| Swarm of the Century | |
|---|---|
| |
| Season №: | 1 |
| Season episode №: | 10 |
| Overall episode №: | 10 |
| Original airdate: | December 17, 2010 |
| Written by: | M. A. Larson |
| Storyboard: | Tom Sales & Lih Liau[1] |
| Featured characters: | Parasprites |
| See also | |
| credits • transcript • gallery • allusions animation errors • statistics • speculation | |
| Episode guide | |
| Previous Bridle Gossip | Next Winter Wrap Up |
Production and development
This episode was originally called "Pied Piper Pinkie", but was then changed following a later story meeting.[2]
According to Lauren Faust, Swarm of the Century was "initially conceived as just a story about a plague of locust-like creatures, but the parallels to Tribbles became apparent pretty fast. I'm a huge Star Trek dork," she wrote, "so we went with it."[3] Writer M. A. Larson added that he had Gremlins in mind when writing the episode.[4]
Summary
Fluttershy discovers a parasprite
Fluttershy meets a parasprite.
The rest of Ponyville is also preparing for the Princess's arrival. Twilight Sparkle tells Spike that the library has to be spotless, and everything has to be perfect. Twilight goes to check on the rest of the preparations. In Sugarcube Corner, she catches Pinkie Pie eating cakes and other sweets that Mr. and Mrs. Cake have made for the Princess. Pinkie Pie says that she is sampling the sweets to ensure their quality. Fluttershy enters the bakery to show Twilight and Pinkie Pie the creature she found, but inexplicably, two more of the same creatures pop out. Twilight adopts one of them so Spike can have a companion. Pinkie Pie, however, reacts in disgust, calling them "parasprites." She says that she needs a trombone and leaves the bakery.
In Carousel Boutique, Rarity is putting the finishing touches on Rainbow Dash's elaborate dress. Twilight enters and praises Rarity's dresses that she designed specially for the royal visit. When Twilight takes out her parasprite, she discovers that she is carrying not one, but three of them. Rarity and Rainbow Dash gladly adopt the extra parasprites.
The parasprites multiply
Just be glad this is only a 'what if' scenario.
Applejack directs her friends in an attempt to round up the parasprites. The ponies succeed in driving the parasprites into the Everfree Forest. Unfortunately, when the friends head back to Fluttershy's house, a dense swarm of parasprites bursts out. Fluttershy admits that she had kept a parasprite because she couldn't help herself. Rainbow Dash steps up to the plate by creating a tornado that sucks in the parasprites. Everything is working until Pinkie Pie walks up to them, sporting a pair of cymbals. The cymbals are drawn into the tornado; Rainbow Dash tries to dodge them, but they break her concentration and the tornado falls apart. The parasprite horde flies into Ponyville and the friends run after them, ignoring Pinkie's attempt to explain why she was gathering the instruments in the first place.
Twilight tries to seek help
When you're under this much stress and with everything at stake.
The ponies watch in horror as the parasprites begin to eat all the food in town. Twilight casts a spell to stop the parasprites from consuming food. However, the parasprites start devouring everything that isn't food: signposts, lamps, Rarity's dresses, and even the words from Twilight's books. Twilight brings a parasprite to Zecora's house in the Everfree Forest, hoping the zebra can find a solution. Zecora easily recognizes the parasprite, but even she doesn't know how to get rid of them. Twilight returns to Ponyville and sees that Princess Celestia is approaching the town. Frantic and almost hysterical, Twilight begins to formulate a plan to build a replica of Ponyville next to the real one before the Princess's arrival, but Celestia's royal procession appears on the horizon.
Pinkie saves the day
I guess they pushed Pinkie too far.
At the town's outskirts, the friends meet Princess Celestia, who thinks the orderly, bouncing parasprites are part of a parade in her honor. She informs Twilight that she needs to cancel her Ponyville visit to deal with an infestation of some "incredibly bothersome creatures" in Fillydelphia. Celestia asks Twilight if she would like to give a report on friendship before she leaves. Twilight tells her mentor that the solutions to one's problems can come from unlikely sources, and that it's a good idea to listen to your friends' opinions and perspectives, even if they don't seem to make any sense. Commenting on how impressed she is with Twilight Sparkle and her friends, Celestia takes off.
The friends apologize to Pinkie Pie for not listening to her. Twilight tells her that she is a great friend even though they don't always understand her, and thank her for saving Ponyville. The friends walk back to Ponyville, and the episode ends when Pinkie Pie comically plays a trombone to express their dismay at the ruins.
Quotes
- For more quotes, see the episode's transcript.
- Spike: You know, this would be an awful lot easier if there weren't two of us here getting under each other's feet.
- Twilight Sparkle: Great idea. You clean, I'll go see how everyone else's preparations are coming.
- Spike: Or maybe I should... [groan]
- Twilight Sparkle: You can't hang a banner that says "Welcome Princess Celest". Take it down and try again!
- Pinkie Pie: I, Pinkie Pie, declare that these treats are fit for a king, or a queen, or a princess!
- Pinkie Pie: UGH! A parasprite?! Are you kidding?!
- Fluttershy: "Ugh"?
- Twilight Sparkle: A para-what?
- Fluttershy: How could you not like–?
- Pinkie Pie: UGH! Now I need to find a trombone...
- Twilight Sparkle: ...A what?
- Rarity: I don't have time for some silly scavenger hunt! I've got a real problem...
- Pinkie Pie: You've got a real problem all right, and a banjo is the only answer!
- Fluttershy: I tried everything I know. I tried begging, and pleading, and beseeching, and asking politely, and...
- Rainbow Dash: Time to take out the adorable trash!
- Twilight Sparkle: Pinkie Pie, what have you done?
- Pinkie Pie: I've lost a brand new pair of cymbals, that's what I've done.
- Twilight Sparkle: Will you forget about your silly instruments for one second? You're ruining our efforts to save Ponyville.
- Pinkie Pie: Me? Ruin? I'm not the ruiner, I'm the ruinee! Or is it ruinness? Ruinette?
- Rainbow Dash: Hey. It worked. They're not eating the food anymore...
- Rarity: Oh no. If they get inside my store... Every pony for herself!
- Rarity: My outfits! Go on, shoo! Get out of here. Naughty! Naughty! AAH! AAH!
- Pinkie Pie: I'll save you!
- Rarity: AAAAAAAAAAH!
- Zecora: Oh, monster of so little size! Is that a parasprite before my eyes?!
- Twilight Sparkle: I don't know! Is it?
- Zecora: Tales of crops and harvests consumed. If these creatures are in Ponyville...you're doomed.
- Twilight Sparkle: Okay, here's the plan. Rainbow Dash, you distract them.
- Rainbow Dash:(being attacked by parasprites) YAAAAAAAEEEAAAA!
- Twilight Sparkle: Good. Everyone else, we need to build an exact copy of Ponyville right over there. We've got less than a minute. [gasp] Zecora was right, we're doomed.
- Princess Celestia: I'm so proud of you, Twilight Sparkle, and I'm very impressed with your friends as well. It sounds like you're all learning so much from each other...
- Pinkie Pie: Hey! What happened to the princess?
- Twilight Sparkle: Emergency in Fillydelphia...
- Rainbow Dash: Some sort of... infestation.
- Pinkie Pie: Oh no! Have they got parasprites too? Well... Have tuba, will travel!
- Twilight Sparkle: I think the princess can handle it...
- Twilight Sparkle: You're a great friend... Even if we don't always understand you.
- Pinkie Pie: Thanks, guys. You're all great friends, too... even when I don't understand me...
- Twilight Sparkle : You saved my reputation with Princess Celestia and, more importantly, you saved Ponyville. [pause] Or not...
Gallery
References
- ↑ Raven Molisee's DeviantArt journal (2012-02-23). Retrieved on 2012 February 23.
- ↑ M.A. Larson discussing Swarm of the Century (2012-06-03). Retrieved on 2012 June 9.
- ↑ Lauren Faust discussing Swarm of the Century (2010-12-18). Retrieved on 2012 July 30.
- ↑ Interview With M.A. Larson. Celestia Radio (2013-01-27). Retrieved on 2013 January 29.
| Episodes, films, and animated shorts |
|---|
| Season one | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 
| 
| 
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| Episode 1 Friendship is Magic, part 1 | Episode 2 Friendship is Magic, part 2 | Episode 3 The Ticket Master | Episode 4 Applebuck Season |
| 
| 
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| Episode 5 Griffon the Brush Off | Episode 6 Boast Busters | Episode 7 Dragonshy | Episode 8 Look Before You Sleep |
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| 
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| Episode 9 Bridle Gossip | Episode 10 Swarm of the Century | Episode 11 Winter Wrap Up | Episode 12 Call of the Cutie |
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| 
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| Episode 13 Fall Weather Friends | Episode 14 Suited For Success | Episode 15 Feeling Pinkie Keen | Episode 16 Sonic Rainboom |
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| Episode 17 Stare Master | Episode 18 The Show Stoppers | Episode 19 A Dog and Pony Show | Episode 20 Green Isn't Your Color |
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| Episode 21 Over a Barrel | Episode 22 A Bird in the Hoof | Episode 23 The Cutie Mark Chronicles | Episode 24 Owl's Well That Ends Well |
| 
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| Episode 25 Party of One | Episode 26 The Best Night Ever | ||
| Season two | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 
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| 
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| Episode 1 The Return of Harmony Part 1 | Episode 2 The Return of Harmony Part 2 | Episode 3 Lesson Zero | Episode 4 Luna Eclipsed |
| 
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| Episode 5 Sisterhooves Social | Episode 6 The Cutie Pox | Episode 7 May the Best Pet Win! | Episode 8 The Mysterious Mare Do Well |
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| Episode 9 Sweet and Elite | Episode 10 Secret of My Excess | Episode 11 Hearth's Warming Eve | Episode 12 Family Appreciation Day |
| 
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| Episode 13 Baby Cakes | Episode 14 The Last Roundup | Episode 15 The Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000 | Episode 16 Read It and Weep |
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| Episode 17 Hearts and Hooves Day | Episode 18 A Friend in Deed | Episode 19 Putting Your Hoof Down | Episode 20 It's About Time |
| 
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| Episode 21 Dragon Quest | Episode 22 Hurricane Fluttershy | Episode 23 Ponyville Confidential | Episode 24 MMMystery on the Friendship Express |
| 
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| Episode 25 A Canterlot Wedding - Part 1 | Episode 26 A Canterlot Wedding - Part 2 | ||
| Season three | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 
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| Episode 1 The Crystal Empire - Part 1 | Episode 2 The Crystal Empire - Part 2 | Episode 3 Too Many Pinkie Pies | Episode 4 One Bad Apple |
| 
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| Episode 5 Magic Duel | Episode 6 Sleepless in Ponyville | Episode 7 Wonderbolts Academy | Episode 8 Apple Family Reunion |
| 
| 
| 
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| Episode 9 Spike at Your Service | Episode 10 Keep Calm and Flutter On | Episode 11 Just for Sidekicks | Episode 12 Games Ponies Play |
| |||
| Episode 13 Magical Mystery Cure | |||
| Season four | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 
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| Episode 1 Princess Twilight Sparkle - Part 1 | Episode 2 Princess Twilight Sparkle - Part 2 | Episode 3 Castle Mane-ia | Episode 4 Daring Don't |
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| Episode 5 Flight to the Finish | Episode 6 Power Ponies | Episode 7 Bats! | Episode 8 Rarity Takes Manehattan |
| 
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| 
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| Episode 9 Pinkie Apple Pie | Episode 10 Rainbow Falls | Episode 11 Three's A Crowd | Episode 12 Pinkie Pride |
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| Episode 13 Simple Ways | Episode 14 Filli Vanilli | Episode 15 Twilight Time | Episode 16 It Ain't Easy Being Breezies |
| 
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| Episode 17 Somepony to Watch Over Me | Episode 18 Maud Pie | Episode 19 For Whom the Sweetie Belle Toils | Episode 20 Leap of Faith |
| 
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| 
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| Episode 21 Testing Testing 1, 2, 3 | Episode 22 Trade Ya! | Episode 23 Inspiration Manifestation | Episode 24 Equestria Games |
| 
| ||
| Episode 25 Twilight's Kingdom - Part 1 | Episode 26 Twilight's Kingdom - Part 2 | ||
| Season five | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 
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| Episode 1 The Cutie Map - Part 1 | Episode 2 The Cutie Map - Part 2 | Episode 3 Castle Sweet Castle | Episode 4 Bloom & Gloom |
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| Episode 5 Tanks for the Memories | Episode 6 Appleoosa's Most Wanted | Episode 7 Make New Friends but Keep Discord | Episode 8 The Lost Treasure of Griffonstone |
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| Episode 9 Slice of Life | Episode 10 Princess Spike | Episode 11 Party Pooped | Episode 12 Amending Fences |
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| Episode 13 Do Princesses Dream of Magic Sheep? | Episode 14 Canterlot Boutique | Episode 15 Rarity Investigates! | Episode 16 Made in Manehattan |
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| Episode 17 Brotherhooves Social | Episode 18 Crusaders of the Lost Mark | Episode 19 The One Where Pinkie Pie Knows | Episode 20 Hearthbreakers |
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| Episode 21 Scare Master | Episode 22 What About Discord? | Episode 23 The Hooffields and McColts | Episode 24 The Mane Attraction |
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| Episode 25 The Cutie Re-Mark - Part 1 | Episode 26 The Cutie Re-Mark - Part 2 | ||
| Season six | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 
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| Episode 1 The Crystalling - Part 1 | Episode 2 The Crystalling - Part 2 | Episode 3 The Gift of the Maud Pie | Episode 4 On Your Marks |
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| Episode 5 Gauntlet of Fire | Episode 6 No Second Prances | Episode 7 Newbie Dash | Episode 8 A Hearth's Warming Tail |
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| Episode 9 The Saddle Row Review | Episode 10 Applejack's "Day" Off | Episode 11 Flutter Brutter | Episode 12 Spice Up Your Life |
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| Episode 13 Stranger Than Fan Fiction | Episode 14 The Cart Before the Ponies | Episode 15 28 Pranks Later | Episode 16 The Times They Are A Changeling |
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| Episode 17 Dungeons & Discords | Episode 18 Buckball Season | Episode 19 The Fault in Our Cutie Marks | Episode 20 Viva Las Pegasus |
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| Episode 21 Every Little Thing She Does | Episode 22 P.P.O.V. (Pony Point of View) | Episode 23 Where the Apple Lies | Episode 24 Top Bolt |
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| Episode 25 To Where and Back Again - Part 1 | Episode 26 To Where and Back Again - Part 2 | ||
| Season seven | |||
|---|---|---|---|
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| Episode 1 Celestial Advice | Episode 2 All Bottled Up | Episode 3 A Flurry of Emotions | Episode 4 Rock Solid Friendship |
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| Episode 5 Fluttershy Leans In | Episode 6 Forever Filly | Episode 7 Parental Glideance | Episode 8 Hard to Say Anything |
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| Episode 9 Honest Apple | Episode 10 A Royal Problem | Episode 11 Not Asking for Trouble | Episode 12 Discordant Harmony |
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| Episode 13 The Perfect Pear | Episode 14 Fame and Misfortune | Episode 15 Triple Threat | Episode 16 Campfire Tales |
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| Episode 17 To Change a Changeling | Episode 18 Daring Done? | Episode 19 It Isn't the Mane Thing About You | Episode 20 A Health of Information |
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| Episode 21 Marks and Recreation | Episode 22 Once Upon a Zeppelin | Episode 23 Secrets and Pies | Episode 24 Uncommon Bond |
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| Episode 25 Shadow Play - Part 1 | Episode 26 Shadow Play - Part 2 | ||
| Season eight | |||
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| Episode 1 School Daze - Part 1 | Episode 2 School Daze - Part 2 | Episode 3 The Maud Couple | Episode 4 Fake It 'Til You Make It |
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| Episode 5 Grannies Gone Wild | Episode 6 Surf and/or Turf | Episode 7 Horse Play | Episode 8 The Parent Map |
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| Episode 9 Non-Compete Clause | Episode 10 The Break Up Break Down | Episode 11 Molt Down | Episode 12 Marks for Effort |
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| Episode 13 The Mean 6 | Episode 14 A Matter of Principals | Episode 15 The Hearth's Warming Club | Episode 16 Friendship University |
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| Episode 17 The End in Friend | Episode 18 Yakity-Sax | Episode 19 Road to Friendship | Episode 20 The Washouts |
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| Episode 21 A Rockhoof and a Hard Place | Episode 22 What Lies Beneath | Episode 23 Sounds of Silence | Episode 24 Father Knows Beast |
| 
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| Episode 25 School Raze - Part 1 | Episode 26 School Raze - Part 2 | ||
| Feature films | |||
|---|---|---|---|
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| Equestria Girls | Rainbow Rocks | Friendship Games | Legend of Everfree |
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| My Little Pony The Movie | |||
| Specials | |||
|---|---|---|---|
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| Dance Magic | Movie Magic | Mirror Magic | Forgotten Friendship |
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| Spring Breakdown | |
| Rollercoaster of Friendship | Best Gift Ever | Spring Breakdown | |
