Talk:The Hearth's Warming Club/@comment-4531340-20180806104506

Wow, as far as episodes designed with a framing device in order to tell multiple different stories, this is leaps and bounds above Campfire Tales, especially in terms of the framing narrative. Some nice exploration of the Young Six, and their home life, as well as world-building. Everything, as far as characterization, in fact, I felt was excellent, and once again, the Young Six had a really great dynamic.

From Ocellus and her changeling family taking Twilight's Hearth's Warming instructions hilariously literally, to Yona's adorable story (showing how there's more to the yaks than smashing, and in fact, it seems to bring them together and keep them tight), to Sandbar's hilariously anticlimactic story (with the spoiler-ific title), and even Smolder's story going to show how things prized among dragons differ from the other species, those were all great. (also, based on Smolder's reaction to it all, it seems she's not exactly thrilled with those things either)

Boy, Queen Novo's really got stuff for the hippogriffs/seaponies together! Not only a board of tourism, but an actual book too? And the explanation for the holiday made a lot of sense, and why it would need to be 3 days long now.

And of course, how can I not mention - poor Gallus! Man, that was a kick to the feels - I could not stop saying "wow" and "that's so sad!" for a couple minutes after the episode was over. On some level, I was kind of disappointed that he wasn't related to Gabby, but man, that reveal about him really made me like him even more. It also really helped to flesh out his character, add a sad dimension to it (because it makes sense that he'd act so sarcastic, aloof, and unaffected - it's a mask he wears to deal with the pain of his empty home life)

I think this has become my new favorite of the season. Man, I know it's early, but I'm almost comfortable with calling Brian Hohlfeld the best new s8 writer - both his episodes have been among the best of the season. Also, if it keeps up, season 8 will be my new favorite, finally supplanting season 5.