The MLP Arena

Pony Talk => Pony Corral => Topic started by: Bekuno on March 24, 2018, 02:04:38 PM

Title: FiM Season 8: School Daze part 1 & 2 Discussion
Post by: Bekuno on March 24, 2018, 02:04:38 PM

Time to kicks off season eight with a brand new tried and true two-parter  :biggrin:

Please remember that in canon, season 8 takes place after the MLP Movie (which will be quite obvious from the episode).


School Daze Part 1:
"When the Friendship Map grows bigger to reflect the world beyond Equestria, the Mane Six realize they'll need a way to spread the message of friendship far and wide. Luckily, Twilight knows just what to do-- open a School of Friendship!"

School Daze Part 2:
"With her School of Friendship closed by the EEA, Twilight Sparkle must reunite her students, inspire her friends, and buck the rules to stand up and show what she knows is right - ever ycreature, pony or not, deserves to learn friendship together."



NOTE: Yes, some episodes have already been leaked, and every episode synopsis for season eight is available. Despite this, please refrain from discussing information about these leaks until we get to the respective episodes. Thank you!

Title: Re: FiM Season 8: School Daze part 1 & 2 Discussion
Post by: tailrustedtealeaf on March 24, 2018, 05:55:15 PM

Ah, this felt like a nice refresher. The openers have been so focused on Starlight Glimmer as of late, and she played a minor role in this. I don't hate Starlight by any means, but it was nice to see something focused just on Twilight and crew.
I do wish that the school was built to a little more. Maybe if hints had been left in season 7 it would have felt less out of left field. I did like the callback to the events of the movie and I feel like that was worked it pretty well. They also gave an explanation as to why they couldn't afford Emily Blunt didn't have Tempest! But the events of the movie aren't quite enough to drive Twilight to start up an entire school, I'd feel.
The students they brought in for the school are very fun, though. I really enjoyed the changeling child (Ocellus) and the hippogriff (Silverstream), and the yak (Yona) is pretty cute.
I did enjoy seeing an antagonist we DON'T reform for once. I hated the villain, which is fine, he's not a villain we're supposed to enjoy. He did his job, and I don't think much else of him.
I really liked the first song a lot more than the second.
Overall, I enjoyed this pretty well as an opener. Even though it came out of nowhere, I think it'll have a lot of fun scenarios take place within the school. And I hope we see a lot of the new students, as well.

Title: Re: FiM Season 8: School Daze part 1 & 2 Discussion
Post by: StarSwirl05 on March 24, 2018, 06:19:31 PM

Not really thrilled with the premiere eps. Already knew that the plan of having the Mane Six all be teachers was going to end badly. Plus the emphasis of the EEA was unneeded given that it was so easily thrown away.

Title: Re: FiM Season 8: School Daze part 1 & 2 Discussion
Post by: TJgamer on March 24, 2018, 06:23:34 PM

I'll have to watch this again to get a feel for it.
But right now, I think it's above average.
I do like these new student characters, though I'll have to memorize their names over time.
Heh heh, I still remember when I first started watching this show. It took me a little while to remember Rarity's name (I used to think Charity or Clarity or something   :lol: ).

Title: Re: FiM Season 8: School Daze part 1 & 2 Discussion
Post by: Sunset on March 24, 2018, 06:38:41 PM

Wow, that was not what I expected.  I never thought I'd see so much talk about getting a school accredited on a show like this. 

It was ok.  I'm not terribly excited about it to be honest.  I want to see the ponies out having adventures not tied down with a school setting.  I do like some of the new character designs.  And it's nice that the students aren't *all* personality clones of the mane 6. 

To be honest, I really didn't like the villain in this.  And not just because we were not supposed to like him.  It came off a little too politically pointed for me and left a bad taste in my mouth.

Title: Re: FiM Season 8: School Daze part 1 & 2 Discussion
Post by: Pinkie21 on March 24, 2018, 06:49:19 PM

The shark has officially been jumped.

Title: Re: FiM Season 8: School Daze part 1 & 2 Discussion
Post by: Aflame on March 25, 2018, 02:41:14 AM

is this on youtube yet ? has any body got a link ?

Title: Re: FiM Season 8: School Daze part 1 & 2 Discussion
Post by: Ponyfan on March 25, 2018, 03:12:39 AM

Spoiler

Overall I enjoyed the episodes but I do think as a season premiere, it's a bit of a let down especially after the movie,

I liked the references to the movie and that Tempest and Queen Novo were mentioned. I would have like to have seen Capper mentioned or to show up at the school. I liked seeing Mount Aris again.

I didn't like the emphasis on getting the school accredited. It seemed too real life for a fantasy show about talking magical horses and other creatures. Twilight stated herself that all creatures would be welcome at her school and it was clear the EEA rules were only meant for pony schools so  making sure they followed the rules even when Twilight's friends tried to tell her it wasn't working didn't make a lot of sense.

I enjoyed the new students especially Sandbar and Ocellus and the fact that they became friends and stuck together.

The scene with Silver Stream makes me wonder a few things. I guess Novo's pearl means the Hippogriffs can change back to their sea pony forms whenever they wish now? How long were the Hippogriffs hiding from the Storm King underwater? Was Silver Stream born underwater?

I always enjoy seeing Thorax but I was disappointed that Ember was so quick to accuse Thorax of deliberately hiding the students. I thought Ember and Thorax were supposed to be friends since they met when Spike invited both of them to Ponyville on the same day. I was also disappointed that some ponies still seem wary of Thorax. He helped save Equestria and has been ruling the Changelings for some time now, yet some ponies still think he's a suspicious character?

Ponyfan

Title: Re: FiM Season 8: School Daze part 1 & 2 Discussion
Post by: Luxrayx on March 25, 2018, 03:59:00 AM

Is there anyhuman out there who actually likes the term everycreature? I mean, I know nohuman likes everypony either, but I think everyhuman can agree that the replacement isn't exactly an improvement.

These new characters are interesting. They seemed a bit one-dimensional in this episode, so I hope future episodes will show off more of their personalities. I also hope there will still be plenty of adventure episodes.

Title: Re: FiM Season 8: School Daze part 1 & 2 Discussion
Post by: Al-1701 on March 25, 2018, 04:26:28 AM

They used "everyone" at one point.  They should just stick with that.

And these episodes have some really dark implications.  The Equestrian education system is run by what is essentially a shadow government run by a xenophobic madman.  It explains so much about the pony culture we've seen so far.

I think I'll forego the Betsy DeVos jokes.

Title: Re: FiM Season 8: School Daze part 1 & 2 Discussion
Post by: Sunset on March 25, 2018, 05:58:23 AM

Yes, I noticed "every creature" and just had to sigh and roll my eyes.  They just need to drop it and "every pony" and just use "everyone" or "everybody".

Post Merge: March 25, 2018, 06:00:26 AM

Quote from: Aflame on March 25, 2018, 02:41:14 AM

is this on youtube yet ? has any body got a link ?

I watched it on dailymotion.com

Title: Re: FiM Season 8: School Daze part 1 & 2 Discussion
Post by: heftysmurf76 on March 25, 2018, 06:09:41 AM

I loved all the new students, Especially the changeling when she took on Rarity's form, it was hilarious!

Quote from: tailrustedtealeaf on March 24, 2018, 05:55:15 PM

I really liked the first song a lot more than the second.

Sorry to say I thought this first song was AWFUL, like I-specifically-came-in-here-to-say-that awful...lol,It did not flow well to me and seemed like the lyrics were forced. I seriously thought it was like the worst song I've heard the entire series...Sorry to be so blunt with that one...

As far as the villain, I thought he was interesting, it'll be hard to convert his bigoted ways and redeem him, should be interesting to see where they take that!

Title: Re: FiM Season 8: School Daze part 1 & 2 Discussion
Post by: Al-1701 on March 25, 2018, 06:49:48 AM

They took a cult leader and terrorist and made her Twilight's personal student.  They'll BS their way into reforming him too.

Title: Re: FiM Season 8: School Daze part 1 & 2 Discussion
Post by: Ponyfan on March 25, 2018, 06:55:40 AM

Why don't they just say everyone or everybody instead of every creature? I thought it was funny when Thorax came up to Ocellus and said "Now what did we talk about?"


Ponyfan

Title: Re: FiM Season 8: School Daze part 1 & 2 Discussion
Post by: Carrehz on March 25, 2018, 08:15:51 AM

"Everycreature"?!? Seriously? Are you kidding me?? "Everypony" was bad enough, but "everycreature"-??? Seriously, what the heck is wrong with just saying "everyone"/"everybody"? :s I don't get it. Ponies have bodies! Plus it's not like we say "everyhuman".. it just sounds so stilted and silly >_<

Title: Re: FiM Season 8: School Daze part 1 & 2 Discussion
Post by: Mewtwofan1 on March 25, 2018, 09:17:32 AM

I’ve seen better season openers, but this one was nice to see. Twilight did bring up a valid point that equestria should work with other nations. And seeing a school of friendship make its own rules was a nice way to do it. I liked the EEA idea, as it does give some structure to the equestrian way of doing things. We’ve had hints of pony teacher committees, and now we have an actual school board of equestria. Speaking of the EEA, chancellor neighsay surprised me a little. I like his character more than expected. A unicorn with the ability to create portals. I like this character, and while I don’t agree with his point of view, I like him because he has his reasons and was executed well. I would like to see much more of him in future.

Title: Re: FiM Season 8: School Daze part 1 & 2 Discussion
Post by: tailrustedtealeaf on March 25, 2018, 12:41:52 PM

Quote from: heftysmurf76 on March 25, 2018, 06:09:41 AM

Sorry to say I thought this first song was AWFUL, like I-specifically-came-in-here-to-say-that awful...lol,It did not flow well to me and seemed like the lyrics were forced. I seriously thought it was like the worst song I've heard the entire series...Sorry to be so blunt with that one...

Nah, no worries! I really only remember liking the last bit of it, it reminded me of Acadeca (that...one song from Friendship Games). Lyrically? Not great, but I do like how it sounds. It did give us a great reaction image, at least.
(if i can find an hd upload of the song maybe ill be able to get it)

Title: Re: FiM Season 8: School Daze part 1 & 2 Discussion
Post by: Goanna on March 25, 2018, 11:12:52 PM

The new characters are adorable (Ocellus is my fave, what a cutie :heart:), and the episodes themselves were enjoyable enough for me. I adore Starlight Glimmer and the scene where she gives advice to Twi was probably my favourite part.

But gosh. How bizarre lol.
Like I understand from the marketing/toy selling perspective why the school exists but in-universe it makes no sense whatsoever...
Well, the school I could see happening. I can easily see Twilight loving being a teacher.. but the rest of the mane 6? Nope...
Even in the episode none of them wanted to be a teacher. And don't they all have full time careers? :P
The whole series has been building up to them fulfilling their dreams.. Rarity has just opened a bunch of boutiques, Rainbow got in to the Wonderbolts, Fluttershy opened her animal sanctuary... so now they are giving all that up to teach? It's so weird hahaha.

(From the toy angle of course it has to be the mane 6 as the teachers. But in the show it simply doesn't work. Twilight knows plenty of ponies who would make far better, more qualified teachers... how about Sunburst or Zecora?

Title: Re: FiM Season 8: School Daze part 1 & 2 Discussion
Post by: Zapper on March 27, 2018, 01:21:16 PM

Quote from: Al-1701 on March 25, 2018, 06:49:48 AM

They took a cult leader and terrorist and made her Twilight's personal student.  They'll BS their way into reforming him too.

Yeah but Starlight actually adds something to the Lame Six. She's more useful to storytelling than Discord who was just reformed due to fanboy demand and has to remain a part-time  jerk in order not to overpower the ponies. Still need that excuse why he didn't help when the Storm King took over  :lol:

I'm just amused as to how bad the ponies are portrayed in FiM. They are a folk full of xenophobes and megalomaniacs.
That's why I liked the switch from "everypony" to "everycreature". The ponies adjusted to new species living amongst them. It tied in with the themes of the episodes, imo.

Also I love the students.

Quote from: Pinkie21 on March 24, 2018, 06:49:19 PM

The shark has officially been jumped.

Imo the shark was already jumped somewhere in season one when Twilight learned that sometimes you gotta believe your friends have esoteric powers you just can't prove :angel:

Title: Re: FiM Season 8: School Daze part 1 & 2 Discussion
Post by: TJgamer on March 27, 2018, 05:19:10 PM

So I've watched it a couple more times and have a couple more things to say.

To start, I think I like Yona the best so far. She just makes the whole Yak gimmick work for me.  ^.^
Ocellus and Sandbar are good too in my book.

Also I think the first song ["School of Friendship"] is better than the second one ["Friendship Always Wins"].
Not to say that the latter isn't good, but it sounds way too similar to "We Got This Together" from the movie, doesn't it? I'm not musically trained at all so take that with a grain of salt.

EDIT: Oh, and the term "everycreature" just doesn't sound right. I mean, I guess ponies are creatures too, but "everyone" and "everybody" have already been established.

Title: Re: FiM Season 8: School Daze part 1 & 2 Discussion
Post by: Mewtwofan1 on March 27, 2018, 10:44:29 PM

Quote from: Al-1701 on March 25, 2018, 06:49:48 AM

They took a cult leader and terrorist and made her Twilight's personal student.  They'll BS their way into reforming him too.

     Oh I hope not! Nobody is touching neighsay! He’s too evil and stubborn and by golly I love him! Anybody up for creating a chancellor neighsay fan club?

Title: Re: FiM Season 8: School Daze part 1 & 2 Discussion
Post by: Al-1701 on March 28, 2018, 02:23:16 AM

Okay, being a Ghostbusters fan, I love the irony that Maurice LaMarche is playing Equestria's answer to Peck.

Title: Re: FiM Season 8: School Daze part 1 & 2 Discussion
Post by: MJNSEIFER on March 28, 2018, 08:58:29 AM

Quote from: Sunset on March 25, 2018, 05:58:23 AM

Yes, I noticed "every creature" and just had to sigh and roll my eyes.  They just need to drop it and "every pony" and just use "everyone" or "everybody".

Everypony can still work, in my opinion as it is close in sound to "everybody" so it always sounded natural to me.  They never needed an alternative to "everybody" or "everyone", because neither of those words say "I'm a human."  It sounds like the writers have fallen for the brony idea that those two phrases are too human for ponies to say.

Like I say, I like everypony, and the fact that its close to everybody makes it work for me, like it's a term that has always existed, even though it hasn't but it annoys me how the fans seem to think that they only say everypony.  So yeah, everypony, everybody, and everyone are all that are needed.

Title: Re: FiM Season 8: School Daze part 1 & 2 Discussion
Post by: Zapper on March 29, 2018, 08:18:01 AM

Quote from: TJgamer on March 27, 2018, 05:19:10 PM

Also I think the first song ["School of Friendship"] is better than the second one ["Friendship Always Wins"].
Not to say that the latter isn't good, but it sounds way too similar to "We Got This Together" from the movie, doesn't it? I'm not musically trained at all so take that with a grain of salt.

The first one I liked a lot because it just brought back that stage musical feeling. I just love musical numbers that tell a story.
I barely remember the second one :lol:

Title: Re: FiM Season 8: School Daze part 1 & 2 Discussion
Post by: MJNSEIFER on March 29, 2018, 09:19:03 AM

Quote from: TJgamer on March 27, 2018, 05:19:10 PM

Also I think the first song ["School of Friendship"] is better than the second one ["Friendship Always Wins"].
Not to say that the latter isn't good, but it sounds way too similar to "We Got This Together" from the movie, doesn't it? I'm not musically trained at all so take that with a grain of salt.

One of my most favorite things in the world is when songs sound similar, so I'll give it a listen when I can.  Ultimately I think people can hear similarities to different songs, and pretty much every song has a song that sounds like it, if only a tiny part of it, which to me is beautiful.   :lovey: