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Blind Reaction: MLP FIM Season 6 Episode 16 "The Times They are A Changeling"

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Comments (archived 2024-03-08 01:59; 47 top, 97 total comments)

@cincoutmagus5508 2019-11-16 14:52:17

The thing I love most about this episode is the order in which everypony present offers their support to Thorax. Twilight is the first to be convinced, both as Spike's closest relative and as Sunset and Starlight's mentor, and Starlight is the second to be moved by Spike's song because she knows exactly how it feels to want to change your way of life and leave your past behind. Cadance offers her support only after Twilight's speech, showing that she's still understandably wary of changelings but she trusts her sister-in-law completely after all they've been through. Shining Armor is the last one to be convinced, both because his life's purpose is protecting the ones he cares about and because more than anyone in Equestria, he knows how easy it is to be tricked by a changeling's charm. However, he knows that his wife was affected by the changeling attack on Canterlot even more than he was, and if she's willing to give Thorax a chance, he trusts her judgement. Little details like these speak volumes about the characters.

196 likes
Replies (7)
@northproductions6104 2023-06-25 20:07:07

I know this was three years ago, but your my favorite person right now for saying that. Personally, I really don’t think their forgiveness of him was that rushed regardless of what other people in the fandom say

4 likes
@6-dpegasus425 2023-01-05 01:59:43

@@CRATORISCRACKED bruhhh 💀

0 likes
@CRATORISCRACKED 2022-12-11 17:11:29

@@pepperwaffles4228 I don’t know either I just like confusing people.

1 like
@pepperwaffles4228 2022-12-11 11:47:40

@@CRATORISCRACKED wait what did i say on my alt acc i dont remember

0 likes
@ScillaKrystodea 2022-05-19 11:43:34

Your amazing didn’t even notice

3 likes
@CRATORISCRACKED 2022-03-01 06:08:29

@@saltywafflez5133 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂

0 likes
@saltywafflez5133 2020-10-04 10:53:40 (edited 2020-10-04 10:54:19 )

I love when kid’s shows have actual character depth, and not just one-sided idiots like you’d expect them to be.

17 likes
@michaelbricky 2021-08-02 12:35:03

I feel like a lot of people forget that Spike's just a little kid, who was faced with the angry faces of all of his family and like, a bunch of royal guards. He didn't say anything because he was scared, not about his "fame" but about probably several things. He probably didn't want to disappoint his family, and he probably also didn't wanna get charged with, like, treason or something. Regardless, I think that Spike acted in a very normal way to the initial situation, or in other words he acted just like a scared, conditioned little kid would act. That's why his turnaround is so important and profound, he found bravery and stood up for someone even though he was scared of punishment- or worse. It's a TV-Y show, so of course we know that nothing bad would have happened to Spike, but the point is that, in context, he doesn't know that.

Sorry for the wall of text, Spike is one of my favorite characters and I think this was a great episode for him.

63 likes
Replies (1)
@pinkclouds1292 2022-02-27 18:18:11

I absolutely HATE Spike, but your argument makes a lot of sense and makes me hate him a little less in this episode.

1 like
@deltaedwards171 2021-08-01 14:28:02

Spike has always been the underdog of the show. He's constantly undermined and taken for granted, even by the MLP fandom itself. Because of that, I find it not only fitting, but very realistic of Spike to have hesitated in defending Thorax from being perceived as a threat. The ponies in the Crystal Empire are pretty much the ONLY ones that show Spike any meaningful semblance of respect, and here he's put in a situation where he is forced to choose between his morality and his emotional sanctuary, so to speak. Step up in Thorax's defense, Spike could've very easily have been branded a traitor that supports and/or excuses the same forces that nearly destroyed the empire in its entirety, and then he's back to being the afterthought of his own life.

I LOVE his moment of weakness, especially because it sets up a small window of time for him to mull the situation over in his head and, later, decide that his moral code is more important than keeping the one place where he is respected (as he deserves!) with a WONDERFUL song to boot! All in all, loved this episode, probably too much! :D

71 likes
Replies (1)
@setin8720 2022-06-22 03:05:26

Spike is definitely the most underrated character. He has to put up with so much, and he keeps a good attitude with it. I couldn't spend a day in Spike's shoes, so to speak, and have as positive an outlook he has. Also, I find him, especially in his flaws, amazingly relatable.

14 likes
@Shritistrang 2019-11-16 09:38:34

21:35 Cadance: "I welcome you to the Crystal Empire, friend. Here, take this baby!"

81 likes
Replies (5)
@winter2716 2023-09-24 03:10:40

You forgot to add: “…as a sacrificial offering!”

0 likes
@honeycat3590 2022-05-09 15:01:37 (edited 2022-05-09 15:02:22 )

@@CRATORISCRACKED i just bein’ jealous, you’re writing such an awsome comments

2 likes
@CRATORISCRACKED 2022-05-09 14:56:53

@@honeycat3590what?

2 likes
@honeycat3590 2022-05-08 06:24:28

Oh come on

1 like
@CRATORISCRACKED 2022-03-01 06:08:53

😂😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🥲

0 likes
@Narrator007 2019-11-17 01:01:24 (edited 2019-11-17 01:01:54 )

13:30 Twilight: "Spike, you could have been using my Pen Pal quill set! Why didn't you tell me?"
Spike: "Well, I pretty much only write to him when you and Starlight are... studying."
And he wouldn't want to interrupt those two when they're busy studying.

55 likes
Replies (1)
@winter2716 2023-09-24 03:28:18 (edited 2023-09-24 03:28:17 )

“”””Studying””””

2 likes
@SpacialRend7 2019-11-16 01:03:25 (edited 2019-11-16 01:04:42 )

I like this episode very much. Thorax is another character that I grew fond of in this season. Never, did I imagine Changeling’s having a good heart. It was a little strange having Thorax join the circle of friendship, and yet really interesting. And I also like how we got a glimpse of the Changeling hive and some backstory on Thorax. Aside from him, I liked what the writers did for Spike in this episode. They gave him another story to shine in and I respect that. Of course, his song in the end is really good. One of the sweetest, heartwarming song’s I’ve heard in this show.

78 likes
@ayzekpie9432 2021-07-18 07:35:50 (edited 2021-07-18 07:36:24 )

Usually it's hard to squeeze a tear out of me, only warmth in my heart , but this Spike song hit the target. Probably because I am sad to see what is happening in our world. One song sings "Because people are the greatest thing to happen" and I can't disagree. We have come so far from monkeys with sticks to the lords of the planet, our achievements are countless, but we cannot accept the fact that we are all the same deep inside.
I have always loved the pony world for its diversity of species, you will agree, it is much easier to be racist towards someone different from you in the structure of the body than if he just has a different skin. And at the same time, they do a better job with friendship than any person. Imagine how hard it will be for us to communicate with aliens if we can barely cope on Earth?

27 likes
@Narrator007 2019-11-17 01:04:13

14:55 "Why are the guards so pissed?"
They probably live in constant jealousy of Shining Armor.

23 likes
@thelordofchaos6470 2019-11-16 01:02:09

Spike finally get a song.... and an great one... i almost cried...almost..

53 likes
@Narrator007 2019-11-17 00:53:58 (edited 2019-11-17 00:54:59 )

10:42 "Can you imagine how he would be in a sexual situation?"
If he's any good with that tongue, I don't think Thorax would have any problem getting all the love he could ever want. =D

32 likes
Replies (4)
@winter2716 2023-09-24 03:46:20

@@Narrator007 You know it!

1 like
@Narrator007 2023-09-24 03:35:38

@@winter2716 Being a changeling, I presume he's also very good at roleplaying?

2 likes
@winter2716 2023-09-24 03:25:22 (edited 2023-09-24 03:25:21 )

Thorax can have all of my love any day! 🖤

And yes, I can confirm that he is indeed very good with that tongue ;)

2 likes
@voldy3565 2021-08-26 21:14:56

Yes.

6 likes
@joshblackwell8632 2019-11-16 01:22:20

Fun Fact: Spike had a good solo song outside the show before this episode aired. I remember it being a Christ--Coughs hearth's warming eve song too. You can find it on Hasbro's channel too.

32 likes
Replies (4)
@joshblackwell8632 2019-11-16 16:08:25

@@TheBlackQueen Fair enough. :D

0 likes
@TheBlackQueen 2019-11-16 16:02:31

True Edge Ashleigh does sing fantastically on that track, and the harmonies are simply beautiful! I'm just saying, Jolly Old St. Nicolas, Twelve Days of Christmas, and..... Last Year I Got Coal for Christmas.... really kinda ruin the album for me. Some songs are great, but those ones have prevented me from actually buying the album for the longest time, especially the latter.

1 like
@clearmelody6252 2019-11-16 14:42:31

@@TheBlackQueen It may not have been the best but it wasn't bad, plus you've gotta admit, Days Gone By is . . . fucking beautiful.

2 likes
@TheBlackQueen 2019-11-16 07:35:36

Josh Blackwell ...yeah....that happened. Wasn't really the best album the show has had, but I like the digital tracklisting including songs from A Hearths Warming Tale.

1 like
@masteroftheassassins 2019-11-16 01:17:04

Spike will have many more moments to shine, but this was the episode I was most proud of him. This is why Spike is one of my favorite characters of the series.

25 likes
@darthvocrum5719 2020-10-30 22:10:39

"the Sexy babe, the military guy, the weaboo and the demon's spawn" ayyy lmao

9 likes
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@winter2716 2023-09-24 03:44:19

AKA, “The Crew.”

0 likes
@Narrator007 2019-11-17 01:06:52

16:40 "They can turn into rocks?"
We may have just found the perfect date for Maud.

19 likes
Replies (2)
@Narrator007 2020-08-20 00:40:29

At the time I made that comment, PonyBro didn't know about Mudbriar yet.

4 likes
@ttiffany 2020-08-20 00:26:13

Narrator007
Mudbriar: excuse me?

5 likes
@grace19005 2019-11-16 09:08:25

I loved Spike's song. Finally he had a good episode, along with season 6 episode 5.

25 likes
@skittybug6937 2021-09-13 12:01:51

One of the best Spike episodes in the show. He really becomes a character in S6. Absolutely phenomenal what his next couple of episodes do for him as well.

6 likes
@devonm042690 2019-11-16 02:15:54

Question. You were talking about Spike's fame was at risk, but given that Thorax is a changeling, a species whose only previous interaction with Equestria was a terrorist attack as you said before, in the off chance Spike's word wasn't enough to sway the ponies, wouldn't he be at risk of being accused as an accessory to terrorism, since he was defending an changeling who wasn't disguised?

15 likes
Replies (2)
@clearmelody6252 2019-11-16 14:44:47

@@ravenscroftraven1786 Wow . . . I never thought of it like that . . . I'm . . . not sure I like it. Mostly because I can find zero fault in your logic, and that bothers me. Fuck. Goddamn ponies and their deeper-than-they-seem lessons and politics!

3 likes
@ravenscroftraven1786 2019-11-16 04:41:44

In two ways, Spike was secure. The simplest way is this: Shining Armor helped Chrysalis get into Canterlot, but he is not guilty: Changelings have mind control powers. Thus, anything reflecting on Spike is possible to be hand-waved as mind control.

The second way is more show-friendly, but still cruel: Spike knows Twilight dotes on him like a combination of little brother and child, and Twilight would stand up for any decision Spike makes, especially one concerning friendship. The people Spike really needs to convince are Shining Armor and Cadence. But if Twilight makes a big public showing of supporting Spike, it will make a political schism if those two deny Thorax after that, as well as a familial schism. In order to keep both their family and Equestria stable, they HAD to accept Thorax if Twilight did as openly as she did.

Spike basically had the rulers by their tails, since convincing Twilight would be fairly likely, and once Twilight was convinced, the others would need to semper-fi to make a public showing of royal princess unity.

10 likes
@Narrator007 2019-11-17 00:42:25

2:24 "There's the Rarity plushie."
I hope he washes that thing.

22 likes
Replies (4)
@winter2716 2023-09-24 02:48:32 (edited 2023-09-24 02:48:31 )

It probably gets pretty crusty ;)

2 likes
@supersonic2175 2022-09-08 00:35:42

@@Narrator007 I don't know man what do you mean by that

1 like
@Narrator007 2022-09-08 00:31:04

What do you WANT me to mean?

1 like
@supersonic2175 2022-09-07 19:25:37

Wdym

1 like
@winter2716 2023-09-24 04:07:16

Best Spike episode of the entire series! Also, Thorax, I love you so much 🖤🖤

2 likes
@purpledragon1945 2019-12-09 03:35:33

Season 6 was a great season for spikes character. Only took 4ish years

11 likes
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@winter2716 2023-09-24 02:59:08 (edited 2023-09-24 02:59:07 )

I actually like to call S6 the “Season of Spike!”

1 like
@ScreamingScallop 2019-11-16 06:34:56

20:57 Remember this line, and the background music. Just remember it.

13 likes
Replies (1)
@winter2716 2023-09-24 02:41:41

Because of the season finale, I’m guessing? Also, that music is a prominent recurring leitmotif throughout the series. It’s mostly used at or near the end of episodes, including this one, Twilight’s Kingdom (part 2), The Lost Treasure of Griffonstone, and many others.

1 like
@bonbonpony 2019-11-19 23:53:55

00:56 That's where the Changeling sighting occurred, isn't it? ;)
01:36 "Because I'm a Changeling" ;) And that's how the theme of this episode has been introduced...
04:32 Spike is Certification Authority right now :J And since a Changeling could easily replace him too, doesn't it make you dubious about the entire idea of SSL certification? :q
05:05 I would say Diffie-Hellman key exchange part of TLS handshake if the keys weren't public and perfectly symmetric right here :q They have to think of a better key exchange scheme if they don't want to fall prey to Changelings :q
05:40 Reminds me of that old fantasy board game "Diabelski Krąg" ("Devil's Circle") in which 4 mages are protecting an infant princess from getting possessed by one of 8 demons from hell who try to get to her at night ;>
06:04 Because he's more horny lately? :D
08:56 Pay close attention to the background music. There's a fragment of "This Day Aria" theme being played :> ("This day is going to be perfect..."). But the moment it starts the part "The kind of day of which I dreamed since I was small", the Changeling says "All I've ever wanted is a friend" which, oddly enough, fits the melody :>
11:31 The gradient on the middle guard's helmet inverted in a weird way.
12:30 Bits? :J
15:48 Well, there is an explanation (other than peer pressure): the writers might have done that to show the two different ways one might act in this situation – the bad one and the good one – so that they could contrast them with each other, by showing the consequences of both, and letting the viewer decide which one is the better one. If Spike simply did the good thing right away, I don't think it would have had the same impact.
18:14 Yup, his very first solo song.
20:25 The only problem I have with this entire premise is that Thorax didn't really "change" to a good guy – he was a good guy since birth. He didn't have to change himself. What had to change, though, is his image in other ponies' minds.
20:58 Trying to steal the spotlight, eh? ;J Nice try, Princess, but you come second. Spike was first to "set an example" here.
21:21 Cadence, darling... kinda late to the party ;J #metoo
22:00 Oh, you haven't seen his gayest form yet :D
22:58 Fun fact: The word "thorax" is a Latin word for the chest / torso, or the middle section of an insect's body.

8 likes
Replies (1)
@Sol-qt4wd 2023-09-15 03:12:34 (edited 2023-09-15 03:12:33 )

Just a small correction, Twilight didn't try to take the spotlight, she tried to convince others and she actually said that it was spike the one to "set an example"

1 like
@Icy-be5vl 2022-02-03 21:57:10

Finally Spike has good episodes.

8 likes
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@winter2716 2023-09-24 03:08:59

And it only took 6 seasons! XD

0 likes
@clearmelody6252 2019-11-16 14:39:40 (edited 2019-11-16 14:42:55 )

This is Equestria, dude! Surely you've figured out by now: Everything gets put on hold when somebody starts singing!


Yeeeaaah, it was a quick turn around there at the end but the episode was nearly over so they had to rush it.


Give a warm welcome to Thorax! He's one snuggle bug that you're gonna get to know really well!

19 likes
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@winter2716 2023-09-24 03:03:21 (edited 2023-09-24 03:03:20 )

I wish he could be my snuggle bug IRL! 🖤

0 likes
@sadisticspirit1460 2019-11-16 05:09:58

MY BOOOOOOY THORAX OMG IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS EPISODE.

11 likes
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@winter2716 2023-09-24 02:36:19 (edited 2023-09-24 02:36:18 )

No, he’s my boy, and you can’t have him! :P

1 like
@fusionomni305 2019-11-16 19:46:44

Despite Spike's moment of weakness, I'm glad he ended up doing the right thing. If he wasn't able to convince the others to give Thorax a chance, the admiration and respect he's earned could have been lost. Standing up for him took a lot of strength. One would have been enough, but Season 6 managed to give me another Spike episode that I love.

13 likes
@thaddeusr.3967 2021-10-10 05:53:24

This is my best episode of the series. Thorax is a great character. The conflict is stellar. The ending is the best part.

5 likes
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@winter2716 2023-09-24 03:06:23

Wait, this is actually your favorite episode of the entire series!?

My respect for you: ⬆️⬆️⬆️

0 likes
@steveeng1533 2019-11-16 02:37:37

Explore Equestria is the theme of the season

6 likes
@hannahbernicedytuan1166 2021-11-10 08:33:46

Ever since Thorax became the leader of all changelings..Spike escapes to him as thorax approaches...it's like that Spike is not his friends anymore like thorax needs him but his not there anymore

4 likes
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@winter2716 2023-09-24 03:41:44

Yeah, it kinda annoys me how Spike clearly gives preference to Ember whenever the three of them are together, like in Triple Threat and School Daze.

1 like
@twist58 2019-11-16 00:46:58

Ahh, Thorax.

11 likes
@Lanovran 2023-06-08 02:47:07

17:27 - I'd have serious concerns about the professional qualifications of that guard who thought that a changeling might be hiding underneath a small picture frame. XD

1 like
@CategoryFive5 2021-03-04 22:09:57

Another changing encounter and we in the crystals empire 👏👏👏

1 like
@Haxior5506 2021-04-25 16:43:13

10:46 - GENIUS! XD

5 likes
@Marius_VonHagen 2024-01-29 09:29:18

I don't know but I feel like I'm inlove with thorax 😂❤ he's just so cute and adorable his voice is so pleasant to my ears and the way he talks and move 😊 I want that kind of boy in my life though 😢

0 likes
@PrincessOfThestars850 2022-01-15 11:24:57

Baby thorax is adorable

4 likes
Replies (1)
@winter2716 2023-09-24 03:35:30

No.








All forms of Thorax are adorable! 🖤

1 like
@boombeartree 2019-11-16 02:30:22

I liked that one too but that was one of the worst things spike has ever done but he did fix it fairly quickly.

11 likes
@user-ks8fq6jp1c 2023-12-29 16:40:39

Why can’t spike hide’s thorax as a secret that would be great so he doesn’t blow his cover

1 like
@princessstarlaixyarixes8103 2020-11-07 16:36:36

Thorax is cute and nice 💖💖💖💖

8 likes
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@winter2716 2023-09-24 03:33:33 (edited 2023-09-24 03:33:32 )

You can say that again! 🖤

1 like
@elliedavieslovesmlpfim1516 2022-01-06 22:11:48 (edited 2022-07-27 17:02:31 )

Thorax looks pretty cool as a pony.

3 likes
Replies (2)
@elliedavieslovesmlpfim 2023-09-24 21:07:17

​@@winter2716😊

1 like
@winter2716 2023-09-24 02:57:11 (edited 2023-09-24 02:57:10 )

“Thorax looks pretty”

Say no more! 🖤

1 like
@williamfincher2260 2023-03-27 04:29:37 (edited 2023-03-27 04:30:07 )

It's not that surprising that Thorax would have a hard time controlling himself. He probably hasn't eaten that much since he left the hive. According to him, changelings were always hungry back when they drained love.

0 likes
@BUGFlower413 2021-03-27 05:33:47

Tbh, Luna is my favorite character, but objectively speaking I'd say Spike could very possibly be the best character of MLP

7 likes
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@winter2716 2023-09-24 02:47:05 (edited 2023-09-24 02:47:04 )

He’s in my top 5 characters of the series as well. It angers me that he got so much hate in the early days of the fandom, and even to this day he’s still vastly under-appreciated 😔

0 likes
@leopardndf6971 2019-11-16 10:19:13

I like this episode, but the quick turn around in the end rubbed me in the wrong way as well, I expected shining to be untrustful to the changeling, I mean he and cadence suffered the most because of them and I think a song fixing the problem to them is not the best fix.. The song was... alright. Anyway, it was a good showing for spike overall and thorax is a great character.

3 likes
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@winter2716 2023-09-24 02:34:14 (edited 2023-09-24 02:34:13 )

But Spike’s song didn’t convince Shining. He still had a big scowl on his face after it was over, remember? It took Twilight’s approval to finally convince him.

0 likes
@Usagi1992 2019-11-28 02:03:01

15:50 - yeah...Spike pulled a Judas in what was his good friend :(

2 likes
@adamcheck4941 2023-06-06 20:11:22 (edited 2023-06-30 15:28:24 )

I appreciate how they use changelings as a metaphor for racism the changes they make to Thorax over the usual changeling to make him cute like a long tail and ears negates the message a little implying changelings can be good as long as they are cute.

2 likes
@TheBlackQueen 2019-11-16 07:31:03 (edited 2019-11-16 07:32:48 )

17:44 This is getting a little out of....HAND???

Before anyone brings up Equestria Girls, she was not in that world long enough to casual adopt human sayings.

4 likes
Replies (3)
@Anthony-eo3ro 2019-11-16 17:15:01

I watched every episode and I never noticed that they are using a hand quote in a world without hands.

0 likes
@TheBlackQueen 2019-11-16 15:55:02

True Edge They always slip up with that line. I just think it's funny when they do.

0 likes
@clearmelody6252 2019-11-16 14:41:14

Well, in a later episode we also hear Starlight use that same phrase. It's just the writers slipping up a bit, you can't blame them for it.

1 like
@TheBlackQueen 2019-11-16 07:20:27

Spikes song was pretty...meh to me. The lyrics just felt a little too cheesy.

6 likes
@ArcCahlon 2019-12-10 18:44:18

thank you thank you so much man spike was a complete dick for not sticking up for him I was so pissed when he didn't stand up for him I mean yeah he did change his mind but at that moment I was so pissed with spike. also good spike song

0 likes
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@deltaedwards171 2021-08-01 14:42:59 (edited 2021-08-01 14:43:34 )

(1 year late lol) Seeing as the Crystal Empire is the ONLY place where Spike is actually given true respect for the things that he's achieved and helped make possible to achieve, he probably sees it as the only place of emotional solace that he can go. Yes, of course Twilight would always be more than willing to put the time and effort in to help Spike with emotional issues, but being the Princess of Friendship, a title which gives her an inherent amount of status within her nation, it probably wouldn't be enough to truly help him. Heck, even a majority of the fandom sees Spike as the second fiddle, and there are many episodes that express how Spike feels like a bystander in his own life because of how little others acknowledge him.

As such, being put in a position where he has to give up all of that, the only place where he knows that he can be seen with dignity, for the sake of a single friend? Honestly, I'd think a majority of the people who are harping on Spike for this episode wouldn't have fared much better, and that's not even taking into account the potential consequences of having brought what was widely believed by the Crystal Empire to be the most prominent threat straight to the royal family and their BABY! There's a lot more than just the "stick up for your friends" message here.

0 likes