Season 7 Episode 1: Celestial Advice
This episode starts out with Spike quizzing Starlight Glimmer on her upcoming commendation for defeating Queen Chrysalis. We're barely into this season, and we're already maintaining continuity from season six! Beautiful! As Spike chats with Starlight, he spots Twilight teleport into her room and proceed to measure Starlight's room. He panickingly tries to keep her attention, asking if Starlight will dress up, whilst imitating Rarity. Twilight teleports away, and Spike brings the conversation to a close. Later, it's revealed that Twilight was measuring Starlight's room for a mirror she plans to give to her, adorned with photographs of all of their friends. Spike worries about planning the celebration, though Twilight assures him that Pinkie has it covered. In typical style, Pinkie decorates the entire palace in a single instant. Roll opening credits!
Cut to the celebration, where Twilight and Celestia are presenting the friendship brigade (or whatever the quartet of Starlight, Trixie, Discord and Thorax is going by these days) with pink hearts of courage for their valiant efforts. Luna levitates the medallions onto Trixie's and Starlight's necks with ease, though Discord has to take his head off to adorn his. She goes to place the medal over Thorax's antlers, though it won't fit, much to the shock and worry of Luna and Pinkie. Luna struggles with this for a bit, which was pretty comedic.
During the celebration, Celestia pulls Twilight aside, commenting on how great it is for Twilight to be able to watch her student flourish. Discord wonders what Twilight has in store for Starlight next, to which Twilight states that she has enough friendship lessons planned for three years. Although this seems perfectly apt, Discord quaffs at the suggestion, stating that Starlight is far too 'advanced' for simple friendship lessons. Apparently Twilight needs to come up with a grand 'master plan' for Starlight, just as Celestia had set her on her own path (eventually leading to Twilight's coronation as a princess). Twilight immediately starts to worry, lying in that she already has a plan. Discord jumps at this, telling Starlight that Twilight has something important to say. Twilight brushes this off, excusing herself.
Cut to Twilight freaking out in a pile of scrolls, realising that there's nothing more she can teach Starlight - in fact, Starlight taught *her* some of the lessons. Seeking help, she meets with Celestia, who jokingly comments that the notion of an overachieving student sounds familiar. As she conveys the similarity, Twilight comes to the realisation that Celestia solved the problem by sending her away to Ponyville (from Canterlot). Her heart sinks, as Celestia emphasises the difficulty of the decision. Twilight agrees that it's something that needs to be done, as she plots out a location to send Starlight off to, letting off an "Oh boy..." of trepidation.
There's a beautiful cut to a smiling Fluttershy, who opens with an enthusiastic "Oh boy!", highlighting the seriousness of Twilight's plight. The remainder of the Mane Six have been corralled by Discord, and clearly told about the fact that Twilight is going to make a big revelation. They're all excited, though surprised that Twilight didn't tell them about the surprise party. As Pinkie quizzically points out, "usually, you tell your party planner about all your plans for your party". That right there was one of the funniest lines in the show to date!
Back with Celestia, Twilight is still wondering where to send Starlight. She ponders sending Starlight to the Changeling Empire, hoping that Starlight could help them adjust to the new way of life. She proceeds to cast Celestia, Spike and herself into a vision of a posited future. In the vision, Starlight and Thorax are pairing up to teach the Changelings the concept of compromise. With a successful demonstration, one of the Changelings mentions that Starlight is "a most apt and perspicacious pony"; some great language there! While Starlight seems suited, Twilight worries that it would only take one Changeling to deviate from the pack, impersonate Starlight, and throw her perspicacity into disrepute.
Realising that the Changeling Empire might not be the best place for Starlight, Twilight suggests a new location - the Dragon Lands, where Twilight thinks that Starlight would hit things off with Ember. There's a brief posited exchange between Ember and Starlight, both of whom deliberately sound and act out-of-character. Spike conjectures that Twilight's projection doesn't seem at all like either Ember or Starlight, though Twilight states that they can't be sure *what* their dynamic would be like. Twilight also quickly comes to the realisation that not all dragons like ponies as much as Ember. Did she seriously forget about Dragon Quest? This is demonstrated by Garble flying with Starlight towards a pit of lava, just before the projection ends.
Finally, Twilight considers sending Starlight to the Crystal Empire. It's safe, and she could work with Sunburst to continue her study of magic with Sunburst. Just when you think this is as safe as it could get, Twilight highlights the only possibly danger - that they become so ambitious in their studies that they try dangerous magic, eventually creating a black hole. It looks like Twilight can't send Starlight anywhere! Princess Celestia breaks out in laughter, stating that she had the exact same fears as Twilight back when she was deciding Twilight's fate.
Celestia gets a flashback as well, in which she highlights how difficult it was to help Twilight; her insatiable pursuit of academia was keeping her isolated. And how can you make friends if you remain alone in isolation? Celestia wonders about several possible options, such as closing the library or throwing a party. Both would force Twilight to make friends. Celestia mentions that she knew about a special group of ponies in Ponyville, though worried that Twilight might get mauled by a manticore or pulled into Tartarus. Celestia goes on to reveal that the anxiety she felt was because she didn't *want* Twilight to go; Twilight had taught her as much as she had taught Twilight. If Twilight made friends, Celestia worried that she wouldn't need her anymore. Twilight alleviates these fears, as Celestia states that Starlight probably feels the same way about Twilight. "Letting someone spread their wings doesn't mean you no longer have a place in their lives."
Cut to Starlight's celebratory party, and Twilight begins to make a speech about how much Starlight has proved herself. As the ponies all congratulate her, Starlight questions if Twilight is really sure if sending her away is such a good idea. Twilight assures Starlight that she's ready, though Starlight lets out an exclamation that she's not ready to leave. Twilight sighs in relief, stating that she's not ready for Starlight to leave either. She then proceeds to present Starlight with what was initially going to be a present for receiving a medal of honour, which then became a going away present, and finally became a "I couldn't be happier you're staying" present. Starlight clearly appreciates the present, as she holds back tears of happiness. Twilight assures her that although she doesn't necessarily know what comes next for Starlight, no matter what, she'll always be there for her. Roll credits!
This episode had a truly touching message about letting things go (much like the classic song 'Let It Go'). The concept of letting go was also clearly about a child separating from their parents and finding their feet in the world, which is never an easy process, but one that strengthens them as an individual. And if the scriptwriters decided to actually send Starlight away, this episode could have easily been one of the best to date. Starlight is a fan favourite character, and kicking her out of the show for canonical reasons that made perfect sense would have been an *amazing* plot twist. This could have opened up a number of options; perhaps we would could have an episode or two that followed Starlight's exploits? Maybe the CMC would follow suit, branching out on their own? And speaking of characters getting more development, it looks as though Trixie could possibly be becoming a member of the main cast now. I'm certainly not complaining! All in all, this was a great episode. If the rest of the season follows suit, we're in for a treat!
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