Despite being one of the worst-received episodes of Season 6 and of 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic', the Cutie Mark Crusaders are always watchable and far more interesting than their names sound and have had some good episodes centered around them. They also have had some great interactions with their older sisters (all interesting characters, though Applejack's characterisation and episodes are inconsistent) frequently in all the seasons. And the premise is good.
One that is wasted by pretty sloppy execution. "The Cart Before the Ponies" is semi-watchable for one character in particular and the Cutie Mark Crusaders actually do come over well as characters. It's how they are treated and the characterisation of the older ponies that are less tasteful and other episodes of the season (one of the show's most hit and miss ones) and the show have far more compelling stories and superior writing. Can understand the negative reputation for "The Cart Before the Ponies", while not considering it irredeemable.
"The Cart Before the Ponies" has redeeming qualities certainly. The animation is full of vibrant colour, polished and expressive character designs (that aspect has come on a fair bit since the show first started) and elaborately designed backgrounds. The background music is dynamic with the characters' actions and emotions and the placement is never questionable. The voice acting is fine, Kazumi Evans shines here.
Really liked Cherilee here, no make that love. She manages to be the most likeable and most mature character in the whole of "The Cart Before the Ponies", the one that makes the most sense and one who actually listens. The Cutie Mark Crusaders' personalities keep getting more endearing and interesting all the time and had no problem with their characterisations here.
Something that cannot be said for how they are treated, especially by the characters that should have listened to and respected their desires the most, really don't like it when the Cutie Mark Crusaders are treated cruelly whenever something bad happens and while not quite one of the worst cases that is the case here. Like many fans, the characterisation of the older ponies is some of the worst of the entire show. Despite being a fan of 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic', at least one episode of every season made the mistake of emphasising too much negative characteristics and they do that with all three of the older sisters. Applejack's stubborness and aggression, Rainbow Dash's arrogance and full of herself-ness and Rarity's (the least bad because she at least had moments where she actually wasn't out of character) self-centered-ness are all taken to quite insulting extremes and one really hates how they put themselves over the needs of their own sisters with knowledge of what they want.
Was not really taken with the song or message either. Season 6 was very mixed when it came to its songs, and "Derby Racers" is one of the worst. It's not just forgettable or lyrically uninspired and charmless but it also blatantly shows how out of control the behaviour is and lays that on too thick while not acknowledging it as a bad thing. The message is another one that conceptually was good but sloppily executed. Too rushed, too obvious, too preachy and it would have been much more believable if the Cutie Mark Crusaders were not treated as cruelly and if the sisters were not written so excessively negatively. The story is very bland and predictable with a too hastily wrapped up ending, while the writing takes itself too seriously and is both corny and mechanical.
Overall, a misfire of an episode and one of Season 6's worst. 4/10.
One that is wasted by pretty sloppy execution. "The Cart Before the Ponies" is semi-watchable for one character in particular and the Cutie Mark Crusaders actually do come over well as characters. It's how they are treated and the characterisation of the older ponies that are less tasteful and other episodes of the season (one of the show's most hit and miss ones) and the show have far more compelling stories and superior writing. Can understand the negative reputation for "The Cart Before the Ponies", while not considering it irredeemable.
"The Cart Before the Ponies" has redeeming qualities certainly. The animation is full of vibrant colour, polished and expressive character designs (that aspect has come on a fair bit since the show first started) and elaborately designed backgrounds. The background music is dynamic with the characters' actions and emotions and the placement is never questionable. The voice acting is fine, Kazumi Evans shines here.
Really liked Cherilee here, no make that love. She manages to be the most likeable and most mature character in the whole of "The Cart Before the Ponies", the one that makes the most sense and one who actually listens. The Cutie Mark Crusaders' personalities keep getting more endearing and interesting all the time and had no problem with their characterisations here.
Something that cannot be said for how they are treated, especially by the characters that should have listened to and respected their desires the most, really don't like it when the Cutie Mark Crusaders are treated cruelly whenever something bad happens and while not quite one of the worst cases that is the case here. Like many fans, the characterisation of the older ponies is some of the worst of the entire show. Despite being a fan of 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic', at least one episode of every season made the mistake of emphasising too much negative characteristics and they do that with all three of the older sisters. Applejack's stubborness and aggression, Rainbow Dash's arrogance and full of herself-ness and Rarity's (the least bad because she at least had moments where she actually wasn't out of character) self-centered-ness are all taken to quite insulting extremes and one really hates how they put themselves over the needs of their own sisters with knowledge of what they want.
Was not really taken with the song or message either. Season 6 was very mixed when it came to its songs, and "Derby Racers" is one of the worst. It's not just forgettable or lyrically uninspired and charmless but it also blatantly shows how out of control the behaviour is and lays that on too thick while not acknowledging it as a bad thing. The message is another one that conceptually was good but sloppily executed. Too rushed, too obvious, too preachy and it would have been much more believable if the Cutie Mark Crusaders were not treated as cruelly and if the sisters were not written so excessively negatively. The story is very bland and predictable with a too hastily wrapped up ending, while the writing takes itself too seriously and is both corny and mechanical.
Overall, a misfire of an episode and one of Season 6's worst. 4/10.
