My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic - "Just For Sidekicks" - Talkback [1/26]

[The Huntsman]

Today @ 10:30 AM ET on The Hub​

I like Spike, but I don't usually like these types of stories. We'll see how it goes.

Spike volunteers to pet-sit for Twilight and her friends, but he quickly finds himself overwhelmed.

 

[MetroSparkster]

I'm sure it's gonna be interesting with all of the Mane Six's pets involved.

 

[FlooterFlatter]

Apparently this episode will take place the same time as Episode 312 (Games Ponies Play). This one will show what Spike is doing, while 312 will show was the other Ponies are doing.

South Park did something similar years ago with the Meteor Shower trilogy.

 

[Sailor V]

Apparently this episode will take place the same time as Episode 312 (Games Ponies Play). This one will show what Spike is doing, while 312 will show was the other Ponies are doing.

What's this episode's code 311 or something?

 

[Zanneck]

Spike is my favorite character on this show, hands down - I'm going to be very angry/disappointed (just like Dragon Quest and Spike at You Service) if this doesn't go well for him at all...

 

[Juu-kuchi]

Well at least we can disavow much of Dragon Quest ever happening.

And wow, that escalated quickly. We're at midpoint and we're on our way to the Crystal Empire.

 

[Zanneck]

Well at least we can disavow much of Dragon Quest ever happening...

Good. VERY GOOD. Still not feeling this episode too much, though. However... If I give it another watch (I arrived kind of late to the show), I'm sure that will change.

 

[Juu-kuchi]

Eh, an okay episode. It does get some points for being creative in trying to escalate the conflict by bringing it to the Crystal Empire. It needed a bit more escalation to make it memorable, for the buildup was actually pretty good (right down to the way the ponies said goodbye to their pets). The creative energy found in "Sleepless in Ponyville" is a biiiiiiit lacking here than in the other Corey Powell written episode, but overall it was just okay, pretty good.

The moral of the episode should more however "Spike learns the Free Market", as in the exchange of goods for services always comes at being responsible, and if not unsuccessful, comes at the cost of remuneration. There was something karmic about Spike never being able to bake a cake in the end. Which is fitting a punishment.

 

[zoombie]

Well than, I thought Spike was really unlikeable for most of this episode. Especially taking advantage of the CMCs, and Angel was no better either. Two jerks that deserved each other until the very end of the epsiode when they do the usual last minute redemption.

I wonder what happens next episode, will we see their train ride home. So Twilight didn't tell them Princess Cadance is pregent, so much for my prediction.

 

[FlooterFlatter]

Wow, this is great. Not just with Spike, but also the Crusaders as well. Dare I say it's better than "Stare Master" and "Baby Cakes"? Two hits in a row for Corey Powell. Too bad this is her last.

I wonder if we'll see Spike, the Pets, and the CMCs in the backgrounds in "Games Ponies Play". Like I said, this episode takes place the same time as that one.

 

[Kevin]

That was a very good episode. Spike was much better characterized than the last episode about him. His interactions with the pets made for some humorous moments too. The part towards the end where Spike learns his lesson and Angel showing that he can nice when he wants to was touching. It was nice to see Secora make a brief appearance too.

Oh and Sweetie Belle's squeal was one of the most adorable things ever!

 

[Kookamunga]

Okay episode.

I like that the beginning showed that Spike eventually gave Peewee back to his parents, explaining his absence.

Also, this episode seemed to be a prelude to the next episode, if it didn't happen at the same time.

I always enjoy seeing more of Angel and got some good appearances from the CMCs, Zecora, Big Mac and Cheerilee, and apparently that crazy barking pony from "Read It and Weep" has been rehabilitated.

 

[Juu-kuchi]

Wow, this is great. Not just with Spike, but also the Crusaders as well. Dare I say it's better than "Stare Master" and "Baby Cakes"? Two hits in a row for Corey Powell. Too bad this is her last.

Last this season or last ever?

 

[FlooterFlatter]

Last this season or last ever?

Last ever, apparently. She won't be in season 4, at least.

Maybe she can return for Season 5.

 

[MetroSparkster]

I like that the beginning showed that Spike eventually gave Peewee back to his parents, explaining his absence.

Really? We don't get to see them together again?

 

[AnimatedSnow47]

Initial Reaction: Pretty good! It was a unique focus for a Pony episode, with quite a few funny moments. Nice to see how all of the Mean 6 care for their pets (including RD's "sneaky affection"), and there was some good slapstick. Spike's over-the-top "WHHHYYYYY?" was funny too. Once the CMC's got involved was when the episode really took off, though. They were quite funny, and bringing them to the Crystal Empire was fun. I also liked seeing a lot of the background ponies--Screwball, the nerd pony from "Hoof Down" and many more. On first watch, I'll give it a high B.

 

[Zanneck]

I didn't like this one too much - it wasn't bad/terrible (unlike a certain 2 episodes that will NOT be given names by me around here), it just irritated me a bit seeing Spike (my favorite character) act so ignorant. In short, seeing him get punished pleased me... a lot! Too bad it didn't have to be this way...

I don't like being angry at a character I actually like (and if I didn't say it before, Spike is my favorite character, hands down!), even if that anger is justified. The one good thing I take away from saying that is that Spike brought it upon himself for being both careless and greed-driven (thank you, Zecora and happy to see you again, BTW!), so it wasn't a total loss.

Real shame I got to wait 2 weeks to see what the Mane 6 were doing while Spike was screwing up at Pet-Sitting in general, all over a cake he messed up on his own volition of his eyes being bigger than his stomach!

 

[HEATXZ]

Great episode
My favorite parts are Spike eats all his gems,Pinkie Pie scene,Sweetie Bell being cute,and the ending XD

 

[One Radical Dude]

Last ever, apparently. She won't be in season 4, at least.

Whoa, really? That's disappointing. She was really good with the episodes she worked on, which of course, includes this one here.

I think most people will agree that this is at least a step up from "Spike at Your Service" (which I liked, but it wasn't great). I'll mention the opening scene a bit later. Like in the previous Spike episode, we don't hear him sing an actual song from the show, but a short one -- only he sang more than one short song, which was nice. Spike's characterization improved in this on over SAYS. I thought all the scenes with the pets were really sweet, and I loved one of the later scenes that involved Spike and Angel. The episode had a bit of "A Dog and Pony Show" (Spike saying, "whyyyy?!" here instead of "noooo!!!") and "Secret of My Excess" (seeing Spike's greed) feel to it. I also enjoyed seeing the CMCs interact with Spike, which we've seen far too little of in the series.

My complaint about the episode -- Peewee. "WHYYY?!" I have to admit, I wanted to see more of Peewee, and unfortunately, we likely will not see him again. Spike, once again, becomes the only main character without a pet. I really thought that the writers could have done something with Peewee other than give the phoenix 10 seconds of fame last season. At least we know what happened to him.

Finally, since it looks like today's and next week's episode are to be within the same time frame, I have to say I'm not too happy about Spike not getting invited to the Crystal Empire. The little guy saved the empire from Sombra, and he doesn't get to go? I hope there's an explanation, but I'm not betting on it.

 

[soundmonkey44]

Pretty solid episode, I was laughing the whole way through, Poor Spike, even after all that, no Gem Cake for him.... better luck next time little guy.

Also did spike's little song he sang while trying to make his cake at the start make anyone else think about Jake's Bacon Pancakes song? XD

My only real complaint, No Peewee, I know they had the picture collage at the start basically explaining they gave him back to his parents in the forest, but still... Poor Peewee.

Overall though yeah really fun & funny episode. Also liked all the background stuff, Zecroa, Granny Smith, Pony Girl Scouts, Big Mac & Cherilee Hanging out ,the nurse leaving Screw loose house, lots of fun little things in the background.