There are things that are the equivalent of not judging a book by its cover, things that are prejudicially scorned at but when given the chance are not what they seem (it happens a lot of the time when films for example have bad marketing that does it no justice and they turn out to be good or more). This "don't judge a book its cover" mentality in my mind applies, or at least should apply, to 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic', a show that has enjoyed immense popularity that from my perspective is richly deserved.
"Look Before You Sleep" is a step down from the brilliant "Dragonshy" and there are better Season 1 episodes of 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic' before and since. It is a very good episode though to me and is one of the season's most interesting. In a way that it is set in one location and focuses on only three characters. They are reasons that may make people dismiss it, deeming it too simple, but to me they are interest points and made for a change of pace that was actually quite winning in its simplicity and it stands out from the rest in a way. It may not be the funniest, most emotional, most complex or boldest episode of the show, all of which may make some class it as a forgettable episode, but the different approach to the storytelling makes it stand out.
Not much wrong actually in "Look Before You Sleep". Occasionally the voice acting was a little off though mostly actually it was fine, Twilight can sound more hyperactive than she usually is voiced and Tabitha St Germain occasionally slips into sounding more like Rainbow Dash voicing Rarity. That is being reasonably nit-picky though.
On the other hand, the animation is great and is getting better all the time. The bright colours, meticulously detailed and often elegant backgrounds and adorable but never too cute character designs still appeals. The music has presence but never over-bears what is going on. Personally don't have a problem with the theme song, am aware some find it take it or leave it.
A brilliant job is done with the library location, it looks great with some surprisingly inspired art direction and a lot interesting is done with it. Absolutely loved the horror-like look, in total darkness save an oil lamp. Some nice use of objects. This is not an example of a location being just there and nothing else, with nothing done with it. The humour is still winning, the moral educational for younger audiences and sincerely handled and the dialogue is mature without being over-complicated.
Just because "Look Before You Sleep" focuses only on three characters doesn't automatically mean that it is a bad or dull episode. As said, it was this that made it stand out. Some may not like how Applejack and Rarity behave towards each other, considering it overdone. Not me. It was important for the writing for those two characters and their chemistry to work, being the driving force of the episode. It does work, brilliantly. Loved the personality contrasts (earthiness versus delicacy), how the episode focuses on their differences and not in a way that is just the good or just the bad. The conflict-chemistry between the two was amusing to watch and didn't come over as annoying or mean-spirited, really liked that it was portrayed as having no right or wrong, and how it's resolved is not rushed or pat. There are some very amusing expressions from the two when there is more of a horror vibe in the episode. The voice acting is mostly fine, Ashleigh Ball being the most consistent as Applejack.
In conclusion, very good if not great. 8/10
"Look Before You Sleep" is a step down from the brilliant "Dragonshy" and there are better Season 1 episodes of 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic' before and since. It is a very good episode though to me and is one of the season's most interesting. In a way that it is set in one location and focuses on only three characters. They are reasons that may make people dismiss it, deeming it too simple, but to me they are interest points and made for a change of pace that was actually quite winning in its simplicity and it stands out from the rest in a way. It may not be the funniest, most emotional, most complex or boldest episode of the show, all of which may make some class it as a forgettable episode, but the different approach to the storytelling makes it stand out.
Not much wrong actually in "Look Before You Sleep". Occasionally the voice acting was a little off though mostly actually it was fine, Twilight can sound more hyperactive than she usually is voiced and Tabitha St Germain occasionally slips into sounding more like Rainbow Dash voicing Rarity. That is being reasonably nit-picky though.
On the other hand, the animation is great and is getting better all the time. The bright colours, meticulously detailed and often elegant backgrounds and adorable but never too cute character designs still appeals. The music has presence but never over-bears what is going on. Personally don't have a problem with the theme song, am aware some find it take it or leave it.
A brilliant job is done with the library location, it looks great with some surprisingly inspired art direction and a lot interesting is done with it. Absolutely loved the horror-like look, in total darkness save an oil lamp. Some nice use of objects. This is not an example of a location being just there and nothing else, with nothing done with it. The humour is still winning, the moral educational for younger audiences and sincerely handled and the dialogue is mature without being over-complicated.
Just because "Look Before You Sleep" focuses only on three characters doesn't automatically mean that it is a bad or dull episode. As said, it was this that made it stand out. Some may not like how Applejack and Rarity behave towards each other, considering it overdone. Not me. It was important for the writing for those two characters and their chemistry to work, being the driving force of the episode. It does work, brilliantly. Loved the personality contrasts (earthiness versus delicacy), how the episode focuses on their differences and not in a way that is just the good or just the bad. The conflict-chemistry between the two was amusing to watch and didn't come over as annoying or mean-spirited, really liked that it was portrayed as having no right or wrong, and how it's resolved is not rushed or pat. There are some very amusing expressions from the two when there is more of a horror vibe in the episode. The voice acting is mostly fine, Ashleigh Ball being the most consistent as Applejack.
In conclusion, very good if not great. 8/10
