S08E03: The Maud Couple

[Captain Rufus]

That wasn't a very good episode.

Pony Sheldon is Pony Sheldon, and Pinkie was just an idiot.

Vision of friends was good, as was the rock farm

Pretty much. BBT makes me want to be dead more than most modern sitcoms and that's saying a lot. I don't need it in my horsie show. Especially when it's messing up a Maud episode.

[Highbrow Dash]

The bits with everyone else were okay.

This is what I thought. It was good except for every scene with Sheldon

It could've been funny if he really was just like Maud but he took it a few steps further and became agravating. "Technically" was too much.

It did have good moments though. "You look as miserable as I feel ALL THE TIME"

[Fizzbuzz]

I enjoyed it. Regarding Mudbriar, sure he was mildly aggravating toward most people, but that was kind of the point. Maud, unlike most people, doesn't mind his mannerisms. That's what enabled her to see past that, to see into his heart and find a lover and a kindred spirit. Like Pinkie Pie, we might see someone who's rather odd, but if that oddness isn't causing harm then what's the matter? That's a hell of a valuable lesson, as I see it.

I gotta watch this episode again and catch every last detail in the new intro, too.

[Vivianinatoga]

find a lover and a kindred spirit.

Technically, they're only likers.

[Soft Snow]

I squirmed every time they said boyfriend. It may be that I don't like the idea of them dating or the fact that term seems so out of place for the show. They never used the word boy before, it was always replaced with colt. The proper terminology should have been "coltfriend." I mean where in their culture did the term "boyfriend" even come from?

[SigmasonicX]

"Boyfriend" was used in "Hearts and Hooves Day", so it's hardly new.

I thought Mudbriar was just aggravating enough to be funny, but I can definitely see him being too much for people. I don't watch The Big Bang Theory, so I didn't make the Sheldon connection.

[Mr. Big]

Something I'm wondering, is this the first time Pinkie expressed annoyance at another character? Maybe Discord in a previous episode, but other than that...

[CorvusCaw]

Mudbriar was designed for the audience to dislike, so it seems to have been effective. I liked the rock farm scenes but the episode needed more Maud. Limestone really needs a therapist.

[Madeline]

Something I'm wondering, is this the first time Pinkie expressed annoyance at another character? Maybe Discord in a previous episode, but other than that...

Pinkie lost her temper at Applejack for breaking a pinkie promise in “The Last Roundup.”

[Fizzbuzz]

Something I'm wondering, is this the first time Pinkie expressed annoyance at another character? Maybe Discord in a previous episode, but other than that...

Way back in Griffon the Brush-Off, Pinkie Pie was upset at Gilda for being a jerk while also being friends with Rainbow Dash. Does that count?

[SlateSlabrock]

Something I'm wondering, is this the first time Pinkie expressed annoyance at another character? Maybe Discord in a previous episode, but other than that...

First time she lost her temper at a new pony, perhaps. She was as convinced Zecora was scary and evil as everyone else at first.

I enjoyed it. Regarding Mudbriar, sure he was mildly aggravating toward most people, but that was kind of the point. Maud, unlike most people, doesn't mind his mannerisms. That's what enabled her to see past that, to see into his heart and find a lover and a kindred spirit. Like Pinkie Pie, we might see someone who's rather odd, but if that oddness isn't causing harm then what's the matter? That's a hell of a valuable lesson, as I see it.

On one hand, he's very similar to Maud (by design), and he shouldn't be shunned just for being different.

On the other hand, Maud mostly has trouble communicating her feelings in a way others understand. She knows this and avoids those situations. Mudbriar much more actively pushes himself into every conversation to drop a "TECHNICALLY...", which makes him seem arrogant, and which makes it harder to accept when he's genuinely being insightful. Maybe he sees being technically correct as supremely important, or maybe not, but while Pinkie shouldn't rush to push him out of her sister's life, he also bears some responsibility for understanding how to behave in polite company.

[Adiwan]

Mudbriar explicitly stalled the conversation in the shop just because he couldn't decide on a small and insignificant thing, knowing that another customer is standing behind and the shop closing in a few moments.
Also the shop has the worst customer service ever for not speeding up the process and letting Mudbriar take so long.
Technically it's all the shop's fault.

[SlateSlabrock]

New opening.

Wonderbolts!


Let's fly to the classroom!


The castle gets sidelined in the new opening in favor of the school in the new scenes.





Wonderbolts again. "You're being promoted from rookie to mascot!"


Put lollipops in cannon...

...get a cake...?


Rarity still has a job.


And then... the apples.


Kirby bunny.


"This playset's still on sale!"


"Just so we're clear, this dais only has room for two thrones. You two are visiting dignitaries, capiche?"

[SlateSlabrock]

Eyes on the Pies.




Giant hat.


Derpy.


There's some good scenery in this episode.




I'm trying to figure out what sort of baked good this shopkeeper's cutie mark refers to.


"That's stick abuse."


Sloooow and steady wins the race!


Is that a new hairdo, Sweetie Belle? Wait, you're not Sweetie Belle.


Small detail: Magical hand-off from Starlight to Twilight.

[Adiwan]

I'm trying to figure out what sort of baked good this shopkeeper's cutie mark refers to.

I think the cutiemark is two pancakes and a knife putting chocolate creme (or marmalade?) between the two pancake layers.

[CorvusCaw]

tbf the only season 7 or 8 episodes I've watched were the ones with Maud in them, but now that she's in the intro I'm not sure what to do.

[Vivianinatoga]

I haven't watched the show in so long that I'm surprised Big Mac is dating

[Highbrow Dash]

tbf the only season 7 or 8 episodes I've watched were the ones with Maud in them, but now that she's in the intro I'm not sure what to do.

You need to at least watch the one with AJ's parents

[Aramek]

Her stand up owns.
Pinkie is ruining Lyra and Bonbon's date something fierce.
Pinkie straight eating the whipped cream is extremely relateable.
Pinkie just ruined another date.
STARLIGHT HAS A PHOTO OF TRIXIE ON HER WALL.
The no equals is still funny.
The baking supply store owner looks good.
Stick in the mud pony is not hot. He is not hot at all.
Tail grab.
A whaaaaaaaat? Owns.
"Technically, we're in like." Fantastic line.
Mud Briar. Good name.
Mmyeass.
That is stick abuse. Hahahaha. What a God damned loser, I love him.
Pinkie can't stand a pony with no charisma. I'm with you Pinkie.
Starlight is being the best guidance counselor.
THE LARGE DOOR OF MY MIND PALACE.
Yay kites.
Starlight just got invited to her birthday. Nice.
Oh no, sad Pinkie is the saddest fucking thing.
HAHAHA I NEVER LEARNED TO READ HAHAHA
Oh wait, bad morning.
Aaaauuugh! Limestone! My favorite! I love her so much.
You look as miserable as I feel all the time. God daaaamn.
Statue of Jedidina Ponyville.

Okay that was cute. Needed more Limestone. She's the best pie.

[PhoolCat]

"I don't have a closet" they went there!

[PhoolCat]

also Mud briar is not Sheldon! It's frankly insulting, like you're lumping all "weirdos" in together - he's far more like Sherlock with that mind palace, plus he doesn't have that smug superiority thing going on.

He is p good for maud, and obviously cares about her.

[Applepie2017]

deleted.

[The Doctor]

[Auxiliatrix]

also Mud briar is not Sheldon! It's frankly insulting, like you're lumping all "weirdos" in together - he's far more like Sherlock with that mind palace, plus he doesn't have that smug superiority thing going on.

He is p good for maud, and obviously cares about her.

The only reason I personally was reminded of Sheldon was because I thought Mud Briar's voice-acting sounded a lot like Jim Parson (aka Sheldon). Personality-wise, I haven't seen enough of The Big Bang Theory to draw a conclusion, but I can presume they're quite different. I never really associated him as "pony Sheldon", but I'm not shocked the fandom is making the connection.

As for Mud Briar being like Sherlock, I'm pretty sure the "mind palace" thing is a purposeful reference to Sherlock. However, I'd still say that he's fairly different. Really, I just saw him as an alternate take on Maud, which makes sense.

Granted, I'll admit that I found Mud Briar grating, but that's kind of the point, and it did make the moral work better. Speaking of which, the scene where Pinkie Pie learns her lesson (as taught by her sisters) was the episode's best scene.

("I never learned to read" was probably the best line, though. )

So far I've been left mostly mixed on Season 8, but I'm leaning towards the positive side of things.

[CorvusCaw]

You need to at least watch the one with AJ's parents

OK. That was pretty good... I've been hate-watching chunks of season 7 for the last week. I should compile some thoughts and post.

[Mechanical Ape]

So I was away last weekend because I was in Champaign-Urbana for the concert, and Al was terrific but it meant I’m just now getting to this episode. Maud is awesome so I’m expecting great things ...

• Only on My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic will you find a comedy club with a thatched roof.
• “When it comes to picking up small objects, earth ponies be picking them up like this. Whereas unicorns. Unicorns be doing it all like this.”
• Oh I get it, it’s Andy Kaufman metahumor.
• Gah! New credits attacking me! Everypony’s got a career and Snips & Snails are finally banished to the outer darkness.
• Maud’s comic delivery makes me want a Steven Wright pony to show up. He even had an album called “I Have a Pony”, it’s perfect.
• IIRC one of Pinkie’s other sisters is a twin, it strikes me as weird they’re not closer.
• Gonna assume Pinkie continued squeeing EEEEEEEEEE throughout the night. Neat scene transition!
• Ha, Starlight’s got a portrait. And a “no equals sign” reminder picture. And ... a mare in a witch’s hat? And of course there’s a kite on the table.
• Baker shop mare has a super cool design.
• Some fun perspective shots in this episode.
• Oh I think I get it, the boyfriend makes Pinkie feel as frustrated and confused as Maud makes other ponies. That ... actually makes sense and is clever.
• Mud Briar.
• Maud smiling? Oh Maud, you saucy minx.
• Andrea Libman’s killing it.
• I know :twistsay: isn’t an official thing but I’m holding out hope for :briarsay:
• Kites!
• Floating heads are amazing.
• Ha, she retreats to the comfort of home. And an appearance by the other Pie sisters?! This episode has got everything!
• Ha, a literal olive stick.
• Holy shit, this exactly the kind of surprise party I’d want. Maud is like my spirit animal or something.

In summary, I loved this episode, everyone was great and it was really smart too. I’m thrilled that pony can still be so good!

[Applepie2017]

• Floating heads are amazing.

BBFFF memories.

[Auxiliatrix]

BBFFF memories.

I have to admit I always find it strange whenever they do the "floating head" thing. In the context of this episode, I guess it made sense (because it was a representation of Pinkie Pie's imagination and how she was freaking out), but in "BBFFF", it had far less context/purpose.


"BBFFF" alone is far more emotional and memorable than anything in "The Maud Couple", though. I still think "The Maud Couple" is okay, but that's about it.