When I first watched it I was wondering why twilight and spike weren't given their own characters to play during the story but after my second viewing I realized they were playing a character in the story, they were the narrator like gonzo in a Muppet Christmas Carol
+Prophetic Prose Honestly I wanted Celestia to play the role of Jacob Marley. Because I have a theory that what if the spirits aren't spirits, but illusions but both Celestia and Luna created to prevent something like what Snowfall was doing from happening.
I agree. Sunburst as Starlight's love interest would fit really well within the context of the Christmas Carol story. That was one of the many scenes from the story that the episode excluded that I wish we could've seen. This could've easily been a two part episode with everything from the story that could've been included here. Two-parters don't just have to be for season premieres and finales, you know.
i enjoy how in this story it holds a bigger risk than the original story, in the original story Scrooge dies and people are either indifferent, making fun of him, or happy he's dead, Tiny Tim has passed and his family is left heartbroken, and that's about it, in this story if Snowfall accomplished her goal it would've meant the death of everyone from being frozen to death
This is my favourite episode of season 6 so far, and I did get a holiday cheer from this episode form the characters, the story and the music. I love the whole concept of the ponies doing a Christmas Carol and the Muppets Christmas Carol is by far my favourite adaptation, with this episode in a close second. I give it the full 10/10 ^^
I actuallly thought that something interesting played in the background of the story: The potion knocked Frost unconsious, while in the Dream Luna set up this scenario so Frost would realise her mistake and not doom Equestria by causing an Ice Age. And Luna knew this would come up, because Celestia told her about it, as she saw it in one of her prophectic dreams.
This episode finally gave me what I had been looking for in a My Little Pony Holiday special! A traditional Holiday themed episode with its own unique twist. This is my favorite out of all of the Christmas episodes.
I found the moral rather appropriate for Starlight specifically. I mean, I've noticed that she is an exceptionally driven type of pony who's even willing to take risks if it means creating something she believes in. After all, she managed to somehow get her hands on Starswirl the Bearded's notes on time travel, and apparently something else as well, seeing as how she was able to match Twilight's alicorn magic... which isn't that crazy when you consider that the spell Twilight cast to become an alicorn _was_ Starswirl the Bearded's in the first place. The idea that good intentions can be taken too far, that it's actually pretty easy to lose sight of what a better world looks like when you're in the heat of working to achieve your goals, applies to Starlight Glimmer's typical thought process as well as Snowfall Frost's in this story. Starlight has good intentions, but not much experience with friendship, with all the core values and traditions that make Equestria what it is. That's just how she lived for most of her youth after getting bitter at Sunburst when he got his cutie mark. This is an important lesson to learn, and so a defining episode for her character development.
I actually spent most of the episode, expecting to find out that Twilight was just making the story up. Admittedly, this came mostly from the Bob Cratchet stand in, being named Snow Dash and then being played by Rainbow Dash, like Twi was just making stuff up on the fly and casting thinly veiled versions of her freinds in the roles. I have to say, Starlight just being a bit indifferent to the holiday, really doesn't compare to Snowfall wanting to erase it from existance, so I chalk this up to Twi over reacting a little. I must say, I really loved seeing 'Victorian' Canterlot and the little reference like the Sherlock Holms and Watson ponies in the street scenes (Who had appeared as their modern counterparts in Rairity Investigates BTW).
Honestly, the first time I watched it I was like, "meh." And then the songs got stuck in my head and compelled me to watch again and I thought, "actually this is pretty good...." Aaaand then I sang Luna's song all day before watching it a third time and concluding that I freaking LOVE this episode! The music was fantastic and I understand why they didn't go as dark as even some of the other children's adaptations did. It may have even helped. I think if they tried to go more serious at the outset, they would have run up against the runtime wall and slammed into it. As it was, I didn't think it felt all that rushed and have I mentioned the music? (I love it.) This episode has definitely been keeping my spirits up during what has turned out to be a busy and stressful week for me. :D
This episode is definitely in my top ten best MLP episodes, simply because of the genuine cheer and joy it made me feel right from the start of the episode. Every song worked are to contribute weight and meaning to the story, but remained so wonderfully cheerful at the same time. I found myself actually downloading and playing them on repeat only moments after the end of the episode, which is something I have never had the desire to do before. It might be because of my love of musical theatre, or the place a Christmas carol has in my heart, but this episode really felt like the perfect balance of cheer, nostalgia and meaning.
I agree with this analysis on most aspects, but I think there is more going on here than a single viewing will reveal. Firstly, though "A Christmas Carol" stands out as the greatest inspiration, there is also a strong "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" vibe. There is also, through the outstanding music, a Tim Burton/Danny Elfman feel that is powerfully reminiscent of "The Nightmare Before Christmas". There is even a touch of "A Charlie Brown Christmas" to be seen in Starlight's own characterization. However, there are some key differences between the storyline here and "A Christmas Carol", and it is here that "Hearth Warming Tale" separates itself from "Mickey's Christmas Carol". "Mickey's" is a faithful retelling of the original Dickens story, tracking very closely the source material; its excellence is in execution and fitting the characters to the archetypes Dickens showed us. It was not, however, particularly original in its treatment, especially in the aforementioned characterization. In short, "Mickey's" did nothing new. However, in "Hearth Warming Tail", the character archetypes are subtly altered in ways that change the subtext. The Scrooge of Dickens is a flat, cardboard rendition of the evil boss. In "Hearth Warming Tail", Snowfall Frost occupies Scrooge's role, but unlike Scrooge she truly has a point. She is genuinely working toward HER idea of a "better Equestria"; the fact that her vision is twisted does not reduce the sincerity of her character. This very nicely echoes what Starlight herself did, and thus is very intensely relevant. You might notice that Ice Dash is not "abused" like Bob Cratchit. She is worked hard, but not oppressed. While there is an intense "boss/bossed" distinction, it is a distinction of position and responsibility not class. This is a key point that actually strengthens the Snowfall character, and makes Snowfall's goals all the more tragic. Unlike Scrooge, who is driven by greed, contempt for those "beneath" and a monstrous ego, Snowfall is driven by a genuine morality (work ethic before all) that is only evil because of Snowfall's insistence that this is the ONLY morality. In other words, Snowfall is not evil simply because of her views. She is profoundly misguided, and her powerful abilities amplify that misguidedness to an existential threat to Equestrian society. She is in a position to push her ideas into reality, in a way that Ebeneezer Scrooge never could. But "danger" and "evil" are not one and the same. One other important point that makes this all the more allegorical. Where is Celestia, within the confines of the story? The answer is, of course, "nowhere to be found" because this isn't about Equestria, Celestia, history or any persons who might have actually existed. This is about hardened attitudes and fallacies of purity. This is about the terrible price paid for any ideological crusade, no matter how noble the ideology appears to be on paper. This is all about "just what does your 'ideal' Equestria look like anyway"? (a very relevant question at this very moment... exactly what constitutes a "greater" nation?) Perhaps I also place a greater weight on music. This episode was magnificent, and if "Hearth Warming Tail" is to be a breakout episode that can be shown to a wider, non-MLP-conversant audience it is the music (and lyrics) which will carry the day. After a third viewing, I can safely say that this is in the top five episodes of the entire series, at least for me. While "Amending Fences" remains firmly cemented at the top, this episode stands with "Rarity Takes Manehattan", "Suited For Success", and "Sleepless In Ponyville" at the summit of an impressive body of work.
Great, yes and yes, in answer to all your final questions to us commentators. I'am also in agreement with you about this episode on one point, even though I class this episode as perfect, I can't but help think how much MORE perfect it would have been as a two parter finale episode, which after I did some math would have put the episode around the mid to late autumn area, much closer to Christmas. For me, this episode didn't fall flat really anywhere and every scene was brilliant, so just thinking about the possibility of having more time in this episode to expand out the various parts really intrigues me. Great episode all round and a resounding 6 stars in my opinion.
The reason that the Muppets and Mickey did well was because Bob Crachet, Scoorge's worker had a loving family to go to with a sickly son who was in a crutch.. where as in MLP Rainbow Dash was heading to a big christmas party. That emotional factor is when they revealed if Tiny Tim wouldn't make it in the end dependent on Scoorge's choices. Here in MLP the choice is more... of a larger scale, while it isn't emotional.. it's more haunting.
+Micheal “Fold” Summers Yeah I laughed like crazy when he said that to Starlight even though I do like her redeemed (a lot thanks to the premiere as well as this episode) it was still funny of Spike of all people; er Dragons to say that. I love his sarcastic/snarky comments they're great. XD.
Season 6 has been a bit of a drag for the most part, but this episode really lifted my spirits. Good on Hasbro Studios for this one; it was a really good time.
I feel like people focus a little too much on the idea of this being a version of a Christmas Carol. It is a Christmas Carol only in the sense of it having spirits visiting a person who lacks a spirit of the season. Beyond that ey are different stories that have a very different purpose. A Hearth's Warming Tale is about Hearth's Warming not Christmas and therefore is based around why hearth's warming is important. If it tried to have the same story as A Christmas Carol it would ruin the point of the story IN THAT WORLD. The story is about what taking the holiday forgranted could lead to and the dangers of doing so. Each story is meant to talk about the purpose and value of their respective holidays. As each holiday has a different purpose it would defeat the purpose of the a Hearth's Warming Tale to copy the story of A Christmas Carol.
I absolutely loved this episode; it's overtaken "Gauntlet of Fire" as my favourite of S6. I adore "A Christmas Carol", and have watched more versions than I care to count. Of the "non-traditional" ones, the MLP version is really high up my list. Behind the Muppets' version, but that's virtually perfect -- but ahead of Mickey's, since that one's never really spoken to me for some reason. "Blackadder's Christmas Carol" is the only other adaptation I can think of that matches up to MLP's, albeit in a *very* different way!
Despite how cynical I may have grown as of late, I found this to be one helluva great episode. While I personally didn't grow up with A Muppet's Christmas Carol, I have definitely seen my fair share of Christmas Carol interpretations, and this one was one of the better ones. There were just so many good points to it. It wasn't just a straight up retelling of the story as the Disney one, but rather fit it in to the existing mythos and fantastical world of MLP, incorporating Windigos and Starswirl into the story. It used a lot of songs to cram the story into the timeslot without feeling overly rushed (at least to me). It was a story told by the characters, rather than of them, again like the Muppet or Disney retellings, which gave them greater freedom for some things. For instance, the actual canonicity of the story of Snowfall Frost isn't all that important within the context of the episode since, like in our reality, it may well be a story created whole cloth. Another great point is that the characters being the ones we know just in different clothes kind of makes sense given that it is a story being told within the episode. Then having the story be told to Starlight Glimmer resonates so well with her story arc as someone who did the wrong things for the right reasons and as someone who needed to understand the power of friendship.
i felt a sense of nostalgia while watching this episode. to be honest a christmas carol is one of my favorite holiday story, either mickey's version, the original version or even an animal version with a twist in the future, either way this episode hit me in the childhood. the were memorable heck luna song was one i cannot stop listening too. again this episode is amazing
That Luna song... I've been listening to it a lot. That aside, I like that this episode has some nice world building and explains a serious reason for Hearths Warming. A world where if you don't keep the citizens happy, then dark spirits will freeze everything? It might make you look back at Celestia's choices a little differently.
I've seen so many versions of ACC that a new one couldn't possibly move me. Even at age 10, "The Muppet Christmas Carol" fell flat for me. (Then again, I like very little the Muppets have done post-Jim Henson.) More importantly, MLP is even kiddier than the Muppets or Mickey Mouse, in a sense. It didn't skip Tiny Tim just to save time; it also wanted to skip the implication of death.
This episode is now my favorite telling of A Christmas Carol ever. Even more so than the Mickey one. I love it so much, and music pushes the story forward much better than just dialogue without songs could have ever pulled off in my opinion. ^_^
I've been dying for MLP to do an adaption of A Christmas Carol ever since season 1, and I thought it was very clever. The best part was no doubt the musical numbers. It is the best constructed musical episode we've had thus far. With that said, I don't feel it's fair to compare this to Muppets or Mickey's Christmas Carol. Both of those had higher production. Mickey's Christmas Carol even premiered in theaters. Comparing this to other children's series, such as Pound Puppies, 101 Dalmatians, Animaniacs, ect. I thought this was one of the more emotionally impactful versions. Snowfall's backstory is genuinely heartbreaking and relatable. So going by those standards, I think this was a very solid episode.
I LOVED that episode ! Twilight really sounded like a mentor there, especially with the line "She did Something extreme for her own reasons", just like the first episode with her... also the part where Twilight spoke with Pinkie's voice that adorable. Just like her, i never understood the point of chrismtas, so that episode was extra awesome for me since i could relate to my favorite best pony. This is my new favorite episode of the show. Also Starlight was adorable in that suit !
I liked this episode, even thought it was out of season. It took on a great story and performed it greatly. After seeing this I wanted to see the real Christmas Carol story, even thought its a bit to early.
best songs of the season so far. they are really stepping up their game, and it gives me hope that the rest of the season is only going to improve. can't wait to see what else they have in store for us.
I actually really enjoyed seeing the different take MLP had on the classic Christmas Carol story. For me, while I knew the basic gist of the three ghosts turning up, things like filly Snowfall's school and the inclusion of the windigos gave it an enjoyable twist.
I LOVED EVERY SINGLE SONG IN ALL OF THE EPISODE! I COULD GET ENOUGH OF THE SONGS SO I RE LISTENED TO THEM SO MANY TIMES!. Cant wait to hear the fan versions of these songs.
I'm about as christmasy as they get, and so a christmas episode right next to my birthday is great with me! :D I loved it though, truly. Perfect character casting, good songs. Really wonderful. ^^
This is probably my third favorite episode of the season. It's a beautiful episode that does manage to make me smile with great animation, fantastic songs, and a classic story being told in MLP fashion. Easily a 9/10 for me. If it weren't for No Second Prances, and Gauntlet of Fire being in front it would be my number 1 for season 6 easily.
I absolutely ADORED this episode. It was enjoyable and the songs were catchy and it made be believe, for the entire time I was watching it, that it was december. I've seen it twice now and after watching this, I'm gonna go see it again
If no one told ya yet, Doc, I imagine people wanting you to do a cover of "Say Goodbye to the Holiday" villain song are gonna be PLENTIFUL after that "Friends on the Other Side" of yours XD
I really enjoyed this episode, the songa were amazing. I especially loved how Applejack, Pinkie Pie and Luna were great representations of the spirits. Plus I loved how the background ponies were used in this episode, particularly the two background ponies that were dressed like Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson
Pinkie and Luna's roles really made the episode for me, plus it was nice to see Starlight as a villain again (however brief it may have been). How I rank the episodes of the season so far: 1 - Gauntlet of Fire 2 - No Second Prances 3 - The Gift of the Maud Pie 4 - A Hearth's Warming Tail 5- The Crystalling 6 - Newbie Dash 7 - On Your Marks
I'm going to talk about this episode as part of my Hearth's Warming Triple Threat on Christmas Eve day, but, for now, I can say that it's a fun episode.
I absolutely ADORE this episode! And no, it's not because it Christmas (which is my favorite holiday ever). This rendition of Christmas Carol was actually very well done, and the characters fit the roles like a glove. Though it's not the best version, it's still a great version with great songs (As soon as it comes out on ITunes, I'm buying that soundtrack so fast!). This episode shares the spot of my favorite in the season along with "No Second Prances" and really look forward to watching it every year along with all my other Christmas movies and TV episodes/shorts around December!
I loved this, especially the Luna part I got so excited when I saw her and I was so worth it (i want her hoodie) o think her reformation was a bit rushed but then again I can forgive them for that due to short run time. I'd love this to have been a two parter (and derpy was just so sweet)
i loved the episode, but i couldn't help but notice they didn't only use a chrismas carol to write it. To me it felt like a mashup of the grinch and a chrismas carol. And the song say goodbye to the holiday really felt like a chid friendly version of the song: hell to your doorstep from the musical count of monte christo. I really loved all the songs and the characters were spot on if you asked me!
As a fan of musical theater, it's very easy for me to come into an episode like this and think of it as such. We see the Mane 7 (minus Twilight) and Luna take on the roles of the book characters in a way that reminds me of stage actors. The number of songs never hurts when an episode like this plays out a story-within-a-story, which A Hearths' Warming Tail was at its core. The framing device was Twilight reading a book but much of the episode played out like it was happening on a stage because Luna and the Mane 7, minus Twilight, take on the roles of the characters in the book. That makes it a strong episode in that regard. Not all the other musically-sided episode in MLP's previous five seasons had this formula. While it's always jarring for me to see a holiday episode out of season like this, it was still very enjoyable and I believe wholeheartedly that the professor pony who gave Snowfall Frost her ideology was a loving shout-out to Alan Rickman, even if it had finished production before he died, in which case it doubles as a tribute. No one can convince me it was just a coincidence and I know other people had Snape come to mind when he appeared because he looked and acted like him.
I felt that the only reason I love this episode is because of the music. It added both Christmas charm and some emotional weight that the story itself couldn't.
I think this episode could've been more memorable if they maybe made it a two parter. There's certainly a lot to the "A Christmas Carol" story they could've used, but they did leave a chilling mark with the Luna song. It kinda had that eerie, foreboding vibe, while keeping it the same show it always is. Unlike, the burning coffin to Hell in the Mickey version that made it turn a little darker than it should. *shudders* Still can't get over Pete's maniacal laughing.
THANK YOU! Finally, someone who 1. Doesn't go off one some massive bit about the timing of the ep. and 2. Was actually excited for a Pony version of A Christmas Carol rather then "Oh not another one, how played out." about it. Hell I was flat out excited for this the moment it even seemed like this might be what we could get just from the synopsis! Yes Muppets did it better, but as pointed out, they had a longer run time to do it in. The Mickey one... I'd have to rewatch that one again. From what I can remember, I'd say while yes, the Mickey version was more emotional, the Pony one was more all around fun to watch. Though one nitpick... it wasn't "Pandering" at all, and the over use of that word is getting annoying. Now yes you weren't just using it as some buzzword to complain about the show without ever actually making a case of how its wrong, but still using the wrong word that leads to that. It was not "Pandering" Fan service, oh most certainly yes, but NOT "Fan pandering" pandering is when you over use Fan Service as a replacement for actual quality. Try to get the fans to ignore all the other issues with the story simply by giving them something flashy. Rather then work it in as part of a story that still holds up amazing even without any idea about the outside context. As to the question, Like I said, I was hyped for this idea from the reveal of the episdoe summery and am SO glad we got it. And yes the casting choices were brilliant. The songs are what made the ep so amazing. (Personal order for me Luna>Pinkie>Starlight>Ending=Opening>AJ) And, yeah I did get some warm and fuzzies from it, especially with Pinkie's song, and I just love the message of it. It's not trying to make a case for ignoring the whole gift giving thing and focus on the being together, but rather making clear, the gift giving is part of that, it's not about getting stuff, but about just how good it can feel to give someone something nice, even if it's just a hug. Loved it.
Yup, good episode, but I can't say I was much into the Christmas spirit in the middle of May lol. I know I will re-watch it closer to the holidays though and I look forward to seeing it again then!
I think it was a good musical episode, not to mention I think it was a nice change of pace for an season that's had a rather bumpy start. But the pattern seeking primate in me can't help but think that they did a Hearth's Warming Eve episode to remind us of the windigos because they are going to play a role in the future of the season somehow. Such as we find out that the baby is actually a windigo which is why she brings so much misery to everyone.
I definitely felt Christmas cheer! And my favorite part has to be Luna's part. Although Christmas Past is my favorite character in A Christmas Carol, I think they'd do better with having Applebloom or Sweetie Belle playing her, for Christmas Past is supposed to be a little girl.
This as a two parter probably would've been better than anything they can give us for the actual finale. Discord as Jacob Marley! C'mon! Make it happen!
I liked this episode of MLP, but i feel that the story was not trying reform snowfall as much as it was trying to conceive the significance of the holiday showing when/why she stopped caring for the holiday, what the Holiday is all about to those who celebrate it and shows what will happen without the holiday. This story was it's own take on "A Christmas Carol" As Snowfall is trying to end the holiday for what she thinks will be the greater good. It has its own spin on it. While I agree it wasn't as heart-tugging as other versions of this tale it still was a good episode in my opinion. Also was anyone else thrown off by Luna being the ghost of Hearth-Warming's-Yet-to-come? Not that I didn't enjoy it but i thought that they were going to do a mane six thing where the main characters play all the significant roles. Also was Luna flying that whole time? Because that cloak she was wearing look like she was standing on the ground.
i'll admit i was excited seeing my favorite Christmas story redone for MLP FIM but i will openly admit it wasn't as good as it could have been. my only real issue was how a single moment in her past is what caused her transition from "i love this holliday!" to "screw this holliday!" where as in the original story there were a long line of misfortunes and tragedies that caused Scrooge to develop that mindset. making the episode a 2 part episode would have been the better way to go just to add a little more run time to work with
Personally I still vote for Sunset being in the Marley roll. Not only because her story parallel's with Starlight's and would fit the characters from "A Christmas Carol" better but also for the massive surprise that would have been.
The songs were nice (especially "Luna's Future" sung by Aloma Steele [I'll bet most of you didn't know that Kazumi Evans didn't sing for Luna there]), and I really like Pinkie dress as the "Spirit of Hearth's Warming Presents.
Looking back at the episode and the Muppet and Mickey take on the Christmas Carol story I think I know what the MLP version was missing. There was no Tiny Tim character. Yes Feather Weight was most likely a reference during the song but there was no significant character who specifically picked to play him like how Dash was Bob Cratchet, AJ, Pinkie and Luna were the ghosts and Starlight was Scrooge. Part of what makes Scrooge's change of heart believable is that he emotionally connects with Tiny Tim and is heartbroken and guilt ridden when he is taken to future and finds that Tiny Tim dies far too young. That he might have changed that if he was a kinder man. That and the revelation that after Scrooge himself dies no one visits his grave or cares about him. Wanting to change both his fate and Tiny Tim's is what causes Scrooge to change and become a better man. It's possible that for time reasons they didn't include the character in a major role but again Mickey's version was still able to keep the character and the emotional impact. They wouldn't have even needed to do much. Given her connection to Rainbow Dash and her implied handicap Scootaloo could have been a good fit for Tiny Tim. She could have had a few lines or a quick moment showing her love for the holiday and possibly to remind Snow Frost of herself in her younger days. When the Ghost of Hearth's Warming Yet to Come reveals that Snow Frost removing the holiday removes the protection it provides from the Wendigoes, Snow Frost could then realize that one of the ponies who suffers is Scootaloo's character. That could give her line about not knowing what would happen all the more impact because she didn't know that she will doom someone she cares about by doing this.
I loved this episode purely for the music. Starlight's villain song has officially replaced "This Day Aria" as my favorite MLP song, and that's hard to top!
There's just one thing that bugs me, as long as that brew is around, any unicorn could trigger the spell to cancel the holiday and erase everyone's memory of it. So what happened to it is a major plot hole given one can't just bury it or pour it on the grass given the dangers it possesses.
To me 'A Christmas Carol' is often misinterpreted as make a grouchy old man celebrate an over rated, over done holiday. Forcing some one to participate with every one else or die just doesn't appeal to me. Having said that 'A Christmas Carol' is one of my favorite Christmas stories. It was only a few years ago that I realized that the story is really about showing a person who has been terribly heart that is ok to be loved and to love others. Only then could he be generous both with himself and others. Haven't seen any of season six yet because I'm waiting for it to come out on NetFlix but I still enjoy watching your commentaries Dr. Wolf.
I share a birthday with Irving Berlin (May 11th, just a few days before this aired), and I live in Bing Crosby's hometown, so of course my favorite Christmas story is... A Christmas Carol. :P The Mickey version is the one that made me love the story, and the Patrick Stewart version is brilliant and very true to the story. So this probably won't be taking either of those spots. But it was an interesting and different take, and that plus the music will land it a solid 3rd place.
I thought it was wonderful and had some really bouncy tunes. While I'd reckon quite a few fans were stoked to see Luna (and her character design was awesome), I felt Zecora might've been a better fit for the character. Luna was good, though. Also, it took me a moment to realize what happened and I thought it was a little cheap to tell Starlight Glimmer's character that her unilateral focus on doing good caused the Windegos to return, since Twilight herself started out not understanding why she needed to have friends (a bad choice to have it be her reading, instead maybe Rarity). Instead of having the consequence being the Windegos returning, instead could be shown listless, boring ponies who don't excel at anything and just talk about bettering the world, with no drive to do so because they don't play anymore... and perhaps start to resemble the Equal-sign ponies from last season, with maybe a blank flank or two getting their Cutie Mark being just that.
This episode left me feeling really disappointed. When Twilight sat down with that book and said that she was going to give us one of their Holiday tales, I was really excited. But then, the writers gave us... "A Christmas Carol", the same thing we've seen every other cartoon do around Christmas time. Come on. I thought that was so lazy. We have this amazing fantasy world with magical ponies who have this fantasy winter holiday. With all of that to draw from, you would think that we would get an amazing and interesting holiday story that would give us some really neat world building instead of the same old "Scrooge" story that we've seen time and time again. How many times have we seen this? Seriously? They had this amazing fantasy world with this neat holiday. They couldn't have come up with some unique and cool tale for it? I didn't want to see "Scrooge". I wanted to see a real Equestrian holiday tale!
I just recently(meaning in the last few hours) watch this episode, and I must say I was rather impressed. Though there were a lot of songs in it, I feel like that played to the strengths of the story, as A Christmas Carol is generally played as a musical. Starlight being a villain and being the "Ebeneezer Scrooge" of the story was delightful, and was interesting to see again. I, as you did, thoroughly enjoyed her song at the beginning, and I loved the feeling that the song brought up. It reminded me, too, of a great Disney song. My ONLY gripe about this whole thing is that she did not ONCE say "Bah, humbug!". Had she done so, I believe it would've made her role perfect. When it comes to the three ghosts, I feel that each one played the part perfectly, and that each character was exactly who they should have been. Ghost of Christmas past has always been portrayed as the more down to earth spirit; the one that gave it to you straight, and tried to ground Scrooge. AJ has, on more than one occasion, done this for her friends. Likewise, Ghost of Christmas present was always depicted as being jolly and joyful. The ghost that showed Scrooge that there was more to life than just work, and that the work Scrooge was doing was for the sake of joy. And, of course, Pinkie has done this well. And lastly, the Ghost of Christmases Yet to Come has always been the voice of warning. The spirit that(not often vocally) told Scrooge that if he continued down his path, it would not end well. Luna, on this front, has done so numerous times in the series. Acting as a voice of reason and warning. Guiding other ponies to choose the better path, lest they suffer. All in all, the casting for each of them was brilliant, and played to their characters strengths beautifully. The only issue I have with this episode is its implication. That ponies are FORCED to be kind to each other. Not out of any genuine desire, but because if they aren't then it would end in their deaths. This coupled with the fact that, has she succeeded in ending Hearth's Warming Eve at all, the ponies would've most likely found a new holiday to celebrate. These things sorta stopped it from being a perfect episode for me. That's not to say that I didn't enjoy the episode. Far from it. this is by far my favorite Hearth's Warming episode, but I felt that there were just a few things that weren't exactly solid with it.
This episode got a plus 3 stars JUST for having a singing Luna, but I feel like it should have been Nightmare Moon during the song of woe and fear, while Luna played the parts before and after, even if just visually
I didn't feel the holiday cheer, maybe because we don't celebrate Christmas here. Though I don't feel cheer at any other holiday either, besides winter and summer break, lol. I still enjoyed the songs. They were fantastic.
i want funko figures of all of them in their outfits. I bought the CD and love it, and Starlight has really grown on me. I really like her mane.. yeah it should have been a 2 parter..
One letter and two words: I wanted More. This SHOULD have been a two parter! They could have made this season 27 episodes. Why not? Season 3 was only 13 episodes and that was just so they could give way to Equestria Girls.
I find myself liking this episode more and more the more I watch it. I love the songs and like you, the moral of the story does hit a bit close to home in many ways. I agree that it isn't the best rendition of A Christmas Carol there is, but it's decent.
Anypony else think Professort Killjoy was a tribute to Snape? In appearance at least? Also thought both Starlight and her story counterpart should have glimpsed the Windegoes, as they did at the end of Heartsc Warming Eve. Other then that? Love love loved it!!
Meh... honestly this is my least favorite episode of the season so far. Is it considered a jump the shark moment when a show resorts to doing a Christmas Carol themed episode? If not, it probably should. Just seems like kind of a cop-out and somewhat uninspired, and why did they release this episode in May? You know what might have actually been an interesting direction to take. An episode where Starlight, even after being encouraged by her friends, still decides that she doesn't want to celebrate the holiday? Would have been a gutsy storyline for a kids show and including a moral about respecting other's beliefs would have been neat to see. Just a thought.
I liked the episode. but just something I would like to point out, kind of a head cannon. I think that the visuals in the episode were what starlight saw in her head as twilight read the story. thinking about this, this idea would show how much starlight knows about how much starlight has grow to know the character. she has spent time with pinkie and AJ, and she spent some time with Luna in the spike episode. thinking about that, her interpretation of Luna is appropriate. though Luna is kind and genuine, she can come of as cold and scary, and this is portaged in this episode, this shows how starlight sees Luna, since starlight spent very little time with Luna.
Well the scope of the issue was smaller than the original story (emotionally), so I did not really feel cheated there. Love Rainbow Dash with that mane cut.
The best episode so far with the best songs this season (ok, wasn't this difficult, having only apple blooms forgetable song so far). For Luna, Starlight and Apple Jack, it were their best solo songs too (ok, not so difficult either), but could have lasted longer. Pinkie's song is my new favourite for her too, I really liked the tone of it. And we had a nice villager song too. The references and cameos with for example Snape, Sherlock Holmes/ Dr. Watson and RD's Dad were really nice and It's only a shame that the episode was so rushed, they easily could have split in in two episodes.
I loved the whole episode - and agree with pretty much all your points. However, although what you said is true about the emotional impact, I didn't really mind, as inky opinion everything else in the episode made up for it. I'd give the episode a solid 9/10!
DERPY IS BEST TREE TOPPER!!!!!! this was a good episode, it was fun to see evil Starlight again, and that song sent chills down my spine, so good. nice review Doc
![[UNCUT] "บอสณวัฒน์" แฉ! แหล่งซุกเงินแก๊งบอส ขยันผิดที่ไม่กี่ปีก็เข้าคุก l คนดังนั่งเคลียร์ l17ต.ค.67](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/BL56qIfXYZM/mqdefault.jpg)
When I first watched it I was wondering why twilight and spike weren't given their own characters to play during the story but after my second viewing I realized they were playing a character in the story, they were the narrator like gonzo in a Muppet Christmas Carol
+Nazo- kage OHHHHH I like this idea!
Luna's song was BRILLIANT, I get cjills when I hear it
Discord as Jacob Marley would have been funny, but wouldn't Sunburst in that role make much more logical sense?
i think if sunburst was playing a role it would be Belle either as really close friends or more than that
+Prophetic Prose Honestly I wanted Celestia to play the role of Jacob Marley. Because I have a theory that what if the spirits aren't spirits, but illusions but both Celestia and Luna created to prevent something like what Snowfall was doing from happening.
Make sense? What fun is there in making sense.
I agree. Sunburst as Starlight's love interest would fit really well within the context of the Christmas Carol story. That was one of the many scenes from the story that the episode excluded that I wish we could've seen. This could've easily been a two part episode with everything from the story that could've been included here. Two-parters don't just have to be for season premieres and finales, you know.
@@RpGfreak901exactly
i enjoy how in this story it holds a bigger risk than the original story, in the original story Scrooge dies and people are either indifferent, making fun of him, or happy he's dead, Tiny Tim has passed and his family is left heartbroken, and that's about it, in this story if Snowfall accomplished her goal it would've meant the death of everyone from being frozen to death
This is my favourite episode of season 6 so far, and I did get a holiday cheer from this episode form the characters, the story and the music. I love the whole concept of the ponies doing a Christmas Carol and the Muppets Christmas Carol is by far my favourite adaptation, with this episode in a close second. I give it the full 10/10 ^^
I actuallly thought that something interesting played in the background of the story:
The potion knocked Frost unconsious, while in the Dream Luna set up this scenario so Frost would realise her mistake and not doom Equestria by causing an Ice Age. And Luna knew this would come up, because Celestia told her about it, as she saw it in one of her prophectic dreams.
This episode finally gave me what I had been looking for in a My Little Pony Holiday special! A traditional Holiday themed episode with its own unique twist. This is my favorite out of all of the Christmas episodes.
I found the moral rather appropriate for Starlight specifically. I mean, I've noticed that she is an exceptionally driven type of pony who's even willing to take risks if it means creating something she believes in. After all, she managed to somehow get her hands on Starswirl the Bearded's notes on time travel, and apparently something else as well, seeing as how she was able to match Twilight's alicorn magic... which isn't that crazy when you consider that the spell Twilight cast to become an alicorn _was_ Starswirl the Bearded's in the first place.
The idea that good intentions can be taken too far, that it's actually pretty easy to lose sight of what a better world looks like when you're in the heat of working to achieve your goals, applies to Starlight Glimmer's typical thought process as well as Snowfall Frost's in this story. Starlight has good intentions, but not much experience with friendship, with all the core values and traditions that make Equestria what it is. That's just how she lived for most of her youth after getting bitter at Sunburst when he got his cutie mark. This is an important lesson to learn, and so a defining episode for her character development.
I actually spent most of the episode, expecting to find out that Twilight was just making the story up. Admittedly, this came mostly from the Bob Cratchet stand in, being named Snow Dash and then being played by Rainbow Dash, like Twi was just making stuff up on the fly and casting thinly veiled versions of her freinds in the roles.
I have to say, Starlight just being a bit indifferent to the holiday, really doesn't compare to Snowfall wanting to erase it from existance, so I chalk this up to Twi over reacting a little. I must say, I really loved seeing 'Victorian' Canterlot and the little reference like the Sherlock Holms and Watson ponies in the street scenes (Who had appeared as their modern counterparts in Rairity Investigates BTW).
Honestly, the first time I watched it I was like, "meh." And then the songs got stuck in my head and compelled me to watch again and I thought, "actually this is pretty good...."
Aaaand then I sang Luna's song all day before watching it a third time and concluding that I freaking LOVE this episode! The music was fantastic and I understand why they didn't go as dark as even some of the other children's adaptations did. It may have even helped. I think if they tried to go more serious at the outset, they would have run up against the runtime wall and slammed into it. As it was, I didn't think it felt all that rushed and have I mentioned the music? (I love it.) This episode has definitely been keeping my spirits up during what has turned out to be a busy and stressful week for me. :D
This episode is definitely in my top ten best MLP episodes, simply because of the genuine cheer and joy it made me feel right from the start of the episode. Every song worked are to contribute weight and meaning to the story, but remained so wonderfully cheerful at the same time. I found myself actually downloading and playing them on repeat only moments after the end of the episode, which is something I have never had the desire to do before. It might be because of my love of musical theatre, or the place a Christmas carol has in my heart, but this episode really felt like the perfect balance of cheer, nostalgia and meaning.
This episode blew me away just omg. it was the 1st time Luna sang ALONE and it was so beautiful ;w;
I'm one of those weird people that never get tired of other shows tackling a Christmas carol.
I agree with this analysis on most aspects, but I think there is more going on here than a single viewing will reveal.
Firstly, though "A Christmas Carol" stands out as the greatest inspiration, there is also a strong "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" vibe. There is also, through the outstanding music, a Tim Burton/Danny Elfman feel that is powerfully reminiscent of "The Nightmare Before Christmas". There is even a touch of "A Charlie Brown Christmas" to be seen in Starlight's own characterization.
However, there are some key differences between the storyline here and "A Christmas Carol", and it is here that "Hearth Warming Tale" separates itself from "Mickey's Christmas Carol". "Mickey's" is a faithful retelling of the original Dickens story, tracking very closely the source material; its excellence is in execution and fitting the characters to the archetypes Dickens showed us. It was not, however, particularly original in its treatment, especially in the aforementioned characterization. In short, "Mickey's" did nothing new.
However, in "Hearth Warming Tail", the character archetypes are subtly altered in ways that change the subtext. The Scrooge of Dickens is a flat, cardboard rendition of the evil boss. In "Hearth Warming Tail", Snowfall Frost occupies Scrooge's role, but unlike Scrooge she truly has a point. She is genuinely working toward HER idea of a "better Equestria"; the fact that her vision is twisted does not reduce the sincerity of her character. This very nicely echoes what Starlight herself did, and thus is very intensely relevant.
You might notice that Ice Dash is not "abused" like Bob Cratchit. She is worked hard, but not oppressed. While there is an intense "boss/bossed" distinction, it is a distinction of position and responsibility not class. This is a key point that actually strengthens the Snowfall character, and makes Snowfall's goals all the more tragic. Unlike Scrooge, who is driven by greed, contempt for those "beneath" and a monstrous ego, Snowfall is driven by a genuine morality (work ethic before all) that is only evil because of Snowfall's insistence that this is the ONLY morality.
In other words, Snowfall is not evil simply because of her views. She is profoundly misguided, and her powerful abilities amplify that misguidedness to an existential threat to Equestrian society. She is in a position to push her ideas into reality, in a way that Ebeneezer Scrooge never could. But "danger" and "evil" are not one and the same.
One other important point that makes this all the more allegorical. Where is Celestia, within the confines of the story? The answer is, of course, "nowhere to be found" because this isn't about Equestria, Celestia, history or any persons who might have actually existed. This is about hardened attitudes and fallacies of purity. This is about the terrible price paid for any ideological crusade, no matter how noble the ideology appears to be on paper. This is all about "just what does your 'ideal' Equestria look like anyway"? (a very relevant question at this very moment... exactly what constitutes a "greater" nation?)
Perhaps I also place a greater weight on music. This episode was magnificent, and if "Hearth Warming Tail" is to be a breakout episode that can be shown to a wider, non-MLP-conversant audience it is the music (and lyrics) which will carry the day.
After a third viewing, I can safely say that this is in the top five episodes of the entire series, at least for me. While "Amending Fences" remains firmly cemented at the top, this episode stands with "Rarity Takes Manehattan", "Suited For Success", and "Sleepless In Ponyville" at the summit of an impressive body of work.
The music was so good and I really needed some Christmas cheer right about now.
Great, yes and yes, in answer to all your final questions to us commentators. I'am also in agreement with you about this episode on one point, even though I class this episode as perfect, I can't but help think how much MORE perfect it would have been as a two parter finale episode, which after I did some math would have put the episode around the mid to late autumn area, much closer to Christmas. For me, this episode didn't fall flat really anywhere and every scene was brilliant, so just thinking about the possibility of having more time in this episode to expand out the various parts really intrigues me. Great episode all round and a resounding 6 stars in my opinion.
The reason that the Muppets and Mickey did well was because Bob Crachet, Scoorge's worker had a loving family to go to with a sickly son who was in a crutch.. where as in MLP Rainbow Dash was heading to a big christmas party. That emotional factor is when they revealed if Tiny Tim wouldn't make it in the end dependent on Scoorge's choices. Here in MLP the choice is more... of a larger scale, while it isn't emotional.. it's more haunting.
Spike's commentary is getting better and better. The dragon's not just snarky, he's downright savage
+Micheal “Fold” Summers Yeah I laughed like crazy when he said that to Starlight even though I do like her redeemed (a lot thanks to the premiere as well as this episode) it was still funny of Spike of all people; er Dragons to say that. I love his sarcastic/snarky comments they're great. XD.
Season 6 has been a bit of a drag for the most part, but this episode really lifted my spirits. Good on Hasbro Studios for this one; it was a really good time.
I feel like people focus a little too much on the idea of this being a version of a Christmas Carol. It is a Christmas Carol only in the sense of it having spirits visiting a person who lacks a spirit of the season. Beyond that ey are different stories that have a very different purpose. A Hearth's Warming Tale is about Hearth's Warming not Christmas and therefore is based around why hearth's warming is important. If it tried to have the same story as A Christmas Carol it would ruin the point of the story IN THAT WORLD. The story is about what taking the holiday forgranted could lead to and the dangers of doing so. Each story is meant to talk about the purpose and value of their respective holidays. As each holiday has a different purpose it would defeat the purpose of the a Hearth's Warming Tale to copy the story of A Christmas Carol.
I absolutely loved this episode; it's overtaken "Gauntlet of Fire" as my favourite of S6. I adore "A Christmas Carol", and have watched more versions than I care to count. Of the "non-traditional" ones, the MLP version is really high up my list. Behind the Muppets' version, but that's virtually perfect -- but ahead of Mickey's, since that one's never really spoken to me for some reason. "Blackadder's Christmas Carol" is the only other adaptation I can think of that matches up to MLP's, albeit in a *very* different way!
Despite how cynical I may have grown as of late, I found this to be one helluva great episode. While I personally didn't grow up with A Muppet's Christmas Carol, I have definitely seen my fair share of Christmas Carol interpretations, and this one was one of the better ones.
There were just so many good points to it. It wasn't just a straight up retelling of the story as the Disney one, but rather fit it in to the existing mythos and fantastical world of MLP, incorporating Windigos and Starswirl into the story. It used a lot of songs to cram the story into the timeslot without feeling overly rushed (at least to me). It was a story told by the characters, rather than of them, again like the Muppet or Disney retellings, which gave them greater freedom for some things. For instance, the actual canonicity of the story of Snowfall Frost isn't all that important within the context of the episode since, like in our reality, it may well be a story created whole cloth. Another great point is that the characters being the ones we know just in different clothes kind of makes sense given that it is a story being told within the episode. Then having the story be told to Starlight Glimmer resonates so well with her story arc as someone who did the wrong things for the right reasons and as someone who needed to understand the power of friendship.
Did anyone notice the Perry the platypus doll?
i felt a sense of nostalgia while watching this episode. to be honest a christmas carol is one of my favorite holiday story, either mickey's version, the original version or even an animal version with a twist in the future, either way this episode hit me in the childhood. the were memorable heck luna song was one i cannot stop listening too. again this episode is amazing
That Luna song... I've been listening to it a lot.
That aside, I like that this episode has some nice world building and explains a serious reason for Hearths Warming. A world where if you don't keep the citizens happy, then dark spirits will freeze everything? It might make you look back at Celestia's choices a little differently.
I've seen so many versions of ACC that a new one couldn't possibly move me. Even at age 10, "The Muppet Christmas Carol" fell flat for me. (Then again, I like very little the Muppets have done post-Jim Henson.)
More importantly, MLP is even kiddier than the Muppets or Mickey Mouse, in a sense. It didn't skip Tiny Tim just to save time; it also wanted to skip the implication of death.
Snape, Snape, Severus Snape, Snape, Snape, Severus Snape...
+Neo Machine Am I not alone in wishing that Alan Rickman were still alive, just so that he could voice that segment? 7@=e
+Neo Machine Dumbledore!
+Neo Machine HARRY POTTER HARRY POTTER OOOOH HARRY POTTER HARRY POTTER
This episode is now my favorite telling of A Christmas Carol ever. Even more so than the Mickey one. I love it so much, and music pushes the story forward much better than just dialogue without songs could have ever pulled off in my opinion. ^_^
I've been dying for MLP to do an adaption of A Christmas Carol ever since season 1, and I thought it was very clever. The best part was no doubt the musical numbers. It is the best constructed musical episode we've had thus far.
With that said, I don't feel it's fair to compare this to Muppets or Mickey's Christmas Carol. Both of those had higher production. Mickey's Christmas Carol even premiered in theaters. Comparing this to other children's series, such as Pound Puppies, 101 Dalmatians, Animaniacs, ect. I thought this was one of the more emotionally impactful versions. Snowfall's backstory is genuinely heartbreaking and relatable. So going by those standards, I think this was a very solid episode.
I LOVED that episode ! Twilight really sounded like a mentor there, especially with the line "She did Something extreme for her own reasons", just like the first episode with her... also the part where Twilight spoke with Pinkie's voice that adorable.
Just like her, i never understood the point of chrismtas, so that episode was extra awesome for me since i could relate to my favorite best pony. This is my new favorite episode of the show.
Also Starlight was adorable in that suit !
I liked this episode, even thought it was out of season.
It took on a great story and performed it greatly.
After seeing this I wanted to see the real Christmas Carol story, even thought its a bit to early.
Can we just mention that this is the first time we've heard Young Starlight speak?
ah yes this episode. the MUSIC IS BEAUTIFUL
best songs of the season so far. they are really stepping up their game, and it gives me hope that the rest of the season is only going to improve. can't wait to see what else they have in store for us.
I actually really enjoyed seeing the different take MLP had on the classic Christmas Carol story. For me, while I knew the basic gist of the three ghosts turning up, things like filly Snowfall's school and the inclusion of the windigos gave it an enjoyable twist.
One of, if THE best episode so far of the whole show.
I LOVED EVERY SINGLE SONG IN ALL OF THE EPISODE! I COULD GET ENOUGH OF THE SONGS SO I RE LISTENED TO THEM SO MANY TIMES!. Cant wait to hear the fan versions of these songs.
It's Muppets, Christmas Carol and Grinch all rolled into one! It's Fabulous!
Though I still think the zemeckis film is the closest to the book
I'm about as christmasy as they get, and so a christmas episode right next to my birthday is great with me! :D I loved it though, truly. Perfect character casting, good songs. Really wonderful. ^^
This is probably my third favorite episode of the season. It's a beautiful episode that does manage to make me smile with great animation, fantastic songs, and a classic story being told in MLP fashion. Easily a 9/10 for me. If it weren't for No Second Prances, and Gauntlet of Fire being in front it would be my number 1 for season 6 easily.
I absolutely ADORED this episode. It was enjoyable and the songs were catchy and it made be believe, for the entire time I was watching it, that it was december. I've seen it twice now and after watching this, I'm gonna go see it again
If no one told ya yet, Doc, I imagine people wanting you to do a cover of "Say Goodbye to the Holiday" villain song are gonna be PLENTIFUL after that "Friends on the Other Side" of yours XD
I really enjoyed this episode, the songa were amazing. I especially loved how Applejack, Pinkie Pie and Luna were great representations of the spirits. Plus I loved how the background ponies were used in this episode, particularly the two background ponies that were dressed like Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson
You mean Silver Blaze and Dr. Trotson.
Pinkie and Luna's roles really made the episode for me, plus it was nice to see Starlight as a villain again (however brief it may have been).
How I rank the episodes of the season so far:
1 - Gauntlet of Fire
2 - No Second Prances
3 - The Gift of the Maud Pie
4 - A Hearth's Warming Tail
5- The Crystalling
6 - Newbie Dash
7 - On Your Marks
as a christmas carol is one of my fav story asi was enjoyable to see
I'm going to talk about this episode as part of my Hearth's Warming Triple Threat on Christmas Eve day, but, for now, I can say that it's a fun episode.
This is currently my favorite episode this season! I especially enjoyed the music/songs! :D
I absolutely ADORE this episode! And no, it's not because it Christmas (which is my favorite holiday ever). This rendition of Christmas Carol was actually very well done, and the characters fit the roles like a glove. Though it's not the best version, it's still a great version with great songs (As soon as it comes out on ITunes, I'm buying that soundtrack so fast!). This episode shares the spot of my favorite in the season along with "No Second Prances" and really look forward to watching it every year along with all my other Christmas movies and TV episodes/shorts around December!
I think this is my favorite Holiday episode.
I loved this, especially the Luna part I got so excited when I saw her and I was so worth it (i want her hoodie) o think her reformation was a bit rushed but then again I can forgive them for that due to short run time. I'd love this to have been a two parter (and derpy was just so sweet)
It was great to see ya at EFNW. I didn't think to get your autograph though, sadly.
i loved the episode, but i couldn't help but notice they didn't only use a chrismas carol to write it. To me it felt like a mashup of the grinch and a chrismas carol. And the song say goodbye to the holiday really felt like a chid friendly version of the song: hell to your doorstep from the musical count of monte christo. I really loved all the songs and the characters were spot on if you asked me!
As a fan of musical theater, it's very easy for me to come into an episode like this and think of it as such. We see the Mane 7 (minus Twilight) and Luna take on the roles of the book characters in a way that reminds me of stage actors. The number of songs never hurts when an episode like this plays out a story-within-a-story, which A Hearths' Warming Tail was at its core. The framing device was Twilight reading a book but much of the episode played out like it was happening on a stage because Luna and the Mane 7, minus Twilight, take on the roles of the characters in the book. That makes it a strong episode in that regard. Not all the other musically-sided episode in MLP's previous five seasons had this formula.
While it's always jarring for me to see a holiday episode out of season like this, it was still very enjoyable and I believe wholeheartedly that the professor pony who gave Snowfall Frost her ideology was a loving shout-out to Alan Rickman, even if it had finished production before he died, in which case it doubles as a tribute. No one can convince me it was just a coincidence and I know other people had Snape come to mind when he appeared because he looked and acted like him.
I felt that the only reason I love this episode is because of the music. It added both Christmas charm and some emotional weight that the story itself couldn't.
I think this episode could've been more memorable if they maybe made it a two parter. There's certainly a lot to the "A Christmas Carol" story they could've used, but they did leave a chilling mark with the Luna song. It kinda had that eerie, foreboding vibe, while keeping it the same show it always is. Unlike, the burning coffin to Hell in the Mickey version that made it turn a little darker than it should. *shudders* Still can't get over Pete's maniacal laughing.
THANK YOU! Finally, someone who 1. Doesn't go off one some massive bit about the timing of the ep. and 2. Was actually excited for a Pony version of A Christmas Carol rather then "Oh not another one, how played out." about it. Hell I was flat out excited for this the moment it even seemed like this might be what we could get just from the synopsis!
Yes Muppets did it better, but as pointed out, they had a longer run time to do it in. The Mickey one... I'd have to rewatch that one again. From what I can remember, I'd say while yes, the Mickey version was more emotional, the Pony one was more all around fun to watch.
Though one nitpick... it wasn't "Pandering" at all, and the over use of that word is getting annoying. Now yes you weren't just using it as some buzzword to complain about the show without ever actually making a case of how its wrong, but still using the wrong word that leads to that. It was not "Pandering" Fan service, oh most certainly yes, but NOT "Fan pandering" pandering is when you over use Fan Service as a replacement for actual quality. Try to get the fans to ignore all the other issues with the story simply by giving them something flashy. Rather then work it in as part of a story that still holds up amazing even without any idea about the outside context.
As to the question, Like I said, I was hyped for this idea from the reveal of the episdoe summery and am SO glad we got it. And yes the casting choices were brilliant. The songs are what made the ep so amazing. (Personal order for me Luna>Pinkie>Starlight>Ending=Opening>AJ) And, yeah I did get some warm and fuzzies from it, especially with Pinkie's song, and I just love the message of it. It's not trying to make a case for ignoring the whole gift giving thing and focus on the being together, but rather making clear, the gift giving is part of that, it's not about getting stuff, but about just how good it can feel to give someone something nice, even if it's just a hug. Loved it.
Yup, good episode, but I can't say I was much into the Christmas spirit in the middle of May lol. I know I will re-watch it closer to the holidays though and I look forward to seeing it again then!
I think it was a good musical episode, not to mention I think it was a nice change of pace for an season that's had a rather bumpy start. But the pattern seeking primate in me can't help but think that they did a Hearth's Warming Eve episode to remind us of the windigos because they are going to play a role in the future of the season somehow. Such as we find out that the baby is actually a windigo which is why she brings so much misery to everyone.
I definitely felt Christmas cheer! And my favorite part has to be Luna's part. Although Christmas Past is my favorite character in A Christmas Carol, I think they'd do better with having Applebloom or Sweetie Belle playing her, for Christmas Past is supposed to be a little girl.
This as a two parter probably would've been better than anything they can give us for the actual finale. Discord as Jacob Marley! C'mon! Make it happen!
I liked this episode of MLP, but i feel that the story was not trying reform snowfall as much as it was trying to conceive the significance of the holiday showing when/why she stopped caring for the holiday, what the Holiday is all about to those who celebrate it and shows what will happen without the holiday.
This story was it's own take on "A Christmas Carol" As Snowfall is trying to end the holiday for what she thinks will be the greater good. It has its own spin on it. While I agree it wasn't as heart-tugging as other versions of this tale it still was a good episode in my opinion.
Also was anyone else thrown off by Luna being the ghost of Hearth-Warming's-Yet-to-come? Not that I didn't enjoy it but i thought that they were going to do a mane six thing where the main characters play all the significant roles. Also was Luna flying that whole time? Because that cloak she was wearing look like she was standing on the ground.
the songs really helped, I loved every single one.
Tap dancing ponies. Enough said.
+Tyler Wood Wasn't there another episode where, I believe, Pinkie Pie, correct me if I'm wrong, I don't watch MLP very much, did that?
David Timmer Not to my knowledge at least
+David Timmer I don't think so. Maybe you're thinking of Tender Taps in On Your Marks.
+David Timmer There is a very short tap dancing part at the beginning of Magical Mystery Cure, during the song "Morning In Ponyville"
Poulped Oh yes, of course. That's probably what he's thinking of.
i'll admit i was excited seeing my favorite Christmas story redone for MLP FIM but i will openly admit it wasn't as good as it could have been. my only real issue was how a single moment in her past is what caused her transition from "i love this holliday!" to "screw this holliday!" where as in the original story there were a long line of misfortunes and tragedies that caused Scrooge to develop that mindset. making the episode a 2 part episode would have been the better way to go just to add a little more run time to work with
Personally I still vote for Sunset being in the Marley roll. Not only because her story parallel's with Starlight's and would fit the characters from "A Christmas Carol" better but also for the massive surprise that would have been.
The songs were nice (especially "Luna's Future" sung by Aloma Steele [I'll bet most of you didn't know that Kazumi Evans didn't sing for Luna there]), and I really like Pinkie dress as the "Spirit of Hearth's Warming Presents.
Her own indifference to other ponies' joy ... it lead her down villainous roads.
i fucking LOVED the music in this one!
Ghost of Applejack -- that confirms the life after death in Equestria.
Looking back at the episode and the Muppet and Mickey take on the Christmas Carol story I think I know what the MLP version was missing. There was no Tiny Tim character. Yes Feather Weight was most likely a reference during the song but there was no significant character who specifically picked to play him like how Dash was Bob Cratchet, AJ, Pinkie and Luna were the ghosts and Starlight was Scrooge. Part of what makes Scrooge's change of heart believable is that he emotionally connects with Tiny Tim and is heartbroken and guilt ridden when he is taken to future and finds that Tiny Tim dies far too young. That he might have changed that if he was a kinder man. That and the revelation that after Scrooge himself dies no one visits his grave or cares about him. Wanting to change both his fate and Tiny Tim's is what causes Scrooge to change and become a better man.
It's possible that for time reasons they didn't include the character in a major role but again Mickey's version was still able to keep the character and the emotional impact. They wouldn't have even needed to do much. Given her connection to Rainbow Dash and her implied handicap Scootaloo could have been a good fit for Tiny Tim. She could have had a few lines or a quick moment showing her love for the holiday and possibly to remind Snow Frost of herself in her younger days. When the Ghost of Hearth's Warming Yet to Come reveals that Snow Frost removing the holiday removes the protection it provides from the Wendigoes, Snow Frost could then realize that one of the ponies who suffers is Scootaloo's character. That could give her line about not knowing what would happen all the more impact because she didn't know that she will doom someone she cares about by doing this.
I loved this episode purely for the music. Starlight's villain song has officially replaced "This Day Aria" as my favorite MLP song, and that's hard to top!
There's just one thing that bugs me, as long as that brew is around, any unicorn could trigger the spell to cancel the holiday and erase everyone's memory of it. So what happened to it is a major plot hole given one can't just bury it or pour it on the grass given the dangers it possesses.
To me 'A Christmas Carol' is often misinterpreted as make a grouchy old man celebrate an over rated, over done holiday. Forcing some one to participate with every one else or die just doesn't appeal to me. Having said that 'A Christmas Carol' is one of my favorite Christmas stories. It was only a few years ago that I realized that the story is really about showing a person who has been terribly heart that is ok to be loved and to love others. Only then could he be generous both with himself and others. Haven't seen any of season six yet because I'm waiting for it to come out on NetFlix but I still enjoy watching your commentaries Dr. Wolf.
I share a birthday with Irving Berlin (May 11th, just a few days before this aired), and I live in Bing Crosby's hometown, so of course my favorite Christmas story is... A Christmas Carol. :P The Mickey version is the one that made me love the story, and the Patrick Stewart version is brilliant and very true to the story. So this probably won't be taking either of those spots. But it was an interesting and different take, and that plus the music will land it a solid 3rd place.
I thought it was wonderful and had some really bouncy tunes.
While I'd reckon quite a few fans were stoked to see Luna (and her character design was awesome), I felt Zecora might've been a better fit for the character. Luna was good, though. Also, it took me a moment to realize what happened and I thought it was a little cheap to tell Starlight Glimmer's character that her unilateral focus on doing good caused the Windegos to return, since Twilight herself started out not understanding why she needed to have friends (a bad choice to have it be her reading, instead maybe Rarity).
Instead of having the consequence being the Windegos returning, instead could be shown listless, boring ponies who don't excel at anything and just talk about bettering the world, with no drive to do so because they don't play anymore... and perhaps start to resemble the Equal-sign ponies from last season, with maybe a blank flank or two getting their Cutie Mark being just that.
This episode left me feeling really disappointed. When Twilight sat down with that book and said that she was going to give us one of their Holiday tales, I was really excited. But then, the writers gave us... "A Christmas Carol", the same thing we've seen every other cartoon do around Christmas time. Come on. I thought that was so lazy. We have this amazing fantasy world with magical ponies who have this fantasy winter holiday. With all of that to draw from, you would think that we would get an amazing and interesting holiday story that would give us some really neat world building instead of the same old "Scrooge" story that we've seen time and time again. How many times have we seen this? Seriously? They had this amazing fantasy world with this neat holiday. They couldn't have come up with some unique and cool tale for it? I didn't want to see "Scrooge". I wanted to see a real Equestrian holiday tale!
I just recently(meaning in the last few hours) watch this episode, and I must say I was rather impressed. Though there were a lot of songs in it, I feel like that played to the strengths of the story, as A Christmas Carol is generally played as a musical. Starlight being a villain and being the "Ebeneezer Scrooge" of the story was delightful, and was interesting to see again. I, as you did, thoroughly enjoyed her song at the beginning, and I loved the feeling that the song brought up. It reminded me, too, of a great Disney song. My ONLY gripe about this whole thing is that she did not ONCE say "Bah, humbug!". Had she done so, I believe it would've made her role perfect.
When it comes to the three ghosts, I feel that each one played the part perfectly, and that each character was exactly who they should have been. Ghost of Christmas past has always been portrayed as the more down to earth spirit; the one that gave it to you straight, and tried to ground Scrooge. AJ has, on more than one occasion, done this for her friends. Likewise, Ghost of Christmas present was always depicted as being jolly and joyful. The ghost that showed Scrooge that there was more to life than just work, and that the work Scrooge was doing was for the sake of joy. And, of course, Pinkie has done this well. And lastly, the Ghost of Christmases Yet to Come has always been the voice of warning. The spirit that(not often vocally) told Scrooge that if he continued down his path, it would not end well. Luna, on this front, has done so numerous times in the series. Acting as a voice of reason and warning. Guiding other ponies to choose the better path, lest they suffer. All in all, the casting for each of them was brilliant, and played to their characters strengths beautifully.
The only issue I have with this episode is its implication. That ponies are FORCED to be kind to each other. Not out of any genuine desire, but because if they aren't then it would end in their deaths. This coupled with the fact that, has she succeeded in ending Hearth's Warming Eve at all, the ponies would've most likely found a new holiday to celebrate. These things sorta stopped it from being a perfect episode for me. That's not to say that I didn't enjoy the episode. Far from it. this is by far my favorite Hearth's Warming episode, but I felt that there were just a few things that weren't exactly solid with it.
My hearth gets warmed
Has anyone else noticed that in the background of this and Rarity Investigates you can see pony versions of Sherlock Watson and Moriarty
Luna needed a longer song, I simply loved how she was channeling bands like Nightwish or Within Temptation :)
I did get a holiday vibe. I watched this episode on December 21st.
I don't think the episode was really intending to be emotional or heartfelt as much as cheery. And my gosh, Luna's song was INTENSE.
This episode got a plus 3 stars JUST for having a singing Luna, but I feel like it should have been Nightmare Moon during the song of woe and fear, while Luna played the parts before and after, even if just visually
_And the reason is to be with your friends~_ {PAH!}
And the reason is to be with your friends!
A very good episode, albeit one that was mostly just there to be a re-telling of "A Christmas Carol". Everything else was sort of an after thought.
I didn't feel the holiday cheer, maybe because we don't celebrate Christmas here. Though I don't feel cheer at any other holiday either, besides winter and summer break, lol. I still enjoyed the songs. They were fantastic.
i want funko figures of all of them in their outfits. I bought the CD and love it, and Starlight has really grown on me. I really like her mane.. yeah it should have been a 2 parter..
One letter and two words: I wanted More. This SHOULD have been a two parter! They could have made this season 27 episodes. Why not? Season 3 was only 13 episodes and that was just so they could give way to Equestria Girls.
this was a grate episode they did the story well and i like that rianbows (dad?) made it in at the end i think that was nice
I find myself liking this episode more and more the more I watch it. I love the songs and like you, the moral of the story does hit a bit close to home in many ways. I agree that it isn't the best rendition of A Christmas Carol there is, but it's decent.
A later magic lesson with Lightning Bliss implied that the line "Some hurts never go away" would have also hit him close to home.
defiantly worth a rewach this December
Anypony else think Professort Killjoy was a tribute to Snape? In appearance at least? Also thought both Starlight and her story counterpart should have glimpsed the Windegoes, as they did at the end of Heartsc Warming Eve. Other then that? Love love loved it!!
Meh... honestly this is my least favorite episode of the season so far. Is it considered a jump the shark moment when a show resorts to doing a Christmas Carol themed episode? If not, it probably should. Just seems like kind of a cop-out and somewhat uninspired, and why did they release this episode in May?
You know what might have actually been an interesting direction to take. An episode where Starlight, even after being encouraged by her friends, still decides that she doesn't want to celebrate the holiday? Would have been a gutsy storyline for a kids show and including a moral about respecting other's beliefs would have been neat to see. Just a thought.
I liked the episode.
but just something I would like to point out, kind of a head cannon. I think that the visuals in the episode were what starlight saw in her head as twilight read the story. thinking about this, this idea would show how much starlight knows about how much starlight has grow to know the character. she has spent time with pinkie and AJ, and she spent some time with Luna in the spike episode.
thinking about that, her interpretation of Luna is appropriate. though Luna is kind and genuine, she can come of as cold and scary, and this is portaged in this episode, this shows how starlight sees Luna, since starlight spent very little time with Luna.
Well the scope of the issue was smaller than the original story (emotionally), so I did not really feel cheated there. Love Rainbow Dash with that mane cut.
The best episode so far with the best songs this season (ok, wasn't this difficult, having only apple blooms forgetable song so far). For Luna, Starlight and Apple Jack, it were their best solo songs too (ok, not so difficult either), but could have lasted longer. Pinkie's song is my new favourite for her too, I really liked the tone of it. And we had a nice villager song too. The references and cameos with for example Snape, Sherlock Holmes/ Dr. Watson and RD's Dad were really nice and It's only a shame that the episode was so rushed, they easily could have split in in two episodes.
it's a Great take on A Christmas Carol of MLP and Pinkie's song is the Best part of the episode
I loved the whole episode - and agree with pretty much all your points. However, although what you said is true about the emotional impact, I didn't really mind, as inky opinion everything else in the episode made up for it. I'd give the episode a solid 9/10!
DERPY IS BEST TREE TOPPER!!!!!!
this was a good episode, it was fun to see evil Starlight again, and that song sent chills down my spine, so good.
nice review Doc
And I loved the implication that Dinky is taking magic lessons from Twilight.
The music for this episode was awesome. I kind of wish that some of the songs could have been a bit longer.