It is always worthwhile when 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic' focuses on the Cutie Mark Crusaders. On paper, they have the real danger of being too cute and sugary. Yet actually on the whole they and their interactions between themselves and the Mane 6 have been very interesting and surprisingly well developed, and enough of the episodes centered around them are good. Don't ever like it when they are punished too cruelly, which is what happened at times in the earlier seasons.
Season 8 started off very well, but between the two part premiere "School Daze" and this the episodes have merely scraped average or just above territory. Even though a filler episode, "Surf and/or Turf" is the best episode since the season opener up to this point, though better episodes would follow, and was pretty decent. It is far from perfect or great and it is not going to appeal to all fans (and hasn't), there are also better episodes of Season 8, but it was a good deal better than expected and not as pointless as feared.
As said, perfect "Surf and/or Turf" is not. It is understandable if people consider it a filler episode and in my mind it sort of is, as it is very slight and at times padded, meaning that some of the pace drags, and doesn't really progress any crucial events.
Did feel that the ending was a little too on the pat and convenient side.
On the other hand, the animation in "Surf and/or Turf" is absolutely beautiful, actually think it is one of the best looking episodes of Season 8. Mount Aris looks amazing and the episode does such a great job immersing one into its world and lore. The music is beautifully orchestrated and used and has a good deal of character and emotion. "Your Heart is in Two Places" is not one of the show's best songs, but it is well meaning and catchy and doesn't have childishness or sentimentality. All the voice acting cannot be faulted, with no weak links.
The writing is a good mix of amusing while not being goofy humour and poignant but not too gooey emotion and is thought provoking and sensitive in its treatment of an adult and identifiable subject. Although the story is slight, the situation it revolves around is something that is very relatable to anybody that wants a better bond with their parents. It resonated actually with me because of my youngest sister being in the same position. All the characters are well written, loved all the Cutie Mark Crusaders, all engaging and likeable with good intentions and distinct personalities, and Twilight. While the supporting characters are interesting and worth relating to.
Summarising, good but not great. 7/10.
Season 8 started off very well, but between the two part premiere "School Daze" and this the episodes have merely scraped average or just above territory. Even though a filler episode, "Surf and/or Turf" is the best episode since the season opener up to this point, though better episodes would follow, and was pretty decent. It is far from perfect or great and it is not going to appeal to all fans (and hasn't), there are also better episodes of Season 8, but it was a good deal better than expected and not as pointless as feared.
As said, perfect "Surf and/or Turf" is not. It is understandable if people consider it a filler episode and in my mind it sort of is, as it is very slight and at times padded, meaning that some of the pace drags, and doesn't really progress any crucial events.
Did feel that the ending was a little too on the pat and convenient side.
On the other hand, the animation in "Surf and/or Turf" is absolutely beautiful, actually think it is one of the best looking episodes of Season 8. Mount Aris looks amazing and the episode does such a great job immersing one into its world and lore. The music is beautifully orchestrated and used and has a good deal of character and emotion. "Your Heart is in Two Places" is not one of the show's best songs, but it is well meaning and catchy and doesn't have childishness or sentimentality. All the voice acting cannot be faulted, with no weak links.
The writing is a good mix of amusing while not being goofy humour and poignant but not too gooey emotion and is thought provoking and sensitive in its treatment of an adult and identifiable subject. Although the story is slight, the situation it revolves around is something that is very relatable to anybody that wants a better bond with their parents. It resonated actually with me because of my youngest sister being in the same position. All the characters are well written, loved all the Cutie Mark Crusaders, all engaging and likeable with good intentions and distinct personalities, and Twilight. While the supporting characters are interesting and worth relating to.
Summarising, good but not great. 7/10.
