"A Friend in Deed's" story sounded like one that would be easy to relate to, and also be heart-warming and easy to like. Something that more often than not 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic' is very good to great at, having relatable stories with situations that many people today have in everyday life. Pinkie Pie can be a funny and cute character with good intentions, she can also on other occasions have her flaws exaggerated in a way that becomes annoying.
While Pinkie Pie's character writing here left me mixed and the episode fits in neither extreme of best or worst when it comes to Pinkie Pie-centric episodes, "A Friend in Deed" is still entertaining and charming with some great moments and two lovely supporting characters worth investing in. Not great but very much worthwhile and while it may not nail Pinkie Pie it doesn't do her an injustice either, other episodes fare far worse in that.
The animation didn't disappoint very often in 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic'. It still doesn't here, very beautifully varied and meticulously detailed in the backgrounds. The music likewise doesn't disappoint, the character still delighting. "A Friend in Deed" includes one of the best songs of the entire show. The writing is good natured and sincere that never felt too forced or too mushy (continuity is consistent), "you're extra special" makes the heart melt. The story is very heart warming and touching, the very meaning of feel good regardless of it being not much new.
Loved the two supporting characters Cranky Doodle and Matilda, that were two of the most sympathetic, most well developed and relatable characters of Season 2. Cranky Doodle especially (to me he made the episode), much more so than his name suggests, his self-control is admirable and his crankiness is not overdone. The chemistry with Pinkie Pie is charming, the moral is sincere and relevant and the felt-world segment is heartfelt and warms the heart. The voice acting is very good all round.
Pinkie Pie's character writing made me somewhat mixed though. Appreciated her willingness and good intentions, but at the same time found her over-eagerness to be a bit too obsessive and it did get annoying. There were times with Cranky being bothered by Pinkie Pie was a bit repetitive.
Ending was somewhat tacked on and the pace should have been sharper at times.
Overall though, a good episode. 7/10
While Pinkie Pie's character writing here left me mixed and the episode fits in neither extreme of best or worst when it comes to Pinkie Pie-centric episodes, "A Friend in Deed" is still entertaining and charming with some great moments and two lovely supporting characters worth investing in. Not great but very much worthwhile and while it may not nail Pinkie Pie it doesn't do her an injustice either, other episodes fare far worse in that.
The animation didn't disappoint very often in 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic'. It still doesn't here, very beautifully varied and meticulously detailed in the backgrounds. The music likewise doesn't disappoint, the character still delighting. "A Friend in Deed" includes one of the best songs of the entire show. The writing is good natured and sincere that never felt too forced or too mushy (continuity is consistent), "you're extra special" makes the heart melt. The story is very heart warming and touching, the very meaning of feel good regardless of it being not much new.
Loved the two supporting characters Cranky Doodle and Matilda, that were two of the most sympathetic, most well developed and relatable characters of Season 2. Cranky Doodle especially (to me he made the episode), much more so than his name suggests, his self-control is admirable and his crankiness is not overdone. The chemistry with Pinkie Pie is charming, the moral is sincere and relevant and the felt-world segment is heartfelt and warms the heart. The voice acting is very good all round.
Pinkie Pie's character writing made me somewhat mixed though. Appreciated her willingness and good intentions, but at the same time found her over-eagerness to be a bit too obsessive and it did get annoying. There were times with Cranky being bothered by Pinkie Pie was a bit repetitive.
Ending was somewhat tacked on and the pace should have been sharper at times.
Overall though, a good episode. 7/10
