Flutter Brutter, various thoughts · 6:32pm Jun 4th, 2016

I like this episode. While it doesn't explore the topic in-depth, it does a pretty good job indirectly addressing Fluttershy's own growth through her brother and her parents. Also, we get to learn more about the relations between characters. The moral is rather appropriate and positive, too. Now then, unto the thoughts!

—Fluttershy's family sans brother must be pretty -reasonably well off considering that house. I know Cloudsdale houses are made of clouds, but good grief, it's a modest but nice place. (Seems like it's made from other materials as well, as opposed to Rainbow's house.) Speaking of them, I rather like the two, especially the mom who's way too sweet for her own good.
—Fluttershy looked so done during that first exchange, and every other exchange with Zephyr. I'm a little concerned what circumstances Zephyr first left them at, and where he is when he's not freeloading on the parents. I figure he's been kicked out before. He obviously has been having these issues for a very long time, likely addled with a depression that has long since stuck him in a vicious circle of failure, becoming a pony too apathetic to follow his dreams, too absorbed to care for others, too insecure to face his fears and seek help. "It's better to fail having made no effort, than to fail having given it all my all. It's just not for me." He didn't cope well. I think this conflict can be rather relatable to those on both sides, no?
—Zephyr is another pony who seems to feel over-shadowed by his sibling. Fluttershy has been saving the world multiple times, and he's just the freeloading brother with an attitude problem. Amending Fences, as well as Slice of Life (and No Second Prances) have given us a taste of how the actions of our heroes have affected ponied around them, but I'm curious, what other hidden despair lurks in the hearts of Equestria's subjects?
—I much like the canon-marching-on approach the writers took with this episode, rather than dropping the bomb with as much grace as in the Season 2 Finale. Things keep happening outside what we've seen, which is comforting. Still, I'd like to see more of the things I've been wanting to happen for a while now, characters interacting that at this point should have long since been together. Like Starlight one-on-one with somepony from the group, or more Trixie and Gilda. Seriously, how is the Gryphon Kingdom?
—I may be overthinking it, but I feel Zephyr's build might have made him a target of bullying, which have likely contributed to his superiority-apathy complex. I mean, he's the younger brother, and he's taller than his sister and his parents.
—He ventured into what seems to be the Everfree, but Fluttershy and Rainbow seem a tad less bothered about that and more about how he's acting. I guess the danger of that Forest has diminished a tad since they explored it before? Do they have faith in Zecora, or is it currently a season when it's reasonably safe, maybe?
—I guess Spike must really love cleaning if he forgets so easily he's supposed to supervise. Since he's been delegated that job, I think Twilight might finally have something to do. I wonder what?
—Rainbow's reactions to being shipped can mean many things. I find it funny. Although his first bout of flirting creeping her out enough to immediately fly away is odd. Is there a story to that? One reason might be the age gap. And particularly if Rainbow actually has been Fluttershy's friends since foalhood, and would as such have known Zephyr since he was young.
—Apparently, in Equestria the word "peeved" is offensive. Must have a bit of a vulgar meaning. Aaaaaaand I see Dinky with another mare. Must be an aunt or a baby-sitter? An older friend?
—After a couple of listenings, I've come to enjoy the song quite a bit. (This entire episode, the relevancy hurts so wonderfully) I wonder if Zephyr getting a song suggests something of his place in the supporting cast, then?
—This episode is probably a bit of material for speculation regarding Fluttershy's age. We know her parents are retired, which means they ought to be in their fifties or so, since I don't think it's normal to retire much earlier than that. She's older than Zephyr, and older than Pinkie. I'd say, she's in her early to mid- twenties at this point.
—If that mare and Dinkey heard them from there while they were talking at normal volume, that confirms it; tiny horses have superior hearing. Which would definitively mean in situations such as in Episode 3, the rendezvous of Pinkie and Rarity are not particularly secret to Maud.
—People keep saying this is the most "adult" episode. I don't really get that. The series has always been a slice of life (occasionally adventure) series filled with positive lessons and morals on how to be a good friend, in various ways, that people can take to heart. One episode with a similar moral comes to mind; Inspiration Manifestation, to not let someone dear to you lose and destroy themselves entirely, even when it seems to make them happy. Because as long as it's only a crutch, and it harms, they can't be allowed to depend on it. I'm not the only one who saw parallels to certain issues in our world, yeah? It's a bit silly to say such things.