Three's A Crowd

Three's A Crowd
Season №:	4
Season episode №:	11
Overall episode №:	76
Original airdate:	January 25, 2014
Written by:	Meghan McCarthy & Ed Valentine
Storyboard:	Mike Myhre and Mike West[1]
Featured characters:	Princess Cadance Discord
Song:	Glass of Water
See also
credits • transcript • gallery • allusions animation errors • statistics • speculation
Episode guide
Previous Rainbow Falls	Next Pinkie Pride

Three's A Crowd is the eleventh episode of the fourth season of My Little Pony Friendship is Magic and the seventy-sixth episode overall. In this episode, an ill Discord interrupts Twilight Sparkle's quality bonding time with Cadance. The title is a part of the proverb 'Two is company, three's a crowd,' meaning that a third person spoils the ideal combination of a couple.

Production and development

On December 23, 2013, the original Hub Network press release erroneously listed this episode as one featuring "Weird Al" Yankovic in a guest voiceover appearance (he makes this appearance in the subsequent episode Pinkie Pride);^[2] it was later corrected to fit this episode.^[3] Hasbro Studios' vice president of development Michael Vogel later clarified both as being separate episodes.^[4]

The episode is labeled as the twelfth episode on iTunes and Google Play, with Google Play listing the premiere date of this episode identical to Pinkie Pride. Both iTunes and Google Play give the episode title as "Threes a Crowd?".^[5][6]

According to Ed Valentine, the first draft of the episode's script was finished in the fall of 2012.^[7]

A clip of the opening scene with Twilight and Fluttershy was dubbed over by Andrea Libman and used to promote the series' season seven premiere on April 11, 2017.^[8]

Summary

Mail call

At the Golden Oak Library, Spike brings in the mail, only for Twilight Sparkle to immediately snatch it away. When she finds the letter she seeks—with the answer she'd wanted—she jumps for joy. Spike takes Twilight's excitement, as she's flying in circles, to mean that Princess Cadance is coming to visit.

As Twilight rejoices over being able to spend quality time with her sister-in-law, Fluttershy arrives with some news of her own: she's been granted permission to observe a species of rare, magical creatures called the Breezies. Just then, Pinkie Pie also arrives with some mail she's received herself: a flyer for a one-day sale on used patio furniture.

A princess and a draconequus

At the train station, Fluttershy's friends see her off as she leaves on her trip. As she departs, Twilight is nervous about Cadance's visit, as their previous times together had been under stressful conditions. Luckily, the day of her visit falls on the same day that the Star Swirl the Bearded Traveling Museum comes to Ponyville, and Twilight looks forward to spending the whole day with Cadance there without interruption.

Moments later, the Crystal Empire train arrives, and a royal guard escort including Flash Sentry heralds Princess Cadance's arrival. Twilight's friends ensure her that they won't let anything interfere with her time with Cadance. As the princess sisters-in-law walk away, the other ponies see a strange spinning object falling from the sky. It lands in a tree and sneezes the leaves on fire, revealing Discord—blue and sneezing. Claiming sickness and with Fluttershy away, he asks the other ponies to take care of him. Rainbow Dash is quick to flee the scene, and Discord distracts Pinkie Pie with a balloon, leaving it to Applejack and Rarity to care for the ill draconequus.

Applejack and Rarity resolve to keep whatever Discord's scheme is away from Twilight and Cadance, but due to the contagiousness of Discord's disease, they are quickly incapacitated. With a wicked grin, Discord turns to someone else to care for him.

Caring for Discord

At the Star Swirl museum, Twilight (in her Star Swirl costume) and Cadance enjoy the exhibits before the sick Discord appears before them. He tells them that he's come down with "blue flu" and has already given it to Applejack and Rarity. Before he can infect them with it as well, Cadance projects a magic health bubble around herself and Twilight. Discord asks Twilight to take care of him, but Twilight isn't very eager to. When Discord takes offense to this, accusing Twilight of not being his friend, Twilight grudgingly complies.

Twilight and Cadance put Discord to bed in the library. Just before they can return to the museum, Discord asks them to bring him something. However, what starts as a simple request for a tiny glass of water turns into an increasingly outrageous series of requests.

As Twilight's patience wears thin, she looks through her books for a cure. Discord tells the two princesses of a flower that grows on a hill at the very edge of Equestria, a brew from which cures blue flu. When Twilight asks where the flower is exactly, Discord offers to show them the way himself, but his being sick would require some arrangements.

At the edge of Equestria

Twilight and Cadance pull Discord on a giant golden chariot, and Cadance admits to being a little out of practice when it comes to flying. When they finally reach their destination, Twilight apologizes to Cadance for their situation. The two climb to the top of a hill and discover that the flower Discord mentioned is towering in size. When they pull it from the ground, a Tatzlwurm emerges from underground and attacks them. They blast the creature with their unicorn magic, drive it back underground, and seal the hole it escaped from with rocks.

Twilight and Cadance return to Discord with the flower and find him perfectly healthy and dancing. Twilight becomes infuriated over the fact Discord faked being sick, but Discord explains that he thought Twilight wasn't really his friend—she always says she is but has never shown it. He tells Twilight his faking illness was a test of friendship, and the fact that she would travel to the ends of Equestria for his sake means she passed.

Discord wonders if his "test" put a damper on Twilight and Cadance's quality time. Cadance says it didn't, stating that life in the Crystal Empire has become predictable and that she enjoys a little excitement now and then.

Suddenly, the Tatzlwurm emerges from underground again and sneezes on the three. While the two princesses are protected by Cadance's bubble, the unprotected Discord turns green.

Epilogue

As Twilight records her friendship lesson in the journal, Fluttershy—having returned from her trip to see the Breezies—cares for Discord, who is now actually sick and quarantined inside a plastic bubble. Applejack and Rarity remark that he got what he deserved. When Discord asks for one more thing, Twilight responds with an exasperated "No!" Discord states he was simply going to ask for a teeny, tiny glass of water.

Quotes

For more quotes, see the episode's transcript.

Pinkie Pie: Fluttershy, I'll never forget you! Ooh, something floaty! La la la la la!

Twilight Sparkle: Cadance and I can spend the whole day looking at Star Swirl the Bearded artifacts!

Rarity: Sounds like a perfect, drama-free way to spend the day with Cadance.

Twilight Sparkle: Not counting the drama surrounding which of the bells from his cloak they've chosen to put on display! Spoiler alert: It's this one!

Rarity: Whatever it is...DUUUUUCK!!!

Pinkie Pie: Rarity, that doesn't look anything like a duck!

Applejack: What in tarnation are you doin' here? And why the jumpin' junebugs are ya blue?

Rarity: More like a shade of cerulean to be precise.

Discord: Could somebody find me a fainting couch?

[beat]

Rarity: What?

Princess Cadance: I thought you were in no condition to travel.

Twilight Sparkle: Doing okay there?

Princess Cadance: To be honest, I'm a little out of practice when it comes to flying.

Discord: Well, then lucky for you. We're here.

Discord: Well, I was in my thinking tree—that's where I do most of my really deep thinking—I was there, and I said to myself, I said, "Discord, your friend, Twilight, says that she's your pal, but she never writes, and she never pops in for a visit."

Twilight Sparkle: I don't even know where you li—

Discord: "Now that she's a princess, maybe she's decided that she's too good for you."

Twilight Sparkle: I have never considered myself t-

Discord: But how was I supposed to know for sure that I'm truly still friends with one of the most important ponies around?

Twilight Sparkle: I'm not more-

Discord: By seeing if you would go to the ends of Equestria for me, of course. Which you did, literally. Congratulations, Twilight, you passed my friendship test!

Applejack: [to Discord] I don't wanna go around sayin' you got what you deserved.

Rarity: Well, I have no trouble saying it. You got what you deserved!

Gallery

Three's A Crowd image gallery

References

1. ↑ Jim Miller (2014-01-25). I'm late to the party, but.... Twitter. Retrieved on 2014 January 25.
2. ↑ Crystal Williams (2013-12-23). Microsoft Word - January 2014 Highlights FINAL.docx (Original). Retrieved on 2013 December 26.
3. ↑ Crystal Williams (2013-12-26). Microsoft Word - January 2014 Highlights FINAL.docx. Retrieved on 2013 December 26.
4. ↑ Mike Vogel (2013-12-26). @EquestriaDaily I will tell.... Twitter. Retrieved on 2013 December 26.
5. ↑ My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic, Vol. 6. iTunes. Retrieved on 2014 February 19.
6. ↑ My Little Pony Friendship is Magic - Season 4, Volume 1 Episode 12. Google Play. Retrieved on 2014 February 19.
7. ↑ "@eddyval: Good question, @FrostReflect.... Twitter (2014-01-25). Retrieved on 2014 January 25.
8. ↑ Discovery Family (2017-04-11). Just 4 days to go, Pony fans!!! My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic season premiere, April 15 at 11:30AM only on Discovery Family.. Twitter. Retrieved on 2017 April 11.

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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 Season nine Episode 1 The Beginning of the End - Part 1 Episode 2 The Beginning of the End - Part 2 Episode 3 Uprooted Episode 4 Sparkle's Seven Episode 5 The Point of No Return Episode 6 Common Ground Episode 7 She's All Yak Episode 8 Frenemies Episode 9 Sweet and Smoky Episode 10 Going to Seed Episode 11 Student Counsel Episode 12 The Last Crusade Episode 13 Between Dark and Dawn Episode 14 The Last Laugh Episode 15 2, 4, 6, Greaaat Episode 16 A Trivial Pursuit Episode 17 The Summer Sun Setback Episode 18 She Talks to Angel Episode 19 Dragon Dropped Episode 20 A Horse Shoe-In Episode 21 Daring Doubt Episode 22 Growing Up is Hard to Do Episode 23 The Big Mac Question Episode 24 The Ending of the End - Part 1 Episode 25 The Ending of the End - Part 2 Episode 26 The Last Problem Clip shows Episode 1 A-Dressing Memories Episode 2 Cakes for the Memories Episode 3 Memnagerie Episode 4 Deep Tissue Memories Episode 5 Harvesting Memories Episode 6 Memories and More

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