Talk:The Crystalling - Part 2/@comment-10390252-20160326161359

Not a bad episode overall. None of the characterisations were too forced. However, the initial crisis was very arbitary and calmly throws the existing official origin story of the Two Princesses in order to create a plot device. I'm not sure that it was worth it, quite frankly.

There were lots of simple but effective funny moments in this episode, although they were rather formulaic (for example, I saw the destruction of the spellbook from the first moment I saw the basic situation). However, it was certainly less stilted and forced than The Cutie Map, which is my least favourite season opener to date.

To me, the big "d'aaawww" moment was little Flurry not wanting to stop playing with her Auntie Pinkie. That mare has a way with foals!

How was Starlight Glimmer used? Once again, it was rather forced. The use of Sunburst as the deus ex machina felt like Josh was struggling to find something to do with Starlight. They could have just as easily had somepony who was an old friend of Twilight's (say, Moondancer) with no serious impact on the plot. My fears that Starlight is going to be used too extensively and will supplant the main characters remains strong; we'll see how  the rest of the season goes.