Excepting a few episodes, Fluttershy has a lot to recommend as a character. Despite being a timid and shy character, she has shown numerous times that she can be assertive without breaking out of character. Although she does not have the strongest personality of the Mane 6 or have as many episodes as the others, she actually is one of the more consistently characterised. The premise was great. The fact that Angel Bunny didn't do much for me as a character previously on the whole was the only thing that dampened the mostly high expectations.
"She Talks to Angel" struck me as a great episode, if not quite an absolute classic. Despite being lower rated than "The Summer Sun Setback", to me this was the far superior episode. Due that for my liking that episode was a waste of great potential. Is it a 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic' highpoint? No, not quite. Is it one of the better episodes of Season 9? Oh yes, quite easily actually. Considering that Season 9 was pretty uneven, and while the misfires weren't as bad as the misfires of Seasons 6 and 8 there were a fair share of average at best episodes and some great episodes. "She Talks to Angel" as said is one of the great ones.
My only complaint actually is Zecora's addressing the problem method being too much of a risk and too crazy, with little regard of what it would mean for Fluttershy who was this close to being hurt at the very least.
However, everything else is done brilliantly. Angel is here for the first time an interesting, entertaining and likeable character, with finally some character growth and maturity. Here he is not annoying or over the top aggressive, but not here when one finally sees the way he thinks and what goes on in his head. Which is quite fascinating and not what was expected. Love Fluttershy here as well, everything involving her and Angel's body swap situation is hugely entertaining, she is in character and it is easy to endear to her. Their chemistry is great, as is seeing Zecora in her last speaking role of the show shine and be the most interesting she has ever been in a long time.
The story is lively in pace and is full of fun and charm, sure the whole scenario doesn't always make sense but this was a case of having too much fun and truly appreciating Angel's growth as a character to care or notice all that much. The writing is some of the funniest and cleverest of Season 9, found myself saying to myself more than once "Angel can be funny?" Most of the humour comes from his reactions and the animators and writers clearly were having a ball. The dramatic aspect of the episode is sincerely and affectingly done, without being too sentimental, and Angel is also seen in a different, softer and more mature light.
As always, the animation is vibrant and fluid and the attention to detail in the vivid backgrounds is very striking. As was often the case, the facial expressions for particularly Angel when he is reacting to things are especially good. The music is always dynamic with the action and is not intrusive or too low key. The voice acting is extremely good, excellent in the case of Andrea Libman in a masterclass of bringing individuality to two different characters in one situation.
Overall, great and much better than the disappointing previous episode "The Summer Sun Setback" that is for some reason rated higher. 9/10.
"She Talks to Angel" struck me as a great episode, if not quite an absolute classic. Despite being lower rated than "The Summer Sun Setback", to me this was the far superior episode. Due that for my liking that episode was a waste of great potential. Is it a 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic' highpoint? No, not quite. Is it one of the better episodes of Season 9? Oh yes, quite easily actually. Considering that Season 9 was pretty uneven, and while the misfires weren't as bad as the misfires of Seasons 6 and 8 there were a fair share of average at best episodes and some great episodes. "She Talks to Angel" as said is one of the great ones.
My only complaint actually is Zecora's addressing the problem method being too much of a risk and too crazy, with little regard of what it would mean for Fluttershy who was this close to being hurt at the very least.
However, everything else is done brilliantly. Angel is here for the first time an interesting, entertaining and likeable character, with finally some character growth and maturity. Here he is not annoying or over the top aggressive, but not here when one finally sees the way he thinks and what goes on in his head. Which is quite fascinating and not what was expected. Love Fluttershy here as well, everything involving her and Angel's body swap situation is hugely entertaining, she is in character and it is easy to endear to her. Their chemistry is great, as is seeing Zecora in her last speaking role of the show shine and be the most interesting she has ever been in a long time.
The story is lively in pace and is full of fun and charm, sure the whole scenario doesn't always make sense but this was a case of having too much fun and truly appreciating Angel's growth as a character to care or notice all that much. The writing is some of the funniest and cleverest of Season 9, found myself saying to myself more than once "Angel can be funny?" Most of the humour comes from his reactions and the animators and writers clearly were having a ball. The dramatic aspect of the episode is sincerely and affectingly done, without being too sentimental, and Angel is also seen in a different, softer and more mature light.
As always, the animation is vibrant and fluid and the attention to detail in the vivid backgrounds is very striking. As was often the case, the facial expressions for particularly Angel when he is reacting to things are especially good. The music is always dynamic with the action and is not intrusive or too low key. The voice acting is extremely good, excellent in the case of Andrea Libman in a masterclass of bringing individuality to two different characters in one situation.
Overall, great and much better than the disappointing previous episode "The Summer Sun Setback" that is for some reason rated higher. 9/10.
