My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic (TV Series) Dragon Dropped (2019) User Reviews

Good, but not great

[ericstevenson · 8/10 · 7 September 2019]

As we're getting into the last episodes of the show, these episodes will have a big impact. The plot of this one is that Rarity notices Spike is spending more time with Gabby, a griffin. Gabby first appeared awhile ago and she was almost as energetic as Pinkie Pie! Never once in this episode is Spike's crush on Rarity mentioned. Maybe he's grown out of it? I think that is a sign of maturity.

I will admit this episode was kind of boring. It still manages to be good. I just hold the show up to a very high standard. Rarity does kind of learn how to be without Spike. The interactions between these characters is what makes the show so great. I could watch them play off each other all day. ***

Not perfect, but not deserving of the hate either

[isaiahkoch · 8/10 · 18 April 2022]

So, I've seen many fans say this is an episode that serves Rarity right for taking advantage of Spike for so long, portrays her as an overly creepy stalker, etc., but I can't bring myself to agree with any of that.

The episode opens with Spike not only barely paying any attention to her at the beginning, but also not responding to her invitation. Though it's understandable and even acceptable that Spike had a new friend that he wanted to meet, he didn't actually tell her until she asked. How would you feel if you invited someone to do something with you, and instead of telling you they're busy, they don't say anything at all? Although I do understand that Spike might have been too preoccupied to tell her or respond to the invitation, but still.

Though I don't entirely disagree there were some characterization problems. Rather than doing a dramatic apology before even asking what happened, and guilt tripping him to spend time with her in the middle of the night via looking disappointed, even if said disappointment was legit...well, let's just say both those things could have been handled differently. Maybe she could have asked what happened BEFORE doing a dramatic apology, and even if she legit felt bad in the middle of the night about Spike not being able to spend time with her the following day, reschedule or find a day that does work.

Though I admittedly liked the resolve of Rarity learning that it's ok for Spike to have another friend and even going as far as to try to fix the mess she made of his and Gabby's friendship.

Although I can understand some of the heat this episode gets, that doesn't mean I agree with it entirely. I think we've all been guilty of overreacting, making assumptions without proof, going to certain extremes, etc. At some point or another in misc. Situations.

I'm afraid I also can't agree with the claim that she takes advantage of him all the time. He chooses to help her, and there are select moments when she stands up for him and/or shows appreciation, even if said moments are arguably select.

Overall, despite Rarity going to some unnecessary extremes, she wasn't the "creepy obsessive stalker" as many haters claim. Also, Jim Miller has even tweeted that Spike is likely between 16-22 in pony years, but we'll save that debate in regards to the ship itself as a separate topic.

Certainly not without its faults, but also not the horrible train wreck some try to claim it is either.

A bland drop

[TheLittleSongbird · 5/10 · 7 March 2022]

While loving all the Mane 6 (on the whole though, there have been times where they have been unevenly characterised especially Applejack), my favourite, with the highest number of classic episodes and the most interesting pony that has had her negative character traits over-emphasised the least, has always been Rarity. Especially in the earlier seasons. Interesting to see Gabby back after "The Fault in Our Cutie Marks", despite not being entirely bowled over by her in that episode, and Spike has come on a long way as a character from Season 6 onwards.

Although it is a good representation of Spike and a better representation of Gabby, "Dragon Dropped" doesn't really do a particularly good job with Rarity in my view. Which is very disappointing as there are so many brilliant episodes with her as the focus and do so well characterising her. The times where she did nothing for me or out of character were rare, which was not the case with the other five, and she had the lowest number of average and less episodes of the Mane 6. "Dragon Dropped" is not one of the very worst episodes of Season 9 or of 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic', but it is one of the lesser Rarity-centric episodes and as far as Season 9 goes it is towards the lesser end. Not a terrible episode by all means, but felt underdeveloped and bland.

"Dragon Dropped" does have good things. The animation is as usual vibrantly colourful and meticulous and vivid in background detail. The expressions are both wild and nuanced. The music fits the tone and atmosphere of the story seamlessly. Despite having issues with Rarity's character writing, Tabitha St Germain is not one of them and she totally inhabits what she is given.

Spike is not a bland character and is instead sympathetic and rootable, Season 6 saw a huge improvement in his character writing and that improvement continued all the way through to the end. "Dragon Dropped" doesn't show any declining in this regard. Gabby makes a bigger impression here than she did in "The Fault in Our Cutie Marks", despite being basically a plot device she is a resourceful and not too perfect one. The Mane 6 are mostly in character and are entertaining and likeable.

There are some major flaws however in "Dragon Dropped". Rarity has regressed here as a character, there are not enough of what makes her so great or of her virtues and her character flaws are exaggerated. Have not seen jealousy go this overboard for this show in a while and she comes over as too selfish and too full of herself. Her and Spike's relationship is underdeveloped, it is clear what Spike's feelings on Rarity are but it is too vague vice versa meaning that the depth that this story could easily have had is lacking. The moral is a good one but in the end not developed enough, it was like Rarity didn't learn fully from it or the mistakes she made and that is sad as she is one of the Mane 6 characters that usually does learn from errors.

It also would have been more sincere if it was her that realised she had to address her behaviour and how to deal with it. It shouldn't have to be another character telling her so. While some of the writing is funny and touching, other parts are forced and could have been tighter. "Dragon Dropped" also felt on the bland side in development and emotion.

Concluding, watchable enough but could have been a good deal more. 5/10.