When most bronies try to introduce a show to other people, to try and assimilate them into the herd, they usually show them an episode or two. Which episodes should we show them? Here, the staff of FOB Equestria give their takes on which episodes they recommend to show to non-bronies.
Hit the jump for our opinions!
Commander Firebrand:
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| You know, for kids! |
Lesson Zero
Or as I like to call it, each pony at their absolute best. We see each main character do something awesome in this episode (Besides Applejack... sorry Saunter). This episode has many of the show's most iconic scenes including Fluttershy fighting the bear and the Sonic Rainnuke, both of which would raise some eyebrows to an unfamiliar audience. The thing that will most likely captivate the audience is the breakdown and development of the main character Twilight Sparkle. The way she copes with her potential failure is delivered interestingly, humorously, and sometimes creepily with Twilight Sparkle's panic attacks. We all have gone through that moment of looming deadline panic, so it's also easy for viewers to sympathize with Twilight's plight.
But most importantly, we see how this episode sets itself apart from the previous generations of My Little Pony. In fact, it takes a couple of these stereotypical "girly" moments such as playing jump rope and little fillies playing with a beach ball and does a complete 180 with them, delivering a couple dark moments for the show, or even cartoons in general, which should completely shatter any preconceptions people previously had about the show.
Potential turnoffs for newcomers in this episode include Rarity. Don't get me wrong, this has one of her best and funniest moments, but people do have a preconception about characters like Rarity, so consider your audience. (YES SHE'S INTO CLOTHES BUT SHE'S A FASHIONISTA SHE'S SUPPOSED TO BLARGH! RARITY IS BEST PONY!)
Captain Spangle:
Lesson Zero! What? That one was already taken... Okay then, how about...
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| Come with me if you want to live. |
It's About Time
The Terminator and Metal Gear Solid crossovers and memes that have come out of this are really no surprise... and how can anything that is combined with those two things NOT be liked? Oh, and let's not forget the comment about the 'epic pony war' AND the fact that they confirm Tartarus is a real place in Equestria. It also helps that Twilight is having something of another breakdown throughout the whole episode. This episode is far from what I think a non-Brony would consider 'girly' or expect from a show called My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.
And how about the comedy! This is one of the episodes that really makes me laugh, mostly because I tend to greatly enjoy the ironic/random sort of comedy. I mean really: "I have [blank] stashed all over Ponyville, in case of [blank] emergency." I loved that!
Sure, it becomes kind of obvious on what's going to happen towards the end, but that's kind of par for the course with time traveling. I mean, how many shows/movies with time travel have time paradoxes? ALL OF THEM. Okay, maybe not all of them, but it's something I've come to expect, and not really in a bad way.
All in all, this episode isn't really full of "D'aw" and "Feelz". I think you should avoid those two things when trying to introduce someone to the show. If you don't, they will most likely overreact to it and use it to solidify their opinion that it's just a 'little girl's show'. Instead, we get action and comedy, which is something most people enjoy no matter their preconceived notions.
Captain Miche:
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| Hold on to yer overalls, it's time for some Chaos. |
Return of Harmony
Thats right, my choice is not just one episode, but a two-parter. (I cheat, Muahahaha) Featuring your friendly neighborhood Discord. Not only is Discord arguably one of my favorite villains of all time, but you see a much darker (and funnier, definitely funnier) side of the Mane Six. The Episode keeps with the always top notch voice acting from the regular crew, but also includes the relate able voice of "Q". It provides a nice metaphorical cottage for newcomers to get all cozy during their first night in Equestria. The episodes scream quality from the get go and the animation clearly shows that the animators have been perfecting their craft since the earlier episodes of the show.
The writing from M. A. Larson was fantastic. The show kept great pacing, originality, and just all around hilarious. The fact that Discord achieved his goals (sorta, see Kefka) just by manipulating the environment of the Mane six (with one pink and yellow exception, arrivederci!), and by getting into their heads, to be a great introductory episode for those who are still of the notion that ponies "are for little girls." Which brings me to one of the shining points of the episode. The Elements of Disharmony: Dishonesty, Unfaithfulness, Cruelty, Greed, Bitterness, and uh... un-magic... yeah... lets go with that one, are the shining points of the episode. Each one gives us a bit of insight into the minds of the character, that we perhaps don't see very often. Applejack's fear of losing her friendship, Fluttershy's deep appreciation of her friends willingness to overlook her shortcomings, Dash's true sense of loyalty, to not just her friends, but to the safety of others as well. Twilight Sparkle's determination to overcome any problem, no matter how daunting it may be. Pinkie's fear of being being ridiculed. And finally, Rarity's... well... she's Rarity.
With all things said, this episode is very new-guy friendly, tons of funny moments, some adorable moments, some Scootaloo, and enough chaos to feed a family of four.
Captain Saunter Hoof:
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| I am not amused. |
Sonic... uhh.... Dragon... uhh... Luna... ummm....
I'm terrible at things like this. Best pony, favorite episode, etc. What I've found it is more important to pick an episode that someone can relate to. Someone shy is not going to care to watch "Sonic Rainboom", even if it does change their opinion of the show. Thus, knowledge of your audience is essential. Although there are certain episodes to avoid, too.
So for workaholic's there is "Applebuck Season", for the shy one there is "Dragonshy", for the one struggling to preform there is "Sonic Rainboom", for the one who has trouble socializing: "Luna Eclipsed" ect. Like I said, it depends on your audience. That being said, there's some that I would steer them away from:
Firstly, singing. Yes, I know "At The Gala" by heart, but I promise you, your non-brony friend who is concerned about his masculinity evaporating is not going to have that fear sated by "Babs Seed". He will find it annoyingly catchy and upbeat, thereby wanting to gouge his ears out with an ice pick. Thus, avoid songs all together. This will prevent your audience from dealing with the fear of a typical crappy-cutsie sing-a-long which they are dying to use as proof of your diabolical intent, and instead focus more along the lines of episodes they can more easily relate to.
Second, Rarity. Rarity is an interesting character and has some great songs, but I remember the distinct taste of vomit in my throat the moment she abducted Spike and made him dress in a "frou-frou"-y outfit resembling an 18th century "macaroni" (the type Yankee Doodle was accused of). She has an impeccable ability to make a guy's stomach turn with her desire to live in a doll house inspired business that makes dresses. Any man concerned for his masculinity while watching this show for the first time wants to stay as far away from Rarity as possible. Sonic Rainboom might be more acceptable for Rarity's involvement, rather than in "Ticket Master" and "Green Is Not Your Color". However, this is because in Sonic Rainboom she is the antagonist and gleefully points out all the annoying Diva-ish things that would make someone concerned about their masculinity cringe.
Third, Steven Magnet and which team RD plays for. Uh...Look... The producer told Lee Tockar to make generic, "Sea Serpent" flamboyant, and even Lee was concerned with how flamboyant he made Steven. It's honestly a little uncomfortable if you've never met anyone who was "camp" before. On a related note, the words "Rainbow Dash is a lesbian" are certainly going to come up by your more insensitive non-brony. Just explain, one and only one time, "she's not a lesbian just because she has rainbow hair and likes sports." After that, anything else on their part is just an attempt to avoid watching the show, so stay focused on the mission.
Fourth, watching with other people. If you make a non-brony watch an episode of MLP, even if he enjoys it, he will do everything he can to prove it didn't affect him. Even if he watches with his more open-minded girlfriend, or even other bronies. Something, undoubtedly, will make him uncomfortable and you will see him begin to disassociate himself with it by talking, making jokes, or doing something else. Remember these episodes are actually VERY short, and once he starts disassociating himself from the episode, he will usually miss major plot points, then disassociate himself more by accusing the show of major plot holes and not making sense. I'm not even going to mention the fear that our non-brony has of someone else they know walking in as "MY LITTLE PONY, I USED TO WONDER WHAT FRIENDSHIP COULD BE" is blaring out of their TV speakers, while their friend's reaction to this scene resembles something out of the ending of Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Fifth, YOU, yes you. You suck. Probably. Anyways, if they go through with this crazy non-sense that you've put them through, and still manage to watch the episode/episodes with the opinion that it is "decent" the last thing you should tell them is that they are wrong and stupid. Most bronies didn't watch "Over A Barrel", bleed from their eyes, vomit rainbows, and win the the BronyCon cosplay competition while reciting Fallout Equestria. You, probably like the rest of us, watched one episode and began to slowly chip away at your presuppositions with a toothpick as you passed through phases of denial, acceptance, dogma, and shamelessness, right up until you placed third at GalaCon's cosplay competition (or something like that). Meaning that it is a slow process, and sometimes, very legitimately, people may come to not like the show anyways. Which is cool with you, because you're a brony, and by definition are capable of handling criticism and rejection to your beliefs like an adult. NOD YOUR HEAD IN AGREEMENT.
Sixth, Rule 34/Cupcakes/Cross and Arrow/ect.
Seriously, these things are in every fandom but are not the point of being a brony. Your trying to get your non-brony friend to accept that MLP is a show that does not deserve derision, not whether or not you cosplay as "Elusive" on Thursdays.
I suppose I'm still obligated to give out a pick. I honestly have a hard time with it because some episodes mean more to me than others at different times, so I'll just say: "Dragonshy", "Luna Eclipsed", or "Applebuck Season."
Captain Kingharald:
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| This is a tea party with a pink pony. Why is this so disturbing? |
I remember what topped the scales for me to watch the show before I became a brony. I'd seen all the memes and references I didn't really fully understand at the time, but came across during various interweb surfing.
But one day, I came across the meme that changed it all. Someone had put Discord and Q together to make the reference that they are the same character. In my mind, I went "wait a minute, Q is in this? Maybe I should give this show a chance...". You know the rest of this story.
I believe there's two ways to "woo" someone into the show, the first is to make sure they watch an episode that references something that's important to them, and there's plenty of references to choose. You have the obvious Star Trek reference in "The Return of Harmony", the many Star Wars references (there's been plenty in Season 3) and the more subtle references and shticks from episodes like "MMMystery on the Friendship Express."
The second way is to thoroughly convince the viewer that the show definitely isn't just for little kids. You've got episodes like "The Canterlot Wedding," "Lesson Zero," and "Party of One" that actually has some grim/scary undertones that kids wont pick up, yet entertaining to them.
In the end it's not about that one golden episode, but to tailor that very first episode to the person watching so that it sticks and so the person wants more pony.
And that's it for this round! Have a topic you want us to discuss? Leave a comment and we'll give it some thought!
SEMPER FILLY!
-FOB Equestria Staff
