The Times They Are A Changeling | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Season №: | 6 |
Season episode №: | 16 |
Overall episode №: | 133 |
Original airdate: | August 20, 2016 |
Story by: | Michael Vogel, Kevin Burke, and Chris "Doc" Wyatt |
Written by: | Kevin Burke and Chris "Doc" Wyatt |
Storyboard: | Ward Jenkins and Hanna Lee |
Featured characters: | Thorax |
Song: | A Changeling Can Change |
See also | |
credits • transcript • gallery • allusions animation errors • statistics • speculation | |
Episode guide | |
Previous 28 Pranks Later | Next Dungeons & Discords |
The Times They Are A Changeling is the sixteenth episode of season six of My Little Pony Friendship is Magic and the one hundred and thirty-third overall. The title might be a reference to the 1964 Bob Dylan album "The Times They are a-Changin'", basis of Enterplay collectible card game Marks in Time #102 C card Invasion of the Changelings flavor text "The times, they are a'changelin'."
In this episode, Twilight Sparkle, Starlight Glimmer, and Spike travel to the Crystal Empire and find the Crystal Ponies in a panic over the possibility of a changeling spy.
Production
In production order, this is season six episode seventeen.
The baby changelings were designed by Kora Kosicka, Charmaine Verhagen, and Fernanda Ribeiro.[1]
Summary
Prologue

Spike? Who's Spike? No Spike here.
In a nearby seat, Spike is in disguise and masking his voice. When asked why, he explains he does not want to attract attention from the Crystal Ponies because of his "brave and glorious" reputation.
An Empire in panic

Whatever the trouble is, Spike the Brave and Glorious can save us!
Outside the palace, Twilight, Starlight, and Spike are stopped by royal guards—even Twilight's princess status and Spike's Empire reputation prevent them from getting through. When Princess Cadance, Shining Armor, and Sunburst enter, Cadance confirms Twilight's identity with their "Sunshine, Sunshine" dance.

Some things never change.
Search for the changeling
Spike joins the royal guards' search for the changeling in the Arctic Wastes outside the Empire, and the guards defer to Spike's command. After splitting up the group to cover more ground, Spike stumbles into an underground cavern and nearly falls into a deep chasm. He is briefly startled by his own mirrored reflection, but his reflection turns out to be the changeling itself.

A most unexpected friendship is formed.
Having a reputation among the Crystal Ponies as a hero, Spike offers to speak to them on Thorax's behalf.
"Crystal Hoof"

Friendly changelings? That's a laugh!
- "There's no such thing as a nice changeling."
- — Shining Armor
Spike returns to Thorax's cave to give the bad news, but he comes up with another plan. He brings Thorax to the castle under the guise of an average Crystal Pony and introduces him to Twilight as his pen pal "Crystal Hoof". After a successful meet-and-greet with Princess Twilight, Spike takes "Crystal Hoof" out in public to mingle with other Crystal Ponies.

A friendship plan falls apart.
The ponies immediately turn on Thorax, believing that he has taken "Crystal Hoof"'s place. Surrounded by so many angry ponies, Spike is unable to bring himself to stand up for his new friend. Thorax runs away in tears, and the royal guards give chase.
A Changeling Can Change
As Shining Armor and the royal guards search for Thorax, Spike looks for him in his cave. Thorax comes out of hiding and hisses at Spike, giving up hope that a changeling can ever have friends. Spike apologizes for not standing up for him, and Thorax forgives him since he is such a respected hero to the Crystal Ponies. With that, Spike sets out to make things right.

Spike appeals to the ponies through the power of song.
When the song ends, Twilight says she's proud of Spike for risking his celebrity status for a new friend. As the princess of friendship, she officially extends a warm hoof to Thorax, which he tearfully accepts. Having received the message of Spike's song, Cadance extends her hoof to Thorax as well on behalf of the Empire, and Shining Armor welcomes him as an official citizen.
Epilogue

The gap between pony and changeling becomes slightly shorter.
Quotes
- For more quotes, see the episode's transcript.
- Spike: [deep voice] "Spike?" Who's "Spike"?
- Starlight Glimmer: Pfft. Uh, you're Spike, Spike. And why are you dressed like that?
- Spike: [groans] [normal voice] Guys, you're blowing my cover!
- "Amber Laurel": Oh, it sure looks like Princess Twilight and her pupil.
- "Scarlet Heart": But how can we be sure?
- "Golden Väs": We can't! Either one of them could be the... you know!
- Princess Cadance: After Queen Chrysalis took my place at our wedding and invaded Canterlot with her army of minions, we're not taking any chances.
- Sunburst: Changelings feed off of love. And ever since Flurry Heart's Crystalling, the Empire is filled with more love than anywhere in Equestria. It's possible they've come for the baby.
- Spike: You... saved me?
- Thorax: It's okay. I know you don't wanna be friends.
- Spike: Wait! I don't understand. Changelings are supposed to be evil... right?
- Thorax: Evil? Oh, not me. All I've ever wanted is a friend.
- Twilight Sparkle: How do you know Spike?
- Thorax: Oh, uh, Spike and I go way back.
- Spike: To the Equestria Games! That's when we met. We've been pen pals ever since.
- Twilight Sparkle: Pen pals? Spike! You could have been using my pen pal quill set! Why didn't you tell me?
- Thorax: Why do you think I would help you? I'm an "evil changeling"!
- Spike: Because you're my friend. I just wish I had been one to you.
- Shining Armor: Spike! What are you doing?! Get away from that thing!
- Spike: No! He's not a "thing"! His name is Thorax, and he's my friend!
- Twilight Sparkle: As the Princess of Friendship, I try to set an example for all of Equestria. But today, it was Spike who taught me that a new friend can come from anywhere. I guess everypony still has things to learn about friendship. Even me! And if Spike says Thorax is his friend, then he's my friend too.
- Thorax: Thank you.
- Starlight Glimmer: Looks like you were right after all.
- Twilight Sparkle: Right about what?
- Starlight Glimmer: Friendship lessons can happen anywhere.
Gallery
References
- ↑ Jim Miller (2016-08-20). Thanks to @kkosicka @charmainevee and @fe_rib for indulging my request to make baby changelings weird grub worms. #mlpseason6. Twitter. Retrieved on 2016 August 20.
Episodes, films, and animated shorts |
---|
Season one | |||
---|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Episode 1 Friendship is Magic, part 1 | Episode 2 Friendship is Magic, part 2 | Episode 3 The Ticket Master | Episode 4 Applebuck Season |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Episode 5 Griffon the Brush Off | Episode 6 Boast Busters | Episode 7 Dragonshy | Episode 8 Look Before You Sleep |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Episode 9 Bridle Gossip | Episode 10 Swarm of the Century | Episode 11 Winter Wrap Up | Episode 12 Call of the Cutie |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Episode 13 Fall Weather Friends | Episode 14 Suited For Success | Episode 15 Feeling Pinkie Keen | Episode 16 Sonic Rainboom |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Episode 17 Stare Master | Episode 18 The Show Stoppers | Episode 19 A Dog and Pony Show | Episode 20 Green Isn't Your Color |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
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 |
![]() | ![]() | ||
Episode 25 Party of One | Episode 26 The Best Night Ever |
Season two | |||
---|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Episode 1 The Return of Harmony Part 1 | Episode 2 The Return of Harmony Part 2 | Episode 3 Lesson Zero | Episode 4 Luna Eclipsed |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Episode 5 Sisterhooves Social | Episode 6 The Cutie Pox | Episode 7 May the Best Pet Win! | Episode 8 The Mysterious Mare Do Well |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Episode 9 Sweet and Elite | Episode 10 Secret of My Excess | Episode 11 Hearth's Warming Eve | Episode 12 Family Appreciation Day |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Episode 13 Baby Cakes | Episode 14 The Last Roundup | Episode 15 The Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000 | Episode 16 Read It and Weep |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Episode 17 Hearts and Hooves Day | Episode 18 A Friend in Deed | Episode 19 Putting Your Hoof Down | Episode 20 It's About Time |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Episode 21 Dragon Quest | Episode 22 Hurricane Fluttershy | Episode 23 Ponyville Confidential | Episode 24 MMMystery on the Friendship Express |
![]() | ![]() | ||
Episode 25 A Canterlot Wedding - Part 1 | Episode 26 A Canterlot Wedding - Part 2 |
Season three | |||
---|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
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 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Episode 5 Magic Duel | Episode 6 Sleepless in Ponyville | Episode 7 Wonderbolts Academy | Episode 8 Apple Family Reunion |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
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 | |||
---|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Episode 1 Princess Twilight Sparkle - Part 1 | Episode 2 Princess Twilight Sparkle - Part 2 | Episode 3 Castle Mane-ia | Episode 4 Daring Don't |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Episode 5 Flight to the Finish | Episode 6 Power Ponies | Episode 7 Bats! | Episode 8 Rarity Takes Manehattan |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Episode 9 Pinkie Apple Pie | Episode 10 Rainbow Falls | Episode 11 Three's A Crowd | Episode 12 Pinkie Pride |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Episode 13 Simple Ways | Episode 14 Filli Vanilli | Episode 15 Twilight Time | Episode 16 It Ain't Easy Being Breezies |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Episode 17 Somepony to Watch Over Me | Episode 18 Maud Pie | Episode 19 For Whom the Sweetie Belle Toils | Episode 20 Leap of Faith |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
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 | |||
---|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Episode 1 The Cutie Map - Part 1 | Episode 2 The Cutie Map - Part 2 | Episode 3 Castle Sweet Castle | Episode 4 Bloom & Gloom |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
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 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Episode 9 Slice of Life | Episode 10 Princess Spike | Episode 11 Party Pooped | Episode 12 Amending Fences |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Episode 13 Do Princesses Dream of Magic Sheep? | Episode 14 Canterlot Boutique | Episode 15 Rarity Investigates! | Episode 16 Made in Manehattan |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Episode 17 Brotherhooves Social | Episode 18 Crusaders of the Lost Mark | Episode 19 The One Where Pinkie Pie Knows | Episode 20 Hearthbreakers |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Episode 21 Scare Master | Episode 22 What About Discord? | Episode 23 The Hooffields and McColts | Episode 24 The Mane Attraction |
![]() | ![]() | ||
Episode 25 The Cutie Re-Mark - Part 1 | Episode 26 The Cutie Re-Mark - Part 2 |
Season six | |||
---|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
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 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Episode 5 Gauntlet of Fire | Episode 6 No Second Prances | Episode 7 Newbie Dash | Episode 8 A Hearth's Warming Tail |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Episode 9 The Saddle Row Review | Episode 10 Applejack's "Day" Off | Episode 11 Flutter Brutter | Episode 12 Spice Up Your Life |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
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 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Episode 17 Dungeons & Discords | Episode 18 Buckball Season | Episode 19 The Fault in Our Cutie Marks | Episode 20 Viva Las Pegasus |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
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 |
![]() | ![]() | ||
Episode 25 To Where and Back Again - Part 1 | Episode 26 To Where and Back Again - Part 2 |
Season seven | |||
---|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Episode 1 Celestial Advice | Episode 2 All Bottled Up | Episode 3 A Flurry of Emotions | Episode 4 Rock Solid Friendship |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Episode 5 Fluttershy Leans In | Episode 6 Forever Filly | Episode 7 Parental Glideance | Episode 8 Hard to Say Anything |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Episode 9 Honest Apple | Episode 10 A Royal Problem | Episode 11 Not Asking for Trouble | Episode 12 Discordant Harmony |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Episode 13 The Perfect Pear | Episode 14 Fame and Misfortune | Episode 15 Triple Threat | Episode 16 Campfire Tales |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
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 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Episode 21 Marks and Recreation | Episode 22 Once Upon a Zeppelin | Episode 23 Secrets and Pies | Episode 24 Uncommon Bond |
![]() | ![]() | ||
Episode 25 Shadow Play - Part 1 | Episode 26 Shadow Play - Part 2 |
Season eight | |||
---|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
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 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Episode 5 Grannies Gone Wild | Episode 6 Surf and/or Turf | Episode 7 Horse Play | Episode 8 The Parent Map |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Episode 9 Non-Compete Clause | Episode 10 The Break Up Break Down | Episode 11 Molt Down | Episode 12 Marks for Effort |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Episode 13 The Mean 6 | Episode 14 A Matter of Principals | Episode 15 The Hearth's Warming Club | Episode 16 Friendship University |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Episode 17 The End in Friend | Episode 18 Yakity-Sax | Episode 19 Road to Friendship | Episode 20 The Washouts |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Episode 21 A Rockhoof and a Hard Place | Episode 22 What Lies Beneath | Episode 23 Sounds of Silence | Episode 24 Father Knows Beast |
![]() | ![]() | ||
Episode 25 School Raze - Part 1 | Episode 26 School Raze - Part 2 |
Feature films | |||
---|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Equestria Girls | Rainbow Rocks | Friendship Games | Legend of Everfree |
![]() | |||
My Little Pony The Movie |
Specials | |||
---|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Dance Magic | Movie Magic | Mirror Magic | Forgotten Friendship |
![]() | ![]() | Spring Breakdown | |
Rollercoaster of Friendship | Best Gift Ever | Spring Breakdown |