Season 7 Episode 9: Honest Apple
We start this episode off with Spike helping Rarity hand out flyers. Pinkie takes an interest, and Rarity reveals that they're in hopes of attracting some more fashionistas, talking of how difficult it was for her to break out into the fashion scene. Apparently Photo Finish and Hoity Toity are going to help her judge this year's Couture du Future Fashion Contest, along with a mystery guest. After a few incorrect guesses from both Pinkie and Spike, it's revealed that the third judge is going to be Applejack, who has just walked by and expresses the same surprise that Rarity and Spike have. Roll opening credits!
After the opening credits, Rarity reveals that Hoity knows all about stitch-work, and Photo Finish has an eye for colour, but neither have much consideration for practicality. That's where Applejack comes in. Applejack tries to worm out of this rope-in by stating that she might be *too* practical as she has twenty versions of the same hat, though Rarity suggests that she sleeps on the invitation.
Cut to the apple farm, where Apple Bloom is uncharacteristically wearing her bow tied around a hat to keep it on her head. She mentions that judging the fashion show sounds like fun, to which Applejack replies that Apple Bloom knows more about fashion than she does, and questions her selection as a judge. Apple Bloom starts tripping over her bow whilst collecting apples, and Applejack talks about how although the hat is stylistic, it's completely impractical. Through this, she realises that she might actually be the right choice for the judging after all.
Applejack heads to the boutique to let Rarity know that she's agreed to judge, right as Photo Finish and Hoity Toity show up. They talk of how they missed Miss Pommel's big debut in Manehatten last week, and I can't believe they're forced to call her 'Miss Pommel' now; she was a perfectly upstanding and likable character before the legal case. Anyway, Rarity introduces Applejack to the other two judges, who test her by showing a photo of a pony wearing a disco ball. Naturally, Applejack questions whether the outfit can be considered 'clothes', before cracking up laughing, much to the disgust of the two fashion experts. Apparently the outfit was designed by Miss Pommel. Rarity makes light of Applejack's criticism, and introduces her to the other designers.
We've got all three of your standard fashionista stereotypes of display here. Lily Lace is bubbly, effervescent, and essentially a carbon copy of Sunshine Smiles. Inky Rose is gothic and almost certainly voiced by the same actress as Moonlight Raven. The standout is Starstreak, who is portrayed as futuristic, whilst simultaneously looking fresh out of the eighties. Rarity asks for Applejack's opinion on Inky's work, and she states that she thinks that the black is depressing. Inky tries to remedy this by chucking a grey shawl over the top of it, which the experts think makes a world of difference, but not Applejack. She goes on to say that she can't understand the visions of the other two designers either, though quickly realises that they didn't like hearing what she had to say. Rarity tries to cheer her up by stating that fashion needs a healthy dose of practicality. Applejack further insults the designers by questioning Inky's 'distressed' look, stating that Lily's long dress hangs so low that it will get muddy, and failing to realise that Starstreak had *already* styled a model's hair.
Cut to Applejack heading home from the boutique, as she is stopped by Pinkie. Despite initially being hesitant, she thinks that the day went incredibly well, and that she essentially saved the designs from being completely impractical. She walks off, and Rarity walks into view, who Pinkie questions as well. Rarity mentions that she can't agree with many of Applejack's opinions, though still thinks they'll help out. Considering Rarity looks a little upset, Pinkie offers to let Rarity have a go on her guitar in an effort to cheer her up. And it's at this moment that Rarity breaks out the most bad-ass guitar solo ever! She promptly finishes this solo off as quickly as it began, leaving Pinkie in complete shock.
Rarity and Applejack return to the boutique, where Inky is showcasing a new buttoned dress. Hoity likes it, but Applejack thinks that it would take too long to button them all. Lily finishes off a cross-stitched headpiece, which again Hoity is rather impressed by. Applejack takes the hat in her mouth and proceeds to shake all the fathers off. Why, exactly? Because Apple Bloom tried to add style to her hat, and it set back her workload. I can understand it in Apple Bloom's case, but Lily's hat wasn't impeditive. Photo Finish and Hoity Toity argue over two belts for Starstreak's outfit, though Applejack thinks that they're the exact same belt. Rarity joins in, and agrees with the fashion experts. Applejack immediately tells Rarity that she's wrong, and that fashion is outright stupid. Unsurprisingly, this offends not only Rarity, but the designers and the experts as well. However, as Applejack claims, she "was just being honest".
Before you know it, demolition has started on the future site for the fashion show. Rarity is in tears, and Pinkie hops along to ask what's wrong. According to Rarity, Applejack ruined everything. Applejack interjects, asking why Rarity is angry at her, and stating that Rarity herself asked for Applejack's honest opinion. And I have to agree with Applejack. While it *was* completely unfair to physically wreck some of the designs, Applejack is perfectly entitled to her opinion, and was indeed asked for it. Rarity, mad at Applejack calling fashion ridiculous, tells her to follow her to see Strawberry Sunrise. And do you know what her gimmick is? Take a guess. That's right; she's really into strawberries, and hates apples. Strawberry explains that strawberries are better than apples, which absolutely infuriates Applejack. Again though, she's entitled to her opinion. Rarity flashes a very "I told you so" look at Applejack, and she suddenly comes to the realisation of the parallels. Rarity process to scold her, and Applejack apologises for not considering how she was making other ponies feel.
In an attempt to right her wrongs, Applejack hunts down the fashion experts, and essentially kidnaps them, bringing them back to the boutique. Next up is the designers, who attempt to deliberately run away from Applejack, who proceeds to lasso them. Don't worry; it's totally consensual. Applejack attempts to convince them to continue work on the fashion show, and the designers agree, one one condition... that Applejack unties them. The ponies all get to work on creating new costumes, and this time Applejack is much more supportive. It's also worth noting that there's a shot here where Applejack picks out two different chokers, and they use the same re-coloured shot, simply to save on animation.
Cut to Pinkie Pie, who is mid-admission of telling Rarity that she was told to distract her for an hour, before revealing the unveiling of the fashion runway. Rarity questions how they prevented the demolition, and Lily states that Applejack did it all by herself, using the word 'literally' for the sixth time this episode. You know, because she's a Valley girl. The fashion show starts, and a few models showcase designers from the trio of designers. It comes time for the voting, and Rarity votes for Lily, due to being drawn to the beauty and drama of fashion. Hoity votes for Inky, and Photo Finish votes for Starstreak. Surprise, surprise, the deciding vote comes down to Applejack. Cut from a nervous Applejack to back at the boutique, where she explains that she couldn't make a decision, so decided that all three designers should win. Rarity shows her a new gaudy dress that she's been working on, and asks for Applejack's opinion. Applejack tries to be polite, but Rarity admits to totally messing up on it, stating that it's ghastly and horrid. Applejack breathes a sigh of relief, and states that in her honest opinion, it's awful. The two share a laugh, and the credits roll.
So what have we learned from this episode? The moral is that honesty is both an admirable and desirable quality, though uninhibited honest opinions can be hurtful when expressed. The art is in stating a negative opinion in a way that is critical of a *concept*, rather than a person's actions or adherence to a concept. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but that does not give people the right to act upon them. Applejack was particularly out-of-character here, as she would never outright destroy a garment simply because she thought it was impractical. Also, it's hard to see an episode centered around Applejack's honesty so closely following Where The Apple Lies. In terms of other characters, Lily and Inky were both carbon copies of preexisting fashionista ponies. Why not simply bring them back, like Hoity Toity and Photo Finish were brought back? In contrast, Pinkie felt well-utilised in this episode; her interest felt genuine but not forced, and her carefree guitar-playing was a nice touch. Rarity also had some great moments, and her guitar solo was simply amazing. In fact, so amazing, I'm using it as the image for this episode.
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