New 6 Facing Fears | My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Season 8 Episode 22 REACTION + Discussion
Added 2024-10-29 17:00:08 +0000 UTC
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I believe it's both: the Tree of Harmony and its sentience are real. It was planted by the Pillars of Equestria through their bond of friendship, with the intention of protecting their endangered realm. At the same time, it embodies the concept of harmony and the balance of the world, which can be seen as a spiritual, world-spanning force. There is also something else to consider, but I won't delve into that for now.
DeViruZz.eXe
2024-11-09 14:40:12 +0000 UTCAmazing breakdown! I know some may not like the student 6 but I feel it captures similar trails and tribulations from the mane 6. Everyone had a test and it makes their bond stronger. Cozyβs attempt to create this negative energy to strengthen her agenda did not work as they go through it! And yes the tells are much more obvious here but it was a great to put them at odds with each other. Oooooo wow! I looove that theory! It makes so much sense and maybe makes that traumatic moment βpositiveβ? π The big thing here is the tree of harmony. Growing sentience and propelling what it sees right. A little creepy how it can form itself to someone like twilight or anyone is horrifying but helpful. So much mystique and implications with that. Wonder if weβll ever know or if itβll be more of a spiritual and higher power sort of thing. Very introspective and important episode for the tree, cozy, and the new six!
Ed
2024-11-09 05:21:58 +0000 UTCVery true! Could have been a new development
Ed
2024-11-05 06:15:50 +0000 UTC- Some notes/thoughts/facts: - Twilight Sparkle: "The Tree of Harmony remains one of the most powerful sources of magic known to ponydom. And though it has been at the "root" of magic and friendship from the moment it was planted, its ways are mysterious. Almost as if it has a mind of its own." - π Cozy is really trying to get under the Student 6 skin... "She just better be a changeling..." - yeah, it's not the first time, Cozy Glow does questionable things... π POV: There is something strange and possibly dangerous... "oh come let's check it out!" To see this the first time was surreal for me... I never expected the tree to communicate directly... https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/9/95/Astral_Twilight_welcomes_the_Young_Six_S8E22.png Silverstream: "Our headmare is glowing, you guys. What is going on?!" - I would sooo run away from this... Welp, these two friendly mares are a reference to the Stepford Wives, which portrays an idyllic New England town where all the women are murdered and replaced by robotic perfect housewife duplicates: https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/a/ac/Stepford_Ponies_having_a_tea_party_S8E22.png - isn't that neat? π Such a cute dragon... π https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/e/e9/Smolder_enjoys_being_cute_and_adorable_S8E22.png Gallus: "Maybe the others got out already and we're the last ones?" Smolder: [sarcastic] "Yeah, that totally seems like something they would do." Gallus: [groans] "Any other dragon or griffon would save themselves and get out of this crazy cave." Smolder: "Guess we aren't just any dragon or griffon anymore." Gallus: "Guess not. You go that way. I'll check over there." - So Cozy Glow was wrong all along about them... "It has to be the Changeling's" - interesting that you thought so... but yes, one could get that impression... Silverstream: "Uh, hey! Storm King! You're nothing but a big, old bully with a silly name and a goofy crown! You thought you could scare us into doing whatever you wanted! But we learned that together, we're stronger than you! And now that we're rid of you, we're gonna soar through the sky and go on adventures and never give you another thought ever!" [stomps] - Yeah girl give it to him! - Also she is right, the Storm King was a joke π Your analogy about confronting your abuser was an interesting take, but true. Smolder: "If a dragon like me can admit she likes tea parties, that's proof we can change. I was gonna invite you to a top-secret tea party with me, but if you want to stay down here..." Ocellus: "Oh! No! I want to come!" - That is so sweet βΊ Sandbar: "I've always looked up to you. You would never turn your back on each other, and that's what makes you strong. Now I have a group of friends that I think is every bit as amazing as yours. If I have to give up on them to make you proud, then you aren't the ponies I thought you were. I don't care if I disappoint you. You disappoint me." - True, he told his professors to go and buck themselves... π Gallus: "W-We just learned a friendship lesson from a tree, didn't we?" π€£ You were wondering how nobody knew about the tree-roots under the school? Tree of Harmony: "Like all living things, I change as I grow. As I have grown, so have my abilities." - the tree said it herself, she must have spread her roots under the school afterwards. Cozy Glow: "Because... it's my fault. You were all getting along so well, and I felt left out. I was jealous. And it upset you so much, the Tree of Harmony had to test you. [gasps] Oh! I'm gonna get expelled for sure! [crying] Please don't tell anypony about this! Especially the professors! Please, please, pleaseβ!" - Since you watched the finale this was such an obviously calculated move by her, and it wasnt the only foreshadow, as we have seen some in prior episodes π Cozy Glow: "You get some rest. Don't give any of this another thought. Just let Cozy take care of everything." - It was definitely suspenseful music here π --- The Young 6's discovery of a hidden area beneath the school leads to an intriguing encounter with the Tree of Harmony, which manifests itself to test each of them. This episode offers a compelling look into their personalities and fears, using symbolic trials to encourage growth and self-discovery. This episode is about the Student 6. Each character faces a unique challenge, rooted in their insecurities and personal history. Smolder is thrust into a situation where she must embrace her fondness for "cute" activities through a tea party, challenging her identity as a fierce dragon. Gallus, most times a little hot-headed, must cope with his claustrophobia by remaining calm in a shrinking space to find a solution. Silverstream, a Hippogriff who still grapples with memories of hiding from the Storm King, is confronted by illusions of him. She later overcomes this fear with Gallus's support, recognizing the images as mere illusions. Ocellus, transforming into Queen Chrysalis, must confront her fear of reverting to the changelings' dark past. With Smolder's help, she accepts her true, reformed identity. Yona, typically strong and fearless, encounters spiders - a direct challenge to her arachnophobia - and learns to befriend them once she understands they mean no harm. Finally, Sandbar faces the temptation to abandon his friends to help illusions of Rarity and Rainbow Dash but remains loyal, choosing friendship over false promises. The tests were not just individual challenges but also a test of loyalty and friendship, especially for Smolder and Gallus who completed their trials first. They reached the exit before the others and instead of leaving, they chose to return and help their friends face their fears, showing true solidarity. This act underlines the core problem tha Cozy questioned in them: friendship is innate to their identities and nature. By supporting each other through their trials, the Young 6 prove that their bond is genuine, leading the Tree of Harmony to acknowledge this and allow them to return to the school. Anyway, with this it's safe to say, that the Student 6 are also bearer of Elements as the Tree of Harmony spoke with them. The Tree of Harmony's actions in this episode offer a deeper insight into its evolving nature. Since the Mane 6 returned their Elements, the Tree has demonstrated growth: from producing a mysterious chest, which became a castle, to introducing the cutie map that pinpoints friendship issues and identifies who can solve them. Its growing awareness was evident when it acted independently during Starlight's timeline-altering crisis, and later surprising even its original creators, the Pillars. In this episode, the Tree takes on a new level of sentience by creating an avatar in the form of Twilight Sparkle. Its ability to manifest as a sentient illusion suggests it has developed far beyond its original form. There is a theory on how this sentience may have come about, that I like: in the "Mean Six" episode, the "Mean 6" were created using the Mane 6's hair, Chrysalis's magic, and the Tree's essence. It is believed that the Tree of Harmony absorbed the magical essence of the "Mean 6" when it destroyed them, gaining a new level of consciousness and perhaps the ability to create its own form. Additionally, as you now know, Cozy Glow's subtle manipulation in this episode foreshadows her later role as an antagonist. Her attempts to sow doubt among the students about their ability to form friendships hint at her ulterior motives. It's unclear what her exact intentions were with her questioning of the Young Six and creating conflict among them, but it's evident she had bigger plans for the catacombs beneath the school. Overall, this is one of the more insightful episodes yet - especially in how it deepens the Young Six's characters. Each of their trials connected to their backgrounds. I was especially impressed by the Tree of Harmony's evolving role - it feels more sentient and involved than ever, adding a fascinating layer to the show's overall lore. The episode beautifully captures the strength of friendship and the importance of self-acceptance, making it both heartfelt and memorable. - Thank you! π
DeViruZz.eXe
2024-11-02 10:44:04 +0000 UTCInteresting episode, the tree or harmony taking on a different form is pretty cool, I like seeing the student six get to face their fears
Pinkie_applepie
2024-10-30 05:33:04 +0000 UTCI don't think that the roots of the tree of harmony were under the school when it was being built. The tree could just grow underground over time.
PavelCypher
2024-10-29 17:50:37 +0000 UTCTo answer your question, the group of 6 students introduced this season is typically referred to as either the "Young Six" or the "Student Six" by the fandom. As for everything else you're wondering about... not saying anything for now hehe
sjones17515
2024-10-29 17:35:54 +0000 UTC
