Mark Chronicles" sees the season, and 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic' even, on brilliant form again. One of the best episodes of the first season, one of the clear high-points of the season's less consistent second half and the best episode since another season and show high point "Sonic Rainboom". Don't think from the title that it will be one of those episodes that is too cute with no depth, neither of those is the case here. Despite the title too, this is not Marked Crusaders-centric. Actually found it very interesting and touching, while also delivering on the entertainment value.
Not only is "The Cutie Mark Chronicles" a brilliant episode it is also quite a special one. As an origins episode it doesn't get much better, not just focusing on one member of the Mane 6 but all of them in a beautifully and always coherently structured story without being episodic. Achieving without any problem the difficult task of making all equally interesting and equally well developed rather than one or two being more so than the others and one neglected, doing that better than a lot of origin episodes for any show that focus on one character. All of them are treated with fairness and honesty, no bias or character distortion here. Rainbow Dash was my favourite and how she and the character interaction are written have a lot of emotional impact.
Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie are also interesting, so cute without being sappy (especially the latter). That was another great thing about "The Cutie Mark Chronicles", it is just so adorable but doesn't go excessive with that (which it could easily have done). It was lovely seeing how the ponies got their marks and seeing them younger (Pinkie Pie sure had a cute look when younger), making for some character moments that makes one squeal with delight, like the entrance exam, Rarity being dragged over mountains by her horn, Fluttershy singing, Pinkie Pie's first party and seeing Twilight Sparkle so happy and innocent.
Animation is colourful and elegant as ever and the music fits without problem throughout tonally and in placement. There is a perfect balance of humour and pathos, both done brilliantly individually. Hilariously in the former and poignant in the latter and the episode excels in not going over people's heads while not dumbing down at the same time. The voice acting is terrific, while the moral is a relevant and important handled with tact.
In conclusion, brilliant. 10/10
"The Cutie Mark Chronicles" sees the season, and 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic' even, on brilliant form again. One of the best episodes of the first season, one of the clear high-points of the season's less consistent second half and the best episode since another season and show high point "Sonic Rainboom". Don't think from the title that it will be one of those episodes that is too cute with no depth, neither of those is the case here. Despite the title too, this is not Marked Crusaders-centric. Actually found it very interesting and touching, while also delivering on the entertainment value.
Not only is "The Cutie Mark Chronicles" a brilliant episode it is also quite a special one. As an origins episode it doesn't get much better, not just focusing on one member of the Mane 6 but all of them in a beautifully and always coherently structured story without being episodic. Achieving without any problem the difficult task of making all equally interesting and equally well developed rather than one or two being more so than the others and one neglected, doing that better than a lot of origin episodes for any show that focus on one character. All of them are treated with fairness and honesty, no bias or character distortion here. Rainbow Dash was my favourite and how she and the character interaction are written have a lot of emotional impact.
Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie are also interesting, so cute without being sappy (especially the latter). That was another great thing about "The Cutie Mark Chronicles", it is just so adorable but doesn't go excessive with that (which it could easily have done). It was lovely seeing how the ponies got their marks and seeing them younger (Pinkie Pie sure had a cute look when younger), making for some character moments that makes one squeal with delight, like the entrance exam, Rarity being dragged over mountains by her horn, Fluttershy singing, Pinkie Pie's first party and seeing Twilight Sparkle so happy and innocent.
Animation is colourful and elegant as ever and the music fits without problem throughout tonally and in placement. There is a perfect balance of humour and pathos, both done brilliantly individually. Hilariously in the former and poignant in the latter and the episode excels in not going over people's heads while not dumbing down at the same time. The voice acting is terrific, while the moral is a relevant and important handled with tact.
In conclusion, brilliant. 10/10
