MLP Episode #100 – Slice of Life – Review and Commentary

It’s that time, the time we’ve all been waiting for: Episode 100! Slice of Life! The episode teased a nice look at what happens while our Mane 6 is out saving friendship as we know it. Let me just say, the writers don’t fail to deliver in this case! I’m going to keep this one as short as possible since this episode needs to be seen for yourself and words alone cannot do it justice 🙂

We start out with a teaser intro where we establish Cranky Doodle Donkey and Matilda are finally getting married. You remember them? They were the secondary characters in an episode where Pinky had arguably the most iconic song of her career as a pony “Smile” 🙂 Check it out it still makes me smile when it hits my car’s speakers. Moving on, we quickly find out that thanks to Cranky’s thrifty side, the discount invitation maker (what kinda cutie mark is that you think?) he went to misprinted the date and now, they have to move the wedding up to that day!

Humorous as it is, there’s two distinct things I like about this intro and I’ll tell you the first. We use the word “elope” I applaud them for being brave, I recall not that long ago shows were very hesitant to use a grown up word like that. I hope it’s a step forward, though I doubt we’ll hear “Damn” anytime soon.

Secondly, the moment I personally was waiting for, Derpy speaks officially this time! Now before you jump too high, you’ll notice her name in the credits is “muffin” or “muffins” I don’t honestly care, as I’ll be referring to her as Derpy, the name we knew her best as. The entire fiasco about a minor percentage of folks possibly being upset over the name Derpy is simply silly in my opinion. The name is meant to imply clumsiness not in a negative way but a positive light. ANY other implication is the fault of the so called “wounded” faction that called for the name change. Her name was meant to make you smile not feel bad, and if you watch her, she IS a bit Derpy…HOWEVER, it does NOT mean she’s stupid, even IF she has Wall-eyes. Niether the name nor the condition she has means she’s stupid, or a lesser person in any way, shape or form, JUST like anyone in the real world isn’t any less for the same reason.

So then we go to our first act, which is a Dr. Whooves and Derpy act it seems. We’re treated to so many Dr Who and in jokes it’s near impossible for me to go into them without dragging on. Lets just say you won’t be disappointed at all. One thing that does catch my ear is when Dr. Whooves describes how long he’s devoted his life to science, he says decades then corrects himself to centuries. Quite an interesting thought as the only long lived ponies known to us are the Princesses.

We flawlessly move to a scene that normally we’d be focusing on the Mane 6 but instead we’re treated to a crowd shot and one of my favorite lines from the show so far from Sweetie Belle. It refers to how most of the problems are dealt with in 30 minutes or so and it’s a diamond. We also see that maybe Big Mac and Cheerilee ARE dating, but it’s never dealt with more as the jokes and lines fire non-stop from the fact that there’s a giant BugBear attacking the town to the uncanny fact that since Twilight came to town a certain pony hasn’t had much work in doing weddings.

Another memorable moment occurs soon after when Lyra and Bon Bon have their own scene, one that shouldn’t be missed. The closeness of the two has got most of the internet foaming at the mouth in regards to the fact they are..more then friends. We’ll leave that up to you to determine, though it seems plausible.

Most of the episode spirals too fast to break down into anything other then fan-gasm moment, though I can’t help but be entirely amused at Steven Magnet (you know him, he’s that sea serpent Rarity helped in the very first episode! Na..I didn’t remember him either..) and his..fabulous way of speaking. I swear the spa ponies have new voices … again!

Finally act 3 begins it’s final approach as the fan-gasmic explosions continue, this time fueled by Vinyl Scratch and Octavia! We learn that canon-wise they do live together, and yet, those darn fans are now assuming they are more then that. Regardless of their relationship to each other, the music that happens next is awesome! The way they mix quickly shows in fact they have been friends for a while, and the ensuring chase scene on Scratch’s mobile thump-machine is the final kick start the finale needs.

As our favorite DJ scoops up ponies left and right, we’re treated to the finale real awesome moment where Gummi, Pinkie’s seemingly stoic pet, has an internal monologue that’s rather deep, and oddly enough, a very good question in terms of what the point of life is.

The wedding occurs inside town hall, and everyone else you could possibly think of is present. It’s incredible how many cameos we see in just a small scene but it’s enough to make you smile as a fan. The highlight in my opinion is two fold. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna bickering back and fourth in a very candid manner makes you remember that even immortal sisters have their moments. The Mayor (who I personally just love, she doesn’t get enough face time in my opinion) gives the most incredible of speeches during the wedding that is meant for both the in character moment and quite clearly a message to the loyal fans who have made the series as successful as it is. I couldn’t help but crack a wide smile as it finished.

I give this episode a 9 out of 10, the only thing I would have liked was Zecora having a talking role, and Vinyl with a speaking voice. Though I understand personally that if Scratch had a voice, it would almost break the magic she holds over a lot of the fans. Maybe one day we’ll get her one. The entire BugBear attack would be an awesome B story (or in this case, A story) for an entirely new episode, much ,like Spikes adventure in season 3 was mirrored by the Mane 6’s.

Until next time,

-Watchfire

PS, I leave you with Lyra sitting provocativly 😉