The Return of Harmony Part 1 | |
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Season №: | 2 |
Season episode №: | 1 |
Overall episode №: | 27 |
Original airdate: | September 17, 2011 |
Written by: | M. A. Larson |
Storyboard: | Tom Sales & Sabrina Alberghetti[1] |
Featured characters: | Discord |
See also | |
credits • transcript • gallery • allusions animation errors • statistics • speculation | |
Episode guide | |
Previous The Best Night Ever | Next The Return of Harmony Part 2 |
Production
The show's director, Jayson Thiessen, has stated that while the two episodes were produced at the tail-end of the first season, they were always supposed to be part of season two. This was done to shorten the production hiatus and to keep on as many of the show's staff as possible.[2] Lauren Faust notes that the episode's writing was completed before the series premiered, and was not created or altered as a reaction to the fanbase.[3] The two episodes' writer M.A. Larson has stated that Applejack was to have said a line that was cut from the episode, "Hope everything's ok back in Ponyville. I don't know if Big McIntosh and Granny Smith have enough butter for all that popcorn."[4][5][6] A line that "got cut early on, and with good reason" ("Doesn't really fit 'in universe.'") was Rainbow Dash saying "Get off that cloud and put 'em up! I'm not afraid of you! Come on, Marquess of Queensbury rules! Let's go!" instead of "Get off there and put 'em up! Come on! Let's go!"[7]
Summary
Prologue: the statue of Discord

The friends fight in front of the statue of Discord.
Cheerilee interrupts their bickering by describing a statue of a "draconequus," a creature with “the head of a pony and a body made up of all sorts of things.” She asks her students to guess what the statue represents. When Scootaloo guesses "chaos," Sweetie Belle calls her a "dodo." Apple Bloom jumps on her friends' heads and tells them they’re both wrong, and the three start fighting. Above them, a small circle on the draconequus statue glows briefly. They stop fighting when Cheerilee pronounces all three correct, saying that the statue represents discord, or "a lack of harmony between ponies.” Cheerilee says that each of them will have to write her an essay about discord. As the class leaves, a large crack spreads across the draconequus statue and a cackle is heard.
The first signs

Chaos descends upon the field.
Twilight Sparkle arrives with Spike, and says she has a new "fail-safe" spell to reverse the strange changes to the weather and animals. She casts the spell and a bright purple band of magic sweeps the land, but nothing happens. Undeterred, she tells Rainbow Dash to corral the clouds and Applejack to lasso them. Twilight instructs Fluttershy to coax the animals into eating the cotton candy clouds and popcorn instead of the apples. Not long after, Spike receives a letter from Princess Celestia, telling the six ponies to come to Canterlot immediately.
Discord returns

Princess Celestia summoning the Mane Six.
- "Eternal chaos comes with chocolate rain, you guys. Chocolate rain!"
- — Pinkie Pie
Princess Celestia opens a locked door with her horn and takes out a box, but she and the friends discover that the Elements are missing from it. Suddenly, Discord's voice echoes around the room, and he animates a depiction of himself in one of the stained glass windows. Discord comments on each element that the six friends represent, and poses a riddle:
- "To retrieve your missing Elements just make sense of this change of events. Twists and turns are my master plan. Then find the elements back where you began."
- — Discord
Twilight deduces that Discord has hidden the Elements inside the castle's outdoor hedge maze.
The maze

Enter: Discord!
- No flying and no magic.
- Every pony has to play, or the game is over and Discord wins.
Hedges spring up and separate the friends, who agree to meet in the middle of the maze.
Applejack the liar

Applejack stares into the dark future of her friends.
Pinkie Pie the grump

The spirit of chaos uses Pinkie's love of balloons against her.
Rarity the hoarder

Rarity becomes obsessed with a shiny giant diamond, but looks can be deceiving.
Fluttershy the brute

Discord's words fail to corrupt Fluttershy, so he resorts to force.
A section of hedge disappears, revealing the others. When Twilight greets Fluttershy, she insults Twilight and smacks her with her tail. Fluttershy even knocks Pinkie Pie into a hedge. As Applejack laughs at Pinkie and Pinkie retorts, Twilight realizes that something is happening to her friends. She tries to assist Rarity with moving her rock, but Rarity warns her that the rock belongs to her.
Rainbow Dash the traitor

Discord tests Rainbow Dash's loyalty by giving her a tough choice.
Discord wins the game

"Looks like we might be due for a big old storm of chaos!"
- "Looks like we might be due for a big old storm of chaos!"
- — Discord
Reuse of backgrounds
The star background in which corrupted Applejack, Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash are over is the same as Twilight's background in the previous episode. It is also seen in May the Best Pet Win!
Quotes
- For more quotes, see the episode's transcript.
- Scootaloo: How cool would it be to have that for a cutie mark?
- Apple Bloom: Cool, if you were actually victoryful at somethin'.
- Sweetie Belle: That's not a word!
- Scootaloo: What are you, a dictionary?
- Sweetie Belle: It's not chaos, you dodo!
- Scootaloo: Don't call me things I don't know the meaning of, and it is too chaos.
- Sweetie Belle: Is not!
- Apple Bloom: You're both wrong!
- Pinkie Pie: Hold on a second! Eternal chaos comes with chocolate rain, you guys! Chocolate! Rain!
- Rarity: You can keep the elements. I'll take that case!
- Pinkie Pie: Oh well, if anyone needs me, I'll be outside in the chocolate puddles with a giant swizzle straw!
- Discord: Making sense? Oh, what fun is there in making sense?
- Discord: Oh, I've forgotten how grim you can be, Celestia. It's really quite boring.
- Rainbow Dash: Hey! Nopony insults the princess!
- Discord: Oh, you must be Rainbow Dash, famed for her loyalty, the element of harmony you represent.
- Rainbow Dash: That's right! I'll always be loyal to the princess!
- Discord: We'll see about that.
- Pinkie Pie: [laugh] He's dancing on your head!
- Discord:
- To retrieve your missing elements
- Just make sense of this change of events.
- Twists and turns, are my master plan
- Then find the elements, back where you began.
- Rainbow Dash: My wings!
- Fluttershy: [screams]
- Twilight and Rarity: Your horn! My horn! [screams]
- Discord: You should see the looks on your faces! Priceless!
- Discord:
- When all the truth does
- Is make your heart ache,
- Sometimes a lie
- Is easier to take.
- Discord (as butterflies): Fluttershy, looks like you've been left behind by your so called friends, huh?
- Fluttershy: Oh no, I'm certain they're doing their best to find me.
- Discord (as butterflies): Well it must be so upsetting to know how weak and helpless they think you are.
- Fluttershy: Not at all, I AM weak and helpless and I appreciate their understanding.
- Discord (as butterflies): Yes well, I'm sure it burns you up, that they're always pointing out your flaws right?
- Fluttershy: Not really. In fact, I think I'm awfully lucky to have friends who want me to be the best I can be.
- Discord: Oh, for goodness sake! [mesmerizes Fluttershy] You've been kind for far too long, my dear! Time to be cruel! Arrivederci!
- Rarity: ...But don't get any ideas about my gem. I know where you live.
- Rainbow Dash: Get off there and put 'em up! C'mon! Let's go!
- Discord:
- A weighty choice is yours to make,
- The right selection or a big mistake.
- If the wrong choice you choose to pursue,
- The foundations of home will crumble without you.
- Discord: Looks like we're in for a big old storm of chaos!
Gallery
See also
- The Return of Harmony, Part 2, the continuation of The Return of Harmony Part 1.
- Friendship is Magic, part 1, the first season's opening episode.
- Discord, the main antagonist of The Return of Harmony Part 1 and 2.
References
- ↑ Raven Molisee's DeviantArt journal (2012-02-23). Retrieved on 2012 February 23.
- ↑ Equestria Daily interview with Thiessen (2011-09-13). Retrieved on 2011 September 15.
- ↑ Lauren Faust (2011-09-20). Completion of season two opener's writing. Retrieved on 2011 September 21.
- ↑ M.A. Larson on Twitter (2012-07-24). Retrieved on 2012 July 24.
- ↑ M.A. Larson on Twitter (2012-07-24). Retrieved on 2012 July 24.
- ↑ M.A. Larson on Twitter (2012-07-24). Retrieved on 2012 July 24.
- ↑ M.A. Larson on Twitter (2012-08-01). Retrieved on 2012 August 2.
- ↑ Salvador Dalí (1946). The Temptation of Saint Anthony. Retrieved on 2013 June 20.
- ↑ Salvador Dalí (1948). The Elephants. Retrieved on 2013 June 20.
Episodes, films, and animated shorts |
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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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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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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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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 |
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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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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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Episode 21 Testing Testing 1, 2, 3 | Episode 22 Trade Ya! | Episode 23 Inspiration Manifestation | Episode 24 Equestria Games |
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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 |
![]() | ![]() | Spring Breakdown | |
Rollercoaster of Friendship | Best Gift Ever | Spring Breakdown |