I know that the time stamp at the beginning is wrong! Reaction starts at 4:00

What amuses me is that the fans getting angry over the episode are exactly the part of the fanbase the episode is about, and they're the ones THAT NEED TO LEARN THIS EPISODE'S MORAL.

The Apples should tell all those ponies, "Okay, if you're really part of our family, you can do some work on the farm. That's what our family does, right?" Most of those ponies probably wouldn't stick around for very long. XD

A lot of the fandom complaints in the episode can also be applied to other characters. "Why is Starlight in this episode? Why doesnt Twilight trust Trixie, I thought she just learned to trust her student? Why does Starlight keep using magic?" I've seen people act offended by this episode, but as far as I'm concerned, it was needed, there are portions of the fandom that haven't changed, they're just as offensively critical as they always have been.

That they don't solve the problem in the end is kinda on purpose I think. It's not a problem that will ever go or be solved as long as MLP exists and has an adult fandom. Great reaction, Luffy! :D

I also just really love the mane 6's solo's in the song.. They all acknowledge their strengths and weaknesses. Such a great summary of them while showing both sides.

That Fluttershy freak-out. Loved it! I was so proud of her for that moment in the episode! Her transition to becoming bolder was slow, yes, but it was also eventful and very satisfying. Both she and you are absolutely right, too: learning a lesson the first time doesn't guarantee a change in personality or character overnight. It takes time.

Speaking of Rarity hate, I am reminded of Alexside's reaction to "Life is a Runway". Super negative reaction to the point of saying she looked like a slut. He got a bunch of backlash for it.

I love how the episode literally took a sharp jab at a huge part of the fandom, however I also think the song is a metaphor for the writers as well. Writers aren't perfect and they make flaws, look at what happened when AKR wrote Filli Vanilli, her writing of pinkie pie got her death threats from all across the fandom. That is an overreaction about a character in a kid's show, and plenty of "fans" have those overreactions. We may never know if she wrote Pinkie flawed or if it was done on purpose but the reactions from bronies was beyond stupid. Meta moments with 5 of the mane 6 was pretty spot on Rarity = jab at Rarity haters who don't even try to understand her character Pinkie = jab at fans who think Pinkie takes nothing seriously and is just comic relief with no maturity Fluttershy = jab at those who think Fluttershy just relearned the same lessons without any result Rainbow Dash = jab at the RD lovers who fangirl over her just for being "cool" and think she can do no wrong Applejack = possibly a subtle jab but it was referencing the fact that many bronies have called her a background pony, hence why she was freaking out about being "popular" Twilight = I didn't see a huge jab for Twilight unless you count the alicorn thing, but that's not an issue i see that many Twi haters have, the ones i see are those that just think she is too "mary sue" with writers trying to put random flaws on her to counter those claims. Some have said she is too full of herself and too self absorbed but really its hard to pinpoint a common "flaw" fans critique about her which might be why hers wasn't made a big deal in this. Pinkie and Applejack being related(?), Twilight being better without wings, this episode was full of meta and laughs and quite honestly became one of my top 5. As usual your reaction was amazing, Luffy! Cant wait to see you react to the next episode! ^.^/ (sorry about my paragraph :P)

This episode's lesson is one of my favourites so far. Mainly because I actually learned it as an adult, slowly over the last couple years, rather than as a kid. I mean, kid-me did learn that I shouldn't care too much about what people thought of ME, but I never applied it to OTHER things. Even as recently as Rainbow Falls, I was annoyed by people complaining that Rainbow was ignoring her element, when the episode's conflict was actually about loyalty to her friends and current home vs loyalty to the place she was born and raised, and undoubtedly still strongly associated herself with. But, obviously, I wouldn't have been able to change what those people thought. Plenty of people will never consider that Cloudsdale was Rainbow's home for years, and plenty of those who do will always feel that she should've never considered competing for her old home and friends over her current ones. Those people will think what they think, and they have every right to do so - and, if they were in her situation, perhaps they really WOULD have done things the way they said she should, focusing entirely on their current home over their place of birth. I can't stop people from being - in my opinion, anyway - overly hard on this show. But I can stop myself from getting upset about it. But I learned that myself, before this episode was a thing, so I get to continue my streak of learning absolutely nothing from this kids' show due to my adultiness.

I know some people who hate this episode but after watching this episode then it's obvious they hated it cuz they didn't like seeing themselves in the mirror. I love this episode.

As someone who suffers anxiety, I relate to Fluttershy a whole lot. I always thought that people who criticized her development didn't realize that you can't face your fears once and completely overcome them. It is a single step down a long hard road, a process. Plus, you can conquer one aspect of your fear and still struggle with other parts of it. So I love what Fluttershy said in this episode. Best Pony

Really enjoyed this episode, and I'm glad you understood the heart of the matter it represented, unlike many other reactors (who ironically tend to be on the overly criticizing end). As far as Larson writing the episode, he came up with the main concept some years ago, but the episode was mostly written by the current writers. They indeed credited Larson as the writer because they didn't want to take backlash from the fandom, but it's not like Larson had NOTHING to do with the episode and they just rolled the "blame" on him. I presume Jim Miller was most involved in writing this one, because some of his tweets he tweeted during last season. This episode is basically summed up in those few tweets. I liked that in the end they didn't solve the problem, but Twilight just said "They can wait a little longer". It's basically the writers saying "The fandom will keep fighting amongst itself, but at the end of the day, we make this show for little girls and don't/can't care about the fandom". Also, the pony asking "Are Applejack and Pinkie Pie related" is the writers saying "Does it really matter?". All in all, it's an episode by the writers, for the writers. Also, "Flawless" is definitely one of my favourite songs the show has ever produced. I like how it was assertive, in-your-face, almost angry while still being upbeat. Was cool that the Mane 6 was almost singing to the fandom itself. I agree that the songs on the show have improved incredibly, and I love that they're doing experimentations with it (I usually don't even like songs in cartoons, but I love them in MLP). I'm not sure it's thanks to the EG movies, though. I'm sure they helped (especially Rainbow Rocks), but the songs always had progressive, folkish and bold orchestral elements to them, since the beginning. Those are all elements that have become the staple of current MLP songs. They just originally had that cartoonish "jingle" element ot them, that they eventually lost. And I feel the most important song for that to happen was "This Day Aria". It was completely different from any song up until that point, and is still very unique and one of the best MLP songs to this day. :)

"A cutie mark summer camp *is* a great idea." Sure, Starlight, but you might want to ask Maud to find you a new storage unit for all those cutie marks. ;)

15:12 - F*CKING A!!! Nobody can just automatically change who they are just from learning something one time! I personally delivered a *very* well-deserved "in your FACE!" to Flaming Shark for that one!! Welcome to 'Fame and Misfortune', aka "So Meta It HURTS"!

It took until now, but I just caught it: "we're not writing this show for you bronines, we're writing it mainly for the target audience, and that's what we intend to continue to do. In other words, our characters are not being catered to your whims, but to what we intended this show to be from the start." Case in point: Moliminious and his critique of "The Perfect Pear." He absolutely hated it and gave it a very scathing review! He read far to into the "Romeo and Juliet" aspect, and I dare say, without realizing it, was looking at it through the lens of anime, of which I know he is a huge fan. He completely missed the point of the episode and the message, and then proceeded to rip apart the writing staff about things that had been bugging him about their story writing, but also completely missing the point of the show in general by doing so. He'd be one of those ponies out there who completely miss the message, whereas the writers know that their target audience will always get the message that's being taught, and who cares what the "fluff" think. In fact, I'd go as far as to say that the six of them were looking at the fandom through the eyes of the writers and basically sending a message to the bronies: STOP TAKING THIS SHOW SO %#$&#@*! SERIOUSLY! I also find that interesting that they do this following up "The Perfect Pear," when you consider William Shatner was a voice actor in it, and he had one of the greatest Saturday Night Live skits ever done as he pretending to be the guest speaker at a Trekkie convention and, in a lampooning sense, ripped the fans to shreds by telling them to get a life, watching a 36 year old man look ashamed as he asked him if he'd ever kissed a girl, telling them it was just a TV show he did as a lark for a few years, so they should move out of their parents basements, etc. Find the skit and tell me if you can't see the same thing in that in this! LOL! Anyway, because of this, you've shed a light on the creative staff and now I know why it is I've loved the show but never gone as far as some have, because I don't revolve my whole life around what I want the show to be, and just appreciate it for what it is.

I do not understand the speculation that "Flawless" was pointless. I think it is pretty straight forward with its message. I mean, sure, the conflict with the other ponies wasn't really resolved, but isn't that realistic? People will criticize and be pricks about it, no matter what you try to do. You just gotta think about how it affects you. Also, that Rarity face was great.

I actually didn't realize that the staff were hinting at Pinkie and AJ actually being related with the hints from Goldie Delicious. I may be good at noticing certain details, but others I can be woefully ignorant of. And concerning the writers crediting Larson... I think Flim and Flam may have written this episode. ; ) I'm also very glad that you picked up on Twilight's first use of the Royal Canterlot Voice.

If you notice, the newspaper Rarity was reading gave the Friendship Journal a star and a half review. >D

23:00 All of the Mane6 reflections are assymetrical. In the song about flaws, Got to love this level of attention to details

Toola Roola and Coconut Cream are G3 ponies. The first scene is also a reference to the G1 episode ice cream wars.

When luffy said a flawless charecter is boring it reminded me of this guy I used to have a crush on,he was the smartest in the class,the most athletic and basically acted as if he had no flaws,I finally realized he was the most boring guy I've ever met BECAUSE he acted flawless

I hope you watched this again. Lots of stuff and lines you missed because of reacting. I think you will like this even more

Guess I'm the only one who didn't think of the fillies as target audience. I saw them as the fans that take the show and lessons to heart

"Tourists are like that" I once rode 2 hours to meet James Rolfe, have him sign some stuff, and 2 hours back. It was worth it.

8:26 "When can we see Cheese Sandwich again?" Whenever Weird Al is drunk enough to accept another role as a technicolor horse.

7:24 Rainbow: "When I learn something, I learn it hard!" Sex Ed must have been quite the experience for RD.

I completely agree with you this episode pointed out all the points that I have been thinking for years...like you don't just change over night, sometimes it takes steps for different people

10:16 "hearing Starlight say that..."

It wasn't that Twilight didn't keep the journal in good shape. I'm sure she did.....right up until it had to survive the destruction of Golden Oaks. I'd say it weathered that pretty well all things considered.

"ego the size of a whale" WHALES CONFIRMED CANON. IMMA MAKE WHALE OC. IT WILL BE SO COOL.

Did anyone else notice how they put the Earth Ponies, the Pegasi and the Magic Users together in different sections of the song? Cause I seriously loved that bit, it made the song just that little bit better. And personally, to me, the song was the best bit of the episode, only nearly bested by the actual focus of the episode and the message it sends to the viewers. But still, the way they put Rainbow and Fluttershy together, Apples and Pinkie together and Twilight and Rarity - who are both magic users - together was something I really loved about this episode.

Yay!! Another awesome video from my favorite reactor. You do a great job and are an absolute entertainment to watch. Thank you for going through so much work to get these videos out and give your audience such good quality videos. Your commentary after each video is also great because it is such a fresh and honest set of thoughts and opinions on what you watched. Looking forward to more videos and more hilarity. Keep up the fantastic work and thanks again Luffy.

I do have agree with you Luffy about the pinkie/apple issue. Whenever the writers say something directly some fans scream "show don't tell!" But when the writers do use more subtle hints the same fans complain about vagueness. It's like getting your cake and then after spitting on it whining about soggy cake!

Nice intro replacement, Luffy. I never expected Disturbed could fit MLP so well! Superb reaction as always :3

Talk about an episode with a wake up call. I'll admit that I was one who once complained that Fluttershy learns the same lesson over again, but that's just life! This episode helped me realize that. On another note, I heard that some bronies got offended by this episode, and I'm just like, "Really?" This show's purpose is to teach life lessons that can be applied to people of all ages (more often than not), and there's nothing wrong with critiquing, but when it gets to complaining, then you need a wake up call! "Twilight shouldn't have gotten wings! Starlight shouldn't be part of the main cast! Wah wah wah!" IT'S NOT ABOUT THAT! And that last scene really does reflect the fandom now. While most kids are watching this and focusing on the lessons it teaches, LIKE THE SHOW WAS MADE FOR, most adult bronies are just spiraling things out of proportion. Adults can learn a lot from the simplicity of children. Sorry to get on a soap box, but this was truly a wake-up call episode for me, and I will try to be less "complainy" from now on! Definitely a great episode that only someone like Larson can create!

Toola Rula is a Gen 3 pony. This episode is a metaphor for the fandom. When Hasbro released the series to begin with, they did not expect the fandom to ever grow to its current size. Each voice actor has had their Fame and Misfortune and has proven how much the enjoy but also disapprove of the fandom. The point of the episode was to communicate how the show staff think of the fandom and the head cannons that have been produced. They have tried every way to communicate their thoughts, even through song but the fandom continues to argue over every epidode. But even 1 change, 1 good thing like BronyCon's chariy auction, can make all the annoyances worth it. And just like it said at the end, the staff will still have to deal with the fandom but they choose to accept it and deal with the annoyances. And, the fandom can wait a while for different things to be revealed.

I’m glad the fandom has become more friendly as the years went on, more so in 2020-21 I feel. I joined this community in 2018 and 90% of the people I’ve met have been nothing but nice, and understanding of opinions. This episode was amazing.

Friendship isn't easy but it's worth fighting for - Return of harmony

"Wow, you really didn't look after that well." Yeah, it looked like it was inside a library that exploded or something.

5:00 - no, you *are* correct, in a way. "Return of Harmony" _was_ meant to be the season 1 finale, with the intent of the season having an opening and closing 2-parter. But Hasbro wanted to have a 26-episode first season, so R.O.H. was bumped to the season 2 opener; that explains why their intros still used the season 1 opening credits. So yeah, not really 'gelling', but more like odd episode placement.

When that mare is rambling about fluttershy not being relatable in the right two fluttershy fans walk of shyly

This is definitely one of my favorite episodes of all time for this show.

What I love the most about this episode is how each group represents different sides of the fandom: Rarity- "This is really what the episode is about..." (The Misinterpreters) Pinkie Pie-"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA I LOVE IT" (The ones that just wanna seek interest/comedy) Rainbow Dash- "OMGGGG IT'S YOU" (The ones that just like the character, not anything else) Fluttershy- "YOU DON'T STAND OUT! Y U NO MAKE SENSE" (This one is obvious.) Applejack- "I RELATE TO THIS CHARACTER SOOOOO HARD" (Those that look up to/wanna be this character)

im glad you noticed how EQG changed the shows music i thought i was alone in that thinking

Rarity has been my favorite pony from the very start of the series and is my top pony with Fluttershy as second

I bet Rainbow's parents would make a fortune selling merch to all those ponies on team dash in this episode!

This season has a great number of songs. Obviously, my favorite is Pear Butter's song("Your'e in My Head like a Catchy Song") but on the upbeat side, "We're not Flawless" is the best of S7 in my opinion.

"Flawless characters are boring characters?" Sakamoto Desu Ga? A whole anime about a flawless protagonist. It's great.

You agreed with the show's stance on Fluttershy's character development. That alone makes your reaction to this episode the best I've seen. It's kinda sad that you're sort of the only one I've seen that has wholeheartedly supported it.

liked your over thoughts at the end of episode

12:05 I just realized right now that when DWK gets to this scene he is no doubt going to consider starlight glimmer his avatar for the bloody vengeance that must be heaped on those two for insulting his wifu, and twilight agrees.

60fps! Never saw luffy move this smoothly before.

How they got the ponies to stop: when the main 6 and the two fillies went to sleep. Starlight mind controlled everyone into forgetting about the book.

The meta ness of this episode was off of the charts and it was absolutely amazing! From Applejack being popular, to Rarity being disliked to the meta ness of Fluttershy learning a similar lesson over and over. He was really pushing it with the fandom, and it was just pure awesomeness. I loved it so much, and really this episode really does show how much they've all changed, while not a lot they've still changed, and it's great to see in this episode being let out and explored. Loved it so much. XD. Apparently it was Larson's idea (or part of the idea) but he didn't actually write the episode. So he's not really back yet.

Saved your season 7 playlist so we can binge watch - and probably spam you with comments - after the end of the season. Currently trying to catch up a little on Fairy Tail, Gintama (still years behind on both) and Magi. Also I just started Shark's Re:Zero playlist. But this will be the first port of call when we get back around to MLP. I'll also be looking out for the rest of the Overlord episodes if/when you have the time to get back to them. Hope you're keeping well, and enjoying the cooler weather. Never been a fan of hot weather myself, unless i'm sat by a pool or on a beach, and there's not many days out of a year I get the chance to do that lol

Anyone notice how they weren't perfectly in sync during the song, especially towards the end? Harmony wise, they each had slightly different melodies and chords, that all worked together to make a great song. Another great example of the sound guys doing a great job!

After A Royal Problem and The Perfect Pear, this is my favorite episode of the season. I wasn't a fan in the early days and so missed most of the drama, but I've become well-acquainted with it since starting to watch the show and I found this absolutely hilarious and on-point. This episode also doesn't just apply to MLP, but to any fandom, obviously. I'm a Star Wars guy. I've been in the Star Wars fandom for a long time, and you can imagine how that can be at times; honestly, sometimes I've been one of those types of fans, especially with the whole Disney thing. You could easily change a few things about this episode and make it be about different Star Wars fan factions and it wouldn't lose anything. I love it, and I love the message. I also really appreciate the MLP connection specifically of course. I've said that I'm a Rarity fan and everything you said here feels completely on-point. The same is true for the other characters, obviously. The Fluttershy bit is probably the best part of the episode. One more thing: the song. Honestly the first time I heard it I wasn't a huge fan of it; it just didn't really grab me for whatever reason. But on subsequent viewings I've appreciated it more and more, and now I can honestly say I love it and somehow I think it's become one of my favorite songs of the series. The message is great of course, but the rhythm, visuals, editing, and voice-work are all fantastic. I'm so happy that they did this the way they did.

season 7 is quickly becoming my favorite as this was a solid addition as to what season 7 has been so far, also the song was catchy and actually had a purpose in the episode 10/10

After finally seeing this episode, I honestly think this might be in my top 5 episodes of all time.

23:43 Anyone notice that Pinky's line was a bit delayed in the song there? Not sure if they were making a statement about the character's being imperfect, or just a normal song thing.

This episode was almost as meta as, "Slice of Life!" I love when shows take jabs at their own audiences! xD

I love the intro, disturbed is one of my favorite bands

Around 16:06 you can hear someone calling rarity "background pony"

I've always enjoyed watching your reactions. Feels like I'm watching with an old friend of mine. No one around where I live likes the show, so it's nice to come onto youtube and find stuff like this. Also, Toola Roola was the name of a G3 mane character. Throwback moment!

This is a pretty good episode. The parallels with the fandom is pretty good. The facial expressions are great. Crazy Rarity is great.

15:05 Best pony just keeps getting better and better :)

Your outburst at Fluttershy's part - Thank you.

you have the uncanny ability to completely talk over my favourite joke in any given episode XD

I laughed so hard at the irony of this episode and it even become one of my top five, as it was a "TAKE THAT!" to the Fandom. a great episode, with an epic song. Also in the fandom, Rarity is well liked while AJ is jokingly a "background" pony. So this episode was definitely interesting to see.

Anyone else replaying his reaction to Rarity around 15:40? Also, great use of a Disturbed song.

All of Rainbow Dash's fans were children. That's the meta message I got from that scene.

27:53 these lines hit home to me, because my mom thinks that a problem goes away once you solve it, like my severe anxiety... but it doesn't and it makes her mad.

Need to admit this song is beautiful

damn, this episode was the fandom in a freaking nutshell

Great to hear another reaction from you Luffy

His reactions like to the Fluttershy and Rarity issues and more... amazing!

Here's something that I hope a lot of people who don't like the show see. If every character on this show were perfect without any flaws without any character development or arcs at all then it would be G3!

The two fillies are originally from G3

This episode was a final resolution for ultra-purist who says "old times was a good times,now its diffrent,worst show"

Shamul1995 was the first commentator I reacted to, then it was ColbaltSky, you, AppleGeek then RarityDash. I miss Shamul and I wish he was active more, I wanted to see him in season 7 already but he still has the rest of season 5 then season 6 to go through then season 7, and with delays that he gets it is hard for him. But yeah, he was rough on rarity back in season 1 and 2 but I think he started to like her in season 3 and 4 even though he skipped season 3. And I loved how you knew it was about the fandom when they started to trash talk about rarity XD normally it would take them to where the ponies saying that "why is fluttershy so shy all the time and keeps learning the same thing over and over kind of thing". And I know it is hard and all that since I have a friend who has anxiety, one moment when I think she is fine and when she is happy, then the next morning she is down, depressed and angry and rarely talks. that is what anxiety does to her, it delays her to be free to actually like herself. This episode is gold, it is just as great if not better than slice of life that M.A Larsen did, and I can't wait to see you review episode 15

If this episode was any more meta the fandom would have imploded but im sure this episode blew enough minds already.

(15:42) GOD ALMIGHTY, RARITY. 😨

Your commentary was great as ever Luffy, though I want to just bring up something about Unicorns that people seem to be forgetting. In S1 E6 Boast Busters it is stated that usually a unicorn only has a little magic that matches their special talent. Cooking, sawing, math, etc. Twilight, Starlight and some like Star Swirl are the few who's talent is directly linked to magic specifically. This is also why Celestia, for being a kind of demi-god, has no power at all over Dream magic like Luna since its not within her sphere of influence.

You know, the first time I saw *that* Rarity face, the first thing I thought of was General Mumble's Halloween remix of Art of the Dress. I know how specific that is, but that's what came to mind.

I noticed in this episode of mlp that they really don’t treat twilight like a princess instead like a normal pony

Luffy: this is so on the nose! Me: thank you MA FUCKING LARSON!

I did miss Spike this episode.. Glimmy is slowly taking his place, hahaha.

04:30 Twilight joins KZfaq's comment section :)

Yes, this episode was a huge, _huge_ jab at the fandom. But given how the fandom reacts sometimes, even to small things, a good jab now and then is needed. And then the song. That song, I think, is one of the best the show's put out. You don't have to be flawless. Your flaws are part of who you are. You can work to make them better, to work around your cracks, but nobody is perfect. It's a really great message that is sorely lacking in most media these days.

13:16 HAHA Sorry Pinks, that one really was funny!

23:53 - sadly, yes. They can't hear them, and they never will. :( 24:49 - HINT. HINT. "Target" audience. NOT toxic man-children. :lol:

My thought exactly on your reaction to the Fluttershy thing at 14:55. While that used to be the case, it has changed as of the new seasons.

best intro replacement :-)

11:18 u can see the joy slowly fall out of home

I picked up on Rainbow's voice too! Yay, someone else noticed Also, I had a thought, what if they just put Larson's name as the writer because they know how we talk & joke about him, even if he did come up with an idea inkling. edit: hey, you mentioned that too! hehe ^^'

Larson's ultimate message to the fandom.

My decent into bronydom 1. Not a brony I just watched IamOctavia 2. Ok I watched s1 and watched the comic dubs 3. Yup that'd be proof that I'm not a br- MY LITTLE PONY MY LITTLE PONY HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

you are one of my favorite reviewers on KZfaq Luffy

0:42 I believe, based on what I've heard, it's more the latter. thats what it's looking like to me anyway, nothing I've seen as verified as of now.