My Episode Review/Rant on My Little Pony: Make Your Mark-The Cutie Mark Mix-Up
Greetings and salutations, my friends.
This is your top-of-the-line film, TV show, and episode reporter here with another review.
Today, I'm gonna give you guys my analysis of My Little Pony: Make Your Mark's "The Cutie Mark Mix-Up".
Normally, I'd start everything off with a summary of the overall plot. But, at the time I was getting to that, I started to realize that the story was another that I'd have a hard time describing, and I'd likely give too many spoilers if I presented a summary. Ultimately, I decided to skip doing so, and I had a feeling I was gonna be talking about the story a lot throughout this review regardless.
Anyway...
Similar to "Ali-Conned", "The Cutie Mark Mix-Up" was an episode I immediately got around to reviewing for continuity reasons. Not only was this the episode where Sunny's plans to create a community garden for Earth Ponies officially came to fruition, but Opaline's plan to use a spell for infiltrating the Crystal Brighthouse were previously hinted in "Ali-Conned". If it wasn't for these aspects, I'd likely not be as motivated to create this review right away.
The one thing I'd like to admit, though, is that "The Cutie Mark Mix-Up" was a challenge to analyze. In contrast to the previous episodes, it was difficult for me to get my head in the game, so I saw this one three more times instead of two. Just so I could get my brain going and be certain over what I thought of this episode!
So, what do I officially think of "The Cutie Mark Mix-Up" in words? Especially after seeing it three more times recently?
Well, even after rewatching "The Cutie Mark Mix-Up" a third time, I still had difficulty getting into it. But that was where I realized something:
"The Cutie Mark Mix-Up" was so terrible that I couldn't get engaged no matter how hard I tried! And even on that ground, everything about the episode was mind-bogglingly poor in quality.
Sad to say, all the blame for why "The Cutie Mark Mix-Up" is extremely lacking goes to the story. And wouldn't you know it? The plot was done by Jim Martin, who previously wrote "Izzy Does It"!
Since I didn't give a summary of what "The Cutie Mark Mix-Up" is about beforehand, I'll just sum up the episode's story in one paragraph:
In its entirety, "The Cutie Mark Mix-Up" is an episode that contains 3 stories in one. The 1st, and most obvious, is the subplot featuring Hitch and Sunny exchanging jobs after their cutie marks got switched by dragon-fire magic. The 2nd subplot revolves around Pipp and Izzy trying to catch the worked-up critters from the community garden, who wouldn't leave the Crystal Brighthouse. The third subplot features Opaline using a magic mouse to infiltrate the Brighthouse.
Oh, and before anyone asks:
Yes, Zipp and Sparky Sparkeroni are in this episode too. Zipp was involved in the critter endeavor for a time, but later went in detective-mode to investigate how Sunny and Hitch's cutie marks got switched. Sparky, on the other hand...well, he was just being Sparky, and chasing the magic mouse every time he saw it.
Speaking of Zipp and Sparky, I'd like to talk about them before getting to the bigger pieces of the pie. When it comes to their overall inclusions in "The Cutie Mark Mix-Up", they were generally passable.
At first, I didn't understand why Zipp stopped helping Pipp and Izzy round up the animals in favor of figuring out Sunny and Hitch's cutie mark switch situation, but I can see now that Zipp was meant to serve as the bridge between both aforementioned subplots. Sparky was present for all two stories as well, but his frequent chasing of the magic mouse was what helped maintain a sense of relevance for Opaline's story in this episode.
Basically, despite not having much character development, and the two of them doing things that ruffled my feathers most of the time, Zipp and Sparky were the glue that kept things together. They didn't keep this episode from feeling like a three-package deal, but at least they helped maintain a connection between the subplots.
With all this being said, let's move onto what I think of the three subplots:
First and foremost, I'd like to talk about the Opaline-subplot since it's not as big compared to the others.
On the subject of Opaline's plan in general, I thought it was actually quite clever. By using a spell that takes the form of a mouse, she was able to have a look inside the Brighthouse to discover the source of its power. And without drawing attention too! The fact that she succeeded speaks volumes as to how smart the plan was, and it provided a refreshing change of pace from the outcomes of her previous schemes.
In spite of this, there were some parts regarding Opaline's execution of her plan that I'll have to scratch off points for.
A prime example is that, despite her spell having the exact shape as every mouse featured in this episode, Opaline never thought to give her mouse the same colors! It was entirely pink, and it still had the tell-tale signs of being created by magic. Anyone who'd see the magic mouse could easily notice these things, especially when they take a closer look at it. The Main 5 were able to see the mouse before it disappeared, and they were close enough to get a really good look at it, so the fact that they still thought it was a real mouse regardless of the obvious things I pointed out is pretty befuddling.
Another thing Opaline clearly didn't think to give the mouse is a defense for if something was chasing it. Sparky was running after the mouse everywhere, and Cloudpuff the dog was trailing it for a time, so why didn't Opaline think to give the mouse something to discourage pursuers? Especially instead of having the mouse run away all-the-time?
Other times, I've wondered why Opaline couldn't get the mouse to appear right next to the Brighthouse rather than inside Sunny's smoothie cart. Or why Opaline didn't simply wait until nightfall to release the magic mouse, when the heroes were asleep. I'm saying these things because, had Opaline taken one or both of the courses I mentioned, she wouldn't have drawn so much attention to herself.
The point is, despite Opaline coming up with a great plan that was successful by the end, the decisions she made for executing it and the numerous setbacks that transpired ultimately played into why I don't believe Opaline is a particularly smart or cunning villain. Because of the flaws I noted with the mouse, it also seemed like the story had to dumb the heroes down just to make it work!
The only other complaint I have regarding the Opaline-subplot is that Misty was being too dumb in some parts.
Here's an example of why I think this:
Right after Opaline says that the ponies have magic back by "accident", Misty starts to slowly push some random potion bottle towards the edge of a table just to have it fall in Opaline's magic pool. It was like she thought that purposefully causing a disaster would solve something, which is a very stupid notion to act on.
What was Misty hoping to accomplish by pushing a potion bottle in the magic pool anyway? Was it to help Opaline regain magic? Earn her cutie mark? Blow up the castle?! Turn into some giant monster that breathes fire and eats anything it sees?! Be transported to another world in the hopes of starting a new life?!
Me to March Hare: Yes, you're right, March Hare! I was losing my head there.
Me to the Readers: Besides...
It's not like we're ever gonna know what was going through Misty's head anyway.
Let's move on to the subplot revolving around Izzy and Pipp, shall we?
When it comes to Izzy and Pipp's subplot in general, it was a relatively pointless exercise. It just seemed like Jim Martin incorporated Pipp & Izzy's critter-endeavor simply to give the two characters something to do, and fill-out the apparently-required 22 minute runtime.
Similar to Martin's usage of Zipp, Hitch, and Sparky in "Izzy Does It", the purpose behind Pipp and Izzy's inclusions also appeared to be for having them serve as unnecessary comic-reliefs! From the time Hitch was making his speech for the community garden's grand opening, Izzy and Pipp were the subjects of one comedy-based moment after another. Izzy would frequently say things that were apparently supposed to amuse viewers, Pipp was the center of visual-oriented jokes, and whenever the 2 of them were trying to catch the critters, their attempts always ended up with unsuccessful but humorous results. Basically, they were kinda like the Laurel & Hardy of this episode, and their attempts to catch the animals are reminiscent of whenever Wile E. Coyote would try to catch the Roadrunner.
The worst part regarding the jokes revolving around Izzy and Pipp was that they were irritating, unfunny, and flat! Not to mention Izzy and Pipp themselves were too aggravating and less-than-engaging in this episode, and they had zero character development! They neither learned how they can actually solve the problem themselves or grew as individuals, which made their subplot all-the-more meaningless and unimportant.
And now, it's time for me to address the pièce de résistance of this episode:
Hitch and Sunny's "Cutie Mark Switch & Job Exchange" story.
As the episode's most advertised subplot, the whole thing was extremely underwhelming!
Everything about Hitch and Sunny's story in "The Cutie Mark Mix-Up" was largely like an uninspired retread of Friendship is Magic's "A Royal Problem", with very few differences involved. The only notable differences in question being these:
1. Unlike "A Royal Problem", where the cutie marks of princesses Celestia & Luna are switched by Starlight Glimmer based on an instinct of sorts, "The Cutie Mark Mix-Up" features Sunny & Hitch's cutie marks getting switched by Sparky's dragon-fire magic. By accident!
2. In "A Royal Problem", Celestia and Luna regain their cutie marks once the 24-hour duration of Starlight's spell is complete. Whereas in "The Cutie Mark Mix-Up", Sunny and Hitch get their cutie marks back with no explanation whatsoever.
Differences aside, Sunny and Hitch's story in "The Cutie Mark Mix-Up" was like watching "A Royal Problem" all over again! From the circumstances to the shortcomings involved, this episode did not keep itself from showcasing a severe lack of originality.
What helped "A Royal Problem" work so well with its concept was that the story paced itself naturally. It started off further illustrating the apparent tension between Celestia & Luna, giving a better understanding as to why they haven't been getting along. Once the Royal Sisters' cutie marks are switched following their tension-based argument and they agreed to exchange jobs for the day, the episode devoted all the time needed to display how they'd do under their temporary jobs in a gentle fashion. This would empower the impacts of their individual experiences, show that they've truly gained an understanding of how hard their duties are, and solidify their developments.
With Hitch and Sunny's story in "The Cutie Mark Mix-Up", though...it was the complete opposite!
Unlike Celestia & Luna, Hitch & Sunny's strain simply starts after having a sudden disagreement over who has the easier job. It comes out-of-the-blue no foreshadowing, which made their whole argument feel like it was based on the two of them simply being ridiculous, prideful, and arrogant. Both the tension and argument also felt as forced as a nail in bricks, because they flatly written and portrayed.
Plus, after Sunny & Hitch's cutie marks are switched, they don't notice it right away and spend the next few minutes partly being cringy impersonations of each other, so the plot doesn't even get straight to the point with the situation. Once Zipp points their switched cutie marks out to them before investigating how it happened, the "job exchange" aspect of the story is rushed right in. And so are the things that happen during their experiences.
In addition to this, when Sunny and Hitch were doing each other's duties, I noted that their scenes appeared to be progressing too fast. Jim Martin never gave the episode the time it needed to exemplify how new and difficult Sunny & Hitch's temporary duties were, and each of the hard tasks they were faced with were just scrambled in and sped along. And just like the comedy revolving around Pipp and Izzy, the jokes that ensued during Sunny & Hitch's subplot weren't funny or well-worked. I was practically stone-faced through it all!
Depressingly, the wonky pacing of Hitch and Sunny's story, along with the lifeless comedy gags, were what prohibited them from having satisfactory character development too. Sunny & Hitch's individual growths were obvious for story-sakes, but their developments weren't given any time to solidify themselves and be impactful, or further show that the two characters genuinely learned from their ordeal. In short, the two Earth Ponies were one-dimensional in the long run, and if not for Jim Martin's uneven and excessive "character time" dividing, things would've been different for them.
In conclusion, "The Cutie Mark Mix-Up" was nothing more than another painful experience to sit through. It was dull, humorless, unoriginal, and all-things headache-inducing.
So, I rate "The Cutie Mark Mix-Up" 1½ out of 5 stars.
On a minor note that relates to "The Cutie Mark-Mark Up" but obviously wouldn't have anything to do with the ultimate rating, I'm gonna go ahead and say this:
Not only are the two characters annoying, but they're rude, inconsiderate, and spoiled individuals who seem to care more about getting whatever they want than anything else. Many of the things they did throughout "The Cutie Mark Mix-Up" can easily testify why I think these things, if you'd like to know.
How anyone can stand them is beyond me, that's for sure.
With this review being done and over with, I'm gonna take a break from reviewing episodes of "My Little Pony: Make Your Mark" for a little bit. Making an analysis on each of this show's episodes is an emotionally-taxing experience, and after reviewing 6 episodes thus far, I feel that I need to do some emotional-recuperating.
Plus, there are other things outside of MLP (G5) that I'd like to focus on doing reviews of anyway, so it's a bit of a win-win situation.