A friend pointed out to me that I missed a character on the list that Sludge is now a part of: Spoiled Rich. How did I forget her? lol

Pillows really are the best. Just ask Ocellus.

"No, *_you didn't."_* In those three words, Smolder displayed a *ton* of character development. Remember nine episodes ago when she told that Farmer and the Viper-style story, and admitted that dragons really love stories about dragons taking advantage over weak creatures? Well, three things happened which makes it clear that she really doesn't believe that. 1.) She implies that she wasn't the one telling that story at that dragon holiday story-telling event. 2.) She silently admits, with a smile and shrug, that those kind of traditions _are_ a little fucked up. 3.) When she says to Spike that even 'rude, rebellious' dragons have standards when it comes to family. She initially implies that dragon families just boot out their offspring once the Molt starts to take effect, but later reveals that they at least teach their kids how to fly first, and that they aren't 'lazy lumps who take advantage of their kids.' So yeah, Smolder wasn't just stickin' up for Spike like a big sister would...she was outright calling Sludge out for being a lazy sack of sh*t for taking advantage of the young and the kind. That isn't what dragons do anymore. At least, not the good ones...

16:45 *Starlight:* No, No, No, No, NO! I gotta stop taking my baths during during Spike’s shenanigans. (Normally I don’t like Family Guy, but this joke was too good to pass)

27:00 - beautifully put, TPrower. ^_^ It kind of reminds me of a sweet moment that occured on the 1960's campy live action "Batman" tv show: the villain of the week asked Batman if Robin was his son. He responded, "No, he isn't my son, but I would be proud to call him such." Exactly. Spike may not be Twilight's biological son, but she would be so proud and pleased to call him such. Family isn't whose blood you have, it's about who you love and care about.

"Spike is 10 times the dragon you are!" I had to like the video just for that awesome line.

I am glad there are others who see Twilight as Spike’s mother instead of his sister. She has raised him well his entire life and she has helped make him who he is today. I might be a bit upset that Sludge didn’t get any on-screen karma, but once Ember hear about what he did to Spike I’m sure she’ll be on the hunt for his head. Plus I doubt King Thorax likes his best friend being taken advantage of either. Spike has a lot of friends in high places.

3:56 - I guess you could say that giant fireball was a “dragon ball.”

Just like Bright Mac and Pear Butter, I often wondered if we’d get some closure to Spike’s dragon parents and judging by the title, I figured that was the route for this episode, guess not. It sickens me to know that pompous of a dragon Sludge was using poor Spike to get the benefits of the castle, above all deceiving him by saying he was Spike’s dad. I’m glad that Spike has a friend like Smolder to teach him the proper ways of being a dragon, she’s a good friend and I respect that. It’s great to know that Spike has good friends by his side, especially Twilight.

I've come to appreciate this episode more upon seeing others' reactions to it.

I just realised that between the events of What Lies Beneath and here, Smoulder's making a pretty good case for being the Young 6's Element of Honesty. It was her planning that both got the truth out of Sludge and showed it to Spike in one fell swoop. That's at least four I'm pretty sure of by now (Yona being Kindness, Sandbar being Loyalty and SIlverstream being Laughter). Potential plot thread for S9 of them taking up the mantle and spreading Harmony across the continent?

As for this episode, it was a good one. The highlights of this were the scenes of Smolder and Spike as well as the funny bathtub scene with Starlight Glimmer. =)

11:54 now, while most of us easily figured out Sludge's story is bull, the characters don't know that... so that Last question from Dash is actually pretty heartless. A good one, but still heartless. "Hey, even though you'd been imprisoned for years, explain what happened to the wife you searched desperately for in such a dangerous place and how the baby you had to give up to save its life ended up somewhere else after you were imprisoned, even though your being imprisoned means you never could've seen what happened to your baby or likely your wife". When you think about it, that's kinda callous of Dash, even for her. 18:50 I seriously wanna know what Twilight was talking about using the map for. Come on! It has to be important

Ouch, the Spike and Twilight moment was painful!

5:42 - actually it's more of a sling. ^_^

I had heard that this episode was a letdown. Fortunately, that wasn't the case for me. ^^ I still don't know about Sludge getting off scot-free. He might have gotten away with a pillow (which might not last long if he were to accidentally set it on fire) but he missed out on becoming real friends with Spike and his real family. Spike really is fine just as he is. A sweet, smart, and multi-talented kid. Also, didn't Celestia partially raise Spike too? Excellent commentary, dude. /)

5:30 I'm a little jealous of Sludge right now. I wish Mane Six could patch me up whenever I'm injured ;P 6:18 For some reason this part of the music reminds me of Mario Party 12:45 What is Link’s hat doing in Equestria? XD 31:34 I have already seen the finale early. No spoilers, but the only thing I can say is: ‘’Prepare yourself!’’

I've always been concerned if Spike was properly cared for as a baby dragon raised by ponies that know nothing about dragons.

20:04 ON IT !!!!! EVERYONE HUGGLE TWILY *hugs twily tight*

Sludge is my most hated MLP character! I had a feeling he wasn't Spike's father, but when he actually confessed and broke Spike's heart, I just felt sick. He also poisoned Spike's mind the same way Spoiled Rich poisoned Diamond Tiara! Again, I just feel sick!

-Time stamp- 1:12 pm. Oh yeah all of my yes I have been looking forward to seeing you react to this.

So Sludge was a big fat liar, but have we've seen the last of him? And are we going to find out more about Spike's backstory? Maybe next season.

OK. Finally get Deadly Premonition fixed (love this game, but the PC port is a piece of crap). Now time too...(sees notification)...You know what, Deadly Premonition can wait. (1:37) Well...time for me to bring back this music again: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/ps2kf7WJnLHMkas.html No seriously. Someone actually remastered that soundtrack last year. That music has never sounded this good. (3:46) Especially during math classes. Just don't take too many Red Bulls beforehand. (4:11) BY DIE-HARD'S CROTCH!!!! Is this a dragon, or a parade balloon? (5:11) Don't listen to him. That's Sigma! (Megaman X8 only, though) (6:12) Considering what we learn later about Sludge, I'm guessing he frequently gets drunk. (7:58) Old Man: You're doing fine, bud. Now that's when you hint at the money. (8:10) You and me both, T. I'd be sure that lazy drunk would be shooting blanks. (10:56) OK. I recognize this place. I've seen Dragon Hunters (both the movie and the series), and I'm pretty sure you wouldn't survive 5 minutes in this place. By the way, that movie and series are criminally underrated. (11:27) Again, it's Sigma. He can be very manipulative. Although his case of being a bad liar was mainly due to bad voice acting (his voice actor in X4 was taking "cartoonish supervillainy" up to 11). (13:58) Old Man: I may have named one of my daughter Beauty and worked one of my sons nearly to death, BUT AT LEAST I ACKNOWLEDGE THEM!!! (15:31) Old Man: Looks like I was expect-errrrr. I'll see myself out. (16:44) Ah man. He's literally throwing the Starlight with the bathwater. Starlight (through gritted teeth): Twilight. Can you prepare me a tub of empathy cocoa. And a magic dampener. For me. (19:09) Fat Grandma: That's EXACTLY what a young pup's supposed to do with their elders! Now grandson, give me that sponge bath I asked you... Linkara: NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! (20:30) Old Man: You're not even accompanying your kid? I, at the very LEAST, did that. (21:11) I don't know. If the two dragons from season 1 had kids, well... (22:37) Old Man: Look. I had that t-shirt (Beauty can die in my place) made and EVEN I think you're a terrible father! (24:06) He wasn't your father, and he DEFINITELY wasn't your daddy. Fun fact: The show Dragon Hunter that I mentioned earlier also had an episode about a missing long-lost uncle. My personal head canon is now that Sludge was kicked out of the Dragon Lands for being a lazy and completely useless sack of crap and just happened to land right into Ponyville. That image of Ember kicking him out (preferably in the balls), is gonna be my happy place. And now, for the finale. I've already kinda being spoiled a bit, so might as well see what's gonna happen.

I’d really like to know who are Spikes dragon parents.

I thought it was an alright episode, though it still wasn't near as fun as the What Lies Beneath or Sounds of Silence.

I'm just gonna let this video speak for itself of my reaction to this week's two-part season 8 finale... kzfaq.info/get/bejne/m6efhZeZm7m1d5s.html {sorry, friend; I saw the two-part finale due to the Australian releases, now I feel ashamed of myself}