Season 7 starts with the only season opener of 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic' to not be a two parter, which does in a way make "Celestial Advice" stand out already. On recent rewatches, it was hard to not expect a lot, despite being a fan of 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic' Season 6 was inconsistent in quality and after being underwhelmed mostly by how it ended with the "To Where and Back Again" two parter there was the hope that the show would recharge its batteries with Season 7.
Which it actually did do at first. It still had episodes that didn't work, though they weren't as bad as the worst of Season 6 ("28 Pranks Later", "Applejack's Day Off", "Newbie Dash"). But the best of Season 7's episodes, which included "A Perfect Pear" and "A Royal Problem", were among the best episodes of the show in a while. As for the season opener "Celestial Advice" it was a great way to begin the season and showed major promise, absolutely agree it deserves a higher rating than it has at the moment (not sure why, Starlight Glimmer detractors?).
"Celestial Advice" only had one problem for me. Despite loving Discord as a character as an overall whole, there was no need for him here, other than being a plot device that could have been left out or filled by another character, and this is one of his very few appearances that was a little grating. With his screen time actually not being large though it wasn't enough to drag down "Celestial Advice".
There were things that "Celestial Advice" did so well in that really surprised me. Starlight Glimmer did not get a good reception with a lot of fans, am one of those people personally who loved her in Season 5 but was up and down with her in Season 6 and did think she could have been used less. While the episodes that furthered her development were appreciated and well done on the whole, her 180 personality was difficult to accept at first when she lost what made her a great character in Season 5. Here in "Celestial Advice", she is very well written, likeable and identifiable to the point that you are completely on Twilight's side by the end.
As is Twilight Sparkle, and it was absolutely fascinating to see how her inner mind worked and what she was feeling. Especially when realising she didn't want Starlight to leave, that tugged at my heartstrings and personally have not seen fear portrayed this touchingly in a while. Absolutely loved Princess Celestia's role in "Celestial Advice", finally she is given something to do rather than being an under-utilised (or more like wasted too often) plot device. Her advice is very helpful and both brings a tear to the eyes and warms the heart, with her coming over as a compassionate but at the same time firm character also with flaws but a lot of strengths. Her chemistry with Twilight is heartfelt. Garble also is for once not dislikeable.
Furthermore, the animation is vibrant and gorgeously detailed. Personally didn't mind Thorax's new character design. The music is dynamic and also infectious. The writing is thoughtful and smart, as well as meaningful and funny with some neat references (including one to 'Predator!'). The story is always immensely engaging and made me feel a wide mix of emotions. A vast majority of the characterisation is spot on, though some of the characters are not there for long. The voice acting is great, especially from a very nuanced Kelly Sheridan.
Overall, great and very promising start to Season 7. 9/10.
Which it actually did do at first. It still had episodes that didn't work, though they weren't as bad as the worst of Season 6 ("28 Pranks Later", "Applejack's Day Off", "Newbie Dash"). But the best of Season 7's episodes, which included "A Perfect Pear" and "A Royal Problem", were among the best episodes of the show in a while. As for the season opener "Celestial Advice" it was a great way to begin the season and showed major promise, absolutely agree it deserves a higher rating than it has at the moment (not sure why, Starlight Glimmer detractors?).
"Celestial Advice" only had one problem for me. Despite loving Discord as a character as an overall whole, there was no need for him here, other than being a plot device that could have been left out or filled by another character, and this is one of his very few appearances that was a little grating. With his screen time actually not being large though it wasn't enough to drag down "Celestial Advice".
There were things that "Celestial Advice" did so well in that really surprised me. Starlight Glimmer did not get a good reception with a lot of fans, am one of those people personally who loved her in Season 5 but was up and down with her in Season 6 and did think she could have been used less. While the episodes that furthered her development were appreciated and well done on the whole, her 180 personality was difficult to accept at first when she lost what made her a great character in Season 5. Here in "Celestial Advice", she is very well written, likeable and identifiable to the point that you are completely on Twilight's side by the end.
As is Twilight Sparkle, and it was absolutely fascinating to see how her inner mind worked and what she was feeling. Especially when realising she didn't want Starlight to leave, that tugged at my heartstrings and personally have not seen fear portrayed this touchingly in a while. Absolutely loved Princess Celestia's role in "Celestial Advice", finally she is given something to do rather than being an under-utilised (or more like wasted too often) plot device. Her advice is very helpful and both brings a tear to the eyes and warms the heart, with her coming over as a compassionate but at the same time firm character also with flaws but a lot of strengths. Her chemistry with Twilight is heartfelt. Garble also is for once not dislikeable.
Furthermore, the animation is vibrant and gorgeously detailed. Personally didn't mind Thorax's new character design. The music is dynamic and also infectious. The writing is thoughtful and smart, as well as meaningful and funny with some neat references (including one to 'Predator!'). The story is always immensely engaging and made me feel a wide mix of emotions. A vast majority of the characterisation is spot on, though some of the characters are not there for long. The voice acting is great, especially from a very nuanced Kelly Sheridan.
Overall, great and very promising start to Season 7. 9/10.
