Zecora is Sick and Mystical Mask Legend! | My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Season 7 Episode 20 REACTION + Discussion
Added 2024-09-24 23:45:01 +0000 UTC
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Yes it would have defeated it, it was just a rhetorical question ๐
DeViruZz.eXe
2024-10-18 19:05:18 +0000 UTCFluttertree ๐ Yes! This was a great story for Fluttershy and I love the adventure and disease history and comparisons. No zecora rhyme?! Cancel the show ๐ I think it just slipped my mind since it seemed like a RD centered mission and pinkie tagged along but I forgot about the entire pinkie discovery of the legend. Luckily it came together! Love the usage of zecora as well! I forget that she isnโt a pony but a zebra. And as said earlier yes! Fluttershy was the unsung hero here. And looking back, he definitely did apply many of her lessons that sheโs learned and it was great she took over! I think using discord too much would have defeated the purpose of FS journey. AND also it was only a twilight and FS episode so wouldโve felt a bit lame if just a call or discord involvement would have solved it. But it seems the legends are stacking up ๐ค๐ค
Ed
2024-10-18 05:40:56 +0000 UTCOuh-wey... this episode... - Some notes/thoughts/facts: - "Oh look, how serene this is" ๐ https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/c/c9/Fluttershy_and_Zecora_in_the_swamp_S7E20.png - well wouldn't it be for the trees that were formerly... living beings? ๐ Zecora's cutie marc: As you now, cutie marks represent a pony's special talent or destiny, and are acquired during their youth once they discover their true calling. However Zecora is no pony, she is a zebra, who are closer to donkeys. That said, Zecora's mark could be a zebra equivalent of a cutie mark, though the show leaves this somewhat ambiguous. It could symbolize her talent or status in zebra culture, which parallels the ponies' concept of cutie marks without being exactly the same. It doesn't have to magically appear - it could also be tattooed through a ceremony, especially since she bears elements of tribal African culture. Ed: "Its so wholesome, they're just hanging out together, hopefully this doesn't end um, even dangerous" - I don't know why... but how are you doing that every time? You jinx the hell out of your reactions ๐ And Zecora gets infected... https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/d/db/Swamp_flower_sprays_Zecora_with_pollen_S7E20.png https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/5/5b/Zecora_coughing_up_bubbles_S7E20.png - Oh hell no... bubbles... she got "Swamp fever"... Fluttertree meme is going (literally) hard this episode: It all began with "Over a Barrel" (S1E21) - Fluttershy: "I'd like to be a tree..." https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/6/6a/Fluttershy_tree_fantasy_S1E21.png - Went to "Hurricane Fluttershy" (S2E22): https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/4/48/Fluttertree_S2E22.png - An old treelog in "Magic Duel" (S3E05): https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/c/c4/Beaver_pulling_Fluttershy_out_of_the_log_S3E05.png - The treejoke is nasty in this episode ๐ So what does a princess of friendship do all the day? The answer is cooking in a cook-off with Spike! https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/f/fd/Fluttershy_%22are_you_cooking%3F%22_S7E20.png - She tries to do other stuff besides just reading books and royal work... neat. I love how assertive Fluttershy is in this episode. She even pushes Twilight, who loves reading, to overdo it! ๐ While Twilight knows her limits, Fluttershy keeps going... but this eventually comes with a downside. It's always funny to hear Twilight sleeptalking while she dreams - her reaction is even better if she is disturbed in her sleep and wakes up: ๐คฃ https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/a/a8/Twilight_Sparkle_%22non-stick_pans%21%22_S7E20.png Fluttershy is truly a good researcher, albeit she was absolutely pressured by her guilt to push forward. The famous sorceress and unknown healer "Mage Meadowbrook" - another legend appears! According to Fluttershy, ancient Equestrian healers, such as Mage Meadowbrook, wore bird-shaped masks to protect themselves from illness. In the episode, both Twilight and Fluttershy also don bird masks to shield themselves from Swamp Fever. This is a reference to earlier real-life plague doctors, who famously wore similar black and bird-shaped masks to avoid infection. Twilight Sparkle: "Aw. No sweet potato muffins?" Spike: "I, uh, ate them all. They were actually really good." - "She wins the contest", she did indeed. ๐คฃ Zecora: "[coughs] That's marvelous, Fluttershy. I am quite impressed. While you are gone on your journey, I'll try not to be... worried." - You know its serious if Zecora is unable to rhyme anymore... ๐ฑ Hayseed Swamp - interesting swamp area: https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/f/f5/The_Hayseed_Swamp_bayou_S7E20.png -Worldbuilding! Twilight Sparkle: "Anypony who lives in a tree is okay by me." - Me, remembering the destruction of the "Golden Oak Library": ๐ญ๐ญ Fluttershy isn't oblivious due to tunnel vision: She's pushing herself to the brink of a mental and physical breakdown, making it impossible for her to stay aware of her surroundings. In doing so, she's harming both her body and her mind... A relative of Mage Meadowbrook named "Cattail", it's also the name of the flower that is shown as his cutie mark: https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/c/ce/Cattail_%22both%2C_I_suppose%22_S7E20.png I love Meadowbrook's design: https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/f/fc/Meadowbrook_and_her_mother_hear_a_door_knock_S7E20.png That's a lot of infected ponies: https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/f/fc/Long_line_of_sick_ponies_at_Meadowbrook%27s_house_S7E20.png Cattail: "And she did just that. Right up 'til she disappeared without a trace." - ๐ Oh now Fluttershy caught it too, your wish may be granted ๐ Fluttershy: "[panting] [straining] Mind over matter!" - Yeah... but not like this... she even falls down the tree and is unconscious for 3 days due to her exhaustion. So, the mask was the solution to "blend in" and not anger the bees, she is also able to zap like the flash-bees did: https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/d/d0/Fluttershy_sneezing_lightning_S7E20.png ๐คฃ๐ That's one fast acting potion... - and everyone is finally cured! You didn't consider "Daring Don't" for Pinkie at this point? Interesting, would you care to explain why? ๐ --- The episode begins with Zecora contracting Swamp Fever, a fatal disease that transforms its victims into trees. Right from the start, the plot takes a darker tone, standing out as one of the more serious episodes in the entire series. The idea of such a sinister disease sets the stage for an episode that feels more intense than the usual My Little Pony fare. Swamp Fever, as a concept, struck me as particularly grim for this show. The thought of turning into a tree, losing the ability to move or communicate, seems like a fate worse than death. It made me wonder on how many other ponies might have fallen victim to this illness in the past. I couldn't help but wonder if the trees in the swamp were once living ponies, now forever transformed. This dark twist gave the episode an eerie, almost haunting atmosphere, making it feel like something out of a horror story. It was a reminder that Equestria, despite its cheerful surface, holds real dangers - both magical and natural - that the ponies must navigate. With Zecora gravely ill, Fluttershy and Twilight embark on a quest to find a cure, basing their efforts on the ancient research of Mage Meadowbrook. It was wonderful to see Fluttershy taking the lead here, and her determination throughout the episode was truly impressive. Her assertiveness has always been a slow-growing trait, but this episode felt like one of her best moments, showcasing just how far she's come since the earlier seasons. Fluttershy's character growth is one of the most powerful aspects of this episode. Her resolve to help Zecora, even at the risk of her own life, demonstrated the extent of her evolution from a timid pony to a brave and selfless friend. But the stakes became painfully real when she started showing symptoms of the disease herself. Watching them face potential death was quite intense, and the three-day period during which she was unconscious really drove home the message: if you don't take care of yourself, you won't be able to take care of others. Despite the danger, her persistence ultimately saved the day, as she managed to cure both Zecora and herself just in time. However, as grim as the premise of this episode was, I found it amusing how the episode subtly tied into a long-running fandom joke about Fluttershy wanting to be a tree (Fluttertree), first mentioned in "Over a Barrel". The irony of her catching a disease that could have actually turned her into a tree was a clever, almost humorous touch amidst the episode's darker themes. It felt like a playful nod to the fans while still keeping the narrative serious. But there is one question that was lingering in my mind: Why didn't Fluttershy turn to Discord for help? With his reality-bending abilities, it seemed like curing a disease should be within his reach. However, I understand why the writers chose to leave him outโrelying too much on Discord would have undermined the personal growth of the characters, especially Fluttershy. It's not in her nature to always depend on him, and the episode was more about her own strength and determination than quick, magical solutions. There was also an instance in "Three's a Crowd" (S4E11) where he actually got sick at the end, which might suggest he wouldn't be able to handle it even then..? Or it depends if it's about himself... The episode reaches its climax when Fluttershy uncovers that Buzzer bee honey, as per Mage Meadowbrook's old notes, is the key to curing Swamp Fever. It was heartwarming to see Fluttershy's courage pay off, as she used Meadowbrook's wisdom to obtain the honey and save Zecora. However, it did raise an interesting question: how could such a simple cure have been forgotten? While it's possible that Swamp Fever is a rare or localized illness, it still seemed odd that this knowledge wasn't more widespread, especially given the severity of the disease. Perhaps over time, the cure faded into obscurity as fewer ponies encountered the illness... One of the highlights of the episode was the backstory of Mage Meadowbrook. As a legendary healer, her role in Equestria's history was fascinating, and seeing her legacy influence the present was another brilliant touch. Her character was well-designed, and her intelligence in discovering the cure made her a compelling addition to the show's growing list of legendary figures. This episode felt like a continuation of the mythology-building we've seen since "Campfire Tales," and it was clear that something significant is being set up as the season moved towards its finale. Overall, the blend of adventure, personal growth, and darker themes made it feel almost like a mini-movie, with a more mature tone that resonated deeply. Fluttershy's assertiveness, the eerie threat of Swamp Fever, and the introduction of another legendary figure all combined to create an episode that was both engaging and emotionally impactful. It's clear that the writers have found their stride with these more complex stories, and this one has easily become one of my personal highlights of the season.
DeViruZz.eXe
2024-10-06 14:02:22 +0000 UTCIs this a theory people have?
Ed
2024-09-28 01:52:05 +0000 UTCThis episode can be pretty dark if you really think about it. So the tree in the beginning that infected Zecora , was that tree once a pony?
Cowboy_002
2024-09-25 17:33:55 +0000 UTCNo I was catching onto the stories and everyone potentially having them. I made the connection with the daring done episode. But yes this is why I like being blind ๐
Ed
2024-09-25 16:10:46 +0000 UTCYou know, now that I think about it further, you're only asking these questions because I gave away that these stories were important. It's probably better if I wait to discuss this further after the season
sjones17515
2024-09-25 12:10:39 +0000 UTCI did mention that. I was talking about this season so far if sheโs had a story/legend which I donโt recall but I could be wrong. And pinkies was with RD but I donโt think she also had a stand alone one. But yes tell me if I did miss it!
Ed
2024-09-25 03:49:55 +0000 UTCYou mentioned that everyone in the Mane 6 had a corresponding legendary pony so far except Twilight, and then you questioned whether you had seen one for Pinkie or not. Obviously confirming anything about Twilight would be a spoiler, so I won't do that, but do you want me to point out where you saw Pinkie's, since you've already seen it?
sjones17515
2024-09-25 03:40:46 +0000 UTC
