S08E08: The Parent Map

(?) · Post by **Wayoshi** (?) » Wed May 02, 2018 10:33 am

Neither Starlight nor Sunburst have visited their parents in a long time, but when both are called by the map to their hometown, they discover their parents are at the center of the friendship problem they need to solve.

This thread is for discussion of the episode. This episode airs at 11:30 Eastern / 8:30 Pacific on Saturday, May 5!

Official preview clips and images are okay to post, as is speculation about the episode.

West Filly · Post by **West Filly** (?) » Wed May 02, 2018 11:05 am

Featuring Lindsay Lohan

The Doctor · Post by **The Doctor** (?) » Wed May 02, 2018 11:06 am

This was one of the few leaked episodes I watched. It was pretty fun.

Mechanical Ape · Post by **Mechanical Ape** (?) » Wed May 02, 2018 11:53 am

I’ve always thought it would be illuminating to meet Starlight’s parents, because I bet they are a piece of work.

Anyway, automatic A+ for Starlight episode.

Highbrow Dash · Post by **Highbrow Dash** (?) » Wed May 02, 2018 12:15 pm

Mechanical Ape wrote: ↑
Wed May 02, 2018 11:53 am
I’ve always thought it would be illuminating to meet Starlight’s parents, because I bet they are a piece of work.

Yeah, this has a lot of potential. Maybe it'll redeem Starlight's origin story?

(?) · Post by **Fizzbuzz** (?) » Wed May 02, 2018 12:48 pm

Mother's Day is coming up fairly soon, right? I wonder how many parents wish that a divine force of friendship and harmony would get their kids to come visit.

King Sombra · Post by **King Sombra** (?) » Wed May 02, 2018 1:49 pm

Octavia · Post by **Octavia** (?) » Wed May 02, 2018 1:56 pm

More pony parents. I'm down.

Mr. Big · Post by **Mr. Big** (?) » Wed May 02, 2018 2:52 pm

Welcome to Sirius Hollow!
Welcome to Sirius Hollow!
Welcome to Sirius Hollow!
Welcome to Sirius Hollow!
Welcome to Sirius Hollow!

...yeah, it's annoying

Applepie2017 · Post by **Applepie2017** (?) » Wed May 02, 2018 3:17 pm

deleted

King Sombra · Post by **King Sombra** (?) » Wed May 02, 2018 3:21 pm

I want to know if Starlight's parents knew they were raising a psychopath.

Applepie2017 · Post by **Applepie2017** (?) » Fri May 04, 2018 1:40 am

deleted.

Aramek · Post by **Aramek** (?) » Fri May 04, 2018 3:02 pm

Haha Starlight called him Fruity.

Applepie2017 · Post by **Applepie2017** (?) » Sat May 05, 2018 1:26 am

deleted

Octavia · Post by **Octavia** (?) » Sat May 05, 2018 11:51 am

HOPE YOU LIKE CRUST

The Doctor · Post by **The Doctor** (?) » Sat May 05, 2018 12:02 pm

Pretty good episode. Was nice to get some character development for Starlight and Sunburst. Am surprised there wasn't even an offhanded mention of what happened to their other parents though. I guess we can assume they're both divorced (maybe even oveanalyze Starlight's dad saying things were tough for her as a kid as implying her mom died). Really liked the other town ponies pointing out the obvious.

Wish it had done more to explain Starlight's backstory though. Her problem was her Dad still treating her like a kid, not a problem with how he treated her AS a kid. Nothing here really points to a pony becoming a evil dictator that tortures an entire town.

PonyHag714 · Post by **PonyHag714** (?) » Sat May 05, 2018 12:07 pm

I liked it. I'm a fan of both Starlight and Sunburst so it's nice to see them teaming up. I like episodes where we meet new family members, too.

I wonder if Glimmy's dad knows what she was really doing all that time.

The Doctor · Post by **The Doctor** (?) » Sat May 05, 2018 12:08 pm

Kind of feel like the parents should have been reversed.

Starlight becomes an evil tyrannical dictator. Seems like it would make more sense to give her the control freak mother that wants everything a certain way and was more focused on that than proper parenting.

Sunburst is a closed in nerd that rarely leaves the house. Give him the overprotective father that is always reading books.

Unrelated.

Adiwan · Post by **Adiwan** (?) » Sat May 05, 2018 1:24 pm

I don't know but I think that the parents don't have to match the child's personality. Children have also other sources that influence them, like friends and other relatives. As far as I can imagine the parents could have been switched either way and the result would have been the same, the children being misunderstood by their parents and vice versa.

It was a good episode all in all, though the parents both went on my nerves, but that was probably intentional.

Captain Rufus · Post by **Captain Rufus** (?) » Sat May 05, 2018 2:53 pm

It was amusing.

Octavia · Post by **Octavia** (?) » Sat May 05, 2018 11:56 pm

I'm finding myself liking Sunburst a lot more after I saw the voice actor for him (Ian Hanlin) at Whinny City. Ian was a lot of fun in person. I also like how both Sunburst and his mom have the same white "socks" in their designs. :socks:

Rainbow Crash · Post by **Rainbow Crash** (?) » Sun May 06, 2018 12:00 am

Loved it! Is there any episode with pony parents that isn't great?

SlateSlabrock · Post by **SlateSlabrock** (?) » Sun May 06, 2018 3:48 pm

This friggin' episode

Good pacing, good problem, very relatable for the been-watching-since-season-1 age group.

"This is what happens when we don't rehearse!"

Lots of faces in this episode, too.

Looks like a lot of the voice actors in this episode were first-timers.

The Doctor wrote: ↑
Sat May 05, 2018 12:08 pm
Starlight becomes an evil tyrannical dictator. Seems like it would make more sense to give her the control freak mother that wants everything a certain way and was more focused on that than proper parenting.

Sunburst is a closed in nerd that rarely leaves the house. Give him the overprotective father that is always reading books.

Disagree. Sunburst is a kid whose parents plan out every aspect of his life, leaving him no freedom to develop his own drive for accomplishment. Then he gets to college, has to sink or swim, and sinks. I can relate a bit to him. Starlight was hurt deeply by Sunburst's absence, and her dad just smothers her with the cutesy-wootsy baby act until she rebels.

The Doctor · Post by **The Doctor** (?) » Sun May 06, 2018 6:08 pm

SlateSlabrock wrote: ↑
Sun May 06, 2018 3:48 pm
Disagree. Sunburst is a kid whose parents plan out every aspect of his life, leaving him no freedom to develop his own drive for accomplishment. Then he gets to college, has to sink or swim, and sinks. I can relate a bit to him. Starlight was hurt deeply by Sunburst's absence, and her dad just smothers her with the cutesy-wootsy baby act until she rebels.

Counterpoint.

SlateSlabrock · Post by **SlateSlabrock** (?) » Sun May 06, 2018 10:47 pm

They'd make a good team. Of supervillains.

Anyway! Screenshots.

The statue is still there. Also, lots of statues of various races.

Don't forget to tip your mailpony.

Letters from home.

No! It's a nice beard! It's just really scraggly!

You don't have parents, Spike. You wouldn't understand.

This guy's a reference, isn't he?

And this guy.

And these ponies.

Lots of unusual background characters in this episode.

HUUUUUG

Blankie!

Starlight's room.

History!

Brush your teeth.

WELCOME TO SIRE'S HOLLOW

And I say my opponent's two cent titanium tax doesn't go too far enough!

Mom faces.

After Mom face.

Hard times for the hard tack industry.

KANEDAAAAAA
TETSUOOOOO

Sad dad.

Snoot.

Problem solved.

We've never been so happy to see a playset in our lives!

Rainbow Crash · Post by **Rainbow Crash** (?) » Sun May 06, 2018 11:12 pm

Kind of interesting how this episode sets up as an anti-gentrification plot that just veers off halfway through.

The Doctor · Post by **The Doctor** (?) » Sun May 06, 2018 11:43 pm

SlateSlabrock wrote: ↑
Sun May 06, 2018 10:47 pm
Don't forget to tip your mailpony.

This is one of those cute horse moments we don't get enough of anymore.

And this guy.

Jim Miller says he's the OC for one of the toy designers at Hasbro and they asked that he be included in the show.

SlateSlabrock · Post by **SlateSlabrock** (?) » Mon May 07, 2018 4:44 am

(?) · Post by **Perrydotto** (?) » Mon May 07, 2018 7:59 am

Do you still maintain an Imgur album of all your horse emotes, Slate? If yes, could you link it again?

SlateSlabrock · Post by **SlateSlabrock** (?) » Mon May 07, 2018 12:23 pm

Perrydotto wrote: ↑
Mon May 07, 2018 7:59 am
Do you still maintain an Imgur album of all your horse emotes, Slate? If yes, could you link it again?

http://harogenki.com/forumjunk/pony/

(?) · Post by **Perrydotto** (?) » Mon May 07, 2018 1:11 pm

Ooh, very neat. Thank you!

Niels Olof · Post by **Niels Olof** (?) » Mon May 07, 2018 4:31 pm

Whodathunk it. I thoroughly enjoyed a Starlight Glimmer episode. A bit of much needed backdrop to Sunburst and Glimglam both. Especially Stellar Flare was amazing.

Octavia · Post by **Octavia** (?) » Mon May 07, 2018 4:31 pm

Do we have any Starlight smilies? If not, we need to add some post-haste.

Aramek · Post by **Aramek** (?) » Mon May 07, 2018 7:25 pm

Niels Olof wrote: ↑
Mon May 07, 2018 4:31 pm
Whodathunk it. I thoroughly enjoyed a Starlight Glimmer episode. A bit of much needed backdrop to Sunburst and Glimglam both. Especially Stellar Flare was amazing.

Oh my goodness.

SlateSlabrock · Post by **SlateSlabrock** (?) » Tue May 08, 2018 2:08 pm

Bwankie.

Erythema · Post by **Erythema** (?) » Tue May 08, 2018 10:56 pm

Welp, there goes my headcanon that Starlight was adopted into Sunburst's family. Oh well. Things like these happen. Just have to roll with it.

I really liked this episode. It may have had the same trends I've talked about before but this time it isn't out of place, partly because Starlight and Sunburst are underdeveloped characters in stark contrast to the Mane 6.

That Stellar Flare is very reminiscent of one of my OCs. Not only that, her dynamic with Sunburst was also reminiscent with that of said OC's son. I'll take that to the OC thread.

Starlight's father... This is going to leave me thinking for quite a while. It looks to me that because Firelight coddled Starlight so much, she really must've been unprepared to realize the world isn't all sunshine and rainbows as we all do at some point during adolescence. Seeing her room does suggest a very brooding adolescence indeed. Might that have something to do with her falling into the abyss of ideology?

Another few questions that spring up:
1) Where is Starlight's mother and Sunburst's father?
2) Why do they not seem to miss them during this episode?
3) Do they have any siblings?

The first two questions are particularly important here. Starlight's mother wasn't to be seen in the entire episode and this was never touched upon at any single moment. The same is true for Sunburst's father. Maybe their parents are divorced and/or live separate.

(?) · Post by **Fizzbuzz** (?) » Fri May 11, 2018 4:39 pm

This show has really grown up, hasn't it? It seems like it was just yesterday that FiM was about Twilight Sparkle having her first sleepover, now it's about dealing with your overbearing parents who just can't let go well after you grew up and moved out. I'm so proud of it.

I wonder if I'm in the wrong to think that Starlight and Sunburst weren't wrong to try to wholly cut their parents out of their lives, though. I mean, I guess it's technically better to resolve such conflicts where you can, and it doesn't seem like they nor Stellar Flare and Firelight really even tried to do so before now, but if you grew up with bad parents then is it really an improper response to sever your relationship with them? Maybe that should be a last resort after you've tried and failed to make things better. Starlight's right, though... ending a war really does seem easier than confronting your parents like this.

If I ever have kids, I hope I remember this episode and me making this post once I'm in my fifties or so.

Rainbow Crash wrote: ↑
Sun May 06, 2018 11:12 pm
Kind of interesting how this episode sets up as an anti-gentrification plot that just veers off halfway through.

I wonder if that was the entire angle for this episode in its earliest drafts. Thinking about it now, I feel it would've been a little weak since it would've been going into sort of the same territory that the show covered when we first saw Starlight's village. I think it works well like this now, since it sets up the parents as overbearing, shows their respective devotions to the future and the past, and (maybe reaching a little here) hints at where Starlight might've gotten the idea to build an authoritarian government according to her own ideals.

SlateSlabrock · Post by **SlateSlabrock** (?) » Fri May 11, 2018 11:05 pm

Fizzbuzz wrote: ↑
Fri May 11, 2018 4:39 pm
I wonder if that was the entire angle for this episode in its earliest drafts.

Possibly, but pretty much every map episode has a House-like "Our presumptions about the problems were the real problem" angle, since otherwise you barely get to see any character development.

Mechanical Ape · Post by **Mechanical Ape** (?) » Sun Jun 03, 2018 10:53 pm

RL has been silly stressful and I don’t watch happy TV when I’m stressed, it never cheers me up and it just makes me not enjoy TV. As such I haven’t watched an episode since Princess Celestia was the worst actress ever.

It’s time to play catch-up.

• What the hell Sunburst, even Twilight was never this much a bookworm. Probably.
• Still, this cold open feels like more characterization than he’s had till now. Good cold open.
• I wonder what happens if a pony just doesn’t answer the glowing cutie mark. It probably gets itchy after a few days. Then, the burning.
• Ha, they’re totally writing straight to us grownups this week.
• “Nnnope!” Starlight is the best. I’ll probably be typing that a lot this week, so the acronym is SITB.
• Gated community? Is pony doing a gentrification episode? Do pegasi engage in white flight or is it more like white gliding?
• Pumpky Wumpkins.
• SITB because the Mane Six, being the main characters on a children’s show, have to keep one foot in childhood as it were. But Starlight can just be her own cynical grown-up self. Loyal readers will know this adult-ness is what I love about Rarity too.
• I think I see where Starlight got her penchant for social engineering.
• Ha ha holy shit Teen Starlight’s room is perfect.

• Love the bookstore and perfume essence ponies.
• “They’re avoiding their parents.”

• The thing about these parents is, they’re actually pretty competent at leading and organizing and research. It’s harder to say no to them for that reason.
• “That’s what all of us think.”
• SITB.
• “Oh, I’m not sorry for that.” Okay Sunburst, you’re also the best.
• Aw, the parents have good explanations that tie into what we already know about their pasts.
• The one quibble I have with this episode is that the townponies didn’t get cool names to go with their cool designs & characterizations.