My expectations for "A Flurry of Emotions" on first watch was not as high for those for the previous two episodes. Love Twilight Sparkle, and she has nearly always been a very well developed character (apart from the odd episode where she was out of character). Flurry Heart is also very cute. Much of me though was worried that what sounds unexceptional on paper would be too cute and sickly in execution, and be potentially another "Baby Cakes" from Season 2.
The good news was that on first watch "A Flurry of Emotions" was better than expected. On recent rewatch (did it with all the episodes overtime as soon as the show ended its run), it is a more interesting episode than the premise sounds and to me it was mostly good. Other fans weren't as crazy about it, criticising the moral and ending and feeling Twilight was out of character, totally understand those criticisms and actually agree with them. While also recognising "A Flurry of Emotions" many good things.
"A Flurry of Emotions" isn't perfect. Do agree with the muddled moral criticism (usually with obvious exceptions 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic' was very good with its morals), and actually think that the episode would have been better with another moral (such as not taking on too much responsibility when not ready for it, a far more relatable moral). It is heavy-handedly handled too and comes too out of left field.
Regarding Twilight, the episode does at times go a little too far with showing her here over-confidence, like in her constant proclaiming which made her come over as a know it all later on, in a situation that actually would for many be too much to handle first time. Also had a problem with how she behaves at the end which was over the top mean, others said her behaviour towards Flurry Heart was justified but to me she was in the wrong here seeing as Flurry Heart is only a baby behaving in a way that babies behave when feeling confused and neglected (if she was at an older age that is when Twilight's manner in that part would have been understandable).
However, despite how all that sounds, "A Flurry of Emotions" is actually quite good. Cannot find any fault really with the animation, it is as vibrant and atmospheric as one expects, the characters are well drawn and the backgrounds are very rich in detail, big and small. Likewise with the music, this has been a consistently mostly well executed component of the show and it is a good fit with everything going on. The voice acting all round is great, Tara Strong always delivered as Twilight and she doesn't disappoint. There are some nice touches, such as the all black painting, a nice bit with Spike and the apology cake.
Did think that the writing was a lot less cutesy and sugary than what was expected which was a relief actually, as when reading the synopsis that is exactly what went through my head (that it would be those two things). The story mostly is very charming and engaging, the first third is a lovely watch. Apart from Twilight in the latter stages, the characters were fine. Really liked the little touch with Spike at the end and it was great to see different sides to Cadance and Shining Armor, the former over-protective and the latter more fatigued (very truthful depictions for parents of young children). Stealing the show was adorable little Flurry Heart, who is also very funny and very easy to root for. Was completely on her side when she got scared, am in my late-20s and am still often like that when someone yells at me.
Overall, pretty good but not great. 7/10.
The good news was that on first watch "A Flurry of Emotions" was better than expected. On recent rewatch (did it with all the episodes overtime as soon as the show ended its run), it is a more interesting episode than the premise sounds and to me it was mostly good. Other fans weren't as crazy about it, criticising the moral and ending and feeling Twilight was out of character, totally understand those criticisms and actually agree with them. While also recognising "A Flurry of Emotions" many good things.
"A Flurry of Emotions" isn't perfect. Do agree with the muddled moral criticism (usually with obvious exceptions 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic' was very good with its morals), and actually think that the episode would have been better with another moral (such as not taking on too much responsibility when not ready for it, a far more relatable moral). It is heavy-handedly handled too and comes too out of left field.
Regarding Twilight, the episode does at times go a little too far with showing her here over-confidence, like in her constant proclaiming which made her come over as a know it all later on, in a situation that actually would for many be too much to handle first time. Also had a problem with how she behaves at the end which was over the top mean, others said her behaviour towards Flurry Heart was justified but to me she was in the wrong here seeing as Flurry Heart is only a baby behaving in a way that babies behave when feeling confused and neglected (if she was at an older age that is when Twilight's manner in that part would have been understandable).
However, despite how all that sounds, "A Flurry of Emotions" is actually quite good. Cannot find any fault really with the animation, it is as vibrant and atmospheric as one expects, the characters are well drawn and the backgrounds are very rich in detail, big and small. Likewise with the music, this has been a consistently mostly well executed component of the show and it is a good fit with everything going on. The voice acting all round is great, Tara Strong always delivered as Twilight and she doesn't disappoint. There are some nice touches, such as the all black painting, a nice bit with Spike and the apology cake.
Did think that the writing was a lot less cutesy and sugary than what was expected which was a relief actually, as when reading the synopsis that is exactly what went through my head (that it would be those two things). The story mostly is very charming and engaging, the first third is a lovely watch. Apart from Twilight in the latter stages, the characters were fine. Really liked the little touch with Spike at the end and it was great to see different sides to Cadance and Shining Armor, the former over-protective and the latter more fatigued (very truthful depictions for parents of young children). Stealing the show was adorable little Flurry Heart, who is also very funny and very easy to root for. Was completely on her side when she got scared, am in my late-20s and am still often like that when someone yells at me.
Overall, pretty good but not great. 7/10.
