With Star Swirl and the other Pillers of Equestria freed from limbo, Twilight and the others must team up to defeat the Pony of Shadows.With Star Swirl and the other Pillers of Equestria freed from limbo, Twilight and the others must team up to defeat the Pony of Shadows.With Star Swirl and the other Pillers of Equestria freed from limbo, Twilight and the others must team up to defeat the Pony of Shadows.
- Twilight Sparkle
- (voice)
- Pony of Shadows
- (voice)
- …
- Fluttershy
- (voice)
- …
- Meadowbrook
- (voice)
- Rarity
- (voice)
- …
- Somnambula
- (voice)
- Rainbow Dash
- (voice)
- …
- Flash Magnus
- (voice)
- Sunburst
- (voice)
- Mistmane
- (voice)
- Rockhoof
- (voice)
- Spike
- (voice)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis is the second two-part season finale without a musical number.
- GoofsWhen the ponies regroup outside the Well of Shade after freeing Stygian, Rainbow's Element is facing the wrong way.
- Quotes
Star Swirl the Bearded: I simply cannot believe how tall you've gotten!
Princess Celestia: Well, it has been over a thousand years. Will you stay here and teach magic once again? My sister and I have such fond memories of your lessons.
Princess Luna: As long as you don't ask for those essays we owed you before you disappeared.
Star Swirl the Bearded: [chuckles] I'm not sure Canterlot is where I belong. The realm has grown, and I believe I'll have a look around before I settle down in any one place.
Meadowbrook: And I long to see what has become of my home.
Mistmane: I believe we all do.
Princess Celestia: Then I hope you will return to Canterlot on occasion, and share the wisdom of your great experience with the next generation of ponies.
Star Swirl the Bearded: We would be honored, but if it is wisdom you seek,
[gestures to Twilight Sparkle]
Star Swirl the Bearded: look no further than your own pupil. She showed me that the power of friendship is a magical force indeed, and in turning away from others, you hurt yourself as well.
[He and Stygian and the Pillers with Spike and Mane 6 and except for Twilight Sparkle group hug]
Twilight Sparkle: It's funny. I thought meeting my idol would give me all the answers I ever wanted, but instead, I forgot what I already knew.
[Looks to Starlight Glimmer]
Twilight Sparkle: Good thing I had a student of my own to remind me.
[Hugs her, who shortly after hugs in response]
- ConnectionsReferences My Little Pony: Equestria Girls - Rainbow Rocks Animated (2014)
"Shadow Play Part 2" is more eventful than the first part, with more going on in the plot and the pace is livelier. It also feels tighter, not difficult to manage as the first part for my taste was too exposition heavy even for setting things up. At the same time, a couple of the problems that were there in Part 1 are not really addressed here and that it was more eventful was not always a good thing in my mind. So again there are a lot of fantastic but great potential was not completely fullfilled.
The fantastic things will be started off with. The animation is colourful and full of atmosphere and meticulous detail. Also doing such a great job at immersing one into the setting and the lore. The music is the kind that will appeal to children, being current and not being too old, and should have a nostalgic feel for older viewers. The voice acting is excellent, Kelly Sheridan and Tara Strong both give deeply committed voice work. As does Chris Britton as Starswirl, shining particularly in his fury at Twilight and at the end.
Writing is an improvement here, it's leaner and there is more emotion to it too. Again a great job is done with the lore, everything with the Pillars continues to be fascinating. Starswirl is even more interesting than he was in Part 1 and his chemistry with Twilight was great. Both Twilight and Starlight, who has come on a long way as a character since Season 6, are very well written and their bond shines very bright. The climax is suitably suspenseful and the closing scene is very sweet.
Having said all of that, "Shadow Play Part 2" could have been better. Again, and even more so, the story feels over-stuffed and therefore at times a little too complicated. Too much information in too little time, too many characters with most underused (apart from Starlight, Twilight and Starswirl). This is a two parter that would have benefitted from being either three or four parts or a season's worth story arc.
Pony of Shadows is menacing, meaning that the conflict does convince, but part of me felt that he was not developed or used enough. With the amount that goes on, it means that we don't get to know too many of the characters and relationships are not delved into deeply enough.
On the whole though, a well above average finale but too short and needed less characters and less going on. 7/10.
- TheLittleSongbird
- Aug 11, 2021
- Permalink
Details
- Runtime22 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1080i (HDTV)
- 480i (SDTV)