Background Characters are the MAIN CHARACTERS?! | My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Season 5 Episode 9 REACTION + Discussions
Added 2024-07-09 08:37:18 +0000 UTC
Comments
💙
And saaame! Patreon mobile is really wonky
Ed
2024-07-14 11:01:45 +0000 UTC
Hey i am by far no expert... i just know some stuff and others i am just looking up, cause there was some fragments about that i heard in the past or am myself intrigued about.
And somtimes i just copy stuff 😁
Thank you for your kind words. 😅💙
P.S.: i dont know why, but sometimes i like a video or comment, but it is reset after i reload a page O.o - strange...
DeViruZz.eXe
2024-07-14 10:15:42 +0000 UTC
One of your greatest, longest, and best comments!
Now all the info you have spread into the comments comes to fruition! I feel after going through this, I don’t think I have this knowledge about anything and I’m stunned.
Seems this was the fan appreciation and homage episode which I don’t think I’ve ever seen in my time of watching. I bet this was an explosion for the fan base when in initially released.
My favorite is definitely Lyra and Bon Bon as you know I’ve pointed her out throughout the series. Then that spy story is crazy but I love the meaning behind it and the human stance which I remember you writing in your comments. Then derpy is awesome as well!!
Then this makes me want to pay more attention to the background and names which I’m not good with. But definitely seems worth it since the info and love is vast.
Yes! This message hit like a truck and it was magnificent even if I wasn’t initially apart of that side of the series. So incisive and even expands on the secondary and background characters which I love when shows do since it shows the strength in writing, community, and togetherness.
Beautiful beautiful and thank you for your expertise and informative comments through my experience with the series! 💙💙
Ed
2024-07-14 07:41:34 +0000 UTC
ah well... there goes my formatting 😑😅
DeViruZz.eXe
2024-07-11 22:10:34 +0000 UTC
This unique episode "Slice of Life" shifts the focus from the main characters (the Mane Six) to the background ponies of Ponyville. This episode celebrates the 100th episode of the series and offers a fan-service experience by giving more depth and screen time to the secondary characters, showcasing their personalities and interactions. The plot revolves around the preparations for Cranky Doodle Donkey and Matilda’s wedding, interweaving various subplots involving different background ponies.
- Some notes/thoughts/facts: -
I know this is a lot, but please bear with me 😅
The episode is celebrated as a milestone episode by Hasbro and its affiliates
the 100th Episode overall - It was a huge surprise and thank you love letter to the Bronies and fans.
As this episode can be quite chaotic if you never read anything about any of the background characters i will try to use this opportunity to introduce you to the most well known background characters that are shown here. Also as you may guess, the most well known and loved ones were also voiced and even had their own subplots here. Furthermore some of them had multiple names because they were often first named by the fandom before their official names got published or got their name later due to the fandom and so on...
Anyway - here we goooo..!
- Matilda & "Cranky Doodle Donkey", It was unexpected to see them together again.
https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/c/c8/Matilda_shocked_S5E9.png
First seen in "A Friend in Deed" (S2E18)
- "DERPY Hooves"! (also known as Muffins or Ditzy Doo):
https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/0/05/Derpy_ID_S4E10.png
We get derpy! The kinda mascot figure of the brony fandom - and she talks... A LOT! Which was very surprising after a certain incident that was caused by her original depiction in "The Last Roundup" (S2E14) - but i wont repeat it here, because i already did that for your reaction to this episode:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/applejack-is-my-102569217
just in case you want reread it again 😅 - Anyway, it was something that the fans always longed for since her first appearance, but her name "Derpy" was never mentioned in the show again.
But you..., you remembered her 😁💙
- "Featherweight":
https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/c/c0/Printing_machine_breaks_down_S5E9.png
He was the photographer in "Ponyville confidential" (S2x23).
- "Dr. Hooves" (Whooves): https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/4/40/Dr._Hooves_enters_his_lab_S5E9.png
He was noteworthy since his first appearance in the show due to his resemblance to Dr. Who from BBC - the hour-glass cutie mark made this even more believable, still within this episode they took the referencing to another level:
- First and foremost, Dr. Hooves has an interest in time travel in reference to the Doctor's role as a Time Lord. Who was able to traverse Time and Space and was able to be incarnated as other alter egos.
- His interest in creating gadgets mirrors the third incarnation, as portrayed by Jon Pertwee.
- He wears a long multicolored scarf as a reference to the fourth incarnation, as portrayed by Tom Baker.
- He says, "Allons-y!" which was the catchphrase of the tenth incarnation, as portrayed by David Tennant.
- Throughout the episode he wears a bow tie, the trademark of the Eleventh Doctor as played by Matt Smith.
- He is also seen next to a pony called Rose, which was the name of the ninth and tenth doctor's companion.
https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/1/12/Dr._Hooves_holding_Rose%27s_face_S5E9.png
- "DJ Pon-3" aka. "Vinyl Scratch":
https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/2/21/Dr._Hooves_sees_DJ_Pon-3_S5E9.png
This pony with the headphones originated from the show even before EQG in Season 1 during "Suited for Success" (S1E14) and made several appearances... - i even pointed her out some times... how could you still miss that? 😆 - She also has a strong presence in fan music and art.
Anyway, as she was often shipped together with Octavia by the fans, it was another great nod to the fans, that they both were shown to be living together in this crazy house:
https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/c/c3/DJ_Pon-3_and_Octavia_Melody%27s_house_S5E9.png
- "Octavia Melody":
https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/5/5d/Octavia_Melody_%22all_these_wedding_songs_are_so%22_S5E9.png
She is often portrayed as a apparently calm and dignified pony who likes to play the cello. She was first shown in the "The Best Night Ever" (S1E26) finale.
https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/d/d7/Sweetie_Belle_%22it%27ll_all_be_cleared_up_in_half_an_hour%22_S5E9.png
Apple Bloom: "The way they're huddled up like that, I'd say it's either a friendship problem or a monster attack."
Octavia Melody: "A monster attack?! Blast! I'm performing at the ceremony this afternoon, and I still haven't sorted out what to play. How am I meant to practice with a monster invading Ponyville?"
Sweetie Belle: "Maybe it's just a friendship problem, and it'll all be cleared up in HALF AN HOUR or so."
- It's a shame you didn't get the joke here 😅 - It was a reference to the show length of each episode a friendship lesson was taught 😂💙
Anyway, these three on the right are a reference to the 1998 film called "The Big Lebowski":
https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/3/33/Dr._Hooves_meets_Jeff_Letrotski_and_his_friends_S5E9.png
Their names are: "Jeff Letrotski" (Richard (the) Hoovenheart), "Walter" and "Donny"
Jeff Letrotski: "[laughs] Sorry, man, we're just about to start the finals."
Dr. Hooves: "What's this word you keep using - "man"?"
- i guess that's something that only Twilight could answer 😆
"Amethyst_Star":
https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/2/2c/Matilda_calls_on_Amethyst_Star_for_help_S5E9.png
Amethyst Star: "But nopony's asked me to organize anything since Twilight came to town."
Is it jealousy i hear? - Must really suck to be the 2nd in row after Twilight now... 😅
That is one aggressive bugbear that even Fluttershy wasn't able to calm down 😏
https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/f/fc/Mane_Six_fighting_the_bugbear_S5E9.png
Pinkies boxing stance 🤣
But this here is even better:
https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/b/b3/Sweetie_Drops_blending_into_a_crowd_S5E9.png
Pinkie! Why do you even do this!? 🤣 - Distraction is key, huh? 😉!
Also interesting: everyone is watching the mane six fighting but neither are they in panic nor do they help... they truly must be hard-boiled over time after all what happened in Ponyville until now...
Well except for these 3 - ...they're at it again!
https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/7/7f/Daisy_%22this_is_awful%21%22_S5E9.png
The Flower ponies Rose, Daisy and Lily Valley known as the most dramatic Ponies even before Rarity :D - "Oh, the horror, the horror!"
This whole Dialogue between "Lyra Heartstrings" and "Sweetie Drops" (Bon Bon) was just hilarious:
https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/f/f9/Sweetie_Drops_%22I_couldn%27t_tell_you%22_S5E9.png
Sweetie Drops: "My name isn't Bon Bon. It's "Special Agent Sweetie Drops". I work for a super-secret anti-monster agency in Canterlot, or at least I did until the bugbear went missing from Tartarus a few years back."
- How do you even miss a fucking Bugbear that was imprisoned? Was it the same time Tirek was able to escape? 😅
Sweetie Drops: "When it escaped, we had to shutter the whole agency. Every last shred of evidence of the organization's existence was destroyed. Celestia demanded complete deniability."
Lyra Heartstrings: "...What?"
- Exactly! But there is an interesting story behind that: Originally she was named "Bon Bon" in pieces of merchandise and several others, however, other merchandise also named her as "Sweetie Drops" - And adding to that, since "Bon Bon" was a generic background character, given very little agency and characterization until now, there was no consistent voice for "Bon Bon". As such, she went through two different VA's before Andrea Libman (Pinkies VA) was finally chosen for the part in this episode. Thats why they have gone with her being an undercover special agent here to somewhat stay consistent and appeal to fans. 🤣
Sweetie Drops: "It was me who captured the bugbear. I had to go deep cover here in Ponyville and assume the name Bon Bon. I never thought it'd be able to track me, but now it has."
Lyra Heartstrings: "Are you saying our whole friendship was based on a lie?!"
Sweetie Drops: "I'm sorry, Lyra! I couldn't tell you for your own protection!"
Lyra Heartstrings: "B-b-but the lunches! The-the long talks! The benches we sat on! [tearing up] None of that was real?!"
- The benches was a joke to this where Lyra sat on a bench like a human would, which was a meme back in the days:
https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/falloutequestria/images/d/d8/Lyra.png
Which sparked the idea that she might be obsessed with humans... (in the fandom)
Also she was often seen together with Bon Bon in the background and thus often shipped together as the first lesbian couple of this show 😀
- The Spa-ponies - Lotus Blossom & Aloe:
https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/2/24/Aloe_and_Lotus_ready_S2E18.png
I like their Design a lot! - This reminds me a of a great musician in earlier days of MLP who did great music inspired by MLP like this one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nfmdongnxQ&list=PLD555BA64860282A5&index=22
All his music pieces are absolute masterpiece bangers!
Steven Magnet, sea monster of the pilot episode is back!
https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/d/df/Stephen_Magnet_%22in_all_that_we%27ve_been_through_together%22_S5E9.png
- There is another interesting story about him: Steven Magnet's name originally did not appear in the episode "Friendship is Magic, part 2"'s script. Before his name was made official, it was assigned by fans after an inaccurate YouTube auto-generated caption piece of Rarity's dialogue. 😄
He also gives away his one mustache as a reference to the first episode where Rarity gave her tail to him.
And now on to the music bit... this was a fever-dream per excellence... with a mobile DJ-Station running amok! - It was also a reference to the fandom PMVs (pony music videos) that the fandom made... While it was driving, we saw a lot of references background-ponies and nods to the fandom (in Order):
- Octavia and DJ Pon-3 (Vinyl Scratch) literally jump the shark:
https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/d/de/Octavia_and_DJ_Pon-3_%22jump_the_shark%22_S5E9.png
- We see three ponies who first appeared in "Hearts and Hooves Day" (S2E17): the jam-covered stallion "Hughbert Jellius" , the young filly "Button Mash" and the flashy "Dance Fever":
https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/e/e9/Button_Mash_playing_an_arcade_game_S5E9.png
Out of these 3, "Button Mash" got very popular after one of the greatest Animators in the fandom called "JanAnimations" created a pilot for the series "Button Adventures". It was so well made, that he later received a cease-and-desist order from Hasbro and had to subsequently take down all of his videos that he created and was forbidden do create any new ones - I think for the next time you want to react to some fan-stuff, i will give you a link to some of his animations.
- Davenport, Crafty Crate and Raindrops:
https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/4/43/Davenport%2C_Crafty_Crate%2C_and_Raindrops_in_shock_S5E9.png
- Minuette, Ace and Truffle:
https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/3/3f/Minuette%2C_Ace%2C_and_Truffle_flying_upward_S5E9.png
Minuette is known for her cheerful personality and being one of Twilight Sparkle's old friends from Canterlot as you know since you watched "Amending Fences" by now. 😅
- Berryshine (Berry Punch), Filthy Rich ("Diamond Tiaras" Father) and Pipsqueak (most notably in "Luna Eclipsed"):
https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/6/61/Berryshine%2C_Filthy_Rich%2C_and_Pipsqueak_flying_upward_S5E9.png
As much as depiction of alcohol is forbidden, "Berryshine" was often indirectly shown to have an affinity for alcohol - even her name suggests that and her carrying a barrel of fruity liquid in this episode (which may be fermented) is very suspicious 😅
- Hayseed Turnip (most notably in "Sweet and Elite"): https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/7/75/Hayseed_Turnip_Truck_flying_upward_S5E9.png
- Thunderlane (most notably in "Hurricane Fluttershy"):
https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/5/52/Thunderlane_flying_upward_S5E9.png
- Royal Pin: https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/e/e2/Royal_Pin_flying_upward_S5E9.png
- Mr. and Mrs. Cake + baby "Pumpkin Cake" from the cake twins:
https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/e/e9/Mr._and_Mrs._Cake_transporting_Matilda%27s_wedding_cake_S5E9.png
The bakers and owners of Sugarcube Corner, known for their supportive roles and being parents to twins Pound Cake and Pumpkin Cake.
- Golden Harvest (Carrot Top), Sprinkle Medley (Spring Melody), Lemon Hearts, Cloud Kicker and Cherry Berry:
https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/1/1b/DJ_station_speeds_toward_other_ponies_S5E9.png
- And Lemon Hearts had to threw the Twilicane into the way (Why ever she had that?!):
https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/d/d5/Lemon_Hearts_throws_the_Twilicane_up_S5E9.png
The Twilicane was the one that Discord made in the Premiere of season 4 as a mockery to Twilights princesshood and was later memed on: https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/3/30/Twilight_Sparkle%2C_Discord_and_Spike_S4E02.png
"I felt like the creators had some fun with this episode" - Oh, they did! So much even that they hid a splitsecond easter egg during the tripping scene, which was easily to be missed.- You even saw "something" but didnt know what, well I could provide you with a picture... but no.. you have to look it up for yourself 😉 - or you beg me do show you 😄
It's also the first time we see any kind of reaction from Gummy! That was such a crazy life-questioning monologue about the cutie marks:
"What is life? - Is it nothing more than the endless search for a cutie mark? And what is a cutie mark but a constant reminder that we're all only one bugbear attack away from oblivion? - And what of the poor gator? Flank forever blank, destined to an existential swim down the river of life to... an unknowable destiny?"
He is a very deep thinker.
The bickering between the two princess-sisters was quite refreshing to see... - they're ponies just like everypone else 😄
Lyra is again seen sitting like a human:
https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/0/09/Sweetie_Drops_greeting_Lyra_S5E9.png
A changeling at a Wedding? Where did we have seen that before? 😉
https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/6/60/Changeling_at_the_Ponyville_wedding_S5E9.png
He was called Kevin by the fandom at this point... what he is doing here... well feeding on love, duh! - 😉😅
https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/7/79/Cranky_Doodle_grumbling_nervously_S5E9.png
And at last "Major Mare", who is providing us with one of the greatest speeches in the entire show:
Mayor Mare: "But I also see so many ponies from all trots of life, brought together by love. Cranky searched all across this great land of ours to find Matilda, and no matter what obstacles kept them apart, love would finally bring them together, just as it has brought all of us together now. It's remarkable to me how a story like Cranky's search for Matilda could fill this room with such a unique collection of ponies! It makes you realize that everypony is the star of their own story. And it's not just the main characters in our stories that make life so rich! It's everypony – those who play big parts and those who play small. If it weren't for everypony in this room and many more who couldn't be here today, Cranky and Matilda's lives wouldn't be as full and vibrant as they are."
Very good reaction Ed, this was the moment everything clicked together... it was so wholesome: the hint behind "It makes you realize that everypony is the star of their own story. And it's not just the main characters in our stories that make life so rich!" is the fandom that brought all these background-ponies to life with their own unique stories, through fanfictions, animations etc. it was such a huge nod to the fandom which was absolutely great!
---
This concludes "Slice of Life" which stands out as a milestone episode that uniquely celebrates the breadth and depth of the "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic" universe. By focusing on the background ponies and embracing fan service, the episode pays homage to the dedicated fanbase that has supported the series. The major takeaways include the significance of community, the potential of every character, and the value of humor and celebration. Despite some criticisms regarding its fragmented narrative and fan-centric approach, the episode successfully highlights the diverse and vibrant world of Ponyville, reinforcing the idea that every pony, no matter how minor, has a story worth sharing and is its own protagonist in thir own story. This was a huge "thank you" and nod to all the fanmade stuff that revolved around each and everyone of the Background ponies which expanded the whole MLP-experience.
It was very interesting to see you overwhelmed by this chaotic fever-dream of background characters at first until it literally and visibly clicked in your head. - this was truly a great reaction! 💙
P.S.: Well, this took me 3 evenings to gather everything i know...
Still i am sure that i forgot a lot of them but, oh well maybe for another day on another occasion.
P.P.S.: I was kidding about begging 😉
If you want to know more about the hidden picture you can read further - its spoilerfree:
During the episode, there is a two-frame shot of people wearing rubber horse masks. The people in this photo are storyboard supervisor Timothy Packford (black horse mask), director Jim Miller (brown horse), storyboard artist Katrina Hadley (pink horse), Friendship Is Magic supervising director Jayson Thiessen (white unicorn), and Rainbow Rocks co-director Ishi Rudell (zebra).
This is said picture:
https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/e/e1/Crew_members_in_horse_masks_hidden_frame_S5E9.png
DeViruZz.eXe
2024-07-11 22:09:10 +0000 UTC
Damn the fans eating good! This must have been amazing to see in real time. Even with not knowing everything, it still felt special!
I need to know if there videos talking about the MLP lore and fandom. Would love to watch it one day and also get super familiar
Ed
2024-07-10 08:28:03 +0000 UTC
Yay finally you made it too the 100th episode of mlp! this episode was a celebration of the fandom and background characters, it was a love letter to the bronies and fans who like to make mlp fan content and make fan fiction about the background characters, there’s lots of references too fan made works here, ones you haven’t seen yet!, back when this came out everyone freaked out because nobody expected this, we get derpy! and she talks a lot which the fans have wanted since her first appearance, derpy is amazing also the scientist pony is named doctor hooves he’s a reference to doctor who, and Lyra and bon bons story, two ponies that are shipped together a lot and they gave bon bon that secret agent background cause at points in the show she was voiced by a bunch of different people so basically explaining that she’s undercover in Ponyville and it gives her character development, also we get gummy’s monologue lol it was hilarious and very awesome so gummy basically thinks deep thoughts as we see him always staring or blindly looking around, also vinyl scratch aka DJ pon3 is the pony was in equestria girls and now is roommates with Octavia is the name of the cello player you’ll see her in the background too, the epic dubstep song was a reference to the fandom pmvs pony music videos that the fandom makes, oh and Steven magnet the sea monster from the first episode was here! the name Steven magnet comes from the bad subtitles on YouTube back in the day when he first appeared on screen the captions read Steven magnet so that’s how he got that name, I wish I could explain better for you there’s lots of in depth fandom lore for this episode stuff from back in the day that I don’t even know, but amazing episode! a dedication to the background characters cause every character is the main character of their own story not just the main characters amazing message! so this episode is a thank you to the bronies and fandom as a whole who have spent so much time loving it!