SoC: Gauntlet Of Fire

It’s another Saturday night and time for another edition of my MLP Stream Of Conscience review. This review is done on an episode I’m watching for the first time with little or no idea of what’s going to happen. All thoughts are on the fly and can be serious but more often than not, are with tongue firmly in cheek. The only thing I know about this episode is that it is a Spike centric episode. I’m anticipating some Spike abuse throughout but with Spike coming out on top when it’s over as is the standard procedure for a Spike episode. However, we’ll see:

*We begin with Spike and Rarity apparently on a search for jewels. Usually means she used her feminine wiles to goad into assisting her.


*Bats!

*Shhhhhhh yourself!


* Hey Rarity, bats in the mane would be quite the fashion statement you know.

*Bodyguard? HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!!!!!!!! Don’t make me laugh!


*So THAT’S how she goaded him in to doing this.

*What good would it be otherwise?


*Wakey, wakey, eggs, & bakie!



*Wow, Spike has turned into a nightlight.


*Now we go to the Castel Of Friendship.


*Twilight having the Sisters over for lunch.


* … will be no different.


*What do you mean what’s wrong, look at him!


*The Call Of The Dragon Lord! Sounds like a Rhapsody song.

*I knew this episode would destroy a major plotline in my fanfic. Oh well, I was prepared for this eventuality.

*What?! Dragons in the in the Dragon Lands?! Get out!

*Way to go Rarity!


*Is that a yes Twilight?




*That’s the sound of silence Twilight.


*No Rarity, she said DISCREET.

*Ya think! Oh, I just saw the big bow on Rarity’s hardhat, that’s cute.


*  Who’s your friend Spike? He’s cute.


*Of course it blends in. Plenty of rocks with eye holes on them.

*The return of old friends!


*Let me guess, the Dragon Lord’s secretary?


*Oh so YOU’RE the Dragon Lord!


*And if I don’t agree? Who does this guy think he is? Oh… I forgot.

*Dragon Lord! Pay attention Spike!

*Ok, Sorry Spike should have given you more credit.

*That is one cute dragon!


*So the Dragons are a cult?

*Yes, I can see they’re broken up over it.


*What a bunch of mindless robots!


*Any more knowledge acquired and I fear Twilight may have an orgasm.


*That’s not good!


*Garble! Some warning first dude!!!


*Good thing Rarity sneezes so daintily.

*Why’d you claim it Spike? Let it be his embarrassing moment!

*Oh, they heard it as a sneeze. I forget that this show is above potty humor. Of course,  I’m not .

*Considering every single dragon there is a fraction of your size, I don’t see how any of them could win it with those criteria.

*I don’t think that’s going to work Spike


*I think he noticed you trying to sneak out.


*Yup!

*That moment when you realize you’ve been busted and try to find some kind of feeble explaination to get away with it. Maybe history won’t repeat itself and this may actually work?

*Nope, I was wrong.


*Look how huge you are! You could squash a Rhino with your pinkie claw.


*Wonder if that’d work in the real world? You could be the world’s greatest comedian if all you had to do was command laughter.

*Don’t volunteer too much information Spike. Don’t want to blow the ponies’ cover.

*I don’t think hitting on her is such a good idea Spike.


*Well that looks like the end of the episode. Oh wait, there’s still over half the episode left.

*Looks like she’s got daddy issues.


*Are we SURE they’re related? Look at the size difference!


*The ever famous, “because I said so” reason.

*A girl leader? Where do you think you are, Equestria?

*”All of the pillows!” Way to think big, guy.

*If Tirek at full power couldn’t do it, I’m sure they’re safe from the likes of you.


*Oh, I forgot. He’d have a whole dragon army behind him.

*You win? HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!!!!!!!! I told you not to make me laugh!


*A vote of confidence from the girls!


*If he wins? Twilight, what the hell have you been smoking?

*Because a cheering rock won’t draw undo attention. Eye roll

*Fire!

*Spike fell for the Ric Flair fake handshake (I’d post a video for you non-wrestling fans, but I couldn’t find one-it’s the one where someone pretends to shake your hand but ends up brushing their hair).

*Well if you flew then there would be questions.

*Great disguise girls! He said sarcastically.


*Good thing you poked your heads out, I don’t think Spike would have known who it was. Again, sarcastically.


*Well isn’t this… WHAT THE F*CK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


*They’re EVERYWHERE!

*Good thing you couldn’t fly.


*Spike going to play the hero. Wouldn’t expect anything less from him.

*That’s the Dragon Lord’s daughter for sure. And I was thinking that before we saw that this dragon was blue (in the water it looked green).


*What’d I tell ya!


*Thank you is usually customary.


*Way to blow your cover Rarity!

*No, it was the starfish. His name is Patrick.


*Well, so much for that!

*You’re right, they are ponies. You are a smart one!


*Well, this dragon does.


*Hey, I said it first!

*Well ain’t the ungrateful bitch.


*Oh, NOW you’re all friendly.


*He’s what the Japanese call a plick.


*Bully kicking sand in the face. How cliché can you get?


*He smells the girls. Let’s hope his lack intelligence stays strong.

*Well, maybe you’re not so much a bitch after all.


*Sandy Rockbeach?

*If Pinkie were there, you’d actually have someone to laugh at that. Which of course would blow their cover.

*Ah, the old Wilhelm Scream!


*What you talkin bout Spike?


*They caved in! Oh the horror!


*Once again, a clever disguise.


*Twilight once again letting her dorkiness take over.


*Nice lady! Ur, dragon.


*That clawshake seems less than genuine.


*That sounds easy enough.


*Or not.


*She almost let herself show kindness.



*Emphasis on 'almost'.


*Well that doesn’t look very pleasant.


*Nope, not at all.


*Go Spike and his new lovely dragon friend!


*Of course Garble would be right behind.


*Ha ha!



*Yes, that little “runt” just saved your ass.


*Boo ya!


*It’s perilous, but pretty!


*It wouldn’t be Rarity without several wardrobe changes.
Wardrobe

*Really Spike?


*They got there by magic of course.

*He finally got to be Rarity’s hero.



*Keep it up, you ain’t fooling anyone girl.


*Defiant to a fault.


*You will be my friend whether you want to or not!

*Some great scenery in this one!


*You go girl!


*She has returned the favor.


*Yeah, enough of that mushy stuff!


*Catch a Garble by its tail…


*Spike’s mad as hell and he’s not going to take it anymore!


*Yeah, because Garble won’t mention your presence.


*You know this ship will sail.


*Shouldn’t he have let her grab it?

*It looks like Spike is on acid.


*Epic!

*Look out pretty dragon girl!


*Mighty Dragon Lord!


*With enthusiasm Garble!


*Way to go Spike! Garble is dumbfounded

... or I guess in his case dumber-founded.


*That dragon’s response to being hugged… hilarious!

 

*Dragon Empress would fit even better.


*Hey, don’t look a gift horse… urr gift pony… urr gift dragon in the mouth.


*I’m sure you’re a pretty dragon. Actually, she kind of resembles Sonata Dusk in Siren form.


*I’m pretty sure he’s hugging you.


*You say you don’t like it, but you’re blushing.


*Bystander dragon: Are those slabs of rock… hugging?

*Is it just me, or is the Dragon Lord’s design look like it was taken from How To Train Your Dragon?


*That’s right, you tell him girl!


*Everyone learns a lesson on this show, even gigantic dragons.

*Like father, like daughter.


*I kid, because I rule.


*All hail Dragon Lord Ember!


*He’s just following orders


*Even her laugh is cute!


*And now for the journey home.


*Everypony wins! Except whoever purchases Rarity’s new line.

Well this turned out to be a very good episode and probably my favorite of the season so far. Not just because we were introduced to a new and endearing character, but because it was just plain good. Speaking of which, I’m sure Ember is going to be a big fandom favorite. Not only is she a very pretty character with a nice personality, she is a strong female character which is something this fandom eats up. I’ll be very surprised if there isn’t fanart of her all over DA. There are certainly a fair share of screenshots of her in this review. This also had very little Spike abuse and didn’t make him look the fool. He remained strong throughout which in my book probably ranks it as the best Spike episode so far. For the first time I’m actually feeling an episode this season and hope there’s more like it in the future.

Its' time for my random screenshots with tongue in cheek comments. However, first I need to get out some screenshots of the lovely Ember that I couldn't find anything to say out of the way:










Now for the rest:


If you have a one track mind, clap your hooves!


Now who's the namby pamby dragon Garble?!


"What? Did I fart?"


Pissy teen, a cartoon cliche for decades!


Sea eyes have it! Kind of a forced pun, but oh well.


"Please don't eat us!"


Who cut the cheese?


Are you undressing me with your eyes?!


"Help! I'm getting raped by a rock!"


"Friendship is just so... creepy!"


What-eveeer!


What a dopey smile.


Spike looks so adorable like that!


"You and I are gonna be friends. Got that!"


The derp eyed duo!


"Staaap it! You crazy!"


If you're happy and you know it, clap your hooves!


Now Spike, don't go eating that gem!


"Come on,  you know you want it!"


Mentos, the fresh maker!

And, as I've been ending these lately, the parting shot:

^{Skin by ShadowJournals}