LPS season 4 review thread

[guillermogage]

Well, I haven't been active on here since episode 4: Senior Day, and I realize that this fandom is barely existing as it is. Penny82Ling just talked at a wall for two episodes in a row!

Well, Littlest Pet Shop of Horrors was a pretty okay "characters tell each other retellings of famous stories" episode that has been done many times in The Simpsons already.

I had been putting off LPS until finally diving into S4E6 and 7 today, and these ones made some... interestinf use of the 22-minute pacing! I wasn't keeping track of the time and was wondering how they'd handle introducing an antagonist/villian so late into the episode. I'm not exactly disappointed that defeating "Lord Twiggy" was "too easy". I'm not sure what to think of it. Apparently it was... sort of about being brave and knightly, particulrly for Russell, to stand up to the animal who had been stealing and hoarding all the Royal Henrys, even after failing once already.

I like the character development that Blythe got with Josh as well.

Then there's "The Tiniest Animal Store". I think it had significantly good meta-humor, actually, for example, better meta-humor than MLP's "Slice of Life". I don't read synopses so I genuinely didn't know where this episode was headed until the very end. Nothing was predictable. A less skilled writer would have not included the funny scenes with Mrs. Twombly, and used the extra time to add some unfunny running gags with Blythe, the pets, the actors, or even longer sequences of phone earpiece confusion. This episode made me laugh the way I would normally laugh in a full-blown comedy television series.

[penny82ling]

Spendthirfty

Well this episodes does test our limits of dis belief, but this is a show about someone that can talk to animals, so really the reality is not normal.

The doll that has no off switch, and batteries that lasts for 20 years, that is just silly, whoever made this toy, is probably very hated. I love the king kong parody, that was fun. I don't know for the plot, why they just use a real baby, that would have been better.

As for the Blythe plot, what happen to the responsible Blythe that we all know, was the temptation of employee too much for her, I guess so. It is a plot we have seen done a million times, but it is great to see Kora again, she is human Sugar Sprinkles, nothing really gets to her, because who could blame if she was really mad.

I wish Blythe's friends tried to stop a little earlier one, but they realized in the end, they should have done more to talk sense into Blythe, even the Biskits twins weren't as unbearable as one would expect them to be.

I thought Roger had some funny moments, though in the end, the question I have, why not just cut off the dolls head, that would shut it up.

[guillermogage]

penny82ling It sounds like you are downplaying how awful this episode was. Both plots were rather annoying and stupid. This was an unfortunate episode to start off with when I just purchased the Season 4 part 1 Season Pass (marketed on iTunes as Volume 7) in HD for $24.99, but all the other episodes are good and hopefully the next five will be.

I expected this sort of cheap unfunny humor from... like, 2007-2013 era SpongeBob, or... from what I hear, Johnny Test, rather than LPS which has a much better track record than those shows.

That robot baby is simply an asinine creation, and Blythe being fiscally irresponsible, even if "she wasn't told that her credit had a limit" is very much non-believable for what we know of Blythe as a character. We've seen her be an exceptionally responsible and humble young lady even with her having probably much more personal privilege than her friends, what with her being an only child and having a pilot for a dad. I figure that pilots get compensated more for their work than some grownup parent who manages some store or works in an office.

Blythe would never get carried away to this degree. Based on what we've seen from her, she woulda stopped way earlier; despite how passionate she is in introducing her friends to the world of fashion (in a non-pushy way), she still knows that stuff costs money and woulda reeled herself in, only doing so much at a time.

Even "Hedgehog in the Plastic Bubble" was better than this. Sure, both Russell and Blythe were overreacting to their situations in those episodes, but their behavior made some modicum of sense based on issues or insecurities that they were already established as having, or at least did not contradict previous episodes with them in it. I don't see Blythe greatly being upset about acne being as offensive as her actions in "Spendthrifty".

I also think that her basically being a "Twihard" of sorts, based on the "Princess Kissies" theme song, is comparatively in good taste, and is an amusing way to approach Blythe's non-Mary Sue-ness rather than just making her a klutz.

Remember in Season 1, when that was her major "flaw"? I like it how they have added other stuff to her character.

Sue Patterson also has shades of teenage Twihard-ness this in some other episode... it was the seventh episode ever, "Russell Up Some Fun", when she says "who do you think is cuter, Edward or Jacob?" I like those scenes, because they are actually more respectful of real-life and cartoon teenagers than trying to appeal to them with verbal text message acronym-speak.

[youflamingidiots]

I still question the logic behind having all these episodes where Blythe; the girl who can mysteriously talk to animals, is just off doing whatever teenage girl stuff while the pets wallow in the day camp. It makes you wonder how much the pets actually need Blythe.

[pepperclark1973]

[penny82ling]

Un-Vetted

How many crushes has Zoey had in this series? She is the Rarity of the series when it comes to romance, and each love interest becomes more superficial than the last.

Well once again Blythe acts really un level headed, wanting to spent a year in the mountains because of some unconfirmed rumor, she is her father's daughter after all. Thank fully we have Russell there to bring some sanity to that group.

Why is Mrs. T taking Zoey to the vet? Shouldn't her owner do that, this was a great chance to bring back Jon and Clarissa, a great opportunity wasted by the writers, I rather see them than a character I see all the time. But we got a reveal Littlest Pet Street already exists, I thought that was going to be an epic season finale thing, but nope it was off screened.

Zoey has her head in the clouds, this guy is obviously not a doctor or even knows anything, he is just good looking, just admit Zoey you only liked because of his looks.

Meanwhile Blythe, not wanting to take a guide, what is wrong with her, where is the level headed Blythe, when is comes to fashion she loses her head, but thankfully those Mountain Goats are here to save the day. The theme of the Blythe plot is smart animals saving dumb humans from themselves, and in the end this rumor was fake.

Once the Blythe ends, Blythe realize what a fool she was, saves Zoey from her foolishness. In the end Zoey comes to her senses, but only for the silliest of reasons, because the guy is a music critic.

All and all, did not like this episode, it some funny moments, I liked the goats, but this an episode you can skip.

[penny82ling]

Pump Up The Panda

Well this was surprising good, you see what happens when our characters have a brain?

This episode had a great message of be proud of your body and don't go crazy with worrying about your outward appearance, even though a lot of the focus of the series is fashion and sweets.

The crab reminds me a bit of Iron Will only more likable. Penny did need to exercise, because being tired just running a few foot that would be alarming, but don't over do it. And even after all the things he put her though, Penny still saved the crabs life. What a nice panda she is.

As for the other plot, first of all this pet designer guy, he was kind of shaddy, but more likable and not much of a jerk as that tv producer from "Tiniest Animal Store", so thankfully we don't get another character like that or Ramon. He just a liar, but Blythe sticks at her morals and doesn't give in, and really who wants to see pets that are shaped like humans? Makes no sense.

The sand castle plot was okay, but it mostly just to fill out time, and it was okay. I did love the song, it was great.

Now I wish we get back to some of the plots like Blythe's mom's diary, did they just forget about that?

[Shokew]

Pump Up The Panda... Talk about a step up from the last 2 episodes!

Definitely a High Tier episode, despite my earlier issues of one too many plots - MAINLY because things were actually handled well here on all fronts. It almost felt like I was watching "Frenemies" again (in a way), as in everything just worked and clicked with Blythe and the pets this time around.

Easily my biggest highlight here: Blythe actually used her brain and wasn't written like an idiot in this episode, which is what I expect of my 2nd favorite human female character on TV at the moment (Mabel from GF takes first, regardless.). After all, I really do (and want to) like Blythe, but seeing her act dumb, unless it's an honest mistake? No good - trust me.

(Let me elaborate here a little: anyone who saw the previous 2 episodes (Spendthrifty, Un-Vetted) before this has every right to label Blythe as Stupid and/or hate her character after that, in my opinion - I like it when my human characters make mistakes, BUT ARE SMART OVERALL, thank you very much. Something we don't see enough of on this show, unfortunately, hence why it was and will never be as good or as noteworthy as MLP, which is sad, despite me liking this show much fucking more than I ever did ponies *Sigh*.)

[youflamingidiots]

Pump Up the Panda is the second episode this season I've watched all the way through, and I quite liked it.

Penny is a really good character for body positivity, and it's just really nice seeing her get focus again. Sunil
and Vinnie did ok with their comic relief plot too.

The song was nice but I don't think we needed to hear the extended cut across two scenes.

I fast forwarded through Blythe's plot because I really didn't care. There were anthro pets or something? Whatever. But it was nice of her to spell out the lesson for me like I'm some kind of moron.

[penny82ling]

Snipmates

OMG, I admit as the season started I really didn't think it would happen, maybe I am naive, maybe after watching a week of Steven Universe episodes that just completed an epic redemption arc, I think this season we could be in the middle of a Biskit twins redemption arc. I mean if Pacificia Northwest, if Diamond Tiara, if Peridot can get a redemption arc, than why not. I wasn't sure at first, but this episode not to mention the synophis for next week's episode, makes me think maybe just maybe were are on a wild redemption ride baby.

You have to admit the three characters that stole the show this episode, not regulars, nor really guest characters, recurring, Sugar Sprinkles and of course the Biskits.

First let me say I like this self aware jokes, like for someone who is camera shy Blythe has been on TV a lot in this series, and that is not even counting Tiniest Animal Store sitcom that was based on her and even had the main character named after her, and what Blythe calls the other contestants who are the extras, she calls them what we the viewers would call them, mo hawk girl, weird guy with glasses.

Normally I start with the A plot, but let me start with the B plot, so I can get that out of the way, and rant on the Biskits. I have a lot to say about my girls. Anyway Sugar Sprinkles awesome, she was hilarious. I know it is risky, if they wanted to, they could have slipped in a PMS joke, I know that is what I was thinking the whole time, poor Sugar Sprinkles she is on her period.

It was funny little plot, some might say it is just to get the pets out of the way and something, which is needed for the A plot to work. How can they put the sprinkles in the certain order. And poor Penny, she was brave.

Now onto the A plot, how many times is Blythe is going to be on television? When the world finds out her secret, I guess she will be on TV all the time, though I am not holding my breath on that.

And what I feared happened happened, this was going to be like "Pitch Perrfect" again, in that took a character we already know and was not an antagonist, and turn her into an antagonist, but this time they explain it. The writers they are self aware they changed McKinna to a totally different character, but I like that they give us a reason, and you know what it makes total sense. Especially since what McKinna about ruthless and competitive the fashion world is, she is right, we saw it in "The Big Feathered Parade" and "Plane It On Rio".

And remember people, in those cases if it wasn't for the pets, Ramon would have won, and what Ramon did and tried to do with Blythe, now picture this, McKinna someone who has no pet friends to help her, and not as strong willed as Blythe, has someone like Ramon do to her what Ramon tried to do Blythe and succeeds, of course you might come out jaded. And because they give us her logic, so perhaps we will see her again and maybe Blythe might turn her back. If they do an episode with Blythe competing against both McKinna and Ramon, maybe than Blythe can turn McKinna back around. We know who she used to be, someone that loves fashion just like Blythe, and didn't get into fashion just for money or fame. And Ramon is a deterrent for anything, because I wouldn't want to grow up to be like him. Just tell McKinna you continue down this path, this what you are going to turn into.

Anyone to the real stars, the Biskits. I just love the twins in this episode. Forget what they did for Blythe, even if that happened, I am proud that they actually tried in the first round and did their best. Give them some credit for effort. I wish they would have made it past the first round. I mean why couldn't the writers reward them for that. That is one problem with the series, the Biskits never get rewarded when they actually show effort.

Can you imagine if Mona married Fisher and became their stepmother, that actually might be good for them, Mona would mold them into shape.

The Biskits don't like no picking on Blythe but them, they were like gang leaders or mobsters claiming their turf, Blythe is their turf, don't mess with them.

All the Biskits did at the end was made McKinna play fair, but Blythe because she know Mona better than the others, I don't think there was anything she could have done to counter that. Forget logic, the Biskit saved the day. I am in a good mood, I will let the twins have this moment of glory.

Anyway if the Biskits do kind good by the end of the series, this episode I mark as a big turning point, even more so than "Senior Day".

[Shokew]

Eh - Snipmates just felt Mid Tier for me (and that's being generous!). You know things are getting bad when those Biskits have to be the ones to make things right, for one thing. Although I am glad Blythe won at the end (I like it when things work out for Blythe, of course, provided she does things intelligently and she earns her victories, of course.).

As for the pet plot - sorry, not feeling it. Seeing Sugar Sprinkles act like that was just plain stupid, in my opinion and what really hurts this effort for me.
Both Sugar Sprinkles and McKenna in this effort felt like royal character derailment; at least McKenna got what's coming to her.
I feel sad for anyone who may dislike Sugar Sprinkles after this - I don't blame them.

[penny82ling]

Guilt Tripping

So the Biskits twins redemption arc continues,The way Blythe got the Biskits in trouble, for some reason seeing a teenage girl run late for school makes me thing of anime, particularly Sailor Moon, and Blythe plays some domino with the class, the Biskits knock the fire alarm and get in trouble.

And you know all could have been settled quickly if the Biskits kept their mouths shut and let Blythe talk. It is one thing when it is Blythe's friends, but the whole school hates the Biskits, I am sorry I can't help but feel some what sad for them.

Seeing those flashbacks of the Biskits excuses that was hilarious, and it shows they are delinquents, who knew that? Every time we see the Biskits, they are just lazy snobby rich girls, that trope and the bad girl delinquent just does not mess, yay for breaking stereo types although off screen, and I tell learning that side of them, yes that is bad, I find that very cool, and in real life not only are they rich, but have this bad girl rebel side, kids would hang with them. What kind of school is this? A bunch of Blythe Baxter goodies goodies.

And when Blythe friends were telling her to just leave well enough alone, part of me was saying the Biskits helped her in the last episode, so she kind of owes them, though Blythe doesn't know what the Biskits did in the last episode, but you think re guard less of how they feel about the Biskits, they would know Blythe well enough, that she does the thing, she is a do gooder, so don't fight back. One thing for Sue, but Youngmee I am so disappointed, what happened to the Youngmee that assumed the Biskits for their screw ups at the Pet Fest.

I do like though that Blythe is so use to the Biskits, without them around, it throws her off her routine. It is like being used to an annoying sibling, when they are gone, you just feel empty. And those fantasies, just like the other way around in the last episode, this time it shows Blythe cares about them, she just can't admit it, just like the Biskits they care about her too. It is so adorable, what we have seen with the Blythe / Biskit relationship this season.

And in the end, what stared out as Blythe punishment turned into Biskit punishment, how ironic, though where is the butler?

As for the other plot, Pepper being rude and using others people's properties without permission, I hope she learned her lesson. But I liked that Vinnie was the bigger person, he took some time to think and realized Pepper felt bad and didn't need a harsh punishment. I do also like that Sunil is the one who is more angry at all this than Vinnie, it is like you can hurt me, but hurt my friends that is even worse. I like that message.

And the song, the nice duet between Blythe and Pepper, it was a good song, I don't know where it ranks among the songs this seasons, but is was a good song.

My thoughts on this episode it was another good one, though seeing next week's episode, it lowers my opinion a bit, because the next episode is so great. Tell than bye.

[Shokew]

After reading the synopsis for this week's effort - Guilt Tripping... Sorry, not interested. At all.

I'll say this much, though - the episode meant to air next week (Petnapped!) that aired already on Netflix? In my honest opinion, a High Tier episode (And definite breath of fresh air over what happened last week, that's for certain!) that needs to be seen as soon as possible, provided you have Netflix, of course... That way you don't... get into any trouble.

[Rosa Blythe]

Jan 16, 2016 12:37:15 GMT -5 Shokew said:

After reading the synopsis for this week's effort - Guilt Tripping... Sorry, not interested. At all.

I'll say this much, though - the episode meant to air next week (Petnapped!) that aired already on Netflix? In my honest opinion, a High Tier episode (And definite breath of fresh air over what happened last week, that's for certain!) that needs to be seen as soon as possible, provided you have Netflix, of course... That way you don't... get into any trouble.

This sums up my thoughts on those two episodes. Petnapped is definitely high-tier and Guilt Tripping sounds so lame I want to be spoiled as much as possible before watching it.

[Shokew]

Jan 16, 2016 13:18:10 GMT -5 Rosa Blythe said:

Jan 16, 2016 12:37:15 GMT -5 Shokew said:

After reading the synopsis for this week's effort - Guilt Tripping... Sorry, not interested. At all.

I'll say this much, though - the episode meant to air next week (Petnapped!) that aired already on Netflix? In my honest opinion, a High Tier episode (And definite breath of fresh air over what happened last week, that's for certain!) that needs to be seen as soon as possible, provided you have Netflix, of course... That way you don't... get into any trouble.

This sums up my thoughts on those two episodes. Petnapped is definitely high-tier and Guilt Tripping sounds so lame I want to be spoiled as much as possible before watching it.

I don't blame you, either - the only reason I could partially enjoy Snipmates (last week's effort) is because at least those two twins were put in their place, while Blythe earned her victory - I didn't enjoy the pet plot, which is my real problem with that recent episode, unlike Petnapped!, for example.
Thanks for understanding.