Sleepless in Ponyville review

First off, why the title when there's so LITTLE of Ponyville in this whole episode? That seems to be the weirdest thing of all, but not the most. And maybe I'm thinking too much, but could it be that this episode is a reference to the fandom, specifically the whole Silent Ponyville part? Since while not totally familiar with that, know it sort of has a creepypasta/horror vibe, which is what they did in this episode as well.

Well, we see a redo of the scene from "The Show Stoppers" when Scootaloo drove through Ponyville, albeit slightly differently with different ponies and events, and even old as the hills Granny Smith AVOIDING Scootaloo from spinning her around. And then, after all her time ignoring Scoots stunts or whatever, Dash decides to acknowledge her! And was that ponified version of Checkers with horseshoe pieces? Though compared to our boards, that one was super small...

Of course, at this time was still hoping we'd get some time seeing if Scoots having family would be made canon now, but guess writers decided to screw with us again, sorry for the spoiler. And then, Sweetie Belle using like her sister's technique that used to escape from the Diamond Dogs to get her to go camping was... bit of a low blow, but eh, even considering the Sisterhooves Social and thinking they'd be closer cause of it, guess Rarity will always be Rarity. Had hoped she'd be more intuitive, but y'know, shouldn't have expected less from everyone's most fussy and most ladylike pony in the series. Scoots unexplained adoration of Rainbow Dash (at least, at this time) was maybe somewhat creepy, but made for good comedy in this episode, here and later on. Was amazed by her stunts just as they showed up, and Scoots attempt to look casual made her look silly, but was kinda funny as well, hehe. And then, Rarity's attempts at showing the other ponies with her own FABULOUS tent, made me think of something referenced in another fic read on here about how Rarity and Rainbow Dash need to find some way to hang out that's not Rainbow Dash (what with her commonly acting like a tomboy, far from how Rarity normally is), at least I THINK so. Can't recall if might've been in something else I read in last couple days or might've been even before the episode, ugh. Whatever, it's not important.

Was a bit disappointed that they only went over brief summary of the stories that frightened Scootaloo, even though it did open up a whole new side of her, even if was only temporary. But before that, it's somewhat hypocritical that earlier before the story, she asked Scootaloo if she snores and yet Dash failed to mention that she HERSELF snores. And funny that Scootaloo knew about what happened at the Best Young Fliers competition that Dash won in Season 1 with saving Rarity, guess it shows she's bit of a bragger. Well, the dream was somewhat creepy, but definitely sets the theme for remainder of the episode. And hey, did I see Luna in the dream? Nah, couldn't be... or could it? Anyway.

Here's where it gets bit odd, what with Scootaloo deciding to scout ahead to try and stave off stuff she knows is gonna frighten her later, rather than talking to her best friends about it (cause wouldn't want to worry one of the other ponies, who might tell Rainbow Dash and set off a whole OOC moment or whatever), even though I can't understand the logic with not telling ponies that was addressed just two episodes prior and yet was ignored here again. Well, I'm surprised didn't have some near-death drama with this episode, with how Scootaloo just practically managed to avoid it a few times, somehow going like the Energizer Bunny even while she was asleep! And almost thought we'd never see her poor scooter again, after went flying and somehow landed right near the other ponies that were main ones in this episode. Applejack's pronunciation of Scootaloo's name at this point after (where she starts noticing how she's acting) was a little... odd, one of the few things that annoyed me in this episode, and even does it again in same way later on. Minor nitpick though. Was kinda funny how she kept overreacting (and even landed on a cloud, though on the edge and didn't last for long), no matter what it was.

Here, after where she's asked to get firewood again, did feel it was kinda OOC how she kept trying to avoid another scary story, but fit with the whole theme, so... can understand that. And here, we seem to get slightly different retelling of story that Twilight told at her slumber party, with the Headless Horse. Though find it odd that AJ'd start questioning holes in the story, if it's the same one Twilight told her all that time ago, but... meh. And right after, when she asked for a song... almost hoped we'd get new one, but alas, no luck. Just ponified version of "99 Bottles of Beer on the wall". And then, just as they're about to go to sleep, THIS time Dash decides to put earplugs in her ears?! Yes, I'm mad! Anyway... after being chased by Headless Horse, we get Luna again! So... apparently, Luna spying on ponies' dreams is now canon, because Hasbro says it's okay and totally cool! And as of this point seemingly, if not in last few episodes where she had speaking/appearance roles (not as knowledgeable in those), Luna is now fully-fledged in modern Equestrian speak. WATCH THE SCENE. Hopefully, doesn't go back on that in future episodes where Luna makes an appearance. And even though it's creepy, her spying on ponies' dreams, she does have some good advice here.

Then, we approach the climax of the episode, where Scoots faces her fears, but first she has to survive an accident after hearing Rainbow Dash, who apparently not only snores, but whinnies in her sleep! I was shocked by the confirmed LOSS of her scooter, hopefully that doesn't stay canon for remainder of the series, cause don't think Scoots would be Scoots if she didn't drive on a scooter! At least, sometimes. And after getting saved by Rainbow Dash, who somehow woke up (which feels like Deus Ex Machina, from what I'd imagine this'd be classified as, like some people think with Spike discovering the book in Too Many Pinkie Pies when he did), she proceeds to yell at Scoots and make her cry. TWICE. Felt like chastising her for that, if she weren't, y'know, a fictional TV horse. Anyway, we get a nice bit of emotional building scene between the two, though can't help but had noticed Rainbow's wings were angled weird, for somepony who was sitting on her haunches/flanks. Even if she's fully-grown(?), Scoots didn't have that issue, even if her wings aren't as big as most ponies', still being filly and all. And find out they have more in common than they thought and Dash decides to take on Scoots as her like, apprentice. And I couldn't help but think, "Huh, Darth Link will be pleased, as far as his stories go. Even if his fic already built up on this detail, before Season 3 events were made canon." Since it's practically at end at this point and no chance of seeing canon Scootaloo family. Anyway, after one final race and dream by Scootaloo with final cameo by Luna and reflection of her new role in Rainbow Dash's life, we hit the end.

So yeah, good episode, made up for how last two fell kinda short (at least, to me; I mean, didn't even make a review for last week's). Introduced some new aspects and whatnot that sure ponies will write about, for fic material; not to mention how many people are probably going to do something with Luna spying on ponies' naughty dreams (but can't help but think: shouldn't the Princess of the Night be doing more IMPORTANT things, if she's a ruler in Equestria again, not just in stories but in the show) or whatever, myself not being sure at this point if I would. And hopefully, future episodes build on now canon love/relationship between Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash, seeing how they grow and what sort of effect Scoots has on Rainbow and vice-versa. I still hope we get some explanation on what Scoots' story is with her family, hopefully, nothing like a somewhat original fic I read where she's depicted as changeling. I honestly hope they never do that with anypony, though I think it'd have to become some kinda craze, even if it already has (at least, on this site, don't follow other pony fanfic sites, like EqD or whatever others exist that don't know exact names of, at this time, that I've heard of in recent weeks or whenever). Kinda wish we got a letter to Celestia, it seems like all of the episodes so far this season (with exception of Too Many Pinkie Pies) haven't done the whole thing that this series is supposed to be revolved around, lessons and letters about FRIENDSHIP. May have had lessons, but weren't as many made obvious in previous seasons overall # of episodes like this one so far. Now, to wait for next week's with Wonderbolt Academy and seeing if something I heard regarding Rainbow Dash in Season 3 from Lauren Faust to somepony else is true or not, if this is the episode it happens in!