Scootalo is LEAVING?!?!?! | My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Season 9 Episode 12 REACTION + Discussion
Added 2024-11-29 18:00:13 +0000 UTC
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I love how mentioned it’s about the chosen family vs the actual family dynamic. I think in her case this episode is a perfect embodiment of that. Her family is where she was raised with her friends and community. It’s a different approach and also has a lot of growing pains for her but it’s lovely to see that. And think the main issue for me is as I said it not being darker or more in depth. Still wanted more from this situation but I can appreciate the love and homage to the CMCs!
Ed
2025-01-16 02:55:25 +0000 UTC- Some notes/thoughts/facts: - The title is a reference to the 1989 film Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. A CMC episode! And another satisfied and HAPPY! "Customer"... - i don't think they take money though... Scootaloo: "We're at my house!" - oh interesting... we seldom had this joy of visiting Scootaloos house... except once in "Flight for Finish". Aunt Holiday and Auntie Lofty are such a lovely couple... I like their designs. Uuuh, whaaaat Scoots does have parents... that was such a huge surprise..! And no... we have never met them and they were never mentioned before... and you indeed would have remembered them 😁 A Cragadile is whining like a dog... yeah... Scoots parents are quite badass, no wonder Scoots is always so daring herself... Snap Shutter reminds me very much of Steve "Crocodile Hunter" Irwin and apparently Mane Allgood is an allusion to anthropologist Jane Goodall. Poor Cheerilee was frightened to death and is still shaking... Did you say her voice is like Trixies? Hey i am partly deaf, but I don't get that vibe. However I think I get why you think that. 😅 Goosebumps after this declaration of moving away... oh yes... 😫 Scootaloo: [sobbing] "Maybe you can find a replacement for me." - holy hell... is that sad 😥 Sweetie Belle: "No, we can't! You're the only... you!" - true... no one can replace Scootaloo! Rainbow Dash: "Guess who just got three front-row tickets to the Wonderbolts show next week!" Cutie Mark Crusaders: [whine, bawling] Rainbow Dash: "Uh, that is not the reaction I was expecting." [...] Rainbow Dash: "Sooooo... you want these tickets, or...?" - Well okay that was funny 😂 The idea to find Scoots parents a job here is commendable and could have been successful considering the Everfree Forest... but even this is not exotic enough for them, which is understandably as it is in Equestrian territory... Not the same cutiemark, but similar... Snap Shutter: "Well, this part is the same. But the picture inside each of these is different. I think it means you'll stay best friends no matter where you go, and that's really special." Scootaloo: "But... we..." [sighs] "How do you argue with that?" - 😏 That potion wth... And at last chaining themselves on a post... Mane Allgood: "Scootaloo, I know you're having fun with your friends..." - yeah... thats what it is... 😅 - Failure after failure to convince them... And at last she outright says her opinion about them moving away, but her parents still deny it and dismiss it, that it will be okay... it's just sad... And she runs away to her aunts - They have a lovely house. I love that quilt! https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/6/64/Lofty_reveals_her_CMC-themed_quilt_S9E12.png The CMC Appreciation Day! - Such a great idea! The three-handled Key to the City... wow... Yeah everyone they ever have helped before, is here..! Its soo wholesome. https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/9/9e/Diamond_Tiara_waving_to_the_Crusaders_S9E12.png - I love that little waving of Diamond Tiara to the CMC's Scoots aunts move to Ponyville! Thats great! CMC's FOREVER! --- Welp... there is a lot to say about this episode... here we go... Despite most people assuming Scootaloo might be an orphan, her parents are simply working abroad. They are revealed to be Mane Allgood and Snap Shutter, adventurers who have been absent from Scootaloo's life due to their work commitments as wildlife photographs, zoologists and biologists who research and study exotic and dangerous animals in remote and dangerous locations, which explains their long-term absence from Scootaloo's life. While their work is portrayed as important and admirable, I also believe it has created an emotional distance and conflict with their daughter. Many (myself included) believe that Scootaloo's parents were introduced too late in the series. There had been a great deal of speculation around Scootaloo's circumstances, and addressing it now feels overdue but still intriguing. Additionally, the series included several misleading hints and statements before this reveal. As a result, their sudden appearance in this episode was completely unexpected. However, we are also introduced to Scootaloo's official guardians, Aunt Holiday and Auntie Lofty, who form a truly wonderful pair, with Holiday being the older sister of Scootaloo's father. Both aunts have been deeply involved in Scootaloo's life, offering her love and support during her parents' frequent absences due to their demanding professions. It is also strongly implied that they are a lesbian couple - a representation that has earned much applause for its inclusivity, though, regrettably, it has also faced some undeserved hate. 😑 Interestingly, Scootaloo isn't solely cared for by them, as their home is not primarily in Ponyville. She also receives support and love from other residents in Ponyville like the Cakes, Rarity and Rainbow Dash, which is truly heartwarming. Rainbow Dash, in particular, has developed a sisterly bond with Scootaloo, serving as a mentor and role model throughout the series. This narrative emphasizes that family extends beyond biological connections, encompassing those who provide care, guidance, and love. It reflects the inclusive and supportive spirit of the Ponyville community, where diverse family structures are embraced and valued. Scootaloo's parents, however, decide to stay with her and even live together, which is wonderful. But there's a "little" catch: they want to move to Shire Lanka for their new job. This decision is also driven by concerns about the recent dangers in Equestria. Such a move would have a significant impact on Scootaloo's life, her family bonds, and the friendships she's built in Ponyville - especially with her fellow CMC friends and her important role as a member of the Cutie Mark Crusaders. As a member of the Cutie Mark Crusaders, Scootaloo plays a vital role in helping others discover their unique talents. This mission not only gives her a strong sense of purpose but also significantly contributes to the Ponyville community. Moving away would disrupt her ability to fulfill this role, affecting her identity and the lives of those she inspires and assists. Thus her deep-rooted connections in Ponyville are central to her life. Her friendships and mentorships form a strong foundation of support, and a sudden move would sever these bonds, potentially leading to emotional distress. Moreover, relocating to a place like Shire Lanka would require her to navigate unfamiliar surroundings, adapt to new customs, and adjust to a different social structure - a daunting prospect for a young pony. Although Scootaloo tries to express her dislike to her parents, they fail to understand her perspective. One could even say they don't care about her feelings at all, dismissing them as mere fear of change. However, I also believe this stems from the emotional distance that has grown due to their prolonged absence. It's a truly heartbreaking situation that many children face when they're forced to move away. In Scootaloo's case, it's even more troubling - her parents, who barely participated in her life or spent meaningful time with her, suddenly return home only to announce that she must leave everything she knows behind and move with them. Without even consulting her, they impose this decision, forcing her into an agonizing position to leave everything behind without considering her concerns. This betrayal of her trust and sense of stability drives Scootaloo to run away, seeking refuge with the only relatives she still believes in: her aunts. Meanwhile her aunts, inspired by the CMC's accomplished feats, create a beautiful quilt adorned with the cutie marks of all the ponies the CMC have helped. The quilt serves as a heartfelt symbol of the unbreakable bond between Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Apple Bloom, highlighting how their friendship forms the foundation of their work. Its deep sentimental value also raises the stakes of the episode's conflict, visually underscoring what Scootaloo risks losing if she is forced to leave Ponyville and her closest friends behind. Scootaloo's aunts inspired a brilliant idea: A CMC Appreciation Day. This event served as a heartfelt tribute to all the incredible work the Cutie Mark Crusaders have done, featuring cameos from ponies they had helped. The entire town coming together to celebrate the CMC was truly wonderful and so wholesome. And after seeing how important the CMC's role together is - similar to their own job - they ultimately decide to let her remain in Ponyville, acknowledging the importance of her established life and responsibilities there. However, it remains regrettable that this was the primary reason for agreeing to Scootaloo staying in Ponyville, despite the previously mentioned challenges surrounding established relationships and a built-up life. It's also unfortunate that her parents still decided to move away. Yet, at least Scootaloo's familiar and accustomed life remains intact. She still has many friends, and now even her aunts, who have chosen to move to Ponyville instead to care for her. In the end at least this wish of Scootaloo's was fulfilled... In the end, the episode was particularly appreciated for its emotional depth and heartwarming moments, especially the ending with the "CMC Appreciation Day". It stood out as a fitting celebration of the CMC's legacy, honoring their journey all the way since their founding in Season 1. Overall, like you, I would have liked more depth to Scootaloo's story - many fans felt the same. For the longest times there were countless theories about whether Scootaloo even had parents and most people thought she was an orphan. As a result, many fans didn't expect this episode. The conflict itself is of harsh nature and also tragic, with plenty of drama, however, in my opinion that wasnt explored enough in this episode. The emphasis was on the importance of their jobs - while that is a valid perspective, the main focus should have been more on Scootaloo's point of view, all her established relations and her build up life in Ponyville. The conflict between Scootaloo and her parents overall needed a much deeper development... That said, as you already suggested - and I agree - it's possible that this topic is just too dark to deeply explore in a kids' show, which I understand. Despite this flaw, it was still a good episode. In the end, it remains a great celebration of the CMC's growth and role throughout the series, and it feels like a bittersweet goodbye to this role for us, as it is the final season. = Regarding your insights: = I understand your point about prioritizing the bond with her parents, especially since she expressed a wish for that kind of relationship in earlier episodes. However, it's important to recognize that in the earlier seasons, Scootaloo's admiration for Rainbow Dash and her longing for parental figures highlighted a gap in her life. This longing stemmed from her parents' prolonged absence and lack of involvement, leaving her yearning for the affection and validation she observed in other families. Over time however, Scootaloo built a strong support network in Ponyville. Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom became her chosen family, with their shared experiences and mutual support as CMC members playing a vital role in shaping her sense of self. Rainbow Dash, as her mentor and sister figure, provided inspiration and encouragement, further diminishing Scootaloo's reliance on her biological parents. Additionally, all her caretakers, like Aunt Holiday and Aunt Lofty or any other resident of Ponyville the CMC were familiar with, offered stability and guidance in her parents' absence, giving her a sense of parental care within Ponyville. This storyline effectively explored themes of belonging and identity, highlighting the concept of found families. The episode also delved into the tension between familial obligation and chosen family, as well as the strength of friendships. Scootaloo's resistance to being uprooted reflected her deep attachment to Ponyville and the connections she had built there. All while though well-meaning, her parents' proposal highlights their misunderstanding of her life. Their lack of awareness about the CMC and her deep bonds with her friends underscores how distant they have been. By now, Scootaloo has built a life and identity in Ponyville. Her friends and her work are no longer secondary - they are her top priorities, as they represent who she truly is. This all might have lowered her priority of a functional parental focused relationship, which led to this decision to still part from her parents as her focus shifted towards her established role and bonds in Ponyville. Regarding what you mentioned about the CMC's widespread approach, they did say something along those lines - that if each of them pursued their own hobbies occasionally, they might connect with more 'clients'. However, solving these cases was always a team effort, which is no small feat when a train only arrives once a month. 😏
DeViruZz.eXe
2024-12-29 22:28:40 +0000 UTCVery very odd. Wanted there to be a lot more emotion and drama since it seemed that’s what they set up. Oh yes I did! That’s great for them and the representation Yes mixed is a good way to explain it
Ed
2024-12-02 20:47:16 +0000 UTCIt definitely needed some other element. They didn’t bring out any of the past mentions so it just lands pretty flat even when the episode is still nice celebration of the CMC. And yeah the parents just come but maybe that’s their idea of “being closer” and mending. But yeah can spring that up on scoot especially since they are gone and chose to do that. Could have been more serious and intense which the show has done so a little disappointing there
Ed
2024-12-02 20:45:34 +0000 UTCI feel similar in this episode, although it was a good episode, I did want more depth to scoots story a lot of fans did, there was so many theories around If scoot even had parents people were thinking she was an orphan for the longest time, lots of fans didn’t expect this episode, also you’re right she said that her parents never supported her or cared about her or about her interests so it is an odd situation you’d think she’d want to make up for that part of her life , but also some fans say that she didn’t want to stay with her family cause disdain for them or just really angry at them deep down lol 😆 I don’t think it would go that dark but yeah that definitely is a theory, also something you may have missed scoots aunts are a lesbian couple! it is confirmed so cool to see lgbtq representation! here also I like them better than the parents I know the dad is supposed to be like Steve Irwin so that definitely is pretty cool though but overall I do feel mixed about this episode.
Pinkie_applepie
2024-11-30 00:27:50 +0000 UTCI think that the episode needed a deeper development for the conflict between Scootaloo and her parents. They almost didn't participate in their daughter's life or spend time with her, but now they come home and declare that Scootaloo practically has to leave everything she has behind and move away with them without even asking her, forcing Scootaloo to make a horribly hard decision. Obviously the parents cared more about their job rather than about their own child. Agree or not, but they don't have any moral right to just come and change Scootaloo's life so radically. The conflict itself is harsh and tragic with a lot of potential for a good drama, but in my opinion it was developed and solved on a surface level.
PavelCypher
2024-11-29 23:07:47 +0000 UTC
